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Senior Services

Senior Companion Program

What is the Senior Companion program?

Established in 1975, the Sacramento Senior Companion Program recognizes the desire of homebound seniors to remain safely and happily in their own homes and is available to seniors living in Sacramento, Yolo and Nevada counties.

This program is sponsored by the Sacramento County Department of Human Assistance.

Major funding is provided by:

Who can become a Senior Companion?

Any person who:

  • Is 60 years of age and older
  • Has an annual income which meets the designated poverty standard
  • Is physically and mentally able to serve
  • Has a desire to provide service to others and is able to accept supervision as required
  • Is available to serve 20 hours per week
  • Is not engaged in the regular workforce

What will the Senior Companions do?

The activities of the Senior Companion may include:

  • Visiting clients in their homes, adult day care centers and group settings
  • Offering transportation to needed medical appointments, senior nutrition centers or shopping
  • Providing socialization/companionship and respite care for the spouse or primary caregiver
  • Assisting with correspondence, paying bills, obtaining community resources, translation/interpretation and other related tasks, and
  • Providing social experiences that foster feelings of well being, self-acceptance and positive self-image

What are the benefits for the Senior Companions?

Senior Companion benefits include:

  • Nontaxable hourly stipend
  • Transportation reimbursement
  • Allowance for daily meals
  • Annual physical exam/TB test
  • Ongoing specialized training
  • Formal community recognition and
  • Personal satisfaction

Where do the Senior Companions serve?

Each Senior Companion is assigned to a community-based organization/ public agency (volunteer station), and is supervised by a professional program staff.

The stations provide the necessary supervision to ensure that the volunteer is matched with appropriate clients, who have varied needs and who represent diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds.

There are 12 volunteer stations in Sacramento, Yolo and Nevada counties.

Senior Companions making a difference

Senior Companions often make the difference between living at home or moving to an institutional setting. This translates into major health care savings for seniors, their families and taxpayers.

Here are some facts about the Sacramento Senior Companion Program:

  • Every federal dollar invested in the Senior Companion Program generates sixty cents from other sources.
  • Nursing homes cost an average of $47,200 annually per person. However, the cost of supporting one Senior Companion for an entire year is $3,887.
  • Sacramento County Senior Companion Program provides over 50 volunteers with over 56,000 hours of service to approximately 400 elderly people in Sacramento, Yolo and Nevada counties each year.
  • The estimated value of Sacramento County Senior Companion Program volunteers' service is $12 million.

To explore volunteer opportunities throughout the Sacramento region call the Senior Companion Program.

Website: www.scpsacramento.org

To arrange an appointment at: 

    2427 Marconi Avenue, Suite 203
    Sacramento, CA 95821
    Between 8:30am and 5:00pm
    Monday — Friday
    Call: 916.875.3622