The Nevada Rural Counties Retired and Senior Volunteer Program is a part of the Corporation for National and Community Service, a federal agency.

Established in 1971 (under ACTION), the program has grown to include more than 450,000 volunteers contributing more than 70 million hours of service a year.

Most volunteers are 55 or older but it does accept younger volunteers.

Volunteers come from all walks of life and varied backgrounds but come together in the unselfish sharing of their time and energy.

There are more than 484,000 older people living in Nevada, many homebound or living alone, especially in rural locations like Amargosa Valley and Pahrump.

To help ease some of the loneliness and feelings of isolation, R.S.V.P. has developed the Home Companion Program which offers services for the elderly, disabled and those in need of short or long-term services which allow them to remain at home.

Home companions do things such as visit, run errands, shop, make telephone checkups and more. They also provide quality-of-life activities -- hair cuts and dining out or a walk in the park for example.

The Home Companion Program has obtained a grant which places Lifeline units in homes of seniors who need protection in case of a fall or illness.

Lifeline aids in notification to highly trained monitor who responds to find out what help is needed. If the client is unable to answer, the monitor immediately contacts emergency responders who live close enough to the client to be with him or her within a few minutes.

Some reject the thought of having Lifeline because they think it is an admission of inability to care for themselves. Lifeline is a tool to give more confidence, freedom and independence to live on their own.

The message to Nevada's elderly is "this is your life -- live it the way you want in the comfort of your own home."

The message to would-be volunteers is "please help your neighbor and call the R.S.V.P. field representative Jan Lindsay at 775-751-5282."