Sources of Funding
The Ionia County Commission on Aging received money from a number of federal, state, and local sources in 2011:
State Appropriations and Older American Act Federal funds are received through the Michigan Office of Services to the Aging and the Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan, Inc. Michigan Department of Transportation Funds are received through the City of Ionia/Ionia Dial-a-Ride. Together these funds were $365,016 or 31% of the budget.
Ionia Board of Commissioners support the Commission on Aging through a number of in-kind services, for example tech support and accounting.
Ionia County Senior Millage was $546,825.
Community Support in the form of client and family donations, memorials, and fund raising events garnered $200,122.
Purchase of Services like building rental $48,450
Miscellaneous income was $639
Together these local income amounts are 69% of the Ionia County Commission on Aging total 2011 budget of $1,161,052.
In 2011 the total income from these various sources provided
10,264 meals at the Friendship Dinner sites,
67,198 home delivered meals,
6,105 rides to medical and other appointments for a total of 87,504 miles
3,356 hours of homemaker services,
4,888 hours of respite care,
1,498 hours of home health aid,
603 hours of home repair services
3,751 session of wellness programs.
In addition millage dollars provided $10,000 for the Forget-Me-Not Dementia Wraparound Program through Ionia County Mental Health and $5,000 to purchase Senior Project Fresh coupons for 406 low income senior citizens.
These services allow seniors who might otherwise need to housed in nursing homes to remain at home where they want to be. Of the 1,431 seniors who received these services, 59% are 80 years old or older. It costs $1,022 for in-home services and an additional $701 for Home Delivered Meals per person per year versus a cost of $55,000 or more per year to maintain a senior in a nursing home. That’s a pretty good return on the investment!
Due to the present economic situation, the Commission on Aging received about 20% less in funds during the last 2-3 years. The only way shortages can be made up is to receive the 20% through increased donations. We ask each person and their families who receive meals or services through the Commission on Aging to help by donations. This will not only ensure that the folks receiving help now continue to do so, but enable other senior neighbors in need to receive these benefits, too.
Suggested donations for services are listed, but are only that, suggestions. If you can give more, it will be greatly appreciated. However, if you cannot afford the suggested amount, please give what you can. Any amount is an increase over zero.