Connecting Rural Older Illinoisans Transportation
Assistance Program.
Visit your local senior center for assistance in getting more information about it!
Community Resource Centers & Cafe
The Connecting Rural Older Illinoisans opportunity is offered to Southeastern Illinois Agency on Aging from the Illinois Department on Aging. This service supports programs that help older adults in rural communities stay connected to essential services, social supports, and local resources. Through funding from the Illinois Department on Aging, the grant strengthens outreach, technology access, transportation connections, and service navigation for older adults who face barriers due to distance, limited broadband, or fewer community providers. The goal is to reduce isolation, improve access to aging services, and ensure rural older adults can remain independent and engaged in their communities.
Personalized Care Planning-Connecting Rural Older Illinoisans (CROI)
CROI supports:
in‑home visits
transportation connections, building and meeting real time care plans to ensure that older adults in rural Illinois receive the necessary support and services for their well-being.
- It reduces rural barriers that prevent tailored services
- It supports ongoing follow‑up and monitoring
- It enhances social connection — a key part of individualized well‑being
Rural older adults often face:
long distances
limited providers
poor broadband
fewer social supports CROI funding helps agencies adapt care planning to those realities instead of using a one‑size‑fits‑all approach.
Personalized care planning isn’t a one‑time event. CROI allows caregivers to maintain contact, adjust plans, and ensure services remain appropriate as needs change.
For many rural older adults, isolation is the biggest unmet need. CROI-funded programs can build social supports into the care plan, which is part of whole‑person planning.
Flexible Assistance Options
Participants choose the frequency and nature of services, allowing for a customized support schedule.