Volunteers keep seniors company and give caregivers a break
Did you know that there are programs across the U.S. that give caregivers a break? Their volunteers are available to spend time with your older adult.
National community service agency helps seniors
The U.S. government has an agency called the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS). One of their main nationwide programs is called Senior Corps.
Senior Corps connects adults aged 55+ with organizations that could benefit from their skills and expertise. It’s a great way for older adults to stay active and participate in their communities. One of their programs, Senior Companions, pairs active seniors with older adults who aren’t as independent or mobile.
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What the Senior Companions program does
The Senior Companions program recruits volunteers to give friendship and assistance to seniors who have difficulty with daily living tasks. Volunteers go through background checks and training in order to participate.
The volunteers are all aged 55 and over and, aside from companionship, can also help with things like shopping or paying bills. These Companions give family caregivers much-needed help so they have a chance to take care of themselves.
How to find Senior Companions in your area
- Go to the State Profiles page on the AmeriCorps & Senior Corps website
- In the View Your State section, select your state (or where your senior is located) and click “View Report”
- On the right hand side, click on the PDF titled “[your state] Service Locations” – it should be in a section titled “Year in Review” reports
- The PDF shows local service organizations by city and the types of programs available
Tip: In the PDF, even if a Senior Companion program isn’t listed in the “Program Type” column for the organization in your area, it’s a good idea to call and double-check. The website might not have all the latest updates.
Next Step Find a volunteer through your local Senior Companion program
Recommended for you:
- Local Community Resources for Seniors and Caregivers: Area Agency on Aging
- Adult Day Services Help Seniors Live at Home Longer
- Local Respite Care Services Give Caregivers a Break
By DailyCaring Editorial Team
Image: Family Services of Central MA
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Pamela Schley
Well, when I try to go to the Senior Companion page for information, the only thing I get is “You Do Not Have Permission To View This Content”. Not a whole lot of help. I tried other tabs on the page and all I get is information on how to JOIN the program, not how it can help me. I am already frustrated and this definetly does not make me any less frustrated,
DailyCaring
Thanks for alerting us to this change on the Senior Companion website. We’ve updated the links and instructions in our article above.
We wish it was easier to locate this information, but we don’t have any control over their website.
You may also want to contact your local Area Agency on Aging to find out if they can connect you to local volunteer programs similar to Senior Companions. More info on them here: https://dailycaring.com/local-community-resources-for-seniors-and-caregivers-area-agency-on-aging/