Senior Companion Program

National Senior Corps Week, May 6-10, 2013

extension — Mon, 06 May 2013 17:14:47 +0000

UMaine Extension Senior Companion Program joins RSVP and Foster Grandparent Programs in Recognizing “National Senior Corps Week,” May 6-10, 2013. Thank you to our over 100 Senior Companion Program Volunteers!

2013 Senior Expo

theresaeldridge — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 18:54:56 +0000

Friday, May 17, 2013

Time: 9:00am – 2:00pm

Spectacular Events Center, 395 Griffin Road, Bangor

Take advantage of FREE health screenings…vision test, blood pressure check, cholesterol test, blood glucose test and falls-risk assessment.

News Report Features Extension’s Senior Companions

extension — Tue, 29 May 2012 02:44:15 +0000

The Channel 7 (WVII) May 23 evening news report featured the University of Maine Cooperative Extension Senior Companion Program, which matches older volunteers with elders, many of whom are living at home alone, to provide companionship, conversation and camaraderie.

Senior Companion Report Says Home Visits Saved $4.6 Million

extension — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 11:16:25 +0000

An economic impact survey of elder Maine residents receiving regular visits by the University of Maine Cooperative Extension’s Senior Companion Program has concluded that the program saved at least $4.6 million in 2011 by supporting elders choosing to remain in their own homes.

Senior Companions helps aging Maine residents remain independent and in their homes, particularly when they live in rural areas and don’t have relatives living nearby. The program has some 124 senior companion volunteers who serve more than 500 clients. In 2010, companions made 27,510 visits for a total of 83,712 hours in 14 of Maine’s 16 counties, according to Cooperative Extension.

The recent surveys returned by about 100 clients included people who were 90 years old or older and who live in their own homes alone. They were asked about heart disease, dementia or diabetes and if they have family living close by. Those reporting they live alone with at least one chronic illness, and thought they would be in a nursing home if not for their senior companion, said they would need MaineCare to pay for nursing home residency.

“We took into account other funding and made sure those amounts were deleted from the total, including the $14,340 which is currently received from the state,” says Ann Swain, program director. “We concluded, based on average nursing home costs, that the Senior Companion Program saves MaineCare $4.6 million per year.”

Swain notes that the Senior Companion Program could be saving the state much more if the current total client population were surveyed. “Imagine how much we could be saving in MaineCare dollars if we had the funds to visit clients across the state of Maine who are not currently being visited,” she says.

Assisting in the survey were John Rebar, Cooperative Extension director, Deb Eckart, an Extension educator in Machias, in addition to Swain in Orono.

Contact: Ann Swain, (207) 581-3326

Senior Companion Program marks 30 years in Maine

theresaeldridge — Sat, 08 Oct 2011 20:44:56 +0000

October 7th, 2011

“We have a lot of volunteers who say they just don’t want to sit at home and watch the world go by,” said Ann Swain, statewide director for the Senior Companion program at University of Maine Cooperative Extension. “They start out by thinking they’re going to help somebody else and end up feeling they get more out of it than they put in.”

Read more in the Bangor Daily News article “Friends for life: Senior Companion program marks 30 years in Maine.”

Volunteers to be Honored by Washington County Extension Association

extension — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 12:41:48 +0000

The 2011 Washington County Extension Association Annual Meeting will be held on Tuesday, April 12, 2011 at 5:00 p.m. at the Whitneyville Community Building.

John Ahlin from Machias will receive the Norman W. Duzen Community Service Award. This award, named after Norman W. Duzen, is presented to a person who has made significant volunteer contributions to their community. John started the first Senior Companion Program east of the Mississippi River in 1980. He has been active in several local organizations such as the Machias Valley Sportsmen’s Club, Lions Club, Sunrise Research Institute, Meals for Me, and Project Alert, as well as others. He has been very active at the Centre Street Congregational Church. John has been involved with many organizations throughout his lifetime and is one of many volunteers in Washington County who quietly goes about enriching the lives of many people.

The University of Maine Volunteer Pen Awards will be presented to Joyce Getchell of Roque Bluffs for her contributions to the Washington County Extension Association. Rebecca Whitney of Jonesboro will be honored for her volunteer contributions to the UMaine Extension 4-H Summer Camp Program.

Fred Hartman of DownEast Drawings in Whiting will receive the Extension Business Leadership in Action Award for his dedication and contribution to the people and economy of Washington County.

The evening program will celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Senior Companion Program. The celebration will include highlights from the Senior Companion Program in Washington County and include a PowerPoint presentation of pictures. Certificates of appreciation will be awarded to all of Washington County’s Senior Companions.

There will be a potluck supper. Please bring a dish to pass. We would like to have a head count by April 8th. Please contact the Washington County Extension Office at 255-3345 or 1-800-287-1542 if you are planning to attend.