senior companion Program

Eligibility Criteria

  • At least 55 years old
  • Must be within income guidelines (based on AmeriCorps)
  • Must pass federal, state, and sexual offender background checks.
  • Serve a minimum of 15 hours per week (but can volunteer up to 40 hours/week)

BENEFITS

  • Pre-service and monthly training sessions
  • Paid Time Off
  • Holidays
  • Recognition events.
  • Accident and liability insurance while on duty
  • Tax-free stipend of $4.00 per hour
  • Reimbursement for transportation and meals

VOLUNTEERS CAN:

  • Provide companionship.
  • Accompany to senior centers or adult day care centers.
  • Accompany to doctor’s appointments or other community activities.
  • Cook /Prepare light meals and wash items used.
  • Share community resources.
  • Respite to family caregivers
  • Remind client(s) to take their medications.
  • Water indoor plants
  • Play board or card games.
  • Watch television with client(s)
  • Do Arts & Crafts

Senior Companions are matched with clients according to needs, abilities,
and the distance of their homes.

VOLUNTEERS DO NOT:

  • Provide personal hygiene related activities.
  • Give medication or set up medication in pill boxes.
  • Convert or attempt to convert someone to their faith.
  • Accept payments for their services.
  • Lend money or borrow money from their clients.
  • Accept gifts over $25.00.
  • Perform household chores, or heavy lifting.
  • Care for pets
  • Purchase alcohol or control substances for their clients
  • Stay overnight or provide service on the weekend.
  • Provide yard work.

CLIENTS MUST BE ONE OF THE FOLLOWING

  • Frail elderly
  • Adults with Disabilities
  • Homebound
  • Mobility Problems
  • Alzheimer’s/Dementia
  • Failure to Thrive
  • Terminal Illness
  • Lonely or Isolated
  • Visually or Hearing Impaired

WHO WE CANNOT SERVE

  • Individuals with communicable diseases
  • Individuals with a history of verbal or physical abuse to themselves or others
  • Individuals or family members who are using controlled substances.
  • Individuals or family members who abuse alcohol.
  • Individuals who have a history of paranoid ideations.
  • Homes that are in deplorable conditions.

Client Referral Form

Client Referral Form

Senior Companions are matched with clients according to needs, abilities, and the distance of their homes.

 VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT ~ DEBORAH MORELAND

 

Deborah has been an active volunteer with the Senior Companion Program since 2016 and has served 8,117 hours to seven clients. When Deborah heard about the program, she was interested because she had taken care of her parents, and it seemed like a meaningful opportunity to help someone else in need.

When asked, “What do you enjoy most about volunteering with Positive Maturity?” Deborah replied, “I really enjoy being able to build meaningful relationships. I also enjoy the potential to create a positive impact on the lives of other seniors, and I love listening to my clients’ stories. These stories have given me the opportunity to develop new perspectives on my own experiences and how I react to them.”

Deborah wants others to know that she enjoys the in-service trainings provided to volunteers. She loves sharing the information and says she has learned a lot on topics such as dementia/Alzheimer’s, healthcare-related issues, medication management, technology training, and many others.

Deborah believes that volunteering works for her by keeping her connected and giving her a strong sense of belonging.

Thank you, Deborah Moreland, for your dedication and service to the seniors of Jefferson County.

 

Contact Us

We are ready to connect with you. Whether you are interested in volunteering, have a need for services or are an organization interested in a partnership, please complete the form below to contact us.

106 Oxmoor Road, Suite 152, Birmingham, AL 35209

205.803.3211

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Hours

Monday – Friday
8:00 am – 4:30 pm

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