By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post
Betty Cadoret of Stockton has been a volunteer in the Senior Companion Program for 28 years.
Cadoret, 91, joined the program shortly before her husband died.
"I have lovely companions," she said at a recent banquet celebrating the 50th anniversary of the program.
Cadoret, who still drives, visits with her companions and sometimes takes them to eat lunch, get a pop or go shopping.
"I always told my ladies when I got there, 'I've come to do what you want to do, so whatever you want to do, you tell me,'" she said.
The Senior Companion Program is part of the AmeriCorps Seniors program and is sponsored by Fort Hays State University in northwest Kansas.
In addition to offering friendship to older adults, who are often unable to leave their homes unaided, some companions help with light chores, such as dishes or laundry. They may help fill pill reminders, take a companion to a doctor's appointment or provide respite care for family caregivers.
The program helps seniors stay in their homes and gives the volunteers purpose, Tawnya Rohr, director, said.
"Especially in rural Kansas where families aren't always close and can't always provide those needed services," she said, "they help individuals remain living at home, so they don't have to go to that next level of care.
"Our volunteers can go in and just provide that little bit of support to help them remain living independently at home."
Volunteers must be 55 years old or older. Incoming-qualifying seniors receive a small stipend for their service, and all volunteers are reimbursed for mileage.
FHSU's Senior Companion Program covers 13 counties, including Phillips, Graham, Rooks, Gove, Trego, Ellis, Russell, Ness, Rush, Barton, Hodgeman, Pawnee and Ford.
Cadoret said she looks forward to "meeting with her ladies."
"What I do is do her sink of dishes, and then we just sit and visit," she said of her current companion.
"She says, 'I like to visit,' and I say, 'So do I," Cadoret said with a giggle. "We talk about this, that and the other. We have so much fun. It really makes my day because when I go home, I feel like I really have done a day's work."
Beverly Prescott, 84, of Larned, has been a senior companion for 21 years. She became a companion because her husband was a volunteer.
Prescott recalled a fond memory of one her comapnions.
"I had one companion, and I knew her all my life. We did a lot of things together. She had a little red Volkswagen that we would toodle around in. We had a great time. It was lots of fun," Prescott said.
"It gets me out of the house," she said, "and I see the satisfaction when I have done something for them. They are so appreciative."
She strongly urged others to participate in the program.
"Go for it," she said. "It's very inspiring. You get as much out of it as they do."
Adrienne Cargile, 89, of Hays, shares her faith with her companions. They pray together.
"It's so wonderful," Cargile said. "We're both blessed—myself and my senior companion.
"It gives me purpose. When you get to a certain age, you get away from activities and socializing. These people, we have so much in common. We go back to reminiscing about how life used to be."
Juanita Lumpkins of Great Bend was honored at the recent 50th-anniversary banquet for her 20 years of service as a senior companion. She also urged others to volunteer, saying more companions are needed and that she receives great joy from being a volunteer.
At the recent companions' banquet, Kristi Clore discussed how the program has helped her mother. She said her mother became very lonely after her husband died unexpectedly.
"My mom fell in between," Clore said. "'Where do I fit? Who do I help?' Someone like herself who had spent her whole life giving to her family felt as if she didn't fit anywhere."
Clore's mother was matched with Pat Bieker, now a 13-year veteran of the program from Ellis.
Clore said her mother talked about Pat every day.
When Clore's mother moved to Hays, Phyllis Robertson became her companion. Clore said Phyllis brings her mom cheeseburgers and Dr. Pepper Snoballs, which she loves.
"Those are some of the things she does for my mom, not because it's her job, but because she cares," Clore said.
Both women spent hours conversing with her mother, which she said is a great talent.
"My dad used to tell me long before he passed away that the goal in life is to change one person's day," Clore said. "If you change one person's day, you've succeeded as a human. Between Pat and Phyllis, they've done just that over and over and over again."
The program has 55 volunteers across its service area, considerably down from before the pandemic. Rohr said the program has a long list of clients who need volunteer companions.
For those who may need a companion, call 785-628-5809. If you are interested in volunteering, call the same number.
You can also learn more on the program's website. You can also follow the program on Facebook.