Companions to Elders

Program Coordinators
Rebecca Albuquerque
Nicole Dagen
Ghazal Hashemipour
Renee Silver
Olivia Spelman
Eve Robinson
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.

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 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.