Sunbeam Senior Program has 3 areas of focus:

• Caregiver Fundamental Project
• Senior Companion Program
• Senior Emergency Shelter

Becoming a caregiver is one of the most supportive and loving roles a person can play in life. Caregivers aren't necessarily full-time care providers, they can also be anyone who helps an elderly citizen perform a task, manage personal care or make decisions.

As the American population ages, the number of caregivers and the demands placed upon them will grow. Currently, about one in four American families care for someone over the age of fifty. Approximately 75% of caregivers are women and two-thirds of caregivers in the United States have jobs in addition to caring for another person.

Because caring for another person takes a lot of time, effort and energy, in addition to full-time jobs, parenting and home issues, caregivers often express feelings of depression, anger, isolation and sadness.

Sunbeam's Caregivers Fundamentals is a comprehensive training course designed to provide practical assistance for caregivers and enhance the quality of care they provide.

Sunbeam's Caregivers Fundamentals program includes:

• Resource Assistance - assists caregivers in accessing services and resources available within the community. Individualized consultation, resource packets and home-based educational materials are customized for each situation.
  
  
• Caregiver Education - offers reliable and credible information on issues related to providing care. The focus of the educational series is the caregiver's physical, mental and emotional well being which factor into a caregiver's endurance and ability to be a supporter.
  
  
• Counseling - provides the caregiver with an objective, non-judgmental person to share their thoughts and feelings with as well as offers support and assistance in decision making and problem solving. Counseling has also proven to reduce the likelihood of experiencing depression or burnout related to caregiving.
  
  
• Caregiver Support - organizes support groups for caregivers in an encouraging environment where caregivers can share thoughts and feelings with others having similar issues, concerns and challenges.
  
  
• Grandparent Support - provides support groups for grandparents who are raising grandchildren as well as therapeutic activities for the grandchildren. The program also gives school supplies to the grandparents to help offset some additional school expenses.
  
  
• Respite - aids with relief for the primary caregiver so that he or she can take a break from their caregiving responsibilities for short periods of time.
  
  
• Project Lifesaver - issues a transmitter bracelet to individuals over 60 who suffer from some form of dementia and have a history of wandering. The bracelet is tracked by the Sheriff's Office and can aid in locating the elderly individual if they wander away from home.
  
  

Senior Companions also assist individuals by providing respite for caregivers, temporarily relieving them of their responsibilities and offering them the opportunity to address their own personal needs and issues. In nursing homes, they visit and support residents, helping them to remain as self-sufficient as possible. Each Companion usually serves two to four clients per week (Monday - Friday) for a total of 20 hours.

Who Are Senior Companions?

Sunbeam's Senior Companion Program is made up of 100 active senior citizen volunteers, over 60 and within the approved income level, who assist elderly adults attempting to remain independent and in their own homes. Companions are men and women who help their clients by reading letters, newspapers, business or other mail, preparing meals, aiding in finding community resources, running errands, or assisting with personal grooming. Most importantly, companions are "a dependable friend" who provide relief from isolation and loneliness that only one contemporary can provide another.

How Do I Become A Senior Companion?

If you are interested in becoming a Senior Companion, you must be income eligible and, for your time, you will receive a modest, tax- free stipend to offset the cost of volunteering. Other benefits include reimbursement for transportation, an annual physical, and supplemental accident and liability insurance while on duty.

All Sunbeam Senior Companions receive 40 hours of training, which includes:

• Client Education - "Who do we serve?"
• Sensitivity and Assertiveness Training
• Education for Alzheimer's, Depression and other Senior Health issues.
• Home Health/Hospice Education
• Policies, Procedures and Time Card Training

Also, Companions receive 4 hours of training each month. Fourteen volunteer stations serve as referral sources for clients. When Sunbeam finds a suitable companion match a meeting is set up. Clients are not charged for companion services and companions are not allowed to accept money or gifts. All companions must pass a health screening and background check and must commit to at least 20 hours/week.

If you are interested in becoming a Senior Companion, please call (405) 528-7721.

How Do I Receive A Senior Companion?

Applications to receive a Senior Companion are readily available. If you are a senior citizen who is currently receiving services through Eldercare, Mary Hahoney Health Center, Third Age Life Center or Veterans Affairs Medical Center, applications can be made through those organizations. If you are not affiliated with any of the aforementioned organizations, please call Senior Connection at (405) 943-4344 to inquire about receiving services from Sunbeam's Senior Companion Program.