Aging Matters in Brevard

Home and Community based Services 239 clients accessed 2,490,652 of in-home and Community based support Services. After a comprehensive in-home assessment, clients received a customized care plan. Services provided included: 5,273.50 hours of companion support 39,399.50 hours of in-facility respite and 10,423.50 hours of in-home respite 30,401.50 hours of light housekeeping assistance. 15,964.25 hours of assistance with activities of daily living including personal hygiene consumable medical supplies such as nutritional supplements, bed pads, and adult undergarments totaling 96,433.35 with this help, 96% of the clients served were able to remain at home, thus avoiding nursing home placement. Home & Community based care includes homemaking, personal care, companionship, respite, adult day care, pest control, and emergency alert system. Consumable supplies includes incontinence supplies, medical equipment, nutritional supplements, ointments, and gloves.

The home care program employs certified nursing assistants, home health aides, and homemakers to provide housekeeping and meal preparation, shopping assistance, companionship, respite and non-medical personal care in the home of the client. A registered nurse works with the client and caregiver to develop an individualized plan of care and oversees direct client care. The Aging Matters in Brevard home care program is licensed through the Florida agency for healthcare administration, license xxx-xx-xxxx, and is accredited by the Community health accreditation partner (chap). Home care served 134 unduplicated clients for a total of 23,684.75 hours of the following Services: 115 seniors received 13,762 hours of assistance with shopping, light housekeeping, and meal preparation. 53 seniors received 6,206 hours of assistance with their personal care. 13 caregivers were provided 2,847.75 hours of respite relief. 11 seniors received 869 hours of companionship to prevent social isolation and loneliness.

Brevard senior nutrition program meals on wheels volunteers deliver nutritionally balanced meals, provide social contact, and a safety check to homebound seniors five-days a week in their home. Hot, nutritious meals were served to 1,995 seniors receiving meals on wheels or attending a neighborhood seniors at lunch meal site. Meals on wheels volunteers delivered 264,574 meals to 1,436 homebound seniors. 756 meals on wheels volunteers donated 62,032 hours of service and traveled 419,180 miles. At twelve neighborhood dining sites, 574 seniors at lunch participants were served 48,841 meals. A total of 72 seniors at lunch volunteers donated 7,976 hours of service. To mitigate pandemic concerns, 10,340 frozen meals were distributed in our Community to seniors that were still observing social distance measures in light of spikes in our area.

Other program Services the kitchen prepared and delivered 336,965 meals to meals on wheels recipients, private pay clients and seniors at lunch sites; and an additional 88,365 meals to adult day centers, child day care centers, and charter schools. The kitchen served 42,952 meals to low-income children attending summer lunch programs. The kitchen catered 58 functions, serving 6,050 meals. The seniors assistance program supports at risks seniors in the early stages of difficulty. 3,455.33 seniors assistance program man hours and 286.25 private pay man hours. 3,741.58 total man hours. Completed 1,334 seniors assistance program work orders and 146 private pay work orders. 1,480 total work orders. 1,288 new clients for senior assistance program and 136 new clients for private pay. 1,424 new clients (unduplicated) job types, all funding codes: 215 ramps of all sizes built 9 bed rails 8 chair platforms 2,230 grab bars 818 homes checked for smoke detectors the senior transerve program volunteers provided 2,214 one way trips using their own vehicles and fuel to transport 108 unduplicated, non-driving senior and veteran clients. 35 senior transerve volunteer drivers traveled 26,656 miles donating 2,003.75 hours of service. 9 vets driving vets volunteer drivers traveled 11,968 miles donating 630.50 hours of service. Transportation included visits to 392 destinations to include: medical appointments, the va clinic, hospitals, pharmacies, grocery stores, and beauty/barber shops. The sunflower house is a senior and a caregiver resource center offering information, referrals, training, support, and social activities located at the merrit square mall. 315 individuals received information about Community resources for caregivers and seniors. 150 educational workshops were presented at health fairs, senior centers, hospitals, Community events, rehab facilities, nursing homes, retirement communities, chamber events, and civic organizations. 27 volunteers donated 1,251.50 hours of service answering phone calls and providing information and referrals to visiting seniors and caregivers. 422 hours of recreational and informational programing providing socialization and 34 hours of exercise classes were offered with 196 seniors participating. Caregivers were able to participate in programs focused on training and support and received 60 hours of caregiver training and 37.50 hours of caregiver support. The grandparents raising grandchildren program provided 16 hours of support to 37 Brevard County grandparents who are raising their grandchildren. The medical equipment bank received 339 wheelchairs/ transport chairs, walkers, canes, bedside commodes, and shower chairs/ transfer benches, loaning out 515 items to 413 caregivers & seniors in need. The retired and senior volunteer program (rsvp) identifies needs in the Community and engages seniors 55 and older into volunteer service. The program helps match individuals with high impact volunteer opportunities at local non-profit or government organizations. 634 volunteers aged 55 and older provided 60,729 hours of service values at 1,931,282.20. Rsvp volunteers were recruited to help support 10 not-for-profit and governmental agencies. Bone builders exercise classes help prevent osteoporosis by improving bone and muscle strength while also working to better balance. Classes are held two to three times a week at 7 locations throughout Brevard County with 370 senior participants. 556 of volunteers were placed in programs that are focused on health futures, education, veteran and military families,economic opportunity, and capacity building. Pets on wheels in 2023 pets on wheels distributed 20,000 pounds of cat and dog food to 104 unduplicated meals on wheels clients and 96 companion animals. A grant from meals on wheels loves pets allowed us to purchase food when donated food ran short, and to pay for emergency veterinary service. The Brevard humane society organizes food for us, using food donated to them and to pets on wheels. Deliveries are made once a month by volunteers and all pets received holiday treats and toys this year.