MIFA Senior Companion Program

Funded in part by the Corporation for National and Community Service and sponsored by MIFA since 1985, the Senior Companion Program (SCP) provides low-income, able seniors an opportunity to serve their homebound peers.

SCP’s 108 Companions serve more than 400 clients in Shelby, Fayette, Tipton, and Lauderdale Counties. Most Companions serve one or two clients in their homes, while others may serve as many as 25 clients monthly at organizations like Alzheimer’s Day Services or the VA Hospital.

The program serves the following purposes:
• Help seniors maintain independence and dignity by avoiding premature institutionalization
• Provide companionship and personal assistance to homebound seniors
• Provide service opportunities and economic and social benefits to low-income seniors
• Offer respite to families and caregivers

Services: Companions offer services in five categories:
• Provide personal support, companionship, and individual attention
• Assist with activities of daily living and home management
• Accompany client to doctors’ appointments
• Complete light errands and light grocery shopping for client
• Assist by informing the station of any changes in the client’s condition

Benefits include:
• A tax-exempt stipend of $2.65 per hour
• Mileage reimbursement of $.30 per mile
• 18 days of paid time off per year
• A free lunch for each day of service

Recruiting: Companions are recruited through presentations at health fairs, churches, various seniors organizations, and through referrals. The most effective SCP recruiters are the Companions themselves, who share the benefits of serving others with their friends and neighbors. 

Screening: A series of interviews is conducted by the staff to determine:
• Age and income
• Background and interests
• Qualification for the program
• Criminal record

Training: Pre-service training covers the duties and limitations of the Senior Companion role and such issues as depression in the elderly, Alzheimer's, the importance of exercise, money management, and the emotional needs of the elderly. Mandatory monthly in-service meetings cover a range of topics relevant to the Companion as well as to the client. 

Stations: MIFA partners with local health and social services agencies that function as SCP “Volunteer Stations.” Each Volunteer Station selects clients and develops a care plan for those who will receive services. They also supervise their Companions and make contributions of goods, services, and cash to SCP.

• Alzheimer's Day Services (P.O. Box 280027, Memphis, TN, 38168)
• The Church Health Center (1210 Peabody Avenue, Memphis, TN, 38104)
• Dorothy's Place (ADS) (3185 Hickory Hills Rd. Memphis, TN 38115)
• Family Home Health Agency (1324 Mississippi, Memphis, TN, 38106)
• Fayette County COA (P.O. Box 396, Somerville, TN, 38068)
• Functional Independence (2725 Mendenhall Rd. #16, Memphis, TN 38117)
• The Public Guardian Program, Aging Commission of the Mid-South (2670 Union Ave. Extended, Ste. 1000, Memphis, TN, 38112)
• Halls Community Center, Lauderdale County COA (Halls, TN, 38040)
• Highland Towers (400 S. Highland, Memphis, TN, 38111)
• Madison Towers (383 Madison, Memphis, TN, 38103)
• Memphis Housing Authority (Jefferson Square, 741 Adams, P.O. Box 3664, Memphis, TN, 38105)
• Memphis Towers, 1081 Court, Memphis, TN, 38104)
• Methodist Hospice (6423 Shelby View Drive, Suite 103, Memphis, TN, 38134)
• Metropolitan Inter-Faith Association (MIFA) (910 Vance Avenue, Memphis, TN, 38104)
• Plough Tower (6580 Poplar Avenue, Germantown, TN, 38138)
• St. Peter Manor (108 N. Auburndale, Memphis, TN, 38104)
• St. Peter Villa (141 N. McLean, Memphis, TN, 38104)
• Tipton County COA (401 South College, P.O. Box 631, Covington, TN, 38019)
• VA Medical Center - Home Care (1030 Jefferson, 11B-1, Memphis, TN, 38104)
• VA Medical Center, Dysphagia Unit /Spinal Cord Injury (1030 Jefferson, 614-135  Volunteer Services, Memphis, TN, 38104)
• Wesley Graceland Gardens Apartments (1430 Graceland Pines, Memphis, TN, 38116)