Sylvia Sweet’s Thursday routine involves waiting in her living room at 2 p.m. Sweet, who lives at a mobile home park in Lynnwood with her daughter, would wait for Vivian Vu to arrive. Vu is a senior companion volunteer at Homage Senior Services and has been visiting Sweet once a week for about a year.
“She’s great,” Sweet said about Vu. “She’s a sweet lady.”
Vu said her favorite part about being a volunteer is socializing with those around her. After she retired, she wanted to do something that would keep her engaged. Being a senior companion volunteer was the answer.
“I’m a social person,” Vu said.
The senior companion program aims to support older adults and people with disabilities in King and Snohomish counties. The volunteers help with grocery shopping and meal preparation, among other activities. AmeriCorps Seniors funds the program.
Sweet has dementia and has experienced decreased hearing since March 2024. She lives with her daughter, Noreene Whitkop. When Vu visits Sweet’s home, they usually chat in the living room or watch TV.