Taylor Community has taken a huge step in helping to fill the gap for senior services in the greater community. The Senior Companion Program of NH has announced that they have entered into a partnership with the Taylor Community of Laconia to provide companionship services to homebound, frail and disabled seniors throughout the greater Laconia area.

I have been designated the new Senior Companion Supervisor. Bill Dearborn, coordinator of the Senior Companion Program in the Lakes Region stated that "Taylor Community's new role as a volunteer supervisory station for our Senior Companions will help the Senior Companion Program of NH to focus on expanding services throughout the Lakes Region."

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He stated further that "The volunteers in the Senior Companion Program help enable our seniors to stay independently in their homes. Taylor Community has stepped forward to assist in the outreach efforts and we're thrilled by their volunteerism and spirit of community."

The Senior Companion Program of NH provides meaningful volunteer opportunities to active, low-income adults over the age of 60. Senior Companions, in conjunction with other medical and non-medical caregivers, provide weekly visits to homebound frail or disabled seniors throughout the state. These visits are instrumental in reducing loneliness and depression of our homebound citizens. In addition the program relieves the strain on caregivers of seriously ill patients through respite care and ultimately, prevents premature institutionalization. Visits typically consist of talking, reminiscing, and taking walks, going for rides, going out for lunch or an ice cream, and doing errands. Senior Companions receive a small tax-exempt hourly stipend, mileage reimbursement, paid holidays and personal leave in exchange for 20 hours of volunteer service per week.

In my capacity as Lifeline Representative for this area, I come into contact with many of our city's seniors who need someone to visit them. Senior Companions help homebound seniors with their specific needs. We are very happy to be part of the community's collaborative efforts to help our seniors.

Each year, more than 600 frail seniors or disabled adults are served throughout NH. 77,992 hours of service were provided by 81 Senior Companions last year alone. The "most experienced" Senior Companion is 94 years young, and like all the others, is personally rewarded by making a difference in the lives of others. I am hoping that our Taylor Community residents who would like to be Senior Companions but who may not meet all of the eligibility criteria would consider volunteering as unstipended Senior Companions. There will also be the opportunity for those residents who would benefit from Companion visitations to receive the services. I am very excited about the opportunity that this presents for Taylor Community in the Greater Laconia Area. For more information about the Senior Companion Program, please contact Diane Poh at Taylor Community at 366-1203.

Many residents are grateful for the peace of mind and security that comes with knowing that their Lifeline can provide quick access to emergency services should they ever need them. For others, that gratitude is so much greater because Lifeline actually saved their life, as it did for a resident just this week!

I was literally in the process of writing this about the many benefits of the Lifeline emergency response system when I received an e-mail about a resident who said that Lifeline recently saved her husband’s life. She explained that she was not at home when he experienced a cardiac problem and pressed his Lifeline. The ambulance was summoned, and after being transferred to the hospital, he is now stable and awaiting further treatment. It does work!

Lifeline is an easy-to-use personal service that ensures that older adults living at home get quick assistance whenever it is needed --- 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The service is simple to use. When you need help, simply press the waterproof personal help button you wear as a pendant or wristband. Within seconds, a certified Lifeline Monitor responds, assesses the situation, and summons appropriate help, whether it is a neighbor, relative, friend or ambulance.

The Lifeline Monitor who responds when you press your button is a caring and extensively-trained professional who has instant access to your pertinent health history and personal profile on his or her computer screen. Even if you or a loved one never needs emergency assistance, having Lifeline installed provides the peace of mind that comes from knowing that help is always there should you ever need it.

Taylor Community’s Director of Care Management, Diane Poh, oversees the Lifeline program for Taylor Community residents as well as for seniors living at home from Goffstown to North Conway. She has personally provided the installation and service (often at night and on weekends) of more than 300 Lifelines in addition to those provided to each and every Taylor Community resident. We offer a sliding scale and full scholarship program whereby we are underwriting some portion or all of the Lifeline cost for the subscriber based on need. Taylor Community also provides scholarship Lifelines for Hospice patients regardless of financial need by referral from Community Health and Hospice.

If you or someone you know would like to arrange for Lifeline in your home or if you’d simply like more information, please contact Diane Poh toll-free in New Hampshire at 1-877-524-5600, ext. 203 or at 366-1203.