AT&T Exelerator Grant To Enhance icaregiver.org

Posted on December 18, 2006 in In The News for All Communities

A $25,000 competitively awarded AT&T grant will support the enhancement of icaregiver -- a Web site designed to educate, support and provide resources to those caring for chronically ill, disabled or aged family members.

Awarded through AT&T’s Excelerator Grant Program, the grant will help Senior Independence, the home and community based services division of Ohio Presbyterian Retirement Services (OPRS), to build upon its successful Web resource that is designed to help caregivers in their efforts to keep their loved ones at home, while maintaining their own well-being. AT&T’s Excelerator Program is a major philanthropic initiative that helps nonprofits fully integrate technology into their ongoing operations and community outreach. It empowers nonprofits to use technology like icaregiver to expand the reach of services and heighten the impact those services have on people in the community.

Senior Independence’s icaregiver serves as a “one-stop shop” for senior services and caregiving support in Ohio and provides education, referrals and advocacy for informal caregivers in a time efficient and convenient manner. This Web site promotes caregiver self-awareness by defining what it means to be a caregiver, describing the emotional and physical demands of caregiving and detailing important issues that address the needs of caregivers instead of just the needs of those they are caring for. It also takes an impartial approach to defining the pros and cons of many caregiving options.

Senior Independence strives to be Ohio's premier provider of home and community based services recognized for quality, innovation and a positive work environment. Statewide, Senior Independence offers services to nearly 48,000 older adults in 36 Ohio counties and operates 11 adult day centers.