Aging Matters in Brevard

Home and Community based Services 276 clients accessed 1,983,176 of in-home and Community based support Services. After a comprehensive in-home assessment, clients received a customized care plan. Services provided included: 2,553.50 hours of companion support 30,435.50 hours of in-facility respite and 8,609.50 hours of in-home respite 21,946.75 hours of light housekeeping assistance. 13,139.75 hours of assistance with activities of daily living including personal hygiene consumable medical supplies such as nutritional supplements, bed pads, and adult undergarments totaling 77,110.94 with this help, 87% 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 133 unduplicated clients for a total of 14,504.50 hours of the following Services: 84 seniors received 8,917.25 hours of assistance with shopping, light housekeeping, and meal preparation. 29 seniors received 4,148 hours of assistance with their personal care. 13 caregivers were provided 1,100.50 hours of respite relief. 7 seniors received 338.75 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 2,046 seniors receiving meals on wheels or attending a neighborhood seniors at lunch meal site. Meals on wheels volunteers delivered 219,793 meals to 1,555 homebound seniors. 533 meals on wheels volunteers donated 58,164 hours of service and traveled 415,137 miles. At twelve neighborhood dining sites, 491 seniors at lunch participants were served 47,775 meals. A total of 120 seniors at lunch volunteers donated 6,807 hours of service. To mitigate pandemic concerns, 61,250 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 277,568 meals to meals on wheels recipients, private pay clients and seniors at lunch sites; and an additional 78,991 meals to adult day centers, child day care centers, and charter schools. The kitchen served 30,424 meals to low-income children attending summer lunch programs. The kitchen catered 68 functions, serving 9,926 meals. The seniors assistance program supports at risks seniors in the early stages of difficulty. 1,603.75 seniors assistance program man hours and 73.75 private pay man hours. 1,677.50 total man hours. Completed 1,529 seniors assistance program work orders and 114 private pay work orders. 1,643 total work orders. 1,526 new clients for senior assistance program and 112 new clients for private pay. 1,638 new clients (unduplicated) job types, all funding codes: 67 ramps of all sizes built 5 bed rails 5 chair platforms 3,600 grab bars 570 homes checked for smoke detectors the senior transerve program volunteers provided 2,071 one way trips using their own vehicles and fuel to transport 109 unduplicated, non-driving senior and veteran clients. 48 senior transerve volunteer drivers traveled 23,610 miles donating 1,733.50 hours of service. 19 vets driving vets volunteer drivers traveled 10,602 miles donating 618.75 hours of service. Transportation included visits to 411 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. 316 individuals received information about Community resources for caregivers and seniors. 108 educational workshops were presented at health fairs, senior centers, hospitals, Community events, rehab facilities, nursing homes, retirement communities, chamber events, and civic organizations. 21 volunteers donated 2,470.75 hours of service answering phone calls and providing information and referrals to visiting seniors and caregivers. 231 hours of recreational and informational programing providing socialization and 38 hours of exercise classes were offered with 212 seniors participating. Caregivers were able to participate in programs focused on training and support and received 49 hours of caregiver training and 100 hours of caregiver support. The grandparents raising grandchildren program provided 16 hours of support to 57 Brevard County grandparents who are raising their grandchildren. The medical equipment bank received 763 wheelchairs/ transport chairs, walkers, canes, bedside commodes, and shower chairs/ transfer benches, loaning out 955 items to 635 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. 527 volunteers aged 55 and older provided 61,454 hours of service values at 1,840,547.30. 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 446 senior participants. Class participants increased 43% more in one year and two new locations were opened. 398 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 2022 pets on wheels distributed 12,225 pounds of cat and dog food to 85 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. in 2021, meals on wheels of america provided a grant to begin a new program for the animals that mean the world to our seniors; veterinary Services for pets on wheels clients. The program provides basic wellness Services at the veterinary clinic. This grant was extended to 2022 and has been a great help to seniors in our Community. Here's a quote from one of our clients: "thank you so much for remembering how important my animals are to me. I am all alone and they are my only companions. It means so much to me that you think of them."