AmeriCorps Senior Companion Program

The Program: AmeriCorps Senior Companion Program

The Senior Companion Program is a volunteer program designed for individuals aged 55 and older who wish to make a positive impact in their community. The program connects volunteers with homebound, socially isolated adults 60 and older or adults with disabilities to help them maximize, maintain, or regain their independence. The Senior Companion Program is genuinely neighbors helping neighbors.

How it Works

Through the University of Maine Center on Aging, Senior Companion Program services are available to individuals who want to volunteer or need companionship:

Androscoggin

Oxford

Washington

Franklin

Penobscot

Hancock

Piscataquis

Kennebec

Somerset

Knox

Waldo

The Volunteers

Prospective volunteers must be age 55 and older and be willing to serve 5 to 20 hours per week. They should complete an application and provide three references. Volunteers are interviewed and must clear the background checks and fingerprinting. All volunteers are required to complete 20 pre-service hours of orientation training to ensure they feel confident and prepared to provide valuable support to their clients. They also participate in 24 hours of additional training throughout the year. For those who meet income eligibility guidelines, the program offers a modest stipend and provides mileage reimbursement for transportation services provided to their clients.

The Service

The Senior Companion volunteer provides 1:1 companionship to clients in their homes and day centers, as well as respite for family caregivers.

Providing companionship, talking, listening, cheering up, reading, playing cards or games with the client
Reminiscing with the client
Promoting client contact with family and friends
Accompanying the client to a recreational or social event
Assisting with reality orientation and general awareness
Providing grief support (non-professional)
Accompanying the client to their doctor’s or medical appointment to provide emotional support
Encouraging prescribed exercise or taking easy walks with the client
Providing information on exercise or recreational activities

*Not all volunteers drive