TAMPA, FLORIDA. Senior Connection Center (SCC) has been selected by Florida Blue to receive a $25,000 grant to assist local seniors who are facing a crisis related to their health, safety, or security during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Our Tampa Bay neighbors and communities are facing tremendous uncertainty, and many seniors are struggling to safely address their essential needs,” said David Pizzo, Florida Blue market president, West Florida. “We applaud the response efforts underway by so many organizations like the Senior Connection Center and encourage others to come together and join Florida Blue in helping Tampa Bay through this serious crisis.”
“Senior Connection Center has been encouraging seniors to practice the safety precautions necessary to prevent exposure to the coronavirus, but we recognize the isolation many seniors experience in order to stay safe at home can make it difficult to ask for and receive the help they need,” said Charlotte McHenry, President & CEO of Senior Connection Center. “Some seniors already feel as though they are being a burden on others, having to ask for help with on-going essential tasks like grocery shopping. So, when a crisis occurs, like their refrigerator breaks or their AC stops working, they may not be comfortable asking for even more help. We want these seniors to know we are here to assist them and this funding will help us to do just that.”
In addition to addressing crisis situations, Senior Connection Center’s Elder Helpline specialists can connect seniors to an array of services including nutrition and meal programs, screening and Medicaid eligibility assistance, rental and housing assistance, and utility payment assistance, to name just a few. Older adults, persons with disabilities, and their caregivers who are struggling to find the help and services they need, especially during the current COVID-19 crisis, can call the Elder Helpline at 1-800-96-ELDER (1-800-963-5337), Monday through Friday from 8:00 – 5:00.
About Senior Connection Center: Senior Connection Center is a private nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to help older adults and persons with disabilities live with independence and dignity. SCC is the designated Area Agency on Aging and the Aging & Disability Resource Center serving Hillsborough, Manatee, Polk, Highlands and Hardee counties. (www.SeniorConnectionCenter.org)
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