Volunteer for People 55+ 

Description: Services provided by Perkins School for the Blind extend beyond campus and reach many members of the community who are visually impaired and enjoy independent life but find it difficult to perform certain functions. Older adults, in particular, benefit from Perkins' outreach efforts through the School's volunteers for people 55+, who are matched up with older adults who are visually impaired to assist them with day-to-day activities.

Program: Strategies for Life: Outreach Services for Ages 55 and Older

Time Commitment: One or two hours per week.

 More Information: There are four categories of Outreach Volunteers for People 55+:

• Friendly Visitors meet with an older adult in his/her home, usually once a week. Visits involve taking walks, participating in hobbies, reading mail, writing letters, and running errands.
• Readers read mail, books, newspaper and magazine articles, and might help take care of correspondence or pay bills.
• Drivers help run errands and take people to appointments and social engagements.
• Shoppers ease the burden of running errands by picking up items for people 55+ or by accompanying them on shopping excursions.