ElderSource works as the Area Agency on Aging and Aging & Disability Resource Center for Northeast Florida, and though the main office sits in Jacksonville, people all over Baker, Clay, Duval, Flagler, Nassau, St. Johns, and Volusia counties use the programs and resources, and it's been that way since 1974 when the organization first started. ElderSource focuses on seniors 60 and older, adults with disabilities 18 and older, caregivers, and even veterans, and it doesn't cost anything to get information and help, which people can do by phone Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., through their Elder Helpline, and folks answer the calls with things like general support, referrals to community services, and information on resources people might not realize exist, and sometimes those services are as simple as a meal, transportation arrangement, elder abuse prevention help, or someone to answer Medicare and insurance questions, and there's even a SHINE counselor team who are trained to talk people through those complex federal health programs.
The staff mix includes intake specialists, customer service specialists, management, and multi-taskers, and volunteers play a big part, whether they're giving guidance as SHINE counselors, leading support groups, or connecting people to needed services in their neighborhoods. ElderSource partners with groups like Vivo to offer free virtual exercise for older folks and caregivers, and they run programs such as Caregiver Support-like the Avoid Caregiver Burnout (TCARE) initiative, Virtual Caregiver Support Groups, and the Caregiver Coalition-and also offer things like Alzheimer's and dementia resources, elder abuse prevention, help for families who speak other languages, and short-term energy and emergency aid for qualifying seniors, plus their Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program connects people with healthy food.
College students can find internships here and staff get regular professional training, and both staff and volunteers focus on helping people age with dignity and live as independently as possible, and if someone wants legal advice for elder care issues, the Florida Senior Legal Help Line offers free appointments with attorneys or paralegals. The ElderSource Institute provides education, training, and group sessions for those who want to learn more about aging, caregiving, or health, and resources include the ElderSource Database, community meal programs, Suppers For Seniors, and events like Sharing and Caring Closet and A Night with the Stars. The organization emphasizes community collaborations, diversity, and accountability, and they work with many local facilities to plan, manage, and oversee a network that connects people with nutrition, care transition coaching, mental health support, transportation, and housing options, doing this under a mission to help folks stay safe and well in their homes whenever possible, and always aiming to empower people to live and age with independence and dignity within their own communities.
