Beverly Davis, Earl Lumpkins and Bernita Degenhardt of Great Bend were honored for their service to the elderly at the February Senior Companion Program in-service meeting held at the Great Bend Senior Center on Aug. 21st. Davis has served 10 years; Lumpkins, nine years and Degenhardt, five years with the Program. Senior Companions offer friendship and assistance with daily living activities to older persons needing help to live independently.
Senior Companions are volunteers, 55 years of age and older, who help their clients with daily needs such as paying bills, buying groceries, and helping with light household chores. They may remind persons to take their medication or transport them to appointments. They provide a watchful eye to see if more care is needed to allow their clients to remain living in their own homes independently and with dignity. Senior Companions also provide respite care for family caregivers.
There is no cost to the client or families for the services provided.
The Companions receive benefits which include a tax-free stipend of $2.65/hour, a travel allowance, training, accident and liability insurance and recognition. They are insured with accident and liability insurance while serving.
The Senior Companion Program is sponsored by Fort Hays State University and funded by the Corporation for National & Community Service, Washington, DC. Senior Companions serve in Barton, Ellis, Rooks, Rush, Russell, Trego, Ford, Gove, Graham, Phillips, Hodgeman, Ness, Logan and Pawnee counties. For information about the Senior Companion Program, call 785-628-5809.