NORTHEAST FLORIDA AREA AGENCY ON AGING INC

WE CELEBRATED 49 YEARS OF SERVICE AS THE AREA AGENCY ON AGING FOR NORTHEAST FLORIDA. AS THE AREA AGENCY ON AGING, WE ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR IDENTIFYING THE NEEDS OF ELDERS AND CAREGIVERS IN OUR REGION AND CONTRACTING WITH PROVIDERS FOR SERVICES TO ADDRESS THOSE NEEDS. WE ARE THEN RESPONSIBLE FOR THE STEWARDSHIP AND OVERSIGHT OF THE TAXPAYER AND DONOR DOLLARS. WE MAKE SURE THE SERVICES THAT ARE PROVIDED ARE A GOOD QUALITY SERVICE, THEY MEET THE STANDARDS AND REQUIREMENTS, THAT THOSE MOST IN NEED ARE GETTING THE SERVICES AND THE DOLLARS ARE WELL AND APPROPRIATELY SPENT.AS THE AGING AND DISABILITY RESOURCE CENTER WE ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR PROVIDING INFORMATION AND REFERRAL TO NEEDED RESOURCES FOR OLDER ADULTS, ADULTS AGE 18 AND OLDER WITH A DISABILITY AND THEIR CAREGIVERS. IN 2023, CUSTOMER SERVICES SPECIALISTS MADE AND RECEIVED 46,460 CALLS. WE ARE ALSO RESPONSIBLE FOR SCREENING INDIVIDUALS FOR THE VARIOUS STATE FUNDED PROGRAMS AS WELL AS THE MEDICAID MANAGED CARE LONG TERM CARE PROGRAM. IN 2023, STAFF COMPLETED 10,173 ASSESSMENTS. WE ALSO ASSISTED CLIENTS THROUGH THE ELIGIBILITY DETERMINATION PROCESS FOR THIS PARTICULAR PROGRAM APPROXIMATELY 150 TO 200 PEOPLE A MONTH.IN 2023, OUR SHINE PROGRAM (SERVING HEALTH INSURANCE NEEDS OF ELDERS) VOLUNTEERS SAVED SENIORS OVER $3 MILLION ON MEDICARE PART D AND $2.1 MILLION FROM THE MEDICARE SAVINGS PLAN. TEN NEW VOLUNTEERS WERE ADDED TO THE TEAM AND 3,534 INDIVIDUALS RECEIVED SHINE COUNSELING ASSISTANCE. OTHER NOTABLE ACCOMPLISHMENTS INCLUDE 211,243 HOME-DELIVERED MEALS DISTRIBUTED; 275,899 CONGREGATE MEALS SERVED AND 74,673 HOURS OF HOMEMAKING SERVICES PROVIDED. IN 2023, OUR SENIOR-TO-SENIOR PROGRAM SUPPORTED 298 PEOPLE WITH FUNDING FROM THE J. WAYNE AND DELORES BARR WEAVER FOUNDATION AT THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION AND THE JIM MORAN FAMILY FOUNDATION. THIS SUPPORT CONTINUED HELPING OLDER ADULTS FACING A FINANCIAL CRISIS. WE CONTINUED THE DEMENTIA CARE AND CURE INITIATIVE AND OUR AGE FRIENDLY COMMUNITY EFFORTS TO MAKE NORTHEAST FLORIDA A COMMUNITY FOR OLDER ADULTS, PEOPLE LIVING WITH DEMENTIA. A UNIQUE PROGRAM AND PARTNERSHIP WITH THE CUMMER MUSEUM OF ART AND GARDENS OFFERED CAREGIVERS AND THEIR LOVED ONES LIVING WITH DEMENTIA SPECIAL TOURS OF THE MUSEUM BY STAFF TRAINED IN DEMENTIA FRIENDLY COMMUNICATION SKILLS.