They serve homebound senior, frail older adults, adults with disabilities, those with terminal illnesses and offer respite for caregivers. Senior Companion volunteers assist with daily living tasks, such as grocery shopping and bill paying, provide friendship and companionship to isolated and frail adults, encourage and escort to social and recreational outings, provide transportation to medical and other appointments, alert doctors and family members to potential problems; and give respite to family caregivers. Family Caregiver Support Program (FCSP) respite funds enable caregivers to be relieved from the caregiving responsibility for scheduled periods of time.
Senior Companion Volunteers are adults, 55 and older, who provide support to family caregivers and homebound frail, elderly and/ or disabled. They assist with daily tasks necessary to maintain independence, and caregivers much-needed respite. Senior Companions receive a small stipend ($2.65/hr), a physical exam, and as funds allow transportation cost; to/from the client’s home.
Volunteers receive 20 hours of pre-service orientation, training from the organization where they serve, supplemental insurance while on duty, and may qualify to earn a tax-free hourly stipend of $2.65 per each volunteer service hour. Reimbursement is provided for personal vehicles which include to and from the clients home and transportation for and with the client/s served. Volunteers that do not drive, arrangements are made with local transit at no cost to the volunteer.
Eighty-two (82) volunteers have assisted approximately 172 clients an average of 8-30 hours per week, depending upon the assessed need of the client/caregiver.
A common thread through all of our services, be they Family Services, Senior Services, or Housing Services, is that we help change lives by providing needed resources and support. Coastal Community Action, Inc. provides needed services to thousands of residents in our region annually.
