CareVan of Ingleside Homes.

Started in October 1991 with a $20,000 grant from Delaware's Division of Aging, Ingleside Homes, Inc., formed a coalition of 45 members to take part in a three-year study called Project C.A.R.E. (Community Action to Reach the Elderly). The coalition's purpose was to determine the needs of "at risk" elderly and identify appropriate services. "At risk" elderly are defined as seniors who are poor, minorities, women and, in general, those who are over age 85 or frail and in danger of losing their independence because of social, economic and/or physical limitations.

The Project's survey revealed that substantial numbers of the area's seniors were not aware of services available or how to access them. Coalition members decided that there should be a link between needs and services - thus spawning the creation of the CareVan program in May 1994.

As a mobile information and referral office, the CareVan vehicle drives into targeted neighborhoods to provide seniors access to service providers listed in its extensive database. Volunteers trained by CareVan meet with clients personally, listen to their concerns and determine their need for community-based services. Appointments can be made immediately, and follow-up phone calls and return visits are made to ensure that the client received the needed service. CareVan never charges a fee to the people it serves.

At the heart of the CareVan program is its small, but dedicated, corps of volunteers. CareVan employs only two compensated staff members. CareVan Director Katherine M. Lyons and Volunteer Coordinator Esther Dada guide the program in its mission to serve seniors in Delaware. In a four-year period, CareVan volunteers have dedicated an impressive 5,500 hours to the program. An ongoing challenge, recruitment of volunteers is crucial to maintaining this high level of community outreach. Target groups of volunteers include churches, civic groups, students, community groups and retirees.

CareVan has been successful in developing an internship program with area high schools, colleges and universities to attract younger volunteers and in using its Speakers' Bureau to secure the interest of professional organizations and businesses.

The program offers a variety of volunteer opportunities: riding in the van and providing assistance in the field, data entry and filing, or serving clients by phone and taking initial calls for assistance. CareVan can provide volunteer opportunities for almost any skill set, and each volunteer receives extensive training.

CareVan occupies a unique position in the nation's eldercare industry. The program was recognized by the American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging (AASHA), receiving its Community Service Award at the annual convention in November 1998. This national award was presented to only two organizations from AAHSA's membership of 5,000 not-for-profit members. Carol A. Berster, CEO and president of Ingleside Homes, accepted the award. This recognition has indeed fueled CareVan's desire to expand its services, broaden its scope of outreach and increase the number of clients it serves.

Now in its sixth year of operation, CareVan is aggressively seeking opportunities to collaborate with other organizations to broaden its community outreach. Demographic studies in the Hispanic community in New Castle County, Delaware, have identified an underserved population of elderly in need of services. Pairing with the Latin American Community Center, CareVan has been able to link its computer database with the LACC site to ensure that seniors in that community will have access to the most current services. CareVan and LACC have collaborated to recruit and train bilingual volunteers and provide printed collateral information in Spanish to overcome the language barrier.

To measure the success of the program, one only needs to read through more than 5,000 case files recording clients served by CareVan since its inception. One case study from 1998 concerns a 78-year-old woman with diabetes and breast cancer who could not climb the steps in her home, despite services provided by a home health agency. She could not access her only bathroom, which was on the second floor.

Frustrated by her situation, the woman called CareVan to seek information about nursing homes in her area. Although she was not ready to relinquish her home and independence, she could think of few alternatives. After she met with Esther Dada, it was determined that her assets would only carry her six months if used for skilled nursing services. Another solution needed to be found. Using the resources in CareVan's database, Esther secured a donated stair-glide from the Veteran's Association through their Independent Living Program, enabling her to access her bathroom and maintain her dignity. It was a creative solution that preserved the client's independence and financial assets.

The future of CareVan relies on the generous support of volunteers from the public sector, corporations and foundations. Ingleside Homes is committed to preserving this valuable community program with funding from various benefactors. In Delaware, Ingleside Homes is recognized as a leader in providing services to modest-income older adults. With the knowledge, expertise and years of experience of the staff of Ingleside Homes, the CareVan program has become a strong and effective advocacy program serving the older adult population in Delaware and surrounding areas. Compassion, direct human contact and a true spirit of caring define this remarkable program of service to those in need.

Susan Meade-Beachell handles marketing/public relations for Ingleside Homes, Inc. She can be reached at [phone], ext. 241. For more information about CareVan of Ingleside Homes, Inc., please contact Katherine M. Lyons, director, at (302) 888-CARE (2273).