Senior Citizens, Inc.

The Senior Companion Program of Senior Citizens, Inc. Will Place an Estimated 66 Volunteers Into Service Work Plans That Provide Companionship to Caregivers, Older Adults and Individuals With Disabilities in Chatham County. Through a Network of 24 Volunteer Stations Such as Hospice Organizations, Home Care Agencies, Independent Senior High Rise Apartment Buildings, Adult Day Care Centers, and Senior Centers, Senior Companions Will Work Within CNCS Agency Wide Priority Measures. Program Assignments Will Focus on the National Performance Measure Healthy Futures Objective Aging in Place; Providing Respite Services for Caregivers, and Services That Assist Independent Living. the Supportive Services Provided by Senior Companions Will Be Specific to the Needs of Each Client. Those Needs and Services Will Be Outlined on an Individual Assignment Plan for Every Client Receiving Service, and May Include Assistance With Personal Care, Social/recreation, Home Management, and the Provision of Information and Advocacy for the Client or Caregiver. Specific Services Provided Will Include Light Meal Preparation, Assistance With Food Intake, Light Housekeeping, Peer Socialization, Assistance With Exercise and Movement, Reading, Therapeutic Activities, Assisting With Shopping and Running Errands. Services to the Clients and Family Members of Caregivers Will Provide Those Caregivers Scheduled Opportunities for Respite While Also Providing Time to Attend to Their Needs Resulting in Quality of Life Improvements for Both Caregivers and Clients. at the End of Year One of the Grant, 148 Homebound or Older Adults and Individuals With Disabilities Will Have Received Independent Living Services With an Anticipated Outcome of 103 Reporting Increased Social Ties/perceived Social Support. During the Same Period 20 Caregivers of Homebound or Older Adults and Individuals With Disabilities Will Have Received Respite Care With an Anticipated Outcome of 14 Reporting Increased Social Ties/perceived Social Support. Service Hours Per Client Are Tracked Daily on Time Record Forms by Senior Companion Volunteers, and Performance Measure Survey Tools Will Be Utilized to Determine Outcome. the CNCS Federal Investment of $322,884 Will Be Supplemented by Non-federal Resources in the Amount of $95,890.