​The Area Agency on Aging of Pasco Pinellas (AAAPP), a local nonprofit organization focused on coordinating services to keep seniors healthy and independent, has responded to the COVID-19 pandemic with innovative programming to support seniors.

The program, known as “Dining Out at Home,” involves partnering with local restaurants to safely serve seniors meals at home while also supporting the local economy. This initiative is part of a statewide effort championed by the Department of Elder Affairs, the Department of Business and Professional Regulation, and the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association. AAAPP and its nutrition providers, Pasco County Nutrition and Neighborly Care Network, will contract directly with local restaurants to provide home-delivered meals to local seniors in need.

“We’re just seeing a real need for seniors to get food, and on the other side, a real need for restaurants to be able to keep their doors open. So we thought this was a real interesting way that we could help many more seniors and our local economy,” said Ann Marie Winter, Executive Director.  “For us, it was a real win-win.”

Each year, AAAPP serves more than 50,000 local older adults through a variety of programs, including home meal delivery, transportation, adult day care, health and wellbeing programming, and information and referral services provided through the Elder Helpline. The Agency accomplishes this through a network of local non-profit and for-profit partnerships. The Dining Out at Home program taps into this network of partners to directly address issues seniors are experiencing related to social distancing measures put in place to slow the spread of COVID-19.

Please email [email protected].

Please note, the following will be required for restaurants interested in participating in the program:

• Restaurants will be required to follow approved meal patterns
• Restaurants must be licensed by the Department of Business and Professional Regulations and must maintain current liability insurance
• Restaurants must demonstrate food safety certification
• Restaurant health and sanitation history will be reviewed for closures and violations

​Pinellas residents, please call Neighborly Care Network: 727 – 573 – 9444

Pasco residents, please call Pasco County Senior Services: 727 – 834 – 3340

​The COVID-19 outbreak has led to many local groups looking for a way to check in with neighbors, friends, loved ones, and the members of our community who may need support the most right now. Telephone reassurance has been popping up across communities, so we have developed this page to coordinate and connect individuals looking to assist, or looking for an individual to reach out to them.

We encourage you to submit a request to be called through one of our trusted partners:

AARP’s Community Connections Program – Nationwide

Seniors in Service TelePals Program – Pasco Only

St. Pete resident? Visit  www.StPete.Org/CallFromCityHall

If you need help now, reach out to the Directions for Living Emotional Support Line at (727) 524-4464; Dial Ext. 1001 Monday – Sunday 8 am – 8 pm.

Please note this is for emotional support only; if it is a mental health emergency, please call the PEMHS Crisis Hotline at 727-541-4628. 

If you have a group interested in providing telephone reassurance, please reach out to us. We will provide you with a template script, a reporting tool, and training.
Resources to offer seniors on calls:
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• Our COVID-19 resource list, updated daily
• More coming soon!