The Department of Elder Affairs in Florida, through the Livable Florida campaign, has introduced a new program to support those with dementia living at home. Through a donation from the Florida Alzheimer’s Association, families can request an MP3 player loaded with music from different genres or a JoyForAll robotic therapy pet. The program is open to any seniors in the state of Florida but they must live at home. A formal dementia diagnosis is not necessary. He/she can choose between the music player or the pet. Since these are gifted, they don’t have to be returned.
So many of our seniors are more socially isolated now than they have ever been before and for those suffering from dementia, it’s even worse. In the case of our clients at Assisting Hands, their caregiver may be the only face they see due to the limited contact with family or neighbors. The JoyForAll Therapy Pets or music may be able to help fill some of that void. If you haven’t seen the pets before, visit the
JoyForAll website. The pets normally cost over $100, but through this program, they are free. We recently started a case study program with JoyForAll in February just before the COVID -19 pandemic. The results were amazing when I took the pets to see our dementia clients. Increased engagement and happiness are a direct result of seniors having these tools.
If you know a senior who could benefit from this technology, you can make a request at the Livable Florida website: http://elderaffairs.org/doea/livable_communities.php. Once on the website, on the left hand side you’ll see “click here to request technology for those at home living with dementia” It allows you to pick a dog, cat or mp3 player. Both come with instructions in English and Spanish.
Supplies are limited and are filled on a first come, first served basis. Get your request in today. If we can help you at Assisting Hands, please call us at 727-748-4211 and we’ll be happy to help you complete the request.
If You Or An Aging Loved One Are Considering Hiring Dementia Care Services in St Petersburg, Please Contact the Caring Staff at Assisting Hands Home Care Today at 727-748-4211.
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Becky Moultrie is Owner and Administrator of Assisting Hands Home Care Serving Pinellas. Guided by a motto to Do Good with Love, she’s well positioned to do just that at Assisting Hands. She has a passion for helping families keep seniors and those who are diabled happy and healthy at home. She serves on a number of boards in Pinellas County including the Pinellas Park Gateway Chamber and Better Living Seniors (BLS), leading the Membership Committee. Annually, she hosts a Silver Santa Party, collecting donations for nearly 100 low income seniors in the county. She attends Blessed Sacrament Church, Seminole where she is an Ascribed Member of the Rosminian Order. When not busy Doing Good in the community, Becky is at home with her husband David & their 4 children, tending to their beehives and digging in the garden.
