YouQuest: An active community for people with young-onset dementia (under 65 years)

Did you know that some dementias occur as early as one's 40s and 50s?  Like anyone else, younger people with dementia enjoy engaging with others, and you can help them have a good day, every day!

YouQuest is seeking volunteers to assist with our active community where volunteers make a difference in the lives of participants and family members, while learning more about young-onset dementia. 

What is YouQuest?
YouQuest is Calgary's first community for people with young-onset dementia (under 65 years) and their families.  Our purpose is to promote health and well-being by ensuring access to recreation therapy, counselling and peer support. YouQuest offers a place to belong, a reliable support network to families for full-day respite and caregiver peace of mind to maintain family responsibilities.

A registered charity, YouQuest provides access to recreation centre amenities people to follow their own interests. Our Recreation Therapy staff and community volunteers provide functional support as needed to help people achieve well-being, learn new skills, and maintain their independence.

Weekly:     Wednesday's - 9:00 am-3:00 pm
Location:   Calgary JCC, in the SW community of Pump Hill near Glenmore Landing
Nutrition:   Snacks/Lunch provided; enjoyed with participants & staff

Please visit this YouQuest weblink to apply online: 
https://secure.youquest.ca/volunteer-application

Responsibilities: 
What's a Typical Day at YouQuest?
•	Welcoming and interacting with participants and staff as part of our team
•	Actively participating in recreation activities along with participants
•	Anticipating participant needs and learning their life stories
•	Team co-planning to support individual and group interests each day, on and off-site
•	Enjoying lunch and snacks with fellow team members and participants
•	Liaising with caregivers and family members 

Is YouQuest a Fit for You?
Do you:
•	Have a ‘can do’ positive attitude?
•	See possibilities, and help overcome obstacles for each individual?
•	Communicate easily in a calm, reliable and compassionate manner with others? 
•	Have a desire to learn strategies that support participants to express themselves?
•	‘Go with the flow’ for flexible and proactive support of participants?
•	Respect the privacy and confidentiality of YouQuest participants and families?
•	Have a current City of Calgary Police Information Check for vulnerable populations?
 
Who are the YouQuest Participants? 
YouQuest is designed to appeal to younger people with dementia who want to be active and social in a community recreation setting. Therefore, inclusion criteria are fairly specific to facilitate the formal evaluation of the pilot for participant outcomes, such as:

•     Dementia diagnosis before 65 years, OR later diagnosis with prior symptoms 

•     Safe in an unsecured environment
•     Self-ambulatory and medically stable
•     Willing and able to participate safely in individual or group activities

•     Able to manage own activities of daily living and medications with minimal assistance