Springfield — Senior Solutions, a nonprofit organization serving seniors in Southeastern Vermont, is looking for volunteers for two programs that provide home visits to seniors who are isolated.

The Senior Companion program and the Friendly Visitor program both bring people from the community into the homes of individuals who are housebound and at risk for needing to be institutionalized in nursing homes. Volunteers with the programs help seniors with transportation, run errands, and keep them company, said Vicki Mastroianni, the home visitor coordinator at Senior Solutions.

“Volunteers do anything a friend might do for someone they’re caring for,” Mastroianni said.

The goal of both programs is to keep at-risk seniors living independently in their homes for as long as possible, and also to provide them with a social outlet.

“These programs help to help alleviate the isolation and loneliness for the vulnerable populations that we work with,” Mastroianni said.

The relationship with volunteers improves the quality of life for seniors, she added, especially in such a rural area.

“We have a lot of lonely people out here,” she said.

The Senior Companion program is federally-funded, and there are age, income and time requirements for volunteers. The Friendly Visitor program was started this year to offer a more flexible volunteer opportunity that provides the same services. For that program volunteers of all ages are accepted and there is no minimum commitment.

In addition to looking for volunteers, Senior Solutions is looking to work with local senior-focused organizations to start Friendly Visitor programs on the local level. Soon, Mastroianni will be working with the town of Hartland to train volunteers, and she hopes to do the same with other local organizations.

People who are interested in volunteering should contact Mastroianni at 802-376-3388.