Area Agency on Aging of Pasco-Pinellas, Inc. launches Vaccine Outreach Program to assist Seniors and Caregivers interested in receiving COVID-19 vaccinations.

​​AREA AGENCY ON AGING OF PASCO – PINELLAS LAUNCHES VACCINE OUTREACH PROGRAM TO ASSIST SENIORS AND CAREGIVERS INTERESTED IN RECEIVING COVID-19 VACCINATIONS
  Agency Seeks to Eliminate Potential Barriers So that Seniors and Caregivers Who Want to Get Vaccinated, Can
 
St. Petersburg, FL, July 30TH  – The Area Agency on Aging of Pasco Pinellas (AAAPP), a local nonprofit organization focused on coordinating services to keep seniors healthy and independent, has initiated a specialized outreach initiative designed to empower seniors during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The “Vaccine Outreach Program,” will provide individualized assistance to adults age 60 and over and/or their caregiver(s) who desire to be vaccinated and are otherwise impeded from doing so. Services offered by the AAAPP include but are not limited to the following: arranging for vaccine visits at home, coordination for free transportation to vaccine appointments, respite care for caregivers, and reminder calls for second vaccine appointments. This initiative is part of the statewide "We Will Meet You at Home” campaign, championed by the Department of Elder Affairs (DOEA), to offer homebound seniors access to COVID-19 vaccinations.
“Now more than ever seniors and their caregivers need to get vaccinated,” said Ann Marie Winter, Executive Director. “We are here to help not only answer any questions they may have but also make appointments for both doses, provide transportation and help those who are homebound get the vaccines brought to them.” 
 “From the very beginning, Governor DeSantis focused Florida’s vaccination efforts on protecting seniors,” said DOEA Secretary Richard Prudom. “This targeted initiative is an important push to make sure Florida’s homebound individuals have the same opportunity for a vaccination as mobile residents. We’re doing everything possible to ensure every homebound senior has access to a vaccination.”
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. It is through AAAPP’s Helpline that those in need of services can be connected to the vaccination assistance available. Interested seniors and their caregiver(s) who might be interested in obtaining these services are encouraged to call AAAPP’s Helpline at (727) 217- 8111, option 4.

About Area Agency on Aging of Pasco Pinellas, Inc.

The Area Agency on Aging of Pasco Pinellas is a non-profit organization that has been serving seniors and individuals with disabilities in our community since 1974. We serve as the Aging and Disability Resource Center for the entire two county area, providing an initial entry point for all aging and disability social services and coordinating a network of partners and providers to better meet the needs of our aging population. Our mission is to be a trusted resource to advocate, educate and empower seniors, adults with disabilities and caregivers which promotes independence, in partnership with the community. Find out more at www.AgingCareFL.org.

 About the Florida Department of Elder Affairs

The Florida Department of Elder Affairs, the State Unit on Aging, helps Florida’s elders to remain healthy, safe, and independent. The Department provides most direct services through its Division of Statewide Community-Based Services, which works through the state’s eleven Area Agencies on Aging and local service providers to deliver essential services to a vital segment of the population. For more information, please visit www.elderaffairs.org.