Senior Sense succeeds, thanks to volunteers

Don’t let Drew Matlins’ age fool you. This “30-something” is dedicated to the health and wellness of seniors, and he takes his job as director of the Senior Sense program very seriously.

The program, which is funded by a three-year AmeriCorps VISTA grant from the Corporation for National and Community Service to the University of Maine Center on Aging, utilizes volunteers who are interested in helping low-income seniors.

“The goal of Senior Sense is to provide seniors with accessible resources and information to not only help them manage their limited financial assets, but also to help them save money and protect themselves against fraud,” he said.

“One of our priorities right now is recruiting people who will help us achieve our goals. We are looking for individuals who possess strong organizational, communication and written skills, but most importantly have a deep commitment to working with older adults and making a difference in their lives.”

This isn’t your typical volunteer assignment. AmeriCorps VISTA members commit 40 hours a week to working with a nonprofit agency for one year.

“These individuals are not committing to direct service, not hands-on, [not] dealing directly with the public,” said Matlins. “They are focused on helping to expand the impact of a program which will ensure that it will continue beyond the volunteer’s one year of service. The volunteers actually increase the sustainability of the program for which they are working, to the betterment of the nonprofit agency and the community as a whole.”

Each volunteer receives a living allowance of $870 per month and must attend a one-time all-expense-paid training that takes about four days including travel, said Matlins. The next training will be held in November, but the dates and location are not yet available.

At the successful completion of the assignment, the volunteer receives a bonus of $1,200 in cash or a $4,725 education award to pay present or future student loans. Other benefits include health insurance, extensive training and, in some cases, child-care assistance.

“Traditionally, VISTA volunteers tend to be fresh out of college, but we are seeing older people apply,” he added. “This is an ideal opportunity for anyone, younger or older, whose main mission is to make a difference in the community, while earning a little extra money.

A “little extra money” aside, the difference these dedicated individuals make is huge. Eastern Agency on Aging is proud to have several VISTA volunteers, and their work consistently improves the lives of seniors. The help they provide to the clients comes in a variety of forms, including minor home repair and nutrition assistance.

“Other VISTA members are providing assistance to seniors in the areas of financial education, such as helping a senior learn how to balance a checkbook or create a household budget. This can be necessary when a spouse who had previously had that role has passed away,” said Matlins. “Prescription assistance helps seniors obtain their medications at a reduced cost. It translates into more than $150,000 in free prescriptions being provided, and almost 300 seniors participating in financial education programs.”

For the volunteers in this program, the experience is unforgettable. Along with the training and the cash or education award at the end of the year, these selfless volunteers also can bask in the knowledge that, for a while, their mission was to make life better for an older person.

“Since 1964, AmeriCorps VISTA has been addressing poverty in America,” said Matlins. “The UMaine Center on Aging is proud to be a part of these efforts through the Senior Sense program. Seniors are getting the help they need. And that’s what it’s all about.”

For information on the Senior Sense program, call Matlins at 581-3461, or visit www.mainecenteronaging.com or www.americorps.org.

Carol Higgins is director of communications at EAA. For information on EAA, call 941-2865 or email info@eaaa.org.