ALTHOUGH RESOURCE MATERIAL FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF A PROGRAM FOR TRAINING COMPANIONS TO ELDERLY PERSONS IS PROVIDED IN THIS TEACHING GUIDE, IT WILL NEED TO BE ADAPTED TO THE NEEDS OF THE TRAINEES AND THE COMMUNITY. THE COMPANION TO AN ELDERLY PERSON RELIEVES FAMILY MEMBERS OR OTHERS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE WELL-BEING OF THE ELDERLY PERSON. THE PROGRAM OBJECTIVES INCLUDE DEVELOPMENT OF AN UNDERSTANDING OF COMMON CHARACTERISTICS OF OLDER PERSONS, INCREASED COMPETENCIES IN CARING FOR AN ELDERLY PERSON, AND QUALITIES FOR SUCCESSFUL EMPLOYMENT. THE COURSE CONSISTS OF FOUR UNITS TO BE PRESENTED IN 150 HOURS. A TRAINEE SHOULD BE A HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATE, HEALTHY, MENTALLY ALERT, WITH GOOD SIGHT, HEARING, AND ABILITY TO READ AND SPEAK EFFECTIVELY. THE TEACHER SHOULD BE TRAINED IN HOME ECONOMICS OR SOCIAL WORK AND HAVE AN UNDERSTANDING OF THE NEEDS OF THE ELDERLY. REFERENCES ARE LISTED WITH EACH UNIT, AND SUGGESTIONS ARE GIVEN FOR PLANNING THE LESSONS AND LEARNING EXPERIENCES, EVALUATING ACHIEVEMENT, AND PLANNING FACILITIES. CRITERIA ARE INCLUDED FOR JUDGING TRAINEE READINESS FOR EMPLOYMENT. THIS DOCUMENT IS AVAILABLE AS GPO NUMBER FS 5.287--87006 FOR 20 CENTS FROM SUPERINTENDENT OF DOCUMENTS, U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE, WASHINGTON, D.C. 20402. (MS)