Dec. 17, 2009

CICOA Aging & In-Home Solutions has been awarded a $2,000 grant from the Community Foundation of Morgan County Inc. The grant benefits CICOA’s Client Assistance Fund, which pays for small, one-time expenses that help seniors and people with disabilities remain living in their homes with enhanced safety and independence.

Many of CICOA’s clients qualify for public assistance for the home and community-based services they receive. The benefit of private funding through CICOA’s Client Assistance Funds and unrestricted gifts is that it offers flexibility to help provide items that typically are not covered by federal and state funding sources. For example, CICOA has provided assistance for home repairs and modifications, maintenance on wheel chairs, pest control, utility bills, homemaker services, etc. The funds also may be used to purchase items such as small kitchen appliances, fans, chairs, dishes or utensils. Having a flexible funding source outside of federal and state programs enables clients to find the solutions they need to remain at home.

Any resident of Morgan County who meets the eligibility requirements (age 60 or older or any age with a disability) and is currently receiving services through CICOA or is on a waitlist to receive services is eligible for aid through the Client Assistance Fund. Currently CICOA serves 120 Morgan County residents through its Meals & More nutrition program and In-Home Services.

About CICOA

CICOA Aging & In-Home Solutions is the premier source of information and access to resources for seniors and persons with disabilities living in Central Indiana. Through a network of agencies, service groups and volunteers, CICOA provides home care services including personal home care, home-delivered meals, home health care, senior transportation services, respite care and caregiver assistance. Annually CICOA provides in-home care management to more than 3,750 clients, delivers more than 515,000 nutritious meals to homes and 33 neighborhood sites, and offers respite care and supplemental services to 1,500 caregivers. CICOA’s Aging & Disability Resource Center handles more than 44,000 calls per year from people seeking assistance with aging and disability issues.