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Message From The Board Chair
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"To enable older persons to lead meaningful and dignified lives in their living environment and communities by providing leadership,
direction and support for a comprehensive continuum of aging and long term services" is our mission. The work that we do every day in
our communities is how we live our mission to make a difference in the lives of elders in Miami-Dade and Monroe counties. Here's why
the work that we do is so important:
⇒There are more than 450,000 elders in Miami-Dade and Monroe counties.
⇒More than I 10,000 are low-income or near low-income.
⇒76.99% are minority
⇒More than 50,000 have Alzheimer's Disease
⇒93,561 live alone
In 2007, our programs provided 33,460 older people with congregate and home-delivered meals, nutrition counseling, transportation,
homemaker, personal care, respite, emergency and home energy assistance, and other needed services such as prevention of elder abuse.
The Alliance also utilized 31 volunteers to provide Medicare and other health insurance counseling to 4,000 elders.
We recruited more than 120 professionals to provide health and wellness training to 19,127 older people at 460 community events. Our
family caregiver support program provides assistance to more than 1,000 caregivers each year. Our Elder Helpline provided information
and assistance to 27,600 older persons and assessed 1,200 for new enrollment and more than 1,300 households with emergency home energy
assistance last year.
The Alliance was selected by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services as one of eight communities to participate in a nation-wide
disparities initiative titled "Improving Hispanic Elders' Health: Community Partnerships for Evidence-Based Solutions". We organized
"Team Miami" to address issues of diabetes. Our team includes representatives from the Miami-Dade County Health Department, the Health
Council of South Florida, Little Havana Activities and Nutrition Centers, Citrus Health Center, St. John Bosco Clinic (of Mercy Hospital),
the American Heart Association, the office of the Miami-Dade County Mayor, and the School of Public Health of Florida International
University.
In addition, the Alliance has received funding both from the National Council on Aging and the National Association of Area Agencies on
Aging to identify, educate, and help enroll participants in Part D, for Medicare pharmaceutical benefits, under the Low-Income Subsidy
Program. Our staff is active throughout Miami-Dade County marketing the project and coordinating with many media and community
organizations to identify potential eligible elders.
I'm pleased to announce that as of January I, 2008, our Aging Resource Center is a reality. ARCs build on the
strengths of the current long-term care network and enhance the opportunities for Florida's citizens to
receive services in an efficient, seamless and highly responsive manner to achieve the highest level of care
possible. Our staff and various workgroups that many of you have supported are helping us with the
implementation of the ARC.
It is only through the support of committed staff, providers, board members, elected officials, and community leaders that the
organization is able to offer services and programs to meet the needs of the area's older adult population and serve as advocates on
their behalf. We should all feel proud of our accomplishments in 2007.
With gratitude, I remain
Rosa M. Cozad
Board Chair
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Alliance
For Aging, Inc
9500 South Dadeland Blvd, Suite 400
Miami, FL 33156
Main: 305-670-6500
Elder Helpline:305-670-HELP(4357) TTY:1-800-96-elder(35337)
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