For additional information, contact:

Jeff Paterson, APR

Director of Communication and Advancement

Office:     (716) 285-8224, ext. 234

Cell:       (716) 990-6178

Email:      paterson@hanci.com

Senior companions available to help older adults at no cost

NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y., April 19, 2010 -Thanks to a recent influx of volunteers, the Volunteer Center at HANCI is looking for people who need help from senior companion volunteers. This free service is available to adults over age 60 who are homebound or in need of friendly visitors. The program can also help family caregivers by staying with frail elders in their homes while their caregivers take a break. Specifically, senior companions are currently available in the city of Niagara Falls and just outside the city in the Williams Road area of Wheatfield, as well as the city of Lockport and areas just outside the city.

Senior companions offer friendly visiting, conversation and support to help clients remain living at home. They are not home care aides, so they are not able to help with bathing, hygiene or medical care.

Eligible senior companions age 55 and older receive a tax-free stipend for their service. More senior companions are still needed to assist people in need throughout Niagara County.

To learn more about receiving help or volunteering, contact Senior Companion Program Coordinator Debra Harden at 285-8224, ext. 217, or volunteercenter@hanci.com.

Funded largely by the Corporation for National and Community Service, the Senior Companion Program also receives support from the Niagara County Office for the Aging, local United Ways, and individual donors. The program is sponsored locally by the Health Association of Niagara County Inc.

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