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Senior Companion

Two Senior Companions smiling

Funders

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

If you are an older adult who enjoys helping and spending time with others, Benjamin Rose Institute on Aging’s Senior Companion program can provide you the opportunity to offer your companionship and assistance to other older adults who may be lonely and isolated. As a Senior Companion, you will assist your peers with small tasks, provide a listening ear and share in friendly conversation.

You will also help your peers with:

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

To become a Senior Companion, you must:

  • Be 55 years of age or over
  • Be in physical condition that will allow you to take part in Senior Companion tasks without risk to your health
  • Live in the Greater Cleveland area
  • Be able to pass a background screening
  • Be able to volunteer a minimum of 15 hours a week, Monday through Friday
  • Be open to serving in adult day care centers, senior centers and senior housing complexes

As a Senior Companion volunteer, you may also be eligible for a stipend, reimbursement for transportation and meals, on-duty insurance and an annual physical exam if your income is within the program’s guidelines. We provide training and mentoring to assist you in taking on your role as a Senior Companion. We also provide training in recognizing the signs of elder abuse, self-neglect and exploitation in order to help you contribute to your companion’s overall safety.

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.