Volunteers of America MN/WI’s Culturally Responsive Caregiver Support and Dementia Services is renowned for its work in crossing cultural barriers for those caring for a loved one with dementia. It was recently recognized nationally with the 2020 Innovation in Alzheimer’s Caregiving Award. The team was recognized for their work to close healthcare gaps for people of color. Sometimes their support comes down to recognizing an all-too-common barrier for many adults this past year: connecting through technology.
Gloria, one of our Community Health Workers, recently received a request to assist “Ms. LW” with setting up a computer tablet that she had borrowed from VOA’s Senior Lending Library to help her participate in the service’s upcoming virtual events. Ms. LW was a little nervous at first; however, Gloria’s help soon had her proclaiming “Hallelujah!”
Gloria reassured Ms. LW that together they would handle this technology challenge, setting up the tablet, resetting passwords and touching bases the next day to troubleshoot once more. Not wanting her to miss anything, Gloria also helped guide Ms. LW through setting up her email on her phone, so she wouldn’t have to rely on the tablet every time. Ms. LW now knows how to check her email on the tablet and her phone! She was delighted, and cheers went up, again!
In our Culturally Responsive Caregiver Support and Dementia Services, our Community Health Workers have the heart and wisdom to do this work.