The Best Friends Day Center

        Alzheimer's is commonly described as a mental illness that destroys memory and causes the loss of other mental functions. Imagine the frustration that would come with the beginning stages of this disease, the knowledge that you should remember something but just can't quite bring it to your mind. It might seem easy to discount someone with Alzheimer's, however, in my experience, these people can bring so much joy and so many stories into your life. Each one of them is living, breathing history with a story to tell.
        This semester, four of my classmates and I have the privilege of working with the Best Friends Day Center. This is a place where people with Alzheimer's can come and spend part of their days. They can experience quality time with others as well as participate in activities. My team and I will be doing activities with our friends as well as just talking to them about their lives and ours. We will each receive a participant of the Day Center to work with and will be provided with facts about them as well as their story before spending quality time with them. The Best Friends Day Center describes the atmosphere as a creative and safe environment for all who attend.

The Best Friends Day Center team at our first meeting!

        Organizations like Best Friends hold a special place in my heart ever since my grandma was diagnosed with Early-Onset Dementia. I know how difficult it can be and how important it is to make them feel at ease and involved.  After our initial meeting at the Day Center, which involved a sing-along and meeting some of the participants, I very much look forward to working with this organization. Not only will volunteering here be a wonderful way to get involved with the community, but it will make Lexington feel more like home and give me something to look forward to. All the participants were so happy to be there and were genuinely enjoying themselves. I think that it will personally make me a better person hearing their stories and working to help brighten their day. I have no doubt that in trying to brighten their day, they will actually brighten mine.

http://www.alz.org/kyin/in_my_community_17256.asp
https://myci.uky.edu/NPODB/Orgs_view.php