We’re Going to Need Your Help!

Hopefully, that got your attention!

We’re asking for your help to better understand what “Seniors Need” in Brevard County.

In addition to serving as Executive Director of the Helping Seniors nonprofit, I am privileged to serve on the Brevard Commission on Aging, a body authorized by the Brevard County Board of County Commissioners. The Commission is chaired by Dr. John Potomski, President of the Brevard County Medical Directors Association and a highly respected geriatric medicine physician.

The Commission’s mission is to assist in planning for the future of the elderly population in Brevard County and to foster a community that supports, accommodates, and values aging.

Why This Matters

In 2015, Helping Seniors launched a “Senior Needs Survey” to better understand the most pressing concerns of Brevard County residents. It was a simple 10-question survey that our founder, Joe Steckler, introduced to assess how well the County was doing in making Brevard a great place for seniors to live and thrive.

At that time, we learned a great deal about the areas where Helping Seniors could advocate more effectively and help individuals connect with needed resources. Interestingly, the results closely mirrored the needs Joe had identified decades earlier when he launched the Brevard Alzheimer’s Foundation in the mid-1990s.

A Growing Senior Population

Since our 2015 survey, Brevard County’s 65+ population has increased by 39.8%. The share of residents aged 65 and older has grown from 20.4% to 24.7%.

Simply put, we have more seniors than ever before — and that number continues to rise rapidly.

The 2026 Senior Needs Survey

To that end, the Brevard Commission on Aging is preparing to launch a new Senior Needs Survey. Our goal is to revisit and better understand what matters most to today’s seniors and their families, so we can advocate for improved systems, services, and resources for those who call the Space Coast home.

The survey will launch on April 1. Please be on the lookout — and most importantly, please participate. Your honest and thoughtful responses will help ensure we gather accurate information that truly reflects the needs of our community.

Surveys will be distributed by the Brevard Commission on Aging, Helping Seniors, Aging Matters in Brevard, the Brevard Alzheimer’s Foundation, and numerous community partners, including local media. The survey will also be available online.

Survey collection will take place throughout April and May 2026, with responses accepted through June 30, 2026.

What Happens Next?

The Brevard Commission on Aging will review and tabulate all responses and share the results publicly. Most importantly, the findings will provide the Brevard County Board of County Commissioners with a valuable and accurate planning tool to help guide future decisions and resources that support seniors and their families in achieving successful aging.

We truly need your help. Together, we can ensure that Brevard County remains a community where seniors are supported, respected, and able to thrive.