Senior Companion Program

Senior Companion Program

Program Type: AmeriCorps Seniors volunteer opportunity

Overview: The Senior Companion Program brings together volunteers age 55 and over with adults in their community who have difficulty with day-to-day living. The program's goal is to maintain the independence of homebound seniors and adults with special needs, allowing them to continue living in their own homes.

Service Details

• Volunteers serve one-on-one with homebound frail older adults, adults with disabilities, and those with terminal illnesses
• Provide respite for caregivers
• Volunteers spend 2-4 hours, one to two days per week with each client
• Income-eligible volunteers can serve 5-40 hours per week

Geographic Scope

Serves 7 counties: Lewis & Clark, Silver Bow, Jefferson, Broadwater, Cascade, Gallatin, Madison

Eligibility Requirements

• Age 55 or older
• Income eligible
• Must be willing to volunteer 5-40 hours per week
• Must have a driver's license or be willing to use public transportation
• Must be sufficiently active and healthy to provide reliable assistance
• Must be committed to program goals and professional ethics
• Must be comfortable accepting supervision
• Volunteers should be creative, social, adaptable, and compassionate

Services Provided by Volunteers

• Offering companionship and friendship to isolated and frail adults
• Providing transportation to medical appointments or social activities and meals
• Assisting with laundry
• Assisting with meal preparation
• Helping with grocery and other shopping
• Assisting with simple chores (putting groceries away, dusting, etc.)
• Reading or organizing mail, newspapers, or magazines
• Assisting in making phone arrangements
• Adding richness to clients' lives

Benefits for Volunteers

• Nontaxable stipend: $1,084 to $8,320 per year (reflective of 5-40 hours served each week)
• Reimbursement for transportation (mileage if driving, bus fare if not a driver)
• Some meals during service
• Annual physical
• Secondary accident and liability insurance while on duty
• Pre-service and monthly training sessions
• Community connections and meaningful contributions

Contact Information

Kelley Moody, Senior Companion Program Director
• Phone: 406-457-7325
• Email: kmoody@rmdc.net
• Address: Rocky Mountain Development Council / Senior Companion, PO Box 1717, Helena, MT 59624

Office Location:
Neighborhood Center and Helena Senior Center
200 South Cruse Avenue
Helena, Montana 59601
Phone: (406) 447-1680
Fax: (406) 447-1629