Care Assurance System for the Aging and Homebound of Madison

Founded in 1979, CASA of Madison County's mission is to provide volunteer services to assist with the unmet needs of aging and homebound individuals. There is never a charge to clients for CASA's services, which are provided primarily by volunteers.

With an average age of 74.6 years, 85% of CASA clients are single (or widowed) with only one income. Over 86% of clients fall below the U. S. Census Bureau's poverty level. The mean income of clients is $500 per month.

To meet the needs of this population, CASA's services include: transportation to medical treatments, grocery shopping assistance, minor home repairs, installation of ramps, grab bars/hand rails, weatherization of homes, a community garden that provides fresh vegetables, and services that improve their safety, warmth, and independence.

In the past 10 years, CASA has assisted over 7,100 clients. Most of them required multiple or ongoing services. CASA's current clientele base is approximately 3,500 – 3,720.

During FY 2005-06, volunteers escorted clients to medical appointments, and other pertinent locations with 1,372 trips and 8,232 hours. With the help of 28 volunteer groups, CASA planted and harvested 9,896 pounds of vegetables. All produce was delivered by volunteers to CASA's elderly and homebound clients. CASA's Safety Net program provided durable medical equipment and supplies to 366 clients. Over 950 seniors participated in CASA – coordinated area health fairs.

For Emergency, Weather Assistance, air conditioning units, fans, and heaters were provided. More than 18,500 volunteer hours were given to complete minor home repairs and yard work. Volunteers spent over 700 hours making friendly visits and telephone reassurance calls to lonely clients. Skilled volunteers built 82 wheelchair ramps and repaired 24 ramps, which provided to clients access to the outside world, including medical appointments.