Senior Companion Program

Overview

The Senior Companion Program consists of older Americans who provide assistance to homebound seniors. This program helps homebound clients maintain dignity and independence while providing respite to family caregivers. Clients can include older adults who are frail, have disabilities, or have a terminal illness. Seniors 55 years or older perform one-on-one service with their clients. Income-eligible seniors volunteers in the Senior Companion Program also receive a modest stipend to help offset the costs of volunteering. Some examples of volunteer activities include the following:

Providing companionship and friendship to isolated adults (socialization)
Assisting with simple chores
Providing transportation for client (doctor appointments, etc.)
Preparing a snack for a client
Helping with grocery shopping

Facts

In 2020, Seniors Companions in New Mexico provided independent living support to more than 620 individuals (Source: tinyurl.com/nmstatsamericorps)
One-fourth of adults aged 65 and older are considered to be socially isolated (Source: tinyurl.com/onefourthstat)
65% of adults over the age of 65 require help with one or more activity of daily living, such as doing laundry, brushing their teeth, or making a simple meal (Source: tinyurl.com/65percentstat)

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