SENIOR COMPANION PROGRAM

Mission Statement:

To provide an opportunity for qualified, able-bodied seniors to make a meaningful contribution to their communities be enabling people who need support to maintain their greatest level of independence.

Counties We Serve:

Dawson, Custer, Fallon, Garfield, McCone, Phillips, Prairie, Powder River, Richland, Roosevelt, Rosebud, Sheridan, Treasure, Valley, Wibaux, Fort Peck Tribes

How to become a Senior Companion

Senior Companions are volunteers who provide limited help to other at-risk seniors to help keep them independent.

• Senior Companions must be 55 years of age and meet the income guide lines for the Federal Grant.

• The income level for 2023 for a family of one is $2,430 per month, for a family of two, it is $3,283.34. A volunteer's income can be adjusted for medical expenses to help bring them to the necessary income level.

• They must pass three background checks , a National Sex Offender, a Montana State Felony Background Check and a FBI fingerprint check and complete 20 hours of orientation training before they can work with clients.

• Senior Companions receive a stipend of $4.00 for every hour they volunteer along with mileage reimbursement at the federal rate and a meal per diem to encourage them and the clients to receive healthy meals.

• The stipend is not considered income and will not affect the volunteer from receiving any other federal, state, or local services or programs.

• Senior Companions set their own hours they wish to volunteer and how many clients they will help.

• Senior Companions are provided with liability insurance to protect them and the clients from lawsuits.

• They are supervised by a local volunteer station.
  

  For more information on becoming a Senior Companion please contact Toni Goroski or Heather Handran at 406-377-3564 or 800-227-0703