Summit County Probate Court, Vantage Aging seek volunteers to visit older adults

Emily Mills, Akron Beacon Journal
·2 min read

The Summit County Probate Court and the AmeriCorps Seniors Volunteer Program of Vantage Aging are seeking to recruit and train "senior visitors" to spend time with older adults in the county.

"Due to COVID restrictions, seniors have become more isolated than ever," the agencies said in a news release. "Meanwhile, the number of volunteers has dwindled and help is needed by those with a heart for seniors in nursing homes in Summit County."

Senior visitor training will be from 4 to 6 p.m. Aug. 23 at Vantage Aging, located in the AES Building, 388 S. Main St., Suite 325, Akron, with light refreshments provided. To sign up, visit bit.ly/SeniorVisitorTraining.

Volunteers must be at least 21 years old, have a current Ohio driver’s license, have transportation and successfully complete an application and background check.

According to the court, Summit County Probate Court Judge Elinore Marsh Stormer created the Senior Visitor Program to monitor the care and circumstances of seniors under guardianship (wards) who live in long-term care facilities.

More than 2,600 adults are under guardianship in Summit County. The court said they need visitors "to be the extra eyes and ears to ensure their needs are being met throughout the year."

The AmeriCorps Seniors Volunteer Program of Vantage Aging connects volunteers ages 55 and older with opportunities to serve their community. The program is available in Summit, Medina, Geauga, Wayne, Delaware, Franklin and Hamilton counties. To sign up as a Senior Visitor Program volunteer directly, visit bit.ly/RSVPVantage.

For more information about the senior visitors, go to summitohioprobate.com/volunteer-opportunities or contact Lisa Mansfield at 330-643-7346. For more information about Vantage RSVP, go to vantageaging.org/programs-and-services/rsvp or contact Tessa Engelhard at 330-618-2955.

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This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Summit County Probate Court, Vantage Aging seeking Senior Visitors