Agency Updates

ElderSource 2020 Impact Report

“Unprecedented. Unbelievable. Epic. Unforgettable. Many words have been used to describe 2020. It was certainly a year no one could have predicted. With the global pandemic, racial injustices and deep division in our society, there could not have been a better time for us to inspire unity. One thing became evident in 2020: we are all better together. It was a year where our relationships with our partner agencies and other community organizations were especially vital because the work needed to support older adults and caregivers could not have been done alone.”

Across the state, the Florida Department of Elder Affairs (DOEA) and the state’s 11 Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) and providers are working together to ensure Florida’s elders remain healthy, safe, and independent. The Department is also ensuring the COVID-19 local vaccine resources are available statewide.

The We’ll Meet You at Home campaign is a statewide initiative to disseminate resources and bring COVID-19 vaccinations to homebound seniors, provide transportation to vaccination sites, or book an appointment. Florida’s Area Agencies on Aging are here to assist!

The AAAs have conducted outbound calls to over 47,000 elders currently receiving services and identified nearly 14,000 of those wanting COVID-19 vaccines and linked them to local vaccine resources. DOEA is hosting a communications campaign that shows there is still vaccine hesitancy in the elder population. DOEA intends to conduct a communications campaign (radio only, radio/television, and social media) to spread positive, current vaccine access information.

Call 1-800-96-ELDER (963-5337) to be connected to your local Agency on Aging.

Click here for ElderSource COVID-19 info page

People wanting to coordinate getting a vaccine to a homebound senior or someone who may need a ride to the site are to be directed to:

1-866-779-6121 and a representative will assist in registering for a vaccine, or
HomeboundVaccine@em.myflorida.com

Click here for more details from DOEA

World Elder Abuse Awareness

June 15th is recognized nationally as World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. Elder abuse is a silent problem that often robs older adults of their dignity and security. It is projected that by 2050, there will be roughly 320 million victims of elder abuse.

ElderSource, along with three other Florida Area Agencies on Aging, are presenting “Elder Abuse: It’s More Than Scams,” a free virtual workshop on Tuesday, June 15, from 10 to 11:30 am. The free workshop features several subject matter experts who will offer participants information on the general signs of elder abuse, how to report it, how to address financial exploitation, how to avoid scams and fraud, and the tools needed to protect one’s self.

According to National Council on Aging, an estimated five million seniors suffer from abuse each year however only one in 14 cases is reported. Estimates of elder financial abuse and fraud costs older Americans between $2.9 billion and $36.5 billion annually.

The workshop is presented in collaboration with Senior Connection Center, Area Agency on Aging Southwest Florida, and Area Agency on Aging Palm Beach/Treasure Coast Inc.

Guest Speakers:

Megan Dalabes -Director of Community Education and Development, Abuse Counseling Treatment Inc.
Damien Kraebel – Postal Inspector, United States Postal Inspection Service Tampa Field Office
Tiffany Flood – Community Development Dept. Supervisor, iTHINK Financial Credit Union

Click here to register: https://bit.ly/3oWJu4P

Click here to visit our Facebook event page for more details

Caregiver Heroes

Unfortunately, due to the current pandemic, this year’s A Night with the Stars event has been canceled. As we take into consideration the importance of everyone’s safety and health, ElderSource has found a way to still honor people in the aging industry who are making a strong impact on the lives of our seniors.

This year, ElderSource will be posting on our website the names and photos of Caregiver Heroes! These are professional caregivers working in the aging industry who have shown natural leadership, dedication and compassion to their peers and the seniors they serve. As we know, they have become essential in providing vital service and care to seniors in the community.

Please submit the information requested below in the fillable form for your Caregiver Hero to be recognized and posted on the ElderSource website. Submissions are open starting Monday, August 3, 2020.

Our featured 2019 Caregiver Heroes are the 11 winners of the ElderSource Luminary Award. They were recognized for their outstanding and dedicated service to seniors in Northeast Florida.

[caregiver_hero_form]

2019 Impact Report

In the 2019 Impact report, we explore how the agency’s guiding principles are the foundation of the service we provide to the seniors and caregivers in the Northeast Florida Community.

Click the image below to view a downloadable version of the ElderSource 2019 Impact Report.

Status of Operations for 2020

Dear Friends:

Due to the current COVID19 pandemic restrictions, and out of an abundance of concern for our staff, volunteers, clients and visitors, ElderSource staff remain working remotely until the end of the year. Access to our offices are limited to authorized personnel until further notice.

If you need assistance of any kind, the ElderSource HelpLine is OPEN and staff are taking calls during regular business hours. 1-888-242-4464.

If a visit to our office is necessary, visitors will be required to:

Have temperature taken
Wear a mask
Complete short questionnaire about current health status
Follow agency sign-in procedures

These procedures are in place for your safety and our staff. We will keep you apprised of any changes.

Thank you,

ElderSource Management and Staff

A Letter from Our CEO and

Chairman of the Board

The deaths of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor and all African-Americans who have faced horrific acts of racism and personal degradation are deplorable. Our ElderSource family acknowledges these
current and past tragedies and stands in solidarity against injustice, racism, discrimination, and violence of any kind.

The systemic racism and inequality is impossible to ignore given the longstanding issues of racial disparity in our country. While the days ahead as our communities strive for equality and justice are not going to be easy, we believe our nation is on the cusp of a powerful, positive current that will ignite change, action and understanding.

In times like these, many might ask themselves the question: “What can I possibly do that would make a difference? My voice is small.” Or they might think: others will take up the cause and are better equipped to speak up.

We believe that no effort to listen or to participate is too small. Collectively, the voices will be stronger; the actions will bear significance; and the results will be substantial.

We encourage you to ask questions, even the uncomfortable ones, with the intent to listen and learn. Listening is key to effective communication, which can lead to productive dialogue. We encourage you to vote. Voting is your civic duty and your vote joins others to transform history. Support your neighbors and community leaders who are working to effect change and join them when you can. At ElderSource, we are committed to providing our clients, employees and community partners with a safe place to speak their minds. We are committed to working with our nonprofit cohorts to listen carefully, promote healthy dialogue, and share information and messages that will bring us together.

We look to the future with great hope and a desire to be part of the solution. We will continue to seek to serve and advocate for all older adults and caregivers who need our support now and always.

As our Inclusion Statement adopted in 2018 states, ElderSource values all people – including, but not limited to all nationalities, socio-economic backgrounds, abilities, races, genders, religious perspectives, sexual orientations and gender identities – in everything we do. We welcome the unique insights and perspectives of all persons in our quest to fulfill our mission.

Together, as a community, we will hold ourselves accountable to make real efforts to root out bias in favor of fairness to all as we advocate for all people to live and age with independence and dignity.

Sincerely,

Linda Levin, CEO and Stu Gaines, Chair, Board of Director

Click here to download the printable version of this statement

Making Impact During the Pandemic

Thanks to generous grants from First Coast Relief Fund and the Jim Moran Foundation, ElderSource was able to assist seniors and caregivers during the pandemic.

With the extra funding, ElderSource was able to partnered with Winn-Dixie Supermarkets; our sister company Elder Options; the Putnam County Sheriff’s Department; and the Crescent City Police Department to shop and deliver groceries for seniors who were not able get to the store themselves.

ElderSource also received a donation from Humana and Farm Share to create 1,000 bags of supplies for seniors. Aging True and ElderSource staff worked together to stuff the bags which will be delivered to seniors receiving home-delivered meals.

We are so very grateful to have both corporate and community support in helping to serve so many seniors and caregivers. Our staff and volunteers continue to work hard during this challenging time to serve our clients.

ElderSource Welcomes New Chief Operations Officer

ElderSource CEO Linda Levin recently announced the appointment of Tameka Gaines Holly as Chief Operating Officer.

Holly will oversee the organization’s risk management, strategic planning, volunteer services, human resources, IT, property and operations, disaster preparedness and response. She will also work to expand programs through the ElderSource Institute and the Medicaid Management Services companies, two entrepreneurial initiatives of the agency.

Holly was formerly the Chief Program Officer/Corporate Compliance Officer for Community Rehabilitation Center where she served as the Project Director and Project Evaluator. She is a graduate of Florida A & M University with an undergraduate degree in health care management and a master’s degree in public health from University of North Florida. She is currently working on a second master’s in public policy from Jacksonville University Public Policy Institute.

Additionally, Holly was a Volunteer CEO for Transforming Communities Development Corporation and has worked as a private consultant with other nonprofits. ElderSource is excited to have her join the Leadership Team.

Employee of the Year 2019

Congratulations to Vanessa Boyer on receiving the 2019 Employee of the Year Award. Vanessa strategically worked hard all year-long to help implement and create our Caring Connections Program for seniors, the agency’s newest initiative. The program is designed to fight isolation and keep home-bound seniors connected to their community.

Early on in 2019, Vanessa transitioned from a previous position to becoming our Volunteer Coordinator. She took on the telephone reassurance program, developing it from start to finish. After extensive research, training of volunteers and creating policies and procedures, the program was finally launched in December.

Vanessa is credited with recruiting many SHINE volunteers and Advisory Council members who all add great value to our agency. Congratulations Vanessa on your special recognition.