Child & Family Services Senior Companion Program
Overview
Child & Family Services Senior Companion Program enables the frail elderly,
and other adults with special needs, to maintain their independence.
Low-income individuals who are 60 years of age or older serve as companions to provide
non-health-related services such as personal care, shopping, errands, light housekeeping,
reading, writing letters, transportation to and from physician appointments, daily
visits, meal preparation and respite.
About the Senior Companion Volunteers
Volunteers are paid a modest hourly stipend for their services and receive reimbursement
for travel to and from the client's home.
Currently, we have approximately 100 volunteers who serve as Senior Companions.
We also have a waiting list which consists of persons eager to serve as volunteers.
Our Senior Companions provided in excess of 90,000 hours of assistance to more than
230 clients.
Volunteers from across Erie County participate in the Senior Companion program.
Advantages of the Program for Clients and the Community
This program benefits clients and the community. Clients are linked with a trustworthy,
dependable helping hand. That extra assistance; which is free-of-charge to clients;
fills a gap in care which, unfilled, would result in costly, unnecessary nursing
home/residential care.
The cost of nursing home care per person per year is approximately $38,000; an amount
often passed on to taxpayer-funded reimbursement programs such as Medicaid and Medicare.
The delivery of unnecessary care drives up costs; and ultimately taxes.
Interested parties can contact our Senior Companion Program by calling 842-2750.
Program Administration/Funding
Administered by Child & Family Services, the Senior Companion Program is funded
by the Corporation for National Service, United Way and the Erie County Department
of Senior Services.
A 16-member Advisory Council helps guide and evaluate the Senior Companion Program
and participates in an annual recognition of current and retired volunteers.
Local agencies which participate as Senior Companion Program Stations include:
- Abley Nutrition Site
- B.F.N.C. Community Services to the Elderly
- Delevan Grider Community Center
- Fourteen Ninety Enterprises, Inc.
- Friendship House
- Kensington Bailey Community Association
- Los Tainos Senior Citizens Center
- Moot Senior Citizens Center (BFNC)
- Northwest Buffalo Community Association
- North Buffalo Community Center
- Polish Community Center
- Sisters Healthcare - LTHHC Program
- South Buffalo Community Association
- Saint Augustine Center
- Veterans Administrative Hospital