The mission of the Senior Program is to strengthen communities by (1) providing the frail elderly with in-home care so they can maintain their highest level of independence and (2) providing low-income seniors with a meaningful volunteer opportunity with a small stipend to supplement their fixed income.

Description:
The Senior Companion Program recruits and trains low-income seniors age 60 and older to care for frail elderly at risk of nursing home placement. SCP volunteers spend 20 hours per week perparing nutritious meals, assisting with light housekeeping, running errands, helping with personal grooming and providing companionship to isolated frail elderly. They also provide respite to overburdened primary caregivers who need a break from the stress of 24/7 care giving.

Volunteers receive a $200 per month stipend, transportation or mileage reimbursement, an annual physical exam, liability and life insurance and regular training. The stipend is not reported as income for tax purposes or for determining eligibility for or level of benefits such as food stamps, Section 8 housing or any other entitlement program. Additionally, volunteers recieve the satisfaction of helping a neighbor in need and improving the quality of life for the elderly in their community.

The Senior Companion Program service area includes the following central Kentucky counties: Anderson, Boyle, Fayette, Franklin, Garrard, Jessamine, Lincoln, Mercer, Scott, and Woodford. Program staff are located at Blue Grass Community Action Agency's central office in Frankfort. Volunteers work out of a local volunteer station in their county, and are matched with elderly in their own county. Local senior centers, senior housing facilities, public housing facilities, home health agencies and hospices serve as volunteer stations.

History:
The Senior Companion Program has been sponsored and administered by Blue Grass Community Action Agency since 1988. The program contributes to the Blue Grass Community Action Agency's mission of working with the low-income to identify and eliminate the causes of poverty and meet human needs within each community.

The Senior Companion Program is part of the Senior Corps, which includes RSVP, Foster Grandparents and Senior Companions. It is funded by a federal grant administered by the Corporation for National Service and by local contributors including the United Way.

Contact people:

Janet Gates, Senior Companion Director , (phone), (email) Pearl Allen, Receptionist, (phone)

Office fax number: 502-695-1075

Address:

3445-B Versailles Road Frankfort, KY 40601 (See a map)

Web Site: None specified