Home Companion program helps seniors at home

"The Retired and Senior Volunteer Program is a true volunteer program," stated Janice Ayres, executive director, "covering 15 rural counties and sometimes 17."

Its Home Companion Program is indeed a good deal for seniors, for both the volunteer and the client. Since 1984, and now under the direction of Susan Haas, the program recruits volunteers to serve low income homebound seniors who can't get out to shop, go to the doctor or take care of some of the basics of every day living.

The program helps make it possible for the clients to maintain themselves in their own homes and prevent premature institutionalization. The volunteer acts as a trusted friend, companion, and a person who helps with basic needs. The volunteer also may make a sandwich for lunch, pay the bills, write a letter " anything except medical " that will help with basic needs of the client. The volunteer and client often bond and may contact each other by phone when lonely or depressed.

The Home Companion volunteer is covered by five kinds of insurance provided by RSVP including general liability, automobile excess, on the job, and accidental death.

Ayres said she has been with RSVP for 30 years and has never had a complaint about a volunteer. Each one is given a background check by a reputable company before starting the program. Any age person can apply to be a Home Companion, but RSVP prefers age 55 and older only because their hours can be counted with the federal program to pay out-of-pocket expenses.

A person who is disabled and unable to get around to take care of daily basic living, age 55 or older preferred, may ask for a Home Companion's help.

"We don't check on a person's finances," Ayres said. "We want to keep it as dignified as possible. Just seeing the living conditions we can tell the person is not a millionaire. If they can't afford to hire someone, RSVP is there to help."

A Home Companion volunteer may work any number of hours, any days of the week they desire. It is up to them and their decision. On the basic application form there is a place to note their wishes. The volunteer is paid out-of-pocket expenses for gas and lunch, not to exceed $20 a month. There is no cost to the client, but donations can be accepted to help fund the program. About 800 clients are served at this time, and 500 volunteers are acting Home Companions.

"We have one client who is legally blind. She gets around OK, but has trouble paying her bills and budgeting her money," Ayres said.

"However, we don't get too many people who need checks written. She has a Home Companion who is good at such things and who also takes the client grocery shopping, helps get prescriptions, takes her to the doctor and, most important, is a friend who really cares for her. Home Companion is not for the paycheck, it is for the caring."

To share in the good feelings that come with being a volunteer Home Companion, call 687-4680, ext. 6, and talk to Caroline. You can apply on-line, request an application or just go to the RSVP office at 3303 Butti Way, Building No. 1.