[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 17]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 23440]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




      HONORING THE SENIOR COMPANION PROGRAM OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, 
                              PENNSYLVANIA

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JIM GERLACH

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 20, 2005

  Mr. GERLACH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Senior Companion 
Program, SCP, of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania.
  The SCP of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania provides an innovative 
service for senior citizens in need of additional home care, but who 
are not yet ready to enter a nursing home. The Montgomery County SCP is 
the sixth of its kind in Pennsylvania and the 250th SCP in the United 
States.
  The SCP of Montgomery County has been in existence since September 
2003. Since that time, the SCP of Montgomery County has worked 
diligently to help senior citizens remain independent at home as long 
as possible by having their volunteers, or ``Companions,'' make visits 
to the seniors' homes and provide care and companionship.
  The Companions of the SCP are usually low-income senior citizens, 
committing 20 to 40 hours a week to help other seniors who are frail 
and in need of additional help. The Companions receive a small, tax-
free stipend for their time spent volunteering. During the visits, the 
Companions engage in all sorts of daily activities from helping seniors 
with correspondence, monitoring medications, playing games, exercising, 
helping with errands and appointments, and sharing meals. These 
activities help seniors continue to lead a regular, active life. The 
Companions of SCP can also provide much-needed relief for the caregiver 
in the seniors' home.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in honoring the Senior 
Companion Program of Montgomery County. The SCP Companions play a 
significant role in the Montgomery County community by giving back to 
its citizens in very important ways. They have worked to improve the 
overall quality of life for over 200 senior citizens by giving them the 
extra help they need in order to remain self-sufficient in their homes.