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Back to Services for Mature Adults
 For a frail elderly person,
a Senior Companion may be the difference between self-reliance
and mere survival. With the help of volunteer companions, who are
themselves senior citizens, older people with physical and emotional
needs receive extra care so they can remain independent in their
own homes and stay out of nursing homes.
Services are provided at no charge.
Who is
eligible for companion services
Selected community organizations,
such as the Alzheimer's Association (Dallas Chapter), Veterans Affairs
Medical Center and Parkland Memorial Hospital, refer clients to
the Senior Companion Program. Our staff, in cooperation with these
organizations, is responsible for the training, placement and supervision
of the Senior Companions. Contact the Director of the Senior Companion
Program for information on making referrals to this program. Self
referrals are not accepted.
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How Senior
Companions help
Senior Companions serve 20
- 40 hours a week in the home of one or two frail elderly clients.
They provide assistance in a number of areas including:
- Socialization - Providing
companionship; talking and listening; offering peer counseling.
- Escort services - Accompanying
clients to medical appointments or to recreational
and social events.
- Support care - Exploring
community services; communicating client needs to program staff;
assisting with respite care.
- Personal care - Assisting with grooming, eating
and exercising.
- Home management - Helping with light housekeeping
and meal preparation.
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A statement
from one of our clients
Ms. Gaytan
learned about The Senior Source in 1993 when she became a Senior
Companion. Getting out of her home and caring for others helped her
overcome her depression after the death of her oldest son. Ms.
Gaytan, who is bilingual, was initially paired with a frail woman
who spoke only Spanish, and she still remembers that the older woman
used to tell her stories from the old days in Mexico.
In 2000, Ms.
Gaytan’s life took a drastic turn. Following complications from a
ruptured gall bladder and heart attack, Ms. Gaytan’s doctor told her
that without 24-hour care she would have to move into a nursing
home. Because of her earlier willingness to be a Senior Companion
and care for others, Ms. Gaytan knew exactly where to turn when she
became sick and needed the services of a Senior Companion.
Ms. Brashear,
a Senior Companion from The Senior Source, volunteers 20 hours each
week and was placed with Ms. Gaytan right away. Ms. Brashear
prepares her breakfast and lunch and takes her to doctors’
appointments. They enjoy talking about current events and walk
around the house together to increase her stamina.
Ms. Gaytan
says, “I did not want to move into a nursing home… I don’t know what
I would do without her. I am so very thankful that I am receiving
the same treatment that I gave when I was a Companion.”
Ms. Gaytan now
lives with her son and daughter-in-law, who both work. For this
family the Senior Companion Program provides peace of mind, care in
the home and allows Ms. Gaytan’s adult children to continue working.
And most importantly, it allows Ms. Gaytan to remain at home and out
of an institution.
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Who can become a Senior
Companion
The Senior Companion Program
is open to individuals 60+ years. Senior Companions with low incomes
($1,020 a month for a one person household; $1,375 for a two person
household; for other household sizes contact the Senior Companion
Director) receive a stipend of $2.65 an hour. The stipend is not
regarded as income and does not affect other benefits or assistance
the senior companions may receive. All volunteers serve 20 - 40
hours a week.
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Become a Senior Companion
Please contact the Senior
Companion Program Director at 214.823.5700 or email.
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Stipend
and other benefits for Senior Companions
Senior Companions with low
incomes ($1,020 a month for a one person household; $1,375 for a two
person household; for other household sizes contact the Program
Director) receive a stipend of $2.65 an hour. The stipend is not
regarded as income and does not affect other benefits or assistance
the companions may receive. All Senior Companions receive assistance
with meals, an annual medical evaluation, transportation allowances,
accident insurance and recognition.
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Training
that we provide
Senior Companions receive
40 hours of training prior to placement, five additional hours of
in-service training monthly and supportive, ongoing training from
our staff.
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Number
of people served in 2007
In 2007,
100 senior companions received financial
assistance, social support, and an important societal role while
providing home care, 10-40 hours per week to 114 frail elderly
including Alzheimer’s patients, stroke victims, and cancer patients,
thereby allowing them to stay in their own homes and out of
institutions.
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Major
funders of this program ($5000+)
- Corporation for National and
Community Service
- The Meadows Foundation
- Spirit of Generations Awards
Luncheon
- United Way of Metropolitan
Dallas, Inc.
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For
more information
Please contact the Senior
Companion Director at 214.823.5700 or email.
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