CICOA Aging & In-Home Solutions is pleased to provide the 2011-12 edition of Solutions: A Central Indiana Resource Guide for Seniors, Persons with Disabilities and Family Caregivers.

As the state’s largest Area Agency on Aging, CICOA serves Boone, Hamilton, Hancock, Hendricks, Johnson, Marion, Morgan and Shelby counties. CICOA’s mission is to help older persons and those of any age with a disability to live with the greatest possible independence, dignity and quality of life. We do this by linking our clients with community-based resources to help them stay in control of their lives and out of institutional care.

The organizations, programs and services listed in this directory are continually changing. If you cannot find the resource you need in this directory or would like to discuss your situation with someone personally, please call CICOA’s Aging & Disability Resource Center, a one-stop source of information and assistance for older adults, persons with a disability, and caregivers. Options counselors are available Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., at 317-254-3660 or 800-432-2422.

Programs that furnish survival level resources including food, housing, material goods, transportation and utilities for individuals with low or fixed incomes, people who are homeless, older adults and/or people with disabilities who are otherwise unable to adequately provide for themselves and their families. Also included are related services that are available to the community at large.

If you are someone who is…

• providing care and assistance for an older person
• caring for a child with a disability
• responsible for the care of an individual diagnosed with any form of dementia
• 55+ years old and raising a grandchild age 18 or younger

...this section is for you! Nearly 66 million people in the United States currently provide care, assistance and support for a loved one.

Programs that provide for the education and protection of individuals who buy products and services for personal use. Included are programs that establish and enforce consumer protection, fair trade and other regulatory legislation; provide information and/or counseling to help consumers manage their finances, make informed credit and purchasing decisions, and understand their tax obligations and pay their taxes; and/or ensure that consumers have access to fair hearings, mediation or binding arbitration and appropriate remedies when they have complaints.

In the late 1970’s, CICOA Aging & In-Home Solutions developed County Senior Service Organizations as intended by the Older Americans Act to provide information and services for older individuals in the eight counties comprising the Central Indiana region. Each of the organizations on the following pages serves as a focal point for comprehensive service delivery to eligible residents of their county populations.

Programs that provide opportunities for people to acquire the knowledge, skills, desirable qualities of behavior and character, wisdom and general competence that will enable them to fully participate in and enjoy the social, political, economic and intellectual life of the community.

Programs that protect and conserve natural resources, prevent or reduce environmental pollution, promote environmental and public health, develop and implement measures for safety education and accident prevention, provide emergency rescue services for people in trouble and/or take other steps to enhance public health and safety and enable people to live in ecological balance and harmony with their surroundings.

Programs whose primary purpose is to help individuals and families achieve and maintain physical well-being through the study, prevention, screening, evaluation and treatment of people who have illnesses, injuries or disabilities.

Programs that help to meet the economic needs of the community by helping residents prepare for, find and sustain gainful employment; providing public assistance and support for those who are eligible; ensuring that retirees, older adults, people with disabilities and other eligible individuals receive the social insurance benefits to which they are entitled; and offering temporary financial assistance for people who are experiencing an unexpected financial crisis in situations where support related to their specific circumstances is unavailable.

Programs that promote the personal, social and spiritual development of people in the community by offering services that replace or supplement the care and support that is generally available through the family unit; providing for the humane care, protection and control of the pets and other domestic animals; and offering social, religious/spiritual and leisure-time activities that are personally satisfying and lead to optimal social functioning.

Programs that promote and preserve the conditions that enable community residents to live in a safe and peaceful environment through the enforcement of laws that protect life and property and the administration of justice according to the principles of law and equity. Included are crime prevention programs as well as programs that investigate and make arrests for criminal behavior; provide support for witnesses to and victims of crimes; and provide for the arraignment, prosecution and defense, judgment, sentencing, confinement and eventual release and resettlement of offenders.

Programs that provide preventive, diagnostic and treatment services in a variety of community and hospital-based settings to help people achieve, maintain and enhance a state of emotional well-being, personal empowerment and the skills to cope with everyday demands without excessive stress or reliance on alcohol or other drugs. Treatment may include emotional support, introspection and problem-solving assistance using a variety of modalities and approaches, and medication, as needed, for individuals who have a physical and/or psychological dependency on one or a combination of addictive substances or for people who range from experiencing difficult life transitions or problems in coping with daily living to those with severe, chronic mental illnesses that seriously impact their lives.

Programs that provide any of a broad spectrum of services that benefit entire communities or which offer services that are statewide, regional, national or international in scope. Included are opportunities for individuals or groups to enjoy the artistic and cultural life of the community, participate in community improvement or service projects, engage in philanthropic endeavors, have a voice in the political process, obtain or offer assistance in times of disaster, have access to information services, and/or benefit from the availability of a variety of services for residents, community agencies, organizations, businesses and industries, and other individuals/groups.

Individuals who have specific disabilities, medical diagnoses, ethnic backgrounds, national origins, family relationships, income levels, religious affiliations, special problems or considerations, or other targeted characteristics.