AN ESTIMATED 75 AMERICORPS SENIORS WILL SERVE AS SENIOR COMPANION PROGRAM (SCP) VOLUNTEERS THROUGH PHILADELPHIA CORPORATION FOR AGING (PCA). OF THIS NUMBER 75 AMERICORPS SENIOR VOLUNTEERS WILL BE PLACED IN OUTCOME ASSIGNMENTS. THE PRIMARY FOCUS OF THE SENIOR COMPANION PROGRAM IS TO ALLOW OLDER ADULTS TO SAFELY AND INDEPENDENTLY AGE IN PLACE. TO ACHIEVE THIS GOAL, THE PRIMARY ACTIVITIES OF SENIOR COMPANIONS WILL INCLUDE SOCIALIZING, PROVIDING RESPITE FOR CAREGIVERS, ESCORTING CONSUMERS TO MEDICAL APPOINTMENTS AND ON ERRANDS, ASSISTING WITH TASKS OF DAILY LIVING SUCH AS LIGHT MEAL PREPARATION, REMINDERS TO TAKE MEDICATION AND ASSISTANCE WITH MINOR HOUSEHOLD MANAGEMENT. THE AMERICORPS SENIORS SCP WILL UTILIZE THE HEALTHY FUTURES SERVICE CATEGORY. PERFORMANCE MEASURES WILL EXAMINE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF SENIOR COMPANIONS IN ASSISTING CONSUMERS IN MAINTAINING INDEPENDENT LIVING, PROVIDING RESPITE FOR CAREGIVERS, AND INCREASING LEVELS OF PERCEIVED SOCIAL SUPPORT AMONG CONSUMERS AND CAREGIVERS. AT THE END OF THE THREE-YEAR GRANT, THE AMERICORPS ANNUAL FEDERAL INVESTMENT OF $ 334,935 WILL BE SUPPLEMENTED BY $100,534 IN NON-FEDERAL RESOURCES TO ACHIEVE THESE GOALS. PCA HAS SUCCESSFULLY MANAGED SEVERAL LARGE FEDERAL GRANTS, AS WELL AS NUMEROUS STATE AND PRIVATE FOUNDATION GRANTS. WITH 31 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE IN MANAGING SCP, PCA IS FAMILIAR WITH THE PROGRAM'S FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS AND CONSISTENT IN ITS ABILITY TO ACHIEVE DEFINED GOALS.