August 21, 2008

Local Senior Transportation Programs Get Nearly $80K Boost from Carle Foundation Hospital

August 21, 2008

For many low-income seniors, access to reliable transportation is an ongoing struggle because they no longer have a driver's license, no longer feel safe driving, don't have the financial means to own a car, do not have access to public transportation, or don't want to rely on family or friends for rides. Without a means of transportation, seniors can be cut off from the community and isolated in their homes. This isolation can lead to a feeling of helplessness, depression and illness.

Carle Foundation Hospital (Carle) has donated a total of $79,500 to the Champaign County Regional Planning Commission and Family Service of Champaign County to better meet the transportation needs of seniors in Champaign County. Both organizations have had long-standing senior transportation programs.

Carle Foundation Hospital has given $43,000 to the Champaign County Regional Planning Commission to expand its Rural Riders program, which provided 1,000 rides last year to seniors ages 60 and older living in rural areas of Champaign County. Services include taking seniors to adult day care centers, senior and local events, doctor and dental offices, grocery stores, Peace Meal sites and pharmacies.

The donation to the Champaign County Regional Planning Commission will allow the organization to reach more seniors. "We always get more requests for rides than we have funding for. Seniors are constantly searching for ways to get to important appointments or having to delay appointments-oftentimes medical care-if they can't find a ride," said Darlene Kloeppel, director of social services for the Champaign County Regional Planning Commission. "Sometimes family members have to take the day off work to take the senior to an appointment. This can put a strain on the family and affect their income," she added.

Additionally, Carle Foundation Hospital has donated $36,500 to Family Service of Champaign County to expand and enhance the organization's ongoing senior transportation service. Previously, seniors were limited to one ride a week for necessary services, which included going to a legal or medical appointment, grocery store or pharmacy. Because of the donation from Carle, seniors can now enjoy additional trips, including quality of life rides to a beauty salon, senior center, or nursing home to visit a friend or spouse.

"Transportation is a key factor that can determine if a senior lives in his own home or an assisted living facility. Our volunteer drivers serve as a social contact for many seniors. It gives them someone to talk to and connect with," explained Sheryl Bautch, executive director of Family Service of Champaign County. "Seniors get a lot more out of the ride beyond going from point A to point B."

Last fiscal year, Family Service of Champaign County provided 2,500 one-way rides to 186 people. Those numbers are expected to increase with this donation from Carle.

Carle Foundation Hospital's donation will also cover gas for volunteer drivers, especially important in this time of rising gas prices. Additionally, the funds will help Family Service of Champaign County with the development and management of a new, comprehensive senior transportation directory to be placed on www.Helpsource.org, a centralized online system that provides easy, fast, 24-hour access to information about human services in east central Illinois. The directory should be in place by the first quarter of 2009.

These donations are a result of a senior needs assessment conducted by Carle Foundation Hospital last fall to better understand and address the current needs of seniors in the Champaign-Urbana community. The assessment focused on health care, poverty, and unmet needs and gaps in service. Transportation for seniors was identified as one of six areas of unmet needs for this growing population. In fact, according to the East Central Illinois Area Agency on Aging, the 60+ population in east central Illinois will increase 69 percent by 2030.  It can be anticipated that many will lack the means of maintaining their own transportation.

"It has been more than 10 years since Carle explored problems relating to seniors in our community. It was time for us to re-align our community benefit efforts with today's senior issues. Our goal is to work collaboratively with existing programs and agencies to strengthen services for seniors, creating a healthier environment for our aging population," said Gretchen Robbins, director of public relations for Carle Foundation Hospital.

The transportation donation is one in a series of donations Carle Foundation Hospital has made to community organizations, primarily in Champaign County, that serve or have an impact on older adults. Donations will fund the other five areas of need identified: dental services, medication management, communications, workforce development and isolation/health education.

About Carle Foundation Hospital

Carle Foundation Hospital, based in Urbana, Ill., is a 305-bed not-for-profit hospital, with more than 2,500 employees dedicated to our mission to serve people through high-quality care, medical research and education.

About Champaign County Regional Planning Commission

The mission of the Champaign Regional Planning Commission is to promote, plan, facilitate and accomplish the improved health, safety, welfare, education, economic conditions, environment and regional development within Champaign County in particular, and also within the greater area of east central Illinois. In its role as the local community action agency, it provides services to support low-income and at-risk populations.

About Family Service of Champaign County

Family Service of Champaign County is a private, non-governmental, not-for-profit organization. Founded in 1911, it is the oldest private social service agency in Champaign County and has provided continuous service to families and individuals for nearly 100 years. Its mission is supporting people across the generations by providing quality human services.