Are you looking for meaningful volunteer work? Want to contribute to a ground-breaking project?

If so, consider becoming a volunteer with the Livable Communities Caregivers Coaching Program – a new, initiative from the Department of Senior Programs and Services.

A caregiver coach is a volunteer trained by professionals to provide one-on-one support to family caregivers and help them understand their options.  As a result, the caregivers are better able to make informed decisions to meet the challenges and responsibilities of caring for an older or disabled person.

The program aims to develop a corps of volunteers with caregiver coaching skills to be a part of the county’s  Livable Communities initiative. The initiative aims to make Westchester communities as senior-friendly as possible so older adults can remain in their homes as they age with dignity, independence and civic involvement.

The coaches will work with – not for – the caregivers. They do not take the place of professionals in the field or do caregiver tasks themselves, nor do they offer medical or legal advice.

Today 20 percent of Westchester residents – one in five people – is 60 or older and more than half of them have disabilities. The county planning department projects that in 2030, people over 60 will represent one-quarter of the population or one in four people.

Anyone can volunteer for the free program. If candidates have caregiver experience it is helpful, but not required. Caregiver coaches are stabilizing forces and sounding boards so the ideal coach should be optimistic, empathetic and non-judgmental.

For more information or to register, call DSPS at (914) 813-6441 or send an email to cap2@westchestergov.com.