The Buddy Program
The Buddy Program is a unique opportunity for medical students
to build relationships with persons who have Alzheimer's disease
or other related illnesses outside of a clinical setting.
The Buddy Program was selected as recipient of
the 2004 MindAlert Award in the category of Early-Stage
Dementia Programs by the Lifetime Education and Renewal Network
of the American Society on Aging, in collaboration with MetLife
Foundation.
If you would like to find out more about the Buddy Program, please
contact Darby Morhardt at (312) 908-9432 or e-mail: d-morhardt@northwestern.edu.
As a Buddy Program Participant students: 1) receive a 3-hour orientation
on Alzheimer's disease and communication skills over 2 lunch-time
meetings; 2) are matched with a buddy who lives in a location convenient
to visit on a regular basis throughout the academic year;
3) participate in monthly group meetings and educational seminars.
At the end of the year, students receive a certificate for your
medical school records and compensation for expenses.
The Buddy Program, which was developed by the CNADC in 1998, is
a unique program matching first year Northwestern University medical
students with patients diagnosed with early Alzheimer’s disease
or a related illness. This program allows both students and the
diagnosed person to get to know each other on a more personal rather
than a clinical level and just enjoy being together.
The program has attracted ten to fifteen medical students per year
who volunteer their time to take part in a 3-hour orientation course
on Alzheimer’s, communication skills training, and family issues,
then commit to spending at least four hours a month with their buddy,
in addition to monthly meetings with the program planners. Buddy
Match Day marks the first meeting of patient and student as they
get to know each other at a party hosted by the NADC. It is at this
event that the buddy pairs begin their relationships, share their
stories and plan ideas for the coming months’ events. Family
members of the patient also get to know the student, as they often
facilitate the buddy visits.
The patients are selected for the program from the Northwestern
Alzheimer’s Disease Center’s Clinical Core and other Northwestern
related programs. Patients and families are contacted individually
and are provided written material on the program. Persons with the
illness are selected based on their ability to understand the basic
concept of the program and their willingness to spend a minimum
amount of time each week with their buddy. Patients who seem to
benefit most are those in the early to moderate stages of the illness.
Matches are made based on interests of both patients and students.
The goals of the Buddy Program are as follows:
° To provide persons living with a dementia an opportunity for
socialization and companionship.
° To educate medical students regarding Alzheimer’s and
other types of dementia.
° To introduce students to research and practice opportunities
in dementia-related fields.
° To provide an opportunity for persons with the disease to
share their experience with someone who will listen.
° To familiarize students with issues related to the daily care
and support of persons with Alzheimer’s and other dementias,
as well as their families.
Related Information
Buddy Program featured in the Feinberg School of Medicine Research Newsletter - July 2008
Scientists bond with Alzheimer's patients - July 2005
Buddy
Program in the News - February 5, 2004
CNADC
"Buddy Program" Recipient of the 2004 MindAlert Award
from the American Society on Aging - January 2004
Buddy
Program Highlighted on NU Homepage
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