Since 1981 the Senior Companion Program has been providing assistance and friendship to older adults and adults with disabilities to help them remain independent in their own homes at no cost. The Senior Companions also provide Respite for family members who are caregivers. This program serves those that live in Worcester County. We recruit, train, and supervise adults 55+ to serve as Senior Compa
nions Volunteers. The Volunteers can serve others in the community as a stipend or non-stipend companion according to the federal financial requirements and receive other benefits throughout the year. Senior Companions provide a minimum of 15 hours a week, and can volunteer up to 40 hours of valuable service to their clients and their families. Our staff and Volunteer Station Supervisors from various agencies/organizations in Worcester County area help monitor the clients and volunteers. The strength of this program is “neighbor helping neighbor.”
GEOGRAPHIC SERVICE AREA
Worcester County, MA
ACTUAL SERVICES OFFERED
In-home assistance
Caregiver respite Support
Volunteer Assistance within Social Day Centers and Adult Day Health Centers. QUALIFICATIONS TO USE SERVICES
To be a Companion, you must be age 55+ and meet federal financial requirements
To be a Service Recipient, you must be an adult who is home bound or has disabilities
For both the Senior Companions and the clients utilizing the services you must be a resident of Worcester County. VOLUNTEER ROLE OPPORTUNITIES
Senior Companion Volunteers
Station supervisors to help coordinate small groups of Senior Companions
In-service speakers with information in the field of aging, including health and supportive services
Advisory Council members
Worcester County residents interested in becoming a Senior Companion volunteer may apply for either a stipend position ($2.65 per hour as well as reimbursement for transportation and lunch) or a non-stipend position (reimbursement for transportation and lunch only): For both stipend and non-stipend positions, volunteers must:
1) Clear a comprehensive background check with fingerprinting, and sexual offender checks.
2) Be willing to attend 40 hours of training. There is a 20 hour orientation, and then each month a 4 hour mandatory in-service training.
3) Must be 55 years of age or older. Stipend volunteers must meet the federal financial requirements of the Senior Companion Program.
