Companions to Elders
Program Coordinators
Renee Silver
Nikki Dagen
Eve Robinson
Angela Lam
Charlotte Li
Jackie Jiang
Email the Coordinators
Through local agencies and nursing homes, student volunteers are matched as weekly friendly visitors and companions with elder residents. Small groups also provide one-time activities and/or entertainment at senior centers and nursing homes. The Companions to Elders (C2E) program collaborates with Jewish Children and Family Service in Waltham to run and staff a monthly Memory Cafe program, which are social events for individuals with dementia, Alzheimer’s, and other cognitive impairments.
Mission Statement
Companions to Elders works to reduce social isolation in the older adult population of Waltham by pairing students with residents of local nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and other partners. Through weekly, biweekly, and monthly volunteer options, C2E fosters long lasting intergenerational relationships that benefit both parties. We hope to reduce the stigma associated with aging and dementia and transition to advocacy work in intersectional ageism. Our current partners are Jewish Family and Children’s Services, Springwell Congregate House, Maristhill Nursing Home, Francis Cabot Lowell, 2Life Communities, and Deaconess Abundant Life Services (formerly Leland Home).
Program Details
- Population Served: Waltham’s elderly community
- Community Partners: Leland Home, Marist Hill, Springwell Congregate House, Francis Cabot Lowell Mill, and Jewish Family and Children Services in Waltham.
- Transportation: Coordinators provide transportation for volunteers to the assisted living homes using Waltham Group vans.
- How to Participate:
- Individuals who would like a Brandeis student to come visit — Contact your activities director or volunteer coordinator
- Nursing Homes that would like to partner with Waltham Group and Brandeis Students Looking to Volunteer — Email the program coordinators
- Volunteer Time Commitment: Volunteers can choose to volunteer weekly or biweekly for about an hour and a half, or they can choose to sign up for a Memory Cafe each month. Choosing to do both is an option as well.