Program Pairs Companions With Lonely, Elderly Rural Mainers


The Senior Companion Program is a federal program that connects homebound or isolated seniors in 12 Maine counties with someone who can visit them each week. Companions can receive a small stipend, which works out to less than $3 an hour. The demand for companionship is high and the program serves around 600 people across the state, with a wait list of more than 300. Both companions and clients express joy from the interactions and the deep friendships that oftentimes form. The program is in need of more companions, particularly men.

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