March 22 2022 – The Health Care District of Palm Beach County and the Area Agency on Aging of Palm Beach and Treasure Coast (Agency) are collaborating to protect seniors during the ongoing pandemic. The Health Care District’s C. L. Brumback Primary Care Clinics supplied several boxes of N95 masks and COVID-19 test kits at no cost to distribute to aging network providers and senior volunteers who deliver educational programs in the public schools.
Area Agency on Aging CEO Dwight Chenette distributes N95 masks from the Health Care District to Foster Grandparent volunteers
“We’re pleased to partner with the Area Agency on Aging to keep our senior residents healthy,” said Darcy J. Davis, CEO of the Health Care District of Palm Beach County. “The Health Care District is a leader in countywide COVID response, from mobilizing the first mass vaccination and drive-thru testing sites to ongoing efforts in our primary care clinics and school health program that serve and safeguard adults and children. These extra layers of protection for seniors will benefit some of the most vulnerable in our community.”
Older adults and people with disabilities—particularly those from underserved communities—have been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic and are among the most at-risk due to COVID-19. Partnerships between community providers and aging and disability networks can be an important strategy for supporting those most at risk.
Most of the N95 masks and home test kits will be distributed to aging network providers who provide direct services to seniors, including access to community centers, adult day care, congregate meal sites, home-delivered meals and other home-based services. Safety is a critical element to delivering services to seniors. Participating aging network providers include; Palm Beach County Division of Senior and Veteran Services, MorseLife, Alzheimer’s Community Care, Ruth and Norman Rales Jewish Family Services, Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County and The Volen Center.
The Volen Center at 1515 W. Palmetto Park Road in Boca Raton will hand out a portion of the adult facemasks to seniors tomorrow, Wednesday, March 23rd from 12 pm to 1 pm. The media is invited.
Also benefitting from the N95 masks is the Agency’s Foster Grandparent Program which provides limited income seniors with volunteer opportunities to mentor and tutor young students in public school classrooms. Protecting both the senior and young vulnerable populations is of paramount importance.
The Agency serves as a gateway to services for seniors and operates a helpline that assists seniors with information and referral and navigating to services addressing activities of daily living and social determinants of health. The Helpline may be reached by calling 1-866-684-5885, Monday through Friday from 8:00AM to 5:00PM.
This collaboration is possible thanks to the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) which sent the supplies to the Health Care District’s network of ten primary care clinics located in areas of need across Palm Beach County. The Brumback Clinics are Federally Qualified Health Centers that provide access to medical, dental, pharmacy and behavioral health services to adult and pediatric patients regardless of their ability to pay.
“The Area Agency on Aging is grateful for the collaboration and support from the Health Care District,” said CEO Dwight D. Chenette, MPH, MBA. “In this time of uncertainty, ongoing protection of our vulnerable populations is a high priority. As the “health care safety net for Palm Beach County”, we value our partnership with the Health Care District.”
About the Health Care District
The Health Care District of Palm Beach County provides primary medical care and dental services for adults and children at the C. L. Brumback Primary Care Clinics, a coordinated and lifesaving Trauma System that includes two FAA-certified Trauma Hawk air ambulances, registered nurses in nearly 170 public schools, short and long-term skilled nursing at the Edward J. Healey Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Riviera Beach, and acute care at its teaching hospital, Lakeside Medical Center, which is accredited by The Joint Commission and serves the rural Glades’ communities. Visit www.hcdpbc.org
About the C. L. Brumback Primary Care Clinics
This project is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under grant number H80CS25684 for Health Center Cluster in the award amount of $7,278,563. Of the total project, 83% is financed with nongovernmental sources. This information or content and conclusions are those of the author and should not be construed as the official position or policy of, nor should any endorsements be inferred by HRSA, HHS or the U.S. Government. The C. L. Brumback Primary Care Clinics were granted Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) deeming status effective January 1, 2022.
About the Area Agency on Aging
The Area Agency on Aging is dedicated to promoting, supporting and advocating for the independence, dignity and wellbeing of seniors, adults with disabilities, veterans of all ages and those who care for them in a manner that values diversity, reflects the communities we serve and embraces the collaboration of the aging network. Learn more about us at www.aaapbtc.org
