Many older adults live alone or have limited social connections, making companionship and meaningful relationships especially important, but often difficult to come by. In Washoe County, 27.9% of adults over the age of 65 live alone, higher than both the state average and the United States average according to Nevada Tomorrow.
Since 2002, the Sanford Center for Aging’s Senior Outreach Services (SOS) program has helped address this need by matching volunteers with older adults to build friendships, provide companionship and foster connection. Through this work, however, another need became clear.
“Our current programs support isolated older adults, but through our work, we identified a new opportunity to support caregivers too,” said Crissa Markow, Director of Community Services at the Sanford Center for Aging. “Caregivers need our support.”
Family caregivers, sometimes referred to as care partners, are the invisible backbone of our long-term care system. In Nevada, nearly one in four adults serves as a family caregiver, often balancing caregiving responsibilities alongside work, family and personal commitments. While caregiving can be deeply meaningful, it can also bring emotional, physical and financial challenges that increase the risk of stress and burnout.
Thanks to a new grant from Community Care Corps through the Administration for Community Living (ACL), the Sanford Center for Aging is expanding its services to fill an important gap. This new program will provide integrated, in-home support for both caregivers and care recipients, recognizing that the well-being of each is closely connected to the other.
Through this pilot program, specially trained volunteers will support family caregivers and their loved ones by building meaningful relationships and offering practical assistance. Volunteers will:
- Develop a trusting, relationship-based connection through regular visits that include conversation, active listening, and engagement with both the caregiver and care recipient.
- Help caregivers plan and prioritize responsibilities, including self-care and caregiving tasks, while connecting them with available services and resources and assisting with appointment coordination.
- Share enjoyable activities with caregivers and care recipients, such as card games, crafts or other hobbies.
- Accompany care recipients door-through-door for medical appointments, social outings, or shopping trips.
- Provide respite care, giving caregivers an opportunity to take a well-deserved break while knowing their loved one is spending time with a familiar and caring volunteer.
The goal of the program is to reduce isolation, ease caregiver stress and improve quality of life for both caregivers and care recipients.
If you or someone you know could benefit from this program, call (775) 784-4774 Option 3 to learn more.