Good news for isolated seniors in Lincoln County. The Catholic Charities SEARCH Program of Greater Bath is expanding its outreach to include seniors in the Lincoln County towns of Wiscasset, Damariscotta, Nobleboro, Bristol, South Bristol and Bremen. SEARCH stands for Seek Elderly Alone, Renew Courage and Hope. SEARCH matches screened and trained volunteers with isolated seniors who need long-term companionship as well as help with grocery shopping and errands. Community volunteers come from all faiths, age groups and walks of life. The mission of SEARCH is to enable vulnerable seniors to remain independent and create a long-term support system to meet their needs. In order to support seniors in the program, SEARCH refers clients to other social service supports in the community as part of the goal of having them “age in place” in their own homes.

The local program began 11 years ago as part of a United Way task force in conjunction with members of Grace Episcopal Church and members of the Bath community. Recent funding from United Way of Midcoast Maine, the Bessie D. Brooks Trust, and the Doree Taylor Charitable Foundation has enabled the program to expand on a limited basis into Lincoln County.

Volunteers generally spend two to five hours a week with seniors, making their own schedule as their time permits. Seniors are especially grateful for the help they receive and many volunteer/senior matches have been going strong for over six years.

For further information about the program, or to apply to volunteer, contact Chris Szalay at 837-8810 or cszalay@ccmaine.org.