Memory Companions

As a volunteer with the Normandale Center for Healing & Wholeness Memory Companion program, my role is simple yet profound: connect with people. For a couple of hours every other week, I visit with a person living with Alzheimer's or another form of dementia so that their caregivers can have some time to rest, catch up with friends, run errands, attend appointments, or do whatever else they may need to care for themselves.

One of the most meaningful parts of this experience has been realizing how much the people that I am paired with look forward to our visits. When I first started, I was nervous that they might see me as an unwelcome outsider coming into their home. Far from it. Instead, my visits are like spending time with a friend. Depending on the person, we might look through old photographs, go for walks, birdwatch, do puzzles, play games, or simply talk about life. Some of my favorite moments are the small ones: seeing Rita grin after beating me at a hand of Gin Rummy for the third time in a row, or watching Curt light up as he shows me every flower and tree he’s planted in his yard. Even though they live with significant memory loss, they always know who I am and are excited to see me. Over time, I have become part of their routine and their lives, and they have become part of mine as well. While the time we spend together is fairly short, the connection and friendship we've built are deep.  

Social isolation can be a major challenge not only for people living with dementia, but also for their caregivers. Memory Companions create space for both people to feel supported. We give caregivers a chance to step away from the constant demands of caregiving, while ensuring their loved one has a friendly, familiar person to spend time with. In many ways, the role is less about “doing” something and more about simply being present with another person. One of our core needs as human beings is to feel seen, known, and connected to others, and being a Memory Companion is a unique opportunity to provide that kind of meaningful connection.

Currently, the demand for our Memory Companions program exceeds our volunteer capacity. If you have a heart for people and a few hours to spare, you can make a real difference in the lives of people living with dementia and their caregivers. No prior experience is required;

we will provide training and support you every step of the way.

To learn more or to sign up, please contact our Engagement Coordinator, Cheryl Nickelson, at cnickelson@normandalecenter.org or 952-977-9374.