Volunteer Programs

Senior Companion Program (SCP)

Older People Helping Other Older People Live Independently

WHAT IS SENIOR COMPANION PROGRAM ?

The Senior Companion Program provides in-home services to the elderly to permit them to live independently as long as possible.  Senior Companions help others help themselves by providing companionship and assistance in daily living which enables them to remain at home.  The Program is administered by the Area Agency on Aging under the Land-of-Sky Regional Council.  Funded by the Corporation for National Service and  some other federal, state, and local funds, it serves the elderly in the four counties of Buncombe, Henderson, Madison, and Transylvania.

WHAT DO SENIOR COMPANIONS DO?

Senior Companions work with homebound elderly, offer respite care to primary family caregivers to prevent institutionalization, work with acute care discharge patients in home settings, and assist terminally ill persons.  They perform their tasks in homes and in adult day care centers.  They do various non-medical tasks such as providing companionship, light housekeeping, helping with mobility, helping with nutrition needs, and providing shopping assistance.  Senior Companions work under the supervision of a volunteer station which ensures guidance and monitoring of client needs.  A plan of care is provided for each client. 

"While we are helping others, we also help ourselves. They (the clients) give us a feeling of being needed, also a reason to get up every day. I look forward to each and every day."- a Senior Companion

WHO CAN QUALIFY TO BECOME A SENIOR COMPANION?

Senior Companions must be people who love people and like to assist others in helping themselves.  In addition, you must:

• be 60 years of age or older
• meet low income guidelines (call to check current guidelines)
• commit to 20 hours a week (4 hours a day) to serve 1-4 clients
• serve in Buncombe, Henderson, Madison, or Transylvania counties

HOW DOES THE SENIOR COMPANION BENEFIT?

In addition to the personal satisfaction and fulfillment which comes from helping those in need, there are some tangible benefits for the Senior Companion which include:

• 40 hours of orientation initially and four hours of monthly in-service training
• a tax-free stipend of $2.65 an hour which will not affect your Social Security, Supplemental Security Income, Food Stamps, rent subsidy,
• paid leave - 3 weeks of vacation, 12 sick days, and 12 holidays
• mileage reimbursement
• free annual physical examination and accident and liability insurance

HOW DO I  BECOME A SENIOR COMPANION?

If you meet the qualifications for a Senior Companion and wish to apply: Contact Tracy Ash at Land-of-Sky Regional Council at 828-251-6622 ext. 103, or email her at tracya@landofsky.org.  Inside Buncombe County, call 828-251-6622.  If you live outside of Buncombe County, you may call 1-800-727-0557 to get information.  If you need special arrangements, (sign language, Braille, etc.) please let us know.  SCP does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, handicap or religion.

Tracy A. Ash (tracya@landofsky.org)

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