Dementia is one of the most common causes of loneliness and dependence in daily life. For this reason, the Agence du Bénévolat, the Iris Service of the Red Cross, and the Infozenter Demenz are now searching for volunteers who are willing to spend their time with people living with dementia.
In Luxembourg, more than 9,200 people live with dementia. Many of those affected withdraw after their diagnosis, out of insecurity or shame. Yet social contact is precisely what is important to maintain quality of life and to help ease symptoms, explains Christine Dahm-Mathonet, Director at the Infozenter Demenz.
“Our project targets people with early-stage dementia, and the main goal is to ensure that these individuals can still be part of society, still find opportunities to go out. We see many clients and families coming here, and we notice that, on the one hand, families are overwhelmed, and on the other hand, people with dementia really want to be part of society. They are very happy when they have someone to accompany them.”
The Red Cross has long seen how meaningful shared time can be. Since 2012, their ‘Service Iris’ has been training volunteers who, through their regular presence, bring joy and quality of life back into the everyday lives of people with dementia. Volunteers go for walks with them, share coffee, or simply listen. It is not about professional care, rather it is about being present, explains Yanica Reichel, Head of the Service.
“In this training, you learn what it means to be a volunteer for a person who is often lonely. Of course, we also focus on the topic of dementia. That means important topics such as loneliness, communication, understanding the elderly person, imagining the situations they might face, and practicing active listening. Often, that is exactly what we ask volunteers to do: to simply be there and listen. The volunteer doesn’t do much, but their presence matters.”
Currently, around 90 volunteers are working with the Red Cross’s ‘Service Iris’. To encourage more people to get involved in social work, the Agence du Bénévolat also plays a central role in raising awareness and connecting volunteers. The social sector is becoming increasingly important, according to Anne Hoffmann, Director of the Agence du Bénévolat.
“That’s why we also think it’s very important to work with local actors to develop new opportunities where people can engage socially. At the same time, we know that as our society is ageing, there isn’t always enough time, even from staff in hospitals and care centres. These small and simple activities, which volunteers can carry out, contribute to ensuring that people have someone who can spend their time with them.”
To participate in the training, volunteers must be adults and able to dedicate two to three hours per week. The training lasts 20 hours, after which participants complete an internship with a volunteer who is already active in the field. Further information is available on the Red Cross website.
