Mission
The New Orleans Council on Aging (NOCOA) exists to protect the rights, promote the well being, and enhance the self-esteem of New Orleans elderly by generating opportunities for self-reliance and independence.

The New Orleans Council on Aging is a private, non-profit corporation which serves as the Area Agency on Aging for Orleans Parish. The agency is responsible for insuring that a comprehensive and coordinated assortment of social, recreational, educational, and nutritional services are provided to persons aged 60 and over in the City of New Orleans.

For questions about services provided by the New Orleans Council on Aging and other agencies, call 504-821-4121 or email us at administration@nocoa.org.

The New Orleans Council on Aging (NOCOA) is not a department of the City of New Orleans.


Glossary of Acronyms

AAA - Area Agency on Aging, also referred to as Area Agency

ADRC - Aging and Disability Resource Center

ALF - Assisted Living Facility

ADI - Alzheimer's Disease Initiative

AOA - Administration on Aging within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

EDA - Elderly and Disabled Waiver

GOEA - Governor's Office of Elderly Affairs

HHS - United States Department of Health and Human Services.

ICP - Institutional Care Program

OAA - Older Americans Act.

LPCS - Long-term Personal Care Services

PSA - Planning and Service Area

SSI - Supplemental Security Income Program

 

 


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Senior Companions Program (SCP)

The Senior Companion Program is a part of Senior Corps, a network of national and community service programs that supports the engagement of nearly 500,000 Americans, 55 and older, in service to meet critical needs in education, the environment, public safety, homeland security, and other areas. Senior Corps is administered by the Corporation for National and Community Service, which also administers AmeriCorps and Learn and Serve America. The mission of the Corporation is to improve lives, strengthen communities, and foster civic engagement through service and volunteerism. 

The Senior Companion Program brings together volunteers age 55 and over with adults in their community who have difficulty with the simple tasks of day-to-day living.  The heart of SCP's success is the simple idea that the best way to help seniors is to pair them with other seniors.  SCP provides in-home assistance to the elderly and disabled using trained volunteer companions who perform personal care, home management, advocacy, respite, and other services.  The companions help out on a personal level by assisting with meal preparation, shopping and light chores, escorting their clients to medical appointments, providing respite for caregivers, or by making a friendly visit. Not only do Senior Companions offer crucial assistance to their clients, they themselves are happier, better adjusted, and enjoy higher self-esteem than non-volunteers. Each day in communities around the country, these older Americans are a testament to the healing power of friendship.

Senior Companions must participate in pre-service training and be free of criminal convictions.  SCP recruits low-income senior workers to serve as stipend companions to adults (primarily the elderly) and the disabled in need of in-home assistance. 
 
The New Orleans Council on Aging Senior Companion program provides a pathway to community service and jobs for older adults in Orleans Parish. 

Director:  Elizabeth Pembrick
Join Us! Call: (504) 821-4121 ext. 134
Email: scp@nocoa.org

Volunteers must attend pre-service training. After completing training, they are assigned to "volunteer stations" -- community agencies that match volunteers with clients and supervise their service work. In New Orleans, SCP coordinates with a number of these volunteer stations -- home health care agencies, day care centers, residential institutions, and hospitals. Volunteers receive four hours of in-service training each month.