How We Serve: CAREGIVING SERVICES

ICS offers a variety of Caregiving Services programs that help registered ICS recipients live independently in their own homes, without the need for institutional care.

ICS volunteers provide many kinds of Caregiving Services:

Transportation / Shopping: Volunteers provide free transportation to registered ICS recipients who are ambulatory but unable to drive or take public transportation. Volunteers use their own vehicles to drive recipients to destinations such as: a medical appointment, pharmacy, bank, post office, grocery store, etc. Volunteers will also do the grocery shopping FOR homebound recipients who are unable to shop themselves.

Telecare Reassurance Calls: Volunteer callers make brief, reassurance phone calls every weekday morning to check on the welfare of recipients who may be lonely, depressed, concerned about health issues.

Friendly Phoning / Friendly Visiting: Volunteers with good listening skills engage in friendly conversations, by phone or in person, with recipients who have limited contact with family, friends, and social networks.

Handy Home Helpers: Volunteers provide free labor to do minor home repairs and/or yardwork for recipients who are unable to do the work on their own, have minimal help from family or friends, and are on a fixed income that prevents them from hiring a contractor. The recipient pays for supplies.

Business Help: Volunteers help recipients organize and manage basic business tasks and personal correspondence. They may sort and read mail, pay bills, balance a check book, organize personal papers, transcribe letters.

Caregiver Relief: A volunteer keeps company with a recipient who is unable to be left home alone due to a medical condition or disability, so that the recipient's primary caregiver can leave home to run errands for a few hours. The volunteer does NOT provide any "hands-on" care.

Volunteers engaged in Caregiving Services programs last year brightened the lives of approximately 450 seniors and disabled adults by providing more than 11,000 service interactions.

Various volunteer driving assignments are eligible for mileage reimbursement.  This is made possible by the Regional Transportation Authority and managed by Pima Council on the Aging.  The mileage varies throughout the year dependent on funds available.  Contact our Volunteer Resources Manager at (520) 297-6049 or sbrickley@icstucson.org to register for this program.

Click here to volunteer for Caregiving Services.

Here's what recipients are saying about Caregiving Services volunteers:

“I'm new to ICS and this was the first week I used the service. One volunteer went to the doctor with me and one helped me shop. I want you to know that I've never been so wonderfully treated in my life! Both were good drivers and I was amazed at how patient, loving and calm they were with me. Being with them was almost like family.”

"Your organization is awesome! What you do comes from the heart."

"Thank you so much for your wonderful service. You allowed our Dad to stay home for such a long time! Thank you for your concern. All of you have been terrific!"

“I never thought I would find people to help who would be so kind and wonderful. One volunteer drove me to the doctor and then helped me fill out the forms because I couldn't see. He made me feel so comfortable. What a sweetheart.”

“Your Handy Helpers always act happy to help me with my home repairs. They make me feel like I'm significant even though I'm in a wheelchair. I'd be lost without them and am extremely grateful for their help.”