Thank you to the Tampa Bay Times for highlighting the Vaccine Outreach Program at the Area Agency on Aging of Pasco-Pinellas, Inc. !  To read the full article, click on the button above.

​​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.

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.

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.

MEDIA CONTACT: Rebecca Roberts
[email protected]
850-414-2142

​Event Webinar Link

~ Elder Affairs to Host Statewide Virtual Conference Honoring Older Adults ~
   
TALLAHASSEE, Fla.,– The Florida Department of Elder Affairs (DOEA) is hosting a statewide virtual event on Thursday, June 18 in recognition of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD). The purpose of the WEAAD webinar is to build safer communities for Florida’s 5.5 million older adults and to encourage attendees to recognize elder abuse and how to report abuse to authorities.

June 15 is the official day for worldwide awareness of elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation and all Floridians are encouraged to wear purple to focus attention on the growing problem of elder abuse. In years past, live events were hosted throughout the month of June to honor elders and educate the public on elder abuse. This year, due to COVID-19, DOEA is hosting a virtual event webinar to further ensure the safety of Florida’s older population.

“Preventing abuse of older adults and understanding the signs of elder abuse is in the best interest of all Floridians,” said Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. “ When we empower Florida’s older population to live safe, self-sufficient, and independent lives, then we contribute to the quality of life in all our communities.”

“Florida’s elders should be treated with respect and dignity to enable them to continue to live vibrant lives and serve as leaders, mentors, and volunteers,” said Florida Department of Elder Affairs Secretary Richard Prudom. “They must remain important and active members of society without the threat of abuse, neglect, and exploitation.”

The DOEA webinar event on June 18 will feature keynote speakers on Elder Abuse Prevention including: Statewide Training Coordinator, Heather Conley, Florida Department of Children and Families; Special Agent in Charge, Omar Perez Aybar, U.S. Office of the Inspector General HHS; Special Agent, FBI Jacksonville Field Office, Federal Bureau of Investigation; and Inspector Adel Valdes, U.S. Postal Inspectors Office.

The DOEA Elder Abuse Prevention Program works to educate all Floridians, including seniors, caregivers, family members, and Aging Network professionals about the prevention of abuse and how to report it.

Thursday, June 18, 2020
9:00 a.m.
Event Webinar Link
Event Contact: Allison Bryant
Statewide Elder Abuse Prevention Coordinator
850-414-2072


If you are a victim or suspect elder abuse, please contact the Florida Abuse Hotline at 1-800-96-ABUSE (1-800-962-2873). If you would like more information about the Department’s Elder Abuse Prevention Program, contact DOEA at 850-414-2000.
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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 11 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.

​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