The Senior Companion Program, a Region 10 program in partnership with AmeriCorp, is seeking volunteers to meet the critical needs of the aging population in West End communities. Representatives said the work provides high-quality experiences which can enrich the lives of both volunteers and clients.
Volunteers in the program serve homebound, older adults and/or caregivers in communities to help strengthen their independence and well-being. Region 10 now seeks volunteers from Delta, Gunnison, Hinsdale, Montrose, Ouray and San Miguel counties to serve the growing waitlist of homebound seniors.
Many benefits are offered to volunteers who meet AmeriCorps’ income requirements. Those are 20 hours of paid orientation training, a modest tax-free stipend, paid leave time, mileage reimbursement, supplementary insurance, paid monthly training and community service recognition.
In order to become an AmeriCorps Senior Companion volunteer, applicants must be 55 years or older, be at or below AmeriCorps’ income guidelines, which means a single person’s annual income can’t be more than $30,920, and a two-person household income can’t be more than $43,280. Additionally, one must complete required training, pass all required background checks with fingerprinting and agree to meet with the client a minimum of five hours per week.
Any income earned from the program will not impact eligibility for social security, disability, housing or other benefits programs. Anyone interested in becoming a senior companion should call 970-765-3121, or email Milca Espinoza, Senior Volunteer Programs Coordinator, at mespiniza@region10.
Espinoza told the Forum those interested in applying may also fill out an online application, which is a direct link and can be found at https://www.volgistics.com/.
Seniors served are age 60 and above. At this point, folks may recommend a senior citizen to the program, but there is a waiting list at this time. Espinoza said there is no cap for maximum seniors or companion volunteers.
She said the Senior Companion Program is an important one.
“This program was based off the need for homebound seniors who are lonely and in need of that companionship,” she said. “It’s to help with that loneliness and get volunteers partnered with other seniors their age. That’s why we ask for 55 and older. Clients have to be 60 and older, and this is companionship — not caregiving.”
Espinoza said volunteers can take their senior companion grocery shopping, play games, go on a scenic drive, or help with meal preparation.
“Maybe the client has dementia and needs that support,” she said.
She added the volunteer can take their companion to medical appointments, and potentially wait outside for them, depending on comfort levels. They can also go to the library together or play cards.
She said some volunteers do the minimum of five hours weekly, and some do more like 10. Others treat it as a job and help as many as 40 hours weekly, even though the stipend remains the same.
“It depends on a person’s availability,” Espinoza said.
Region 10 representatives said those above the income eligibility limits for the AmeriCorps seniors program need not worry. There are still opportunities to serve as a Senior Companion volunteer under Region 10’s Senior Connections Program. This program does not include an hourly stipend for service and training hours, but volunteers will receive mileage reimbursement, supplemental insurance, community service recognition and access to Trualta (R10’s educational platform).
