Aging Matters Champion of Brevard Elderly, Disabled
By Maria Sonnenberg // February 16, 2014
2013 central florida humanitarians
ABOVE VIDEO: Aging Matters is a multi-faceted organization in 2013 helps with a range of services that addresses everything from providing basic nutritional needs to encouraging seniors to share their talents with their community.
Brevard’s elderly and disabled have a formidable champion in Aging Matters, the United Way member agency that last year touched the lives of more than 9,000 seniors and their families.
“Seniors tell us that our services help them maintain and improve their quality of life,” said Cindy Flachmeier, president and CEO of Aging Matters in Brevard.
“We work to help meet needs as they arise and to keep seniors living at home for as long as possible.”
This multi-faceted organization in 2013 helps with a range of services that addresses everything from providing basic nutritional needs to encouraging seniors to share their talents with their community.
MEALS ON WHEELS
The agency’s flagship program is Meals on Wheels, operated by Aging Matters’ Brevard Community Kitchen.
In 2013, Meals on Wheels served 420,000 meals at neighborhood Seniors at Lunch meal sites, adult day care centers, child day care centers, children’s summer lunch program, charter schools and at the homes of housebound seniors.
The kitchen also served 15,682 meals to low-income children attending the Department of Parks and Recreation Summer Lunch Program.
More than 1,400 community volunteers, both young and old, donated almost 50,000 hours of service and traveled more than 425,000 miles to deliver lunches to homebound elderly, helping them remain independent and assuring that no senior goes hungry in Brevard. Additionally, 286 Seniors at Lunch volunteers donated 18,471 hours of service.
With in-home care, 97 percent of seniors served by Aging Matters were able to remain at home, avoiding nursing home placement. Aging Matters’ homemakers and certified nursing assistants visit homes daily to help the frail elderly with personal care and light housekeeping.
“There is nothing better than a bath and clean house,” said Flachmeier.
The agency’s handymen also help seniors remain at home by installing grab bars, building access ramps and completing minor home repairs that assured safety at home for 1,574 seniors.
SUNFLOWER HOUSE OFFERS CRITICAL SUPPORT
At Sunflower House in Merritt Island, Aging Matters offers information on community resources, as well as exercise programs for seniors and counseling and training and support for seniors and their families.
Sunflower House also provided $30,000 in medical supplies to caregivers and seniors, plus 2,529 hours of in-home respite care and 8,232 hours of adult day care.
Transportation can be a serious issue that limits the life of many seniors. Aging Matters’ Senior TranServe program connects non-driving seniors with 78 local volunteers.
These dedicated individuals traveled approximately 50,000 miles using their own vehicles and fuel to transport seniors to medical appointments, rehab facilities, hospitals and grocery stores. Aging Matters’ new Vets Driving Vets relies on volunteer veterans to transport non-driving veterans to appointments.
The Retired Senior Volunteer Program of Aging Matters places senior volunteers to assist at sites such as hospices, parks, schools, veterans’ programs and literacy organizations.
“RSVP volunteers contributed 28,418 hours towards meeting the health needs of seniors,” said Flachmeier.
“RSVP volunteers contributed 28,418 hours towards meeting the health needs of seniors,” said Flachmeier.
In 2012, Aging Matters also launched the GRAND Parenting Again program, which helps grandparents and their children find the help they need. Caregiver Life Transitions, another new program, helps caregivers focus on their life after the death of a loved one.
“To us, Aging Matters in Brevard,” said Flachmeier.
ABOUT THE CENTRAL FLORIDA HUMANITARIAN AWARDS
The Central Florida Humanitarian Awards were created to recognize outstanding individuals and organizations that dedicate their Time, Talent or Treasure to help people in need locally – and around the world.
Last year, more than 30 deserving humanitarians were honored during the Gala, which was be held Thursday, Nov. 7 at the Hilton Melbourne Rialto Place.
“Over the years, our editorial team has had the distinct honor and pleasure of identifying and featuring the many members of our community who give back so much and are dedicated to reaching out and helping others, here and throughout the world, in a multitude of ways,” said Maverick Multimedia Editor-In-Chief Dr. Jim Palermo.
“We remain firmly committed to identifying and telling those stories and providing a timely media platform to recognize Space Coast and Central Florida residents’ altruistic contributions on a regular basis in our magazines, as well as SpaceCoastDaily.com,” said Dr. Palermo.
This inspiring and compelling event is sponsored by Brighthouse Networks, Health First, Brevard Physicians Network, MPAC ACO, Community Credit Union, Knudson Brain & Spine Law Injury Office, Florida Pain, Space Coast Medicine & Active Living magazine, CentralFloridaMedicine.com and SpaceCoastDaily.com.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, or to make a nomination for an individual or organization for Central Florida Humanitarian recognition, call 321-615-8111 or e-mail SpaceCoastMedicine@gmail.com.
