Volunteering is a wonderful way for seniors to stay busy and active, while helping others in their community. Senior Services offers many excellent volunteer programs where seniors can put their extra time and talents to good use.

• Insurance Counselors
  Senior Services’ volunteer Insurance Counselors provide advice on everything from filing or resolving Medicare, Medicaid or other medical claims to answering questions about the Medicare Part D prescription drug benefits. Our counselors are part of the Virginia Insurance Counseling and Assistance Program, or VICAP. If you have an interest in helping others, you’d make a great addition to our team! (Volunteers cannot be insurance sales people, however.) Training is provided.
  
  To learn more, call 757-222-4512.
   

• Ombudsman Volunteers
  If you care about those who live in long-term care facilities, and are a diplomatic and skilled communicator, we can use your help. The Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program is staffed by volunteers who advocate for older people receiving long-term care in nursing homes and assisted living facilities, and for those receiving care in the community. Once they have completed the three-day training session, volunteer Ombudsmen are assigned to a specific long-term care facility where they serve as advocates, monitoring the quality of care provided and ensuring that residents’ rights are protected. Volunteers are expected to contribute four hours per week, Monday through Friday. Ongoing training and support is provided.
  
  Call 757-461-9481 ext. 114 to volunteer.
   

• Senior Companion Program
  If you are age 60 and over and enjoy helping others, you’d make a great Senior Companion! This is a stipend paid volunteer program that offers services to adults with special needs in the community. As a Senior Companion, you’d perform a variety of tasks such as helping with grocery shopping, writing a letter or fixing a light meal, while providing companionship and respite care to those who are isolated, homebound or disabled.
  
  In addition to making a difference in another person’s life, the program delivers some great benefits: a tax-free hourly stipend, transportation reimbursement, supplemental insurance, a free annual physical examination and sick/vacation/holiday pay. Senior Companions must be able to work 20 hours a week.
  
  No fee: This service is free to those who have a need for assistance.
  
  If you are interested in becoming a senior companion – or if you need this service – call the Senior Companion Coordinator at 757-461-9481.
   

• Retired and Senior Volunteer Program
  If you are at least 55 years old, call us. We can use your help! Each year we match more than 1,200 seniors with volunteer positions through our Retired and Senior Volunteer Program, or RSVP. Your time and talents can go a long way toward helping schools, libraries, courts, clinics, museums, nutrition centers and other groups – right in your neighborhood.
  
  Fee: This is a free service for both the volunteer and the organizations that receive the help.
  
  For information on how you can volunteer your time and services, call our Volunteer Department at 757-461-9481.