Charleston Area Senior Citizens Services, Inc. is senior-friendly.

Seniors Helping Seniors

Charleston Area Senior Citizens Services, Inc. sponsors the Senior Companion Program for Berkeley, Charleston, and Dorchester Counties. The program provides volunteer opportunities for persons 60 years of age and older to serve frail and housebound seniors. In addition to doing an important service for their community, the Senior Companions receive a small tax-free stipend ($2.65/hour), 10 paid holidays, annual leave, on-going training, and travel reimbursement. Companions serve two to four clients during their 20 hours of service each week.

Senior Companions provide companionship, friendly visiting, monitoring, and assistance with light housekeeping. Their presence provides respite care for the senior's primary caregiver to afford them personal time while knowing their family member is with someone upon whom they can depend. The Senior Companion not only provides encouragement to the senior to remain active, or assists with daily tasks, but also develops a friendship that can last a lifetime.

Without the help of Senior Companions, many older persons would not be able to continue to live at home and would need more expensive, less personal care.