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Leap of Faith Technologies received a grant from the National Institutes of Health, National Institute on Aging,
to develop @utReach, an Internet-based volunteer matching utility for faith-based and public agencies
providing in-home care for seniors. A feasibility study identified, validated, and prioritized the needs
of seniors living in their own homes, the capabilities of volunteers who provide care services for them,
and the responsibilities of agencies that manage provision of care. Key issues included physical mobility
and transportation, particularly in rural areas. Other high-priority needs for those who require care were
companionship and better availability of information about finding and requesting services. The study also
identified variations in the characteristics of needs in urban, suburban, and rural locales. Ultimately,
community involvement in helping healthy seniors maintain independent lives will reduce the social and
financial costs for nursing home care or other assisted-living services. Seniors who can remain active
and independent tend to have better health as well, reducing demands on the health care industry and
Medicaid system.
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