Friendly Helper Volunteer

CALLING ALL ADULT VOLUNTEERS

Area Agency on Aging's newest volunteer program is the Friendly Helper Program.

A Friendly Helper volunteer may provide companionship or assist an older adult or adult with disabilities with daily tasksaround the house likelawn mowing, snow shoveling, grocery shopping, transportation, vacuuming, meal preparation, or carrying a laundry basket. As well as minor home repairs such as changing a lightbulb, connecting technology, or moving furniture. Volunteers could also assist withemergency preparedness planning.

This volunteer opportunity is completely customizable tothe volunteers specific interest/talent/abilities and time availability. Friendly Helper tasks can be one-off things that people in the community request or ongoing assistance during a hospitalization or other circumstance.

Some recent tasks performed by the volunteers include changing light bulbs, gardening, putting plastic on windows for the winter, and tightening screws on a bedside table so it is no longer wobbly.

These services address limitations in activities of daily living and advance greater independence for clients who might otherwise struggle to remain in their homes. By offering services at no cost, The Friendly Helper Program ensures that individuals with limited financial means, have access to resources that are vital to their quality of life.

All volunteers must undergo a background check that is good for three years and pre-service training.