Smart Ways to Volunteer for Brain Health
There are two ways to think about promoting brain health: taking care of your own, and volunteering to help others. From games and tips, to understanding risks and working one-on-one with those who need help, here are a few ideas to boost your knowledge and feed your inspiration.
Keep your head in the game.
A study from the University of Edinburgh and the University of Texas suggests that new activities like quilting, learning new games or introducing yourself to a new language can all help to strengthen our brains. If you have experience, or even a love for these activities, you can volunteer your time to help someone who may suffer from a brain injury. Or, if you are looking for other ways to help someone stay sharp you can access dozens of free games here, or take a few minutes to learn about brain health and wellness through AARP’s Staying Sharp program, and create a game of your own.
Listen to the thought leaders.
The Global Council on Brain Health is a collaborative effort with AARP that inspires thought leaders to work together to translate scientific information on brain health into simple actions people can take every day. They’ve distilled their research down to a simple, helpful infographic. For a deeper dive into the data, you can download their full report. Or simply follow Harvard’s 12 ways to keep your brain young. Whatever you choose, simply understanding these key points, and following them, can help you make a difference in a person’s life.
Ease the impact of illness or injury.
Alzheimer’s Disease affects millions of Americans, and every local community can benefit from volunteers. The Alzheimer’s Association has several ways to get involved, including advocating on behalf of patientsand volunteering to make a difference in just a few hours each week. As a concussion ambassador, you can help raise concussion awareness in your community through fundraising initiatives, event planning, and program implementation. Mothers Against Concussions also offers a wide variety of opportunities to match a volunteer’s interests and expertise.
Make a personal connection.
If you’re interested in making a direct impact on your community, you can sign up to be a camp counselor for kids at Camp Cranium. Many states have brain health organizations of their own, which you can find with a simple online search. Or team up with The Alzheimer’s Project and help with social club coordination, group day care activities, and street teams who publicize the program and upcoming events.
Find more opportunities and inspiration today using this simple volunteer search.
