AMERICAN FORK — Twice a week, Alouise Serrano visits retired journalist Betty Spencer to assist her with chores that many people take for granted.

For Spencer, who is nearly blind, Serrano's help makes it possible to do many of the daily tasks that for most folks would be routine.

Serrano has been assisting Spencer for nearly 11 years as a volunteer under the Utah County Department of Health's Senior Companion program. Federally funded and in every state, the program enables seniors to stay in their homes longer.

"I'd be in assisted living if it wasn't for Alouise," Spencer said.

Although she volunteers, the county pays her a small stipend for her efforts, Serrano said. She had just completed a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Joseph Smith Memorial Building when she learned about the senior companion program.

"I immediately took to it," she said. "I liked volunteering, and I was serving. I have met so many friends."

She spends Tuesdays through Fridays assisting others. Her tasks include taking older women shopping, or shopping for them; taking them to doctors; picking up prescriptions; and helping with simple tasks.

Once a week she goes to the Belair Care Center and attends LDS Relief Society with one of the women, then visits others before she leaves for her next appointment.

"It just brightens up their spirits to have visits," she said. "It makes their final years pleasant."

She sees two people a day, except on Thursdays when she sees three. Serrano is one of some 50 people in Utah County providing this service, although in the north county area more volunteers are needed, she said.

Once a month the health department provides an in-service meeting and lunch for the volunteers. Earlier this year Serrano was honored with a 10-year plaque for giving service to "her ladies."

She sees Spencer twice a week and assisted her in completing her book, "American Fork, the Growing Years," by taking her on interviews and to the library to do research. "I chased around picking up pictures and getting details for her book," Serrano said.

Some things senior companions can't do, such as housework, handling medicines or shoveling snow.

"They want us healthy," Serrano said.

Spencer, in turn, keeps Serrano informed as to the news of the day. Spencer keeps up with broadcast news and has a magnifier so she can work at her computer.

"I'm still a news junkie," the former reporter said. "Once you've worked in this business, you always are."

Spencer has a daughter and granddaughter who look in on her, although they live outside Utah County. Yet Serrano's twice-weekly visits remain a highlight.

"The fact that you have someone who sees you makes a difference," Spencer said.