My Journey to Social Work: A Focus on Dementia Care

MSW Personal Purpose Statement Dementia Care

For me, the social work profession and its core values are rooted in the imperative of helping the weakest and most vulnerable members of our community. I incorporate these values into my work with the elderly afflicted with Alzheimer’s Disease, as well as veterans returning from war. My goal is to help people feel a connection to their community. My compassion and warmth are perhaps my greatest strengths in the social work profession, along with my unbridled enthusiasm for our field.

A New Beginning in America

Moving to America from my native Armenia at the age of 12 was a significant adjustment. I had to learn many new skills to build a new life in Los Angeles. Knowing almost no English upon arrival, school was initially a special challenge. However, I quickly adapted. If accepted into the MSW program at UXX, focusing on adults and healthy aging, it will be my principal crowning achievement thus far. My adjustment to America began right at the onset of my adolescent years, a period filled with inherent challenges. I struggled to adapt to Western culture as rapidly as possible, aiming to fit in with my community and especially at school.

With the support of my family, I achieved my goals and made rapid progress in school, mastering English along the way. This experience solidified my belief that I am a strong candidate for your program. I am eager to advance professionally into a lifetime of service to the vulnerable, particularly the elderly.

Language Skills and Future Aspirations

I am fluent in Armenian and Russian and look forward to using these languages as an MSW professional. I want to learn as much as I can about all aspects of social work and the needs of individuals at every life stage, especially adolescents through seniors. After earning my degree, my goal is to work with the elderly suffering from dementia or as an addiction specialist, crisis counselor, or wellness coach. I aim to help people learn to manage stress better, assist with behavior modification, and support them in making positive, enduring, and sustainable changes in their lives.

Choosing UXX School of Social Work

The UXX School of Social Work is my first choice because it is the online leader in social work with the most advanced curriculum. I greatly appreciate your emphasis on creating social change. My focus on dementia is deeply personal. My family has suffered from the alcohol abuse of my father and grandfather. For a long time, I felt sad that I could not defend them from this abuse. In Armenian culture, excessive drinking is common, and women often have limited power to set rules and boundaries that protect themselves and their children from such abuse.

My ongoing education in cutting-edge social work, particularly in the area of addictions and substance abuse, stands as a tribute to my mother and grandmother. They were central to my social and moral development, providing me with a foundation upon which to build—a cause for which to struggle. My grandmother now has Alzheimer’s disease, which fuels my professional passion for helping those who suffer from this affliction, especially supporting their caregivers.

Volunteering with Alzheimer's Support

For over a year, I have volunteered with the TimeOut Program, dedicated to supporting individuals with Alzheimer’s. Our goal is to educate people about Alzheimer’s disease so they can better prepare for its effects. The number of Americans with Alzheimer’s is rapidly increasing, and many are succumbing to the memory loss that erases precious moments of life. A fading memory not only makes individuals feel lonely and secluded but also dependent on others for daily tasks. Caregivers often experience physical and emotional fatigue, leading to limited social interaction for seniors.

At TimeOut, I was paired with a senior who has Alzheimer’s and spent three hours each week at the OPICA Adult Day Care and Caregiver Support Center. Together, we participated in various activities that helped us build a strong, lasting relationship. Our program not only helps seniors overcome loneliness without financial cost but also provides exciting experiences. This gives caregivers a much-needed break to run errands or simply relax. Meeting weekly and sharing stories allows us to form strong bonds with the seniors. The TimeOut Program is just one of many ways we show support for individuals with Alzheimer’s in our community.

Supporting Veterans in Transition

I also worked with veterans returning from war at the Wellness Works Program in XXXX. This organization creates a supportive space for veterans to heal from the stress and wounds of military service. By promoting the loving reintegration of veterans into the community, we strengthen our bonds as a society. Our work is sustained by community investments of time, service, and money. I chose to volunteer here to help better integrate veterans struggling with various psychological disorders related to their deployment.

As an undergraduate student, I worked with student government at UXX to meet the needs of students transferring from different community colleges. We offered quarterly workshops to support students’ success in achieving their academic, professional, and personal goals. I provided guidance through accessible and dedicated student leaders, partnering with various UXX departments to facilitate student transfers. My efforts increased the visibility of our services and engaged diverse social and academic groups.

Utilizing Language Skills for Community Support

It has been a special privilege to use my Russian language skills while serving with Wellness Works. I helped Russian-American veterans and their families establish a solid support base for their transition to civilian life. Working alongside intake coordinators, we assisted with workshops on family therapy, counseling, and trauma resiliency training. I led a Russian-speaking group and also assisted with acupuncture, cranial sacral therapy, and self-empowerment exercises.

Academic Pursuits and Community Involvement

I am currently completing my Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from the University of XXXX, Los Angeles, and I have done so in just two years by studying year-round. At the center of my world are clinical practice and policy, substance abuse and recovery, behavioral health care, and particularly the mental health care of elderly community members. I served on the board of a non-profit organization at UXXX called The Youth Movement Against Alzheimer’s. We promoted awareness and understanding of Alzheimer’s Disease by providing high school and college-age students with opportunities for volunteering, clinical research involvement, and fundraising. Our ultimate goal is to spread compassion and empathy for the elderly. I have also volunteered at homeless shelters.

Looking Ahead: My Commitment to Social Work

My greatest contribution as a social worker will likely be helping the increasing number of Americans with Alzheimer’s. More and more people are succumbing to memory loss, which erases precious moments of life. A fading memory not only makes individuals feel lonely and secluded but also dependent on others for daily tasks. Caregivers often experience physical and emotional fatigue, leading to limited social interaction for seniors. Working with the TimeOut Program, I was paired with a senior who has Alzheimer’s and spent three hours each week at the XXXX Adult Day Care and Caregiver Support Center. We participated in various activities to enjoy ourselves and build strong, lasting relationships. This experience not only helped seniors manage their loneliness but also provided me with invaluable insights while giving caregivers some time off. Meeting weekly and sharing stories has allowed us to form strong bonds with the seniors.

Personal Interests and Future Goals

My hobbies include meditation, fitness training, running, and reading books focused on human behavior and progressive social change. All of these activities will help me become the finest MSW professional possible.

I thank you for considering my application to the Social Work program at UXX. I am excited about the opportunity to contribute to the field and make a meaningful difference in the lives of those I serve.