From the Office of
Florida Senator Aaron Bean
May 19, 2018 11:53 a.m.
Jacksonville, Fla. – May 17, 2018 – On behalf of the State of Florida, State Senator Aaron Bean (R-Fernandina Beach) yesterday presented a $400,000 check to Linda Levin, CEO of ElderSource, and ElderSource’s Board of Directors. During the 2018 Legislative Session, Senator Bean and State Representative Travis Cummings (R-Fleming Island) worked together to secure $400,000 in state funding for ElderSource, so they can provide home-delivered meals to elderly residents in seven Northeast Florida counties.
“We often take for granted our ability to simply prepare a meal when we’re hungry,” said Senator Bean. “However, many seniors in Northeast Florida are unable to perform these everyday tasks without assistance. This funding will allow ElderSource to deliver more meals to seniors in need, and ensure they live out their golden years in good health and with dignity.”
“It was a pleasure to work with Senator Bean and ElderSource to support our seniors,” said Representative Cummings. “I appreciate all ElderSource does for our community – their service, advocacy and support are invaluable.”
According to the Department of Elder Affairs’ 2015 Profile of Older Floridians, 40,135 adults age 60 and over face food insecurity every day in Northeast Florida. To combat this issue, ElderSource will use this state funding to deliver 60,000 meals to 1,000 elderly adults, all of whom are on the home-delivered meal waitlist. By providing this service, ElderSource will give vital, daily nutrition to homebound seniors, reduce isolation, provide a safety check and link them to additional services if needed.
“Home-delivered meals play a critical role in the health and independence of our seniors,” said Levin. “We continue to be grateful for the support and attention both Senator Bean and Representative Cummings have given to the issues facing our elderly. Due to their consideration and kindness, many seniors will be fed in Northeast Florida.”
Senator Bean represents Senate District 4, which includes parts of Nassau and Duval Counties. He can be contacted in Tallahassee at (850) 487-5004 or in his District Office at (904) 757-5039.
Unfortunately, Senator Bean also voted for a $250 million unfunded mandate – the largest on small business in Florida history to impose the generator rule for Assisted Living Facilities. While he voted to give Nursing Homes $101 million in new money to pay for generators through the Medicaid cost reports. Florida has lost 2000 mental health ALF beds since 2014 and the new generator rule and the other new regulations Senator Bean has voted to impose have crushed the smaller facilities, many of the smaller homes have gone up for sale or called it quits as cost of care have risen beyond the resources available to pay for the costs. The truth is that Medicaid health plans use to pay ALFs $1534 a month in the past now they pay $1100 per month to $1150 depending on the contract. Access to affordable ALF care is a growing concern for many families, especially those that struggle with dementia, the conditions that Senator Bean has created will lead to higher costs for families and less access to the care they need. This silent crisis that is unfolding in every neighborhood is expensive and taxing on families, maybe senator Bean will hear their voices.