GLSS facing critical need for MONEY management volunteers

Lynn, Massachusetts – The Money Management Program at Greater Lynn Senior Services (GLSS) seeks volunteers to assist older adults in Lynn, Lynnfield, Nahant, Saugus, and Swampscott who are having difficulty managing their personal finances. The program’s goal is to help people manage their everyday financial affairs and stay as independent as possible. It is a free service sponsored by the Executive Office of Elder Affairs (EOEA) and local Aging Services Access Points like GLSS.

“Paying bills on time and managing a monthly budget is a very important part of independent living, especially for people living on fixed or limited incomes,” said Kathryn C. Burns, GLSS’ CEO. “Volunteers are needed to assist with developing budgets, sorting mail, writing checks, and balancing checkbooks.” The program is especially helpful to people who are homebound or experiencing impaired vision, difficulty writing, limited mobility, and memory loss or dementia. The elder makes all decisions and retains check-signing authority.

Volunteers make an enormous contribution to people’s ability to live independently. One Bill Payer volunteer worked with a woman who lived in a local senior housing community. She did not have any family able to help her. The volunteer assisted by helping her pay her rent and budgeting for homecare services and food. “The consumer and Bill Payer volunteer formed an incredible bond working together,” Burns said. “This woman would have been homeless or institutionalized had it not been for the program, but because of it she was able to stay independently housed in her own apartment.”

A short training course and year-round professional support are provided. Volunteers are asked to commit a few hours a month at a day and time that is convenient to them. “This is a wonderful opportunity for anyone to help an elderly community member in a very important way,” Burns notes.

For more information about volunteering, contact Edwina Lewis at 781-586-8609 or email elewis@glss.net. If you would like to know more about the program, please visit www.glss.net or call 781-599-0110 and ask to speak with Information & Referral.