PARIS – The Oxford Hills Chapter, AARP, recently presented 20 May gift bags to Senior Companions to deliver to their homebound clients.

The colorful bags were filled with useful and fun items, which helped brighten the day of many isolated elderly. The bags, purchased and assembled by the members at their monthly meeting, are one of the local service projects that the Oxford Hills Chapter does, said President Barbara Haley.

A Senior Companion commented that when she gave the bag to a male client he was pleased to find that there were things in the bag for his wife, too.

Another client was tickled with a little stuffed bird that had “white hair just like me.” All Senior Companions agreed, “Everything was very much appreciated by our clients.”

Senior Companions spend 15 to 20 hours a week making friendly visiting with homebound elderly.

They provide companionship by taking walks together, sharing lunch, reading, writing letters, reminiscing and being a friend. They also provide respite services for family caregivers.

The Senior Companion Program has been sponsored by the University of Maine Cooperative Extension for more than 20 years. In Oxford and Androscoggin counties the University of Maine Cooperative Extension has partnered with Androscoggin Home Care and Hospice for 11 years and Senior Companions visit their clients.

For more information, contact Anna Saar at the Oxford County Extension Office at 743-6329 or 1-800-287-1482.

The Oxford Hills Chapter is one of 12 in Maine. It was formed in February of 2000 and meets the second Monday of each month at the VFW Hall on East Main Street, South Paris. New members 50 and over are welcome. For more information contact Barbara Haley at 539-2386.