A local nonprofit provided more than 50,000 volunteer hours last year, serving 1,282 vulnerable senior citizens and those with disabilities in Ventura County.
This year, Ventura County Caregivers, together with its national partner, National Volunteer Caregiving Network, will celebrate 40 years of success serving the community with volunteer caregiving. Volunteers provide non-medical, in-home support services and transportation for homebound, frail elders, preventing their premature placement into board and care facilities and making it possible for them to continue to live in the comfort and security of their own homes.
In Ventura County, it is estimated that there are 30,000 seniors and people with disabilities in need of some help that volunteers can offer to help fill the gaps. The Ventura County Caregivers organization helps fill the need for volunteers to serve homebound elderly and people with disabilities.
“More than 90% of those we serve can age in place in the comfort and security of their own homes. This is huge for seniors, and thanks to our dedicated volunteers, donors and supporters, we will continue to serve Ventura County for another 40 years and beyond,” explains Tammy I. Glenn, Executive Director of Ventura County Caregivers.
The 40-year-old organization’s demonstrated model of success depends upon local volunteers who deliver groceries, pharmaceuticals, and provide personal transportation to critical medical appointments like dialysis and chemotherapy.
“Our mission is to promote the health, well-being, dignity, and independence of frail, homebound elders through one-on-one relationships with trusted volunteers,” explains Joe Morgan, Caregivers Board Chair.
Helping to pass the torch of volunteering to the next generation, the Caregivers Volunteers intergenerational program “Building Bridges” brings high school students into the homes of frail elders to visit and to assist them. Under adult supervision at all times, students help with some of the more physically demanding tasks that frail elders cannot do for themselves.
“Communities don’t realize how essential our volunteers are until aging, lack of mobility or disability sets in, or we become homebound in a pandemic. It’s highly likely every one of us will need a helping hand one day. Thanks to the generous support of local and corporate donors, volunteer caregivers are vetted, trained and coordinated to be there when you need us most,” added Glenn.
For more information on how to become a Caregiver volunteer, visit vccaregivers.org or call 805-658-8530.
