August 2015 Volume 22 Number 4
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Chuck LeClaire/Pittsburgh Senior News
Allegheny County Senior Companions with volunteer station supervisor Audrey Woods.
Allegheny County Senior Companions honored at annual luncheon By Gina Mazza For Pittsburgh Senior News Every week, homebound senior Kathleen gets a visit from Eileen, a Senior Companion. Eileen visits Kathleen twice a week for a couple of hours, and together they sit, talk, watch television and share lunch. “Eileen started out as a Senior Companion but she has become so much more,” Kathleen says. “We bonded right away and she is always there
for me. She is now a friend of the family and I truly look forward to seeing her when she visits. Eileen is a true blessing. She takes my lonely days and made them brighter.” Compassionate caregivers like Eileen are available through the Allegheny County Department of Human Services Area Agency on Aging’s (DHS/AAA) Senior Companion program. Senior Companions
are volunteers 55 and older who provide companionship visits to seniors who are homebound, frail or have other special needs. “The goal of the program is to provide support that allows the older adult to remain living independently at home,” says program manager John Miller of DHS/AAA. “Also, Senior Companions at
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2015 King Features Syndicate, Inc.