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The
Fergus Falls Senior Citizens Program, Inc.
is proud to host the Senior Companion Program,
in collaboration with Lutheran Social Service
and the National Senior Service
Corps.
Celebrating
over 30 years of service!
What is
the purpose of the Senior Companion Program?
Through their assistance and friendship, Senior Companions help others
live independently in their homes rather than having to move to expensive,
institutional care. Senior Companions assist clients with paying bills, grocery
shopping, and finding transportation to medical appointments. They offer contact
with the outside world and help make the lives of the people they serve less
lonely. Today, approximately 12,000 Senior Companions are serving 37,000
individuals in communities across the United States.
What are the
requirements and benefits of becoming a Senior Companion?
Senior Companions are at least 60
years old, meet income eligibility requirements, and serve two or more clients
during their ten to twenty hours of service each week. They must participate in
pre-service orientation and in training workshops throughout their service.
In exchange for their service, Senior Companions will:
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Find new friends; |
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Learn new things; |
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Help others; |
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Volunteer 60 hours per month with a flexible schedule; |
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Feel the satisfaction of making a difference. |
They also receive modest tax-free
stipends, reimbursement for transportation, meals during service, annual
physical examinations, and accident and liability insurance while on duty.
Senior Companions begin serving once they have completed 40 hours of pre-service
orientation training. Another four hours of training each month is required.
What is
the role of the Senior Companion?
Senior Companions assist others to
maintain the highest level of dignity and independent living possible by:
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Visiting homebound isolated
adults; |
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Providing support to family
caregivers; |
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Assisting with vital services
such as grocery shopping and appointments; |
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Serving as the "eyes and
ears" to the supporting agency; |
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Acting as a friend who listens
and cares. |
What are some
appropriate activities for Senior Companions?
Senior Companions become friends
with those who are lonely and isolated. They do the things that friends do
for friends.
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Be a personal friend; |
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Help with writing letters; |
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Help plan healthy meals and
snacks; |
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Share hobbies, playing cards and
other games; |
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Go for a walk or exercise
together at an appropriate level; |
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Be a resource person concerning
social activities, senior dining, social service support; |
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Help with forms and
applications; |
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Do errands such as going to the
post office; |
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Help with simple household
repairs and maintenance such as changing a light bulb. |
What are some
inappropriate activities for Senior Companions?
Senior Companions are not meant to
replace family, home health care workers, or maintenance workers. They should
not be used for:
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Emergency contacts when family
members are out of town; |
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Weekend or holiday
activities--Senior Companions volunteer Monday through Friday; |
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Activities performed by a health
care professional such as bathing, toe nail clipping; |
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Any detrimental activity; |
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Major household chores such as
cleaning, laundry, lawn care, shoveling; |
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Lifting or moving heavy items
like furniture, wheelchairs; |
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Extensive shopping; |
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Caring for or cleaning up after
pets; |
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Acting as a legal
representative; |
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Lending or borrowing money,
depositing cash into your bank account; |
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Non-essential travel; |
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Meal preparation for anyone but
the client. |
Remember, Senior Companions are
volunteers and are to be treated as a friend and not just free help.
How is the
Senior Companion Program funded?
The Senior Companion Program is
funded by the Corporation for National and Community Service and the Minnesota
Board of Aging, United Way and collaborative agencies such as the Fergus Falls
Senior Citizens Program, Inc.
How do I
become a Senior Companion?
To become a Senior
Companion in Fergus Falls, contact the Fergus Falls Senior Citizens Program by
calling 736-6842.
How do I
receive the services of a Senior Companion?
To receive the
services of a Senior Companion in Fergus Falls, contact the Fergus Falls Senior
Citizens Program by calling 736-6842.
For information on other senior
services in the area log onto the Otter
Tail County Resource Directory.
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