Senior Companion

It has long been known that sponsors and directors of the Senior Companion Program have been asking for the volunteer age to be dropped to 55 and for a companion’s financial eligibility to be raised above 125% of the poverty level.  HOORAY, it has finally happened after YEARS of request!

As of October 1, 2009 potential companions can be 55 or older and their household income can be at or below 200% of the poverty level.  That means that potential Senior Companions in a household of one can have income of $21,660 and in a household of two can have income of $29,141 per year and still be income eligible to serve as a volunteer Senior Companion.

Men and women Senior Companions are needed in Tazewell and Buchanan Counties to provide vital in-home services to frail and elderly senior citizens and to provide respite care.  The Senor Companion Program at Clinch Valley Community Action, Inc. has a waiting list of over 150 people needing in-home and respite services.  Senior Companions provide light housekeeping, medication reminders, transportation to medical appointments and shopping, meal preparation and peer companionship.  Respite care allows caregivers to take care of personal and family needs, attend school or work out of the home while their loved one is taken care of by a Senior Companion.  These services help clients remain in their homes longer and greatly reduce the chance of the client needing to go into a nursing home or assisted living center as a resident.

Volunteer Senior Companions receive a small tax exempt stipend of $2.65 per volunteer hour.  The stipend cannot be considered income or earned wages in any manner in the household.  Companions also receive mileage to and from the client’s home, two personal leave days per month, stipend paid holidays and a variety of additional benefits.

The Senior Companion Program at Clinch Valley Community Action, Inc. is accepting applications for Senior Companions.  Senior Companions tell the staff at CVCA that they get great personal satisfaction from being a companion and that it is wonderful to be needed and able to give to others.  2008 was a busy year for the Senior Companions.  In just 12 months, 43 Senior Companions provided 49,011 hours of service to 88 frail and elderly senior and disabled citizens.

Contact Susan White or Sandra Harrison at 276-988-5583 for more information about how you can become a part of this vital group of hometown heroes.  You can also email the program at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .