Senior Services, Inc.

The Kalamazoo County Senior Companion Program (SCP) Is Sponsored by Senior Services of Southwest Michigan, Recognized as a Leader Throughout the State and Country for Providing Comprehensive, Innovative, and Life Sustaining Services Through an Integrated System of Programs. With an Agency Mission of Enhancing and Promoting the Independence and Well-being of Older Adults, Adults With Disabilities and Those That Care for Them, the Senior Companion Program Enhances That Mission by Enabling Older Adults to Maintain Their Health, Independence, and Community Engagement Through Volunteerism. Types of Populations Served 35 SCP Low-income Adults, 55 Years and Older Will Serve as Volunteers, Providing One-to-one Support and Companionship to Homebound Older Adults Living Alone and Frail or Chronically Ill Adults Living With Family Members. in Addition, a Small Percentage of Our Clients Served Reside in Assisted Living or Long-term Care Facilities and Have No Informal Support System to Help Them Maintain Their Dignity and Connect Them to the Outside World. Primary Focus Area Healthy Futures Is the Primary Focus Area of the Kalamazoo Senior Companion Program. Volunteer Service Activities Senior Companion Volunteers Work to Fill Gaps in Community Outreach Services, Such as Visiting Homebound Older Adults, Increasing Socialization Opportunities for Isolated Individuals, Accompanying Frail Individuals to Medical Appointments, Assisting With Grocery Shopping and Other Errands, Connecting People With Programs and Information to Help Them Have Healthier Lives, and Providing Respite Services for Full-time Home Caregivers. Location of Service Activities SCP Volunteers Provide In-home Services to Make Daily Tasks Easier for Adults With Special Needs Living in Rural and Urban Kalamazoo County, Including the Cities and Towns of Kalamazoo, Portage, Schoolcraft, Vicksburg, Richland, Comstock, and Parchment. Expected Outcomes of Volunteer Services Over the Course of the Three Year Grant Period, 35 Unduplicated SCP Volunteers Will Serve 300 Homebound or Older Adults and Individuals With Disabilities and at Least 90% of Those Individuals Will Report Having Increased Social Ties/perceived Social Support. in Addition, 4 SCP Volunteers Will Provide Respite Services to 4 Caregivers of Homebound Older Adults and Individuals With Disabilities and at Least 90% of Caregivers Will Report Having Increased Social Ties/perceived Social Support. Federal Funding Level No Federal Funding Is Allocated or Being Requested for This SCP Project at This Time. Non-federal Funding Level the Anticipated Level of Non-federal Resources Is $202,919. Funding Sources Include the State of Michigan (AASA) $169,364; Senior Services $17,153; and Volunteer Station and Community In-kind Contributions ($16,402)