Help Needed for Isolated Seniors: Training available to become a Senior Visitor

(July 2022 – Summit County)  The Summit County Probate Court and the AmeriCorps Seniors Volunteer Program of Vantage Aging are teaming up to recruit and train Senior Visitors.  Due to Covid restrictions, seniors have become more isolated than ever. Meanwhile, the number of volunteers has dwindled and help is needed by those with a heart for seniors in nursing homes in Summit County.  Join Probate Court and Vantage Aging on Tuesday, August 23, 2022, from 4 p.m. – 6 p.m. at Vantage Aging located in the AES Building in Akron, 388 S. Main Street, Suite 325.  Information and training will be provided with light refreshments and free and easy parking. To sign up for Senior Visitor training go to https://bit.ly/SeniorVisitorTraining. Just a few hours a year makes a huge difference to a senior who may have no other visitors. 

Senior Visitor Program volunteers must be at least 21 years of age, hold a current Ohio state driver’s license, have transportation, and successfully complete an application and background check. 

Over 2,600 adults are under guardianship in Summit County alone. These wards need visitors to be the extra eyes and ears to ensure their needs are being met throughout the year. Judge Stormer created the Senior Visitor Program to monitor the care and circumstances of seniors under guardianship (wards), who reside in a long-term care facility. Senior Visitor Program volunteers offer support to the guardian in place and help ensure that the needs of vulnerable seniors are being met. 

The AmeriCorps Seniors Volunteer Program of VANTAGE Aging connects volunteers ages 55 and older with opportunities to serve their community. As the largest volunteer network for older adults in the nation, AmeriCorps Seniors matches volunteers with organizations where their time, interest, talents, knowledge, and experience are most effectively utilized to meet important needs in our community. The AmeriCorps Seniors Volunteer Program understands the growing need to address senior isolation in our community and its volunteer members are committed to helping other seniors feel heard and valued. VANTAGE’s AmeriCorps Seniors program is available in Summit, Medina, Geauga, Wayne, Delaware, Franklin, and Hamilton Counties.  To sign up as a Senior Visitor Program Volunteer directly through https://bit.ly/RSVPVantage. 

For more information about Senior Visitors visit summitohioprobate.com/volunteer-opportunities or contact Lisa Mansfield at 330-643-7346

 For more information about Vantage RSVP, go to vantageaging.org/programs-and-services/rsvp or contact Tessa Engelhard at 330-618-2955.

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Help Needed for Isolated Seniors: Training available to become a Senior Visitor