OurSeniors.net is lucky to be centered in the great state of Florida, the state with America’s highest percentage of senior population. That is correct! Almost twenty percent, or one out of every five Floridians, is a senior, aged 65 or over. Active senior communities, senior assisted living facilities and the 55+ communities in Florida are all important parts of the senior lifestyle in our state.
Florida’s government is well aware of the importance of its seniors. As our state’s senior population continues to increase, Florida’s future is tied to the health, wellbeing and security of this critically important group. It is Florida’s state government that is responsible for licensing and regulating senior assisted living facilities, in-home senior care providers, memory care living facilities and other types of services that are of special interest to seniors themselves, as well as to OurSeniors.net. The Department of Elder Affairs (DOEA) describes its mission and vision as, “To help Florida’s elders remain healthy, safe, and independent” and to see “All Floridians aging with dignity, purpose, and independence.“
As the official State Unit on Aging, the DOEA is responsible for the administration of service programs for seniors, as well as for developing policy recommendations for long-term care such as senior assisted living. Most of DOEA’s direct services are provided through the state’s eleven “Area Agencies on Aging” and local service providers that deliver vital services to seniors. All of the Area Agencies operate an Aging and Disability Resource Center. These centers provide information and assistance about state and federal benefits, as well as available local programs and services. This system also offers access to a statewide database of local community resources. The Volusia and Flagler County areas are served by the Area Agency on Aging of Northeast Florida, located in Jacksonville.
These state resource centers can provide information about services such as-
- The SHINE PROGRAM (Serving the Health Insurance Needs of Elders) which provides free insurance counseling and information about Medicare, Medicaid and other health insurance.
- SNAP, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (the food stamp program).
- LGBT – Care for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Seniors which functions to connect caregivers and seniors to the resources they need as they age, without discrimination based on gender, religion, sexual orientation or race.
- Care Transitions Coach which is a partnership with University of Florida Health offering patients and families a Care Transitions Coach. This free program helps patients transition from hospital care to recovering at home.
- Medicaid help which informs seniors about Medicaid eligibility and how to apply for assistance.
- Other Support Services which determines availability and eligibility for services and what provider agencies are available to help you in your community.
The Department also directly administers a wide range of programs, ranging from the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program, Office of Public and Professional Guardians, and Communities for a Lifetime. Each of these programs could be the subject of a future article at Ourseniors.net or in the senior living magazine OurSeniors.net Magazine.
Like Florida’s DOEA, at the Ourseniors.net website and throughout the OurSeniors.net organization, we strive to meet the needs of seniors, their families and their loved ones. Please turn to our resources, including our all-things senior directory of service providers, businesses and professionals who are extra sensitive to the needs of the senior market. When you are searching for a Florida attorney, a Florida CPA, financial advice for seniors or a senior real estate specialist, OurSeniors.net is here to help. Our professional staff can help you locate the best local senior assisted living facilities, an active senior community near you, in-home senior care or even memory care living.
You can contact an OurSeniors.net Advisor by phone at 866-333-2657 (se habla Español), or by using Contact Us. Check out our website at OurSeniors.net and take an online look at our senior living magazine, OurSeniors.net Magazine.
