Increasing senior population requires additional local support 

Pinellas County is home to over 358,000 residents aged 65 and older, and the increasing population requires additional support amid federal funding uncertainty.

Meals on Wheels of America recently sounded the alarm over a lack of congressional support. Neighborly Senior Care Network administers the local program, which has 1,346 seniors languishing on a waiting list.

Neighborly, based in unincorporated Largo, has provided Pinellas seniors with socialization, nutrition and transportation services since 1966. The nonprofit’s target demographic increased by 31.6% between 2010 and 2022, and funding has remained stagnant despite costs soaring.

“The clients we serve are typically the most frail,” said Anita Frankhauser, nutrition director. “That’s why they need all these wraparound services we provide.”

Seniors account for about 30% of the county’s total population. Neighborly has seen an increase in transportation, not covered by Medicare, and nutritional services and grocery costs have continued to rise.

Federal leadership has discussed eliminating the Social Services Block Grant program, which sends money to states for programs like Meals on Wheels. Neighborly provided over 629,000 meals in 2023.

Frankhauser noted that many seniors “didn’t plan for expenses to be this high” before retiring. She said local, state and federal funding has remained flat, which means either serving fewer people or fewer meals.

In a prepared statement, Meals on Wheels CEO Ellie Hollander said the organization was “deeply disappointed that Congress has failed yet again to prioritize the needs of our nation’s older adults” by not passing a comprehensive spending bill that addresses “the growing crises of senior hunger and isolation.”

Neighborly has done its part for nearly 60 years. Charles Osgood, operations manager, said mobility services help foster vitality. “We give them their lives back.”

Neighborly provides transportation to doctors, grocery stores – and anywhere an elderly resident might desire – for a low cost. The nonprofit’s drivers receive CPR, first aid and senior care training and must pass a Level 2 background check.

Osgood said seniors are “just a number” with ride-share services. “We look at them as individuals – and treat them as such. We have compassionate drivers.”

Socialization is a critical component. Neighborly provides Adult Day Centers in Palm Harbor, Largo and St. Petersburg that offer meals approved by a dietitian, personal care assistance, group discussion, guest speakers and physical and cognitive activities.

“There’s research to support that being isolated negatively impacts your health,” Frankhauser said. “We’re social creatures – we need to maintain those connections to our community.”

The overarching goal is to ensure elderly residents can remain independent. Neighborly also offers in-home help with chores and personal care.

The nonprofit accepts multiple managed care plans. However, Neighborly relies on government funding to adequately serve low-income seniors.

“It’s not like you can tell frail, older adults to go out and work and make more money to support themselves,” Frankauser said. “We should take care of our elderly, because otherwise they are going to increase health care costs. They are going to be in the emergency room more.”

She added that people should also support seniors out of respect for their societal contributions. “It’s an honor to serve our elderly population,” Frankhauser said.

A recent state appropriation has enabled Neighborly to reduce the length of its Meals on Wheels waiting list. Frankhouser said St. Petersburg is “one of our biggest supporters.”

Nelson said the community can help by volunteering. Spending just a couple of hours a day driving seniors to medical appointments “makes a big difference.”

Osgood also noted that Neighborly could “always use more vehicles,” as about 15 were lost to storm damage during the 2024 hurricane season. The nonprofit has only been able to replace four.

Neighborly partners with Pinellas County Emergency Management to help evacuate and relocate elderly residents during disasters. Volunteers also delivered food to hard-to-reach places amid electricity outages.

“When you live on the 15th floor, and you’re 80 years old, you’re not climbing down 15 flights of stairs,” Frankhauser said. “So, a lot of our volunteers climbed up all those flights of stairs to get them food.

“I think we’re essential during emergencies, as well.”

In addition to volunteering, Frankhouser said financial support “helps us stretch our limited funds even further so we can get to isolated seniors in the area.”

For more information on Neighborly, visit the website here.