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Attachment A • Senior Companions may assist individual seniors with shoppin�, trips (to medical facilities and/or visitin�), social companionship, participation in exercise and/or health-related activities, etc., as determined by SC volunteer and senior client. • Senior Companions receive trainin� in si�ns of depression and other senior-specific concerns, and are in a position to pass alon� this information to LSS staff for appropriate referrals. • Sponsorship of this pro�ram helps to reduce social isolation for seniors and their care�ivers. Benefits • Benefits to senior companion clients o less isolation o reduced mental health issues including anxiety and depression o better health and nutrition o increased ability to remain living independently at home for a longer period of time Frail and isolated seniors who do not qualify for the current programs (waiver, UCare for Seniors, etc.) would have access to �4 hours of consistent companionship and assistance/week. o This would contribute to supporting individuals' aging-in-place, with benefits to everyone, including cost efficiency, increased safety checks, etc. o This would increase the number of seniors safely aging-in-place, as there are some waiver-eligible seniors currently participating in the program. • Senior companions can also provide respite for caregivers (any age) of seniors. o This contributes to support of caregivers, whose health may become impaired from care giving responsibilities and lack of/insufficient access to respite. "In 2014, 40 Senior Companion volunteers served 189 clients across Anoka County in partnership with the Anoka County Community Action Program. Over 90% of those clients were still living independently in their own homes at the end of the year." Source: communication with Ron Urbanski, Lutheran Social Service of MN Senior Corps Benefits to senior companion volunteers o improved mental and physical health o increased financial security due to the stipend o great satisfaction knowing that are making a difference in the communities Key Action Items ■ Establish 3-5 year pilot program ................. per discussion w LSS, City of Roseville, Northeast Youth and Family Services, etc. Roseville EMT can suggest potential clients, based on their calls. o Funding source(s) (to be identified) o Administration (to be identified) o Intake and screening for senior companions and senior participants (LSS) Resource needs o Administration - tbd hours/month o Supervise senior companions o Issue stipend checks o Host monthly meeting o Possibly assist in selection of seniors who receive companions o Cost of program / senior companion / year - to service 3— 5 seniors "Rough costs for sponsor: Without the waiver involved, the cost to the partnering agency is $150.00 per year per volunteer plus the cost of any client travel at $.35/mile. So, if a partnering agency has 10 Senior Companion volunteers serving 45 clients, and the volunteers are allowed to drive each client 120 miles per year, the cost would be $3,390.00 ($1,500.00 for the volunteers and $1,890.00 for the client travel). Partner agencies must also factor in the cost of the person who will monitor the client/volunteer matches." Annual estimate. Source: communication with Ron Urbanski, Lutheran Social Service of MN Senior Corps