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Date: 2/9/2022
SOUTHWICK – Former Westfield resident Dan Welch has been driving seniors to appointments for the Westfield Senior Center’s companion program for four years. Now living in Southwick, he’s considering volunteering his driving services for a similar program recently launched in Southwick.
The new companion program is for eligible homebound adults in town over age 60 who need various transportation services or companionship. Cindy Sullivan, the town’s executive director for Senior and Recreational Operations, said she planned to start the program two years ago, but put it hold when the COVID-19 pandemic hit.
“It didn’t make sense to start a new program then,” she said.
Program services include transportation to medical appointments, grocery shopping assistance, errands, and home companionship. She added that the Southwick Senior Center is recruiting both volunteers and clients.
Welch, 70, lived in Westfield for 33 years. Retired, he continued to volunteer for the Westfield Senior Center after he moved two years ago. He usually takes seniors to medical appointments in Westfield, Holyoke, Northampton and Springfield. Welch averages two to three trips a week.
“I love providing a valuable service for our senior citizens. Many have no alternative transportation, can no longer drive, or don’t have family nearby who can get them to doctor’s appointments,” he said.
Welch added that he knows Sullivan and was aware of her plans to start a companion program. He plans to talk with Sullivan at some point. Depending on the demand, he may decide to volunteer for both senior centers.
Sullivan said there’s a need in Southwick for this type of companion program as the community has aged. She added that even though the Senior Center has a van service program, it’s become difficult to accommodate the various transportation needs of seniors.
She said seniors today have many appointments outside the home, such as for physical therapy or other medical appointments. Trips can often be two to three times a week, creating a challenge for the van service.
Transportation to medical appointments costs 50 cents per mile. Once senior clients pay the mileage fee, volunteer drivers will be reimbursed to help cover their gas expenses. Sullivan said rides to shopping or to run other errands will be paid for through grant funding by the state and other grants that she has applied for.
Seniors will be limited to a number of miles per week or month, depending on what their needs are, and depending on funding availability, said Sullivan.
“It’s a new program to our community, so we will work out the details and adjust as necessary on a case-by-case basis,” she said.
Home companionship services will be scheduled between volunteers and individual senior clients. Sullivan said the program has started slowly, but there are already volunteers providing companionship.
According to Sullivan, there has also been a recognition that the Senior Center’s homebound clients are lonely and may need someone to speak with. There is no charge to seniors who qualify for the home companionship program.
Sullivan added that seniors who need the companion program are “very excited” to see it get started: “We’ve had about a half dozen people express interest so far.”
The Westfield Senior Center was one of the first in the area to create a companion program more than 25 years ago. Sullivan said Joyce Peregrin, companion program coordinator for the Westfield Council on Aging, was very helpful in working with Southwick to implement its new program.
Sullivan, who is a Westfield resident, added that during the past two years of the pandemic, communication between senior centers has opened up more.
“We’re sharing more resources, ideas, and materials than we ever did before. The main reason for this is because we communicate via Zoom more regularly – which has been a tremendous resource.”
Meeting with Sullivan during the summer, Peregrin provided details about Westfield’s program. “That way, Southwick wouldn’t have to reinvent the wheel,” said Peregrin.
“Joyce came to Southwick and shared her paperwork and procedures with me. We modified them to fit our needs,” explained Sullivan.
According to Peregrin, one of the best benefits of the companion program is that it empowers older adults who are aging in place.
“We are providing them with the tools they need – and that their families want – to support their independence,” Peregrin said.
Tina Gorman, executive director for the Westfield Senior Center, said there are many councils on aging across Massachusetts that have some type of companion program similar to the ones that Westfield and Southwick run.
Sullivan said that before any matches are made, an intake assessment and paperwork will need to be completed. Criminal background and reference checks will be done for all volunteers. They then will be trained by Sullivan on basic information and procedures.
“The reward for companion volunteers is knowing that they are making a difference in the lives of senior citizens who need assistance,” said Sullivan.
Volunteers and clients who want to participate in the program need to call the Senior Center at 569-5498. Office hours are Mondays, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., Tuesdays and Thursdays, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Fridays, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.