Senior Companions
A Good Idea
Description
Senior Companions are low-income volunteers, age 60+ who serve 20 hours per week providing on-going support services to older adults. Most of those served by the Senior Companions are elderly, homebound individuals, who would normally require nursing home and/or assisted living services. The services provided by the Senior Companions include daily tasks such as companionship-talking and listening, transportation, peer counseling, grocery shopping, meal preparation and light housekeeping. Senior Companions receive benefits including a non-taxable stipend, mileage to and from the work site, on-duty insurance, an annual physical exam, and four hours of sick and vacation leave accumulated monthly.
Goal / Mission
The goal of the Senior Companion program is to pair low-income adult volunteers with homebound older adults in order to provide senior services to the elderly, as well as provide benefits to the Senior Companions.
Results / Accomplishments
The Senior Companion program currently consists of 47 companions. Last year, the Senior Companions volunteered 50,407 hours to help 98 frail elderly, for a value of $302,454. This program saved a total of $864,000 in nursing home/assisted living facility costs.
About this Promising Practice
Organization(s)
Clinch Valley Community Action
Primary Contact
Clinch Valley Community Action, Inc.
200 East Riverside Drive
P.O. Box 188
North Tazewell, VA 24630
(276) 988-5583
http://www.clinchvalleycaa.org/
200 East Riverside Drive
P.O. Box 188
North Tazewell, VA 24630
(276) 988-5583
http://www.clinchvalleycaa.org/
Topics
Health / Older Adults
Health / Disabilities
Health / Disabilities
Organization(s)
Clinch Valley Community Action
Location
North Tazewell, VA
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