Adirondacks Launches Free Health Companion Program for Seniors

Getting older in rural America shouldn't mean losing access to healthcare or feeling left behind by technology.

Mercy Care for the Adirondacks is launching its first Health Care Companion Volunteer Training Program to help elderly residents in the Tri-Lakes region manage increasingly complex medical systems. The program adds specialized healthcare navigation support to their existing network of over 100 Friendship Volunteers already serving more than 200 seniors.

Health Care Companions act as trusted guides rather than medical providers. They help older adults schedule appointments, understand treatment instructions, and connect with community services through in-person visits, phone calls, or video chats.

The free volunteer training takes place March 4 at 9 a.m. at Heaven Hill Farm, with lunch included. No experience is required, just compassion and a willingness to listen.

Mercy Care is tackling the digital divide too. On February 26, they're hosting a free technology workshop at BOCES Adirondack Educational Center in Saranac Lake from 9 a.m. to noon.

The workshop features Roberta Bryson from NBT Bank teaching online banking basics and fraud protection. Volunteers will provide one-on-one help with smartphones and tablets, meeting seniors exactly where they are in their tech journey.

Through its iPad Permanent Loan Program, Mercy Care gives seniors free access to devices they can keep. The goal is simple: no older adult should lose connection to loved ones or essential services because they can't afford technology or don't know how to use it.

The Ripple Effect

These programs address a crisis hiding in plain sight across rural communities. When seniors can't navigate healthcare systems or use digital tools, they miss appointments, struggle with prescriptions, and become isolated from family and friends.

Every trained volunteer multiplies their impact across the community. One companion might help an elder friend finally understand their medication schedule, preventing a hospital visit. Another might teach someone to video chat with grandchildren across the country, ending months of loneliness.

The combination of human connection and practical skills creates safety nets that catch people before they fall through the cracks. And in the sprawling Adirondacks, where distances are vast and winters are long, these connections can be lifelines.

Interested volunteers or seniors can register at adkmercy.org or contact Lexi Bevilacqua at abevilacqua@adkmercy.org or 518-523-5446. Because everyone deserves a friend who shows up when healthcare gets complicated.