STATUS: Open

SERVICE AREA: Metro Detroit MI (Wayne & Washtenaw Counties), Newark, DE, Baltimore City, MD

CLIENTS SERVED: Adults living at home with a diagnosed chronic illness that affects their ability to manage everyday household activities independently.

DESCRIPTION: Lori’s Hands connects adults living with chronic illness with trained college student volunteers who make weekly home visits. Students provide practical, non-medical assistance and companionship. Applicants must be able to live safely without supervision. Program may have a waitlist, but applicants can find out program eligibility if they call or fill out an application online.

SERVICES & PROGRAMS:
Eligible clients are paired with two student volunteers for weekly visits during the school year. Summer availability will vary. Lori’s Hands volunteers do not provide transportation, personal care, medical care, or safety supervision. They cannot assist with bathing, dressing, transferring, medication preparation, or other hands-on personal/medical needs.

• Household Assistance: Help with light housework, yard work, pet care, laundry, and other household activities.
• Meals & Groceries: Assistance with grocery shopping and meal preparation.
• Companionship & Social Support: Regular visits, conversation, shared hobbies, walks, and other activities to reduce isolation.
• Technology Help: Assistance with basic technology use.
• Resource Navigation: Help with paperwork, prescription pickup, and navigating community resources.
• Caregiver Support: Student assistance can help relieve some of the everyday household responsibilities that may otherwise fall on family caregivers.

HOW TO APPLY: Clients can be referred by a healthcare provider, home healthcare agency, community organization, or another individual. Call your local office (find it on their Contact Us page) or complete the online referral form. After the referral, Lori’s Hands contacts the applicant to discuss eligibility, followed by an in-home enrollment visit.