The Coles County Council on Aging was established in 1973 and incorporated in 1974 as a not-for-profit organization. The Council board of directors consists of 15 interested and dedicated volunteer community members who collectively address the needs and welfare of the county's senior population. The Council sponsors seven separate and distinct programs targeted chiefly to older adults
Family Caregiver Resource Center. Provides information and support to persons caring for individuals over sixty years of age, and grandparents raising grandchildren, through counseling services, support groups, training workshops, literature and other resources.
In fiscal year 2005, the Family Caregiver Resource Center served 185 caregivers and grandparents.
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RSVP (Retired and Senior Volunteer Program). Affords individuals age 55 or older opportunities to participate more fully in the life of their community through volunteer service. The RSVP staff matches individual interests, experience, abilities and preferences with areas of community need, including schools, nursing homes and other community organizations.
In fiscal year 2005, 413 volunteers provided 43,652 volunteer hours.
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Dial-A-Ride. Provides transportation not only to older adults, but also to persons with disabilities and all age groups of the general public. The program, which currently owns eleven wheelchair accessible buses, offers Coles County residents access to community resources while promoting independence and mobility.
In fiscal year 2005, Dial-A-Ride served 2,212 clients with a total of 111,760 miles.
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Coles County Telecare. Provides a wide variety of services to individuals 60 years of age and older, including information and referral assistance through on-site, phone or home visits; health screenings co-sponsored with the Coles County Public Health Department; assistance with Circuit Breaker Tax Relief applications; assistance with Medicare Part D and Prescription Drug Illinois RX Care; assistance with completion and filing of a variety of forms for local, state and federal programs; and educational presentations on issues of concern to older adults.
In fiscal year 2005, Telecare helped 2,437 older adults access programs, services and benefits to enhance their quality of life.
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Community Care: Homemaker Program. Provides a variety of personal assistance services to eligible individuals. These services include housekeeping, errands, respite, laundry, meal preparation, personal care tasks, and home budgeting and money management. Through the provision of these services older adults are enabled to remain in their homes safely, and prevent or postpone unnecessary or premature institutionalization.
In fiscal year 2005, the Homemaker Program provided 17,851 hours of service to 122 older adults.
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Senior Centers are located in Mattoon at 204 S. 21st Street and in Charleston at 720 6th Street, in the basement of the Elks building. The senior centers provide area older adults not only a place to meet, share and learn from others, but also opportunities to grow, develop and achieve. The centers also are a source for information. A wide variety of recreational and educational programs are routinely offered at the two senior centers. Both centers also serve as congregate meal sites for EIU's Peace Meal program.
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