Senior Companion Program
| Address: | 7 County Dr. Skowhegan, ME 04976 |
|---|---|
| Phone: | (207) 474-9622 |
| Toll Free Phone: | 1-800-287-1495 |
| Clients: | Do you know an isolated and homebound elder needing companionship in Franklin or Somerset counties? Do you worry about a frail or lonely citizen who is at risk and living alone? Do you have an elderly neighbor who could use a friendly visit several times a week? Are you a caregiver and feeling overwhelmed with days of intense care and need a break? |
| Services: | The Senior Companion Program is a volunteer program for older Americans who are interested in helping homebound elders or isolated adults maximize, maintain, or regain their independence. The program offers a unique opportunity to become involved with people. Senior Companions serve 15 or more hours per week visiting several homebound or isolated senior adults. They provide companionship; taking walks together, reading, letter writing, reminiscing, and just being a friend. They may share information about healthful living and activities of daily life, or go shopping together. Perhaps one of their most important roles is to combat loneliness and isolation, which threaten independence and health. Senior Companions may also provide respite services for family and caregivers. Twenty hours of initial orientation training, including job shadowing, is coordinated by the University of Maine Cooperative Extention. Job shadowing with an experienced Senior Companion helps you feel comfortable with your new role. Four hours of monthly training is provided through the University of Maine Cooperative Extension. This education is used by the Senior Companion to help clients with various aspects of daily living providing practical information on how to cope with a range of modern day problems. |
| Volunteer Opportunities: | Senior Companions serve 15 or more hours per week visiting several homebound or isolated senior adults. |
| Hours: | Twenty hours of inital orientation training, including job shadowing, is coordinated by the University of Maine Coopertive Extention. Job shadowing with an experienced Senior Companion helps you feel comfortable with your new role. Four hours of monthly training is provided through the University of Maine Coopertive Extension. This education is used by the Senior Companion to help clients with various aspects of daily living providing practical information on how to cope with a range of modern day problems. |
