April is National Volunteer Month

The Eastern Nebraska Office on Aging has been providing programs and services for older adults in Douglas, Sarpy, Dodge, Cass, and Washington counties since 1974.

Each April, National Volunteer Month is celebrated in the United States. The month is dedicated to honoring each volunteer, recruiting new volunteers, and encouraging volunteerism throughout the country.

The Eastern Nebraska Office on Aging operates five volunteer programs in Douglas, Sarpy, Dodge, Cass, and Washington counties.

“By having unique volunteer programs that fill gaps in services, ENOA helps older Nebraskans live more independently,” said Mary Parker, the agency’s Volunteer Services Division director. “Whether they’re providing or receiving volunteer services, the individual’s overall independence, wellness, health, and outlook are likely to improve.”

Parker said ENOA’s volunteers provide services worth more than $5 million annually by donating more than 200,000 hours of meaningful assistance each year.

“I think of every volunteer contribution as a strategy to meet the needs of our aging population.”

Since the onset of the coronavirus, Parker said the volunteers have adjusted to not being able to have in-person contact with their clients. They continue to decrease social isolation, however, through a variety of efforts including telephone outreach, meals delivery, and letter writing.

“ENOA’s volunteer coordinators and program specialists have had to think outside the box, and their thoughtful consideration of risk and innovation to maximize services continues,” Parker said.

“This coupled with the volunteers going above and beyond to keep the programs operating despite COVID-19 has exceeded our expectations.”

Funded by AmeriCorps Seniors, volunteers with the Foster Grandparent Program are placed in schools, hospitals, Head Start programs, and child development centers to help children needing special attention.

More than 60% of ENOA’s Foster Grandparents have been with the program for five or more years while 25% have provided 10 or more years of volunteer service with the FGP.

During the pandemic, Foster Grandparents – unable to meet in person with the students – have read books from home to the kids on Zoom, written letters, made activity bags, and sewn masks.

Also funded by AmeriCorps Seniors, Senior Companion Program volunteers provide support and friendship to frail, sometimes isolated older adults in the clients’ homes.

In some cases, the Senior Companions provide a respite giving the client’s primary caregiver a temporary break.

ENOA’s Senior Companions range in age from 56 to 89. Most volunteer an average of 12 hours per week with each of their clients connecting through phone calls and Face Time during the pandemic.

Senior Companions and Foster Grandparents – who are age 55 and older – must meet income guidelines and complete an enrollment process that includes references and background checks.

In exchange for volunteering 10 or more hours per week, Foster Grandparents and Senior Companions receive a $3 an hour tax-free stipend, mileage reimbursement, an annual physical examination, and supplemental accident insurance coverage.

The stipend doesn’t interfere with rent, disability, Medicaid, or other benefits.

Ombudsman advocates volunteer two hours per week in long-term care facilities and assisted living communities helping residents enjoy the best quality of life possible by serving as a liaison between the residents and the staff.

The ombudsman advocates – who receive 20 hours of training before being assigned to a facility – listen to the residents’ concerns, inform them about their legal rights, serve as trusted resource guides and problem solvers, and encourage the residents to speak out for themselves.

“The ombudsman advocates have played a large role in improving the lives of the residents during the pandemic,” Parker said.

Through SeniorHelp, volunteers of all ages provide a wide range of assistance that help older adults live in their own homes with independence and dignity for as long as possible.