Sources of Funding
The Ionia County Commission on Aging receives money from a number of sources:
►State Appropriations and Older American Act Federal funds are received through theMichigan 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.
►Ionia Board of Commissioners support the Commission on Aging in a number of ways.
►Ionia County Senior Millage for supportive services.
►Community Support in the form of client and family donations and fund raising events.
In 2008 the total income from these various sources amounted to $1,371,903. That provided 26,526 meals at the Friendship Dinner sites, 129,275 home delivered meals, 8,598 rides to medical appointments, 5,676 hours of homemaker services, 6,081 hours of respite care, 2,931 hours of home health aid, 1,565 hours of home repair services and 329 hours of senior assistance. That’s a pretty good return on the investment!
These services allow seniors who might otherwise need to housed in nursing homes to remain at home where they want to be. Of the 2,032 seniors who received these services, 59% are 80 years old or older. Quick math will show that is a cost of $675 per person served out of the total funds received versus a cost of $55,000 or more per year to maintain a senior in a nursing home.
Due to the present economic situation, the Commission on Aging will receive about 15% less in funds during the upcoming 2010 year. The only way shortages can be made up is to receive the 15% 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.
Of the $1,371,903 received in 2008, $185,207 came from donations, fund raising and other sources. That’s 13.5% of the total budget. To maintain the present level of services to older neighbors, donations and fund raising needs to raise about $137.000 in addition to the $185,207. That’s a lot of money, but $137,000 is about the cost to taxpayers of keeping just two medicaid patients in a nursing home facility for a year.