Asset Publisher

Senior Companion

Two Senior Companions smiling

Funders

Corporation for National & Community Service
Ohio Department of Aging through the Western Reserve Area Agency on Aging
Senior Corps

Are you or a loved one in need of a senior companion?

If you or a loved one is in need of companionship, our Senior Companion Program may be right for you. Our program connects older adults aged 55 and older living at home with a trained peer volunteer who can share a friendly conversation, offer companionship and minimize isolation.

Senior Companion volunteers help their peers with:

  • Running occasional errands
  • Staying engaged in enjoyable activities at home or in the local community
  • Light meal preparation

If you are providing care and assistance for a loved one, this program may provide much needed respite to you and other family members and friends.

Below is a list of residential facilities and organizations in the Greater Cleveland area where our trained Senior Companion volunteers are located.

To receive a Senior Companion, you or your loved one must be a current resident at:

 

Site Name Site Liaison Phone Number
RH Myers Tamera Ellis (216) 831-6515
Stone Gardens Assisted Living Maria Viñas (216) 831-5452

 

Or, to receive a Senior Companion, you or your loved one must be receiving services from:

Site Name Site Liaison Phone Number
Benjamin Rose Institute on Aging Todd Simmons (216) 373-1751
City of Euclid: Euclid Senior Center Bob Payne (216) 289-2985

McGregor PACE (East)
McGregor Pace (West)
McGregor PACE at Langston Hughes Center

 Karen Lisy (216) 202-1650
Paul W. Alandt Rose Center for Aging Well Todd Simmons

(216) 373-1751
Western Reserve Area Agency on Aging Karen Bauer (216) 539-9266  

 

Partners:

The Senior Companion Program provides programming and volunteer orientation support in partnership with the City of Cleveland Department of Aging and Hospice of the Western Reserve.

For more information about the Benjamin Rose Institute on Aging Senior Companion Program, please contact intake@benrose.org.

Leadership

Leadership

Todd Simmons, MSW, LSW

Administrator of the Senior Companion Program

Contact: intake@benrose.org | (216) 373-1751

Todd Simmons is the Administrator of the Senior Companion Program at Benjamin Rose Institute on Aging. Simmons joined Benjamin Rose in 2016. Simmons has more than 16 years of experience working with the older adult population. He also has a special passion for working with older adults and their family caregivers.

Todd Simmons is the Administrator of the Senior Companion Program at Benjamin Rose Institute on Aging. Simmons joined Benjamin Rose in 2016.

Simmons has more than 16 years of experience working with the older adult population. He also has a special passion for working with older adults and their family caregivers.

Prior to joining Benjamin Rose, Simmons served as a social work intern at the Adult Day Program. During his internship, Simmons helped the Center for Research and Education at Benjamin Rose launch the Music & Memory pilot program. He also started a caregiver support group and monthly newsletter. Simmons also served as a member of the Ohio Scholars in Aging program in partnership with the Ohio Department of Aging.

Simmons earned a master’s degree in Social Work from Cleveland State University, including a Graduate Certificate in Gerontological Studies.

Simmons currently serves on the Annual Conference Committee of the Cuyahoga County Conference on Social Welfare, and recently served on the “Friends of Sterling” committee composed of members with ties to Sterling Recreation Center in Cleveland.

Simmons has volunteered for more than eight years with the Cleveland Scrappers, an adaptive softball team for the blind and visually impaired.