Ilovemyisland.org’s New Senior Resource Center
The board members at Ilovemyisland.org have been working on a new project focused on seniors over the age of 60. Headed by Carolyn Pincheck and Traci Graf it will be the first of it’s kind in the island and beachside areas. The number of people over the age of 60 is the fastest growing age population group. Brevard County had 643,979 residents in 2023 and 24.9% of them are seniors ( U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Brevard County, Florida ). Nationally, the number of Americans ages 100 and older is projected to more than quadruple over the next three decades, according to projections from the U.S. Census Bureau. Most seniors live on a fixed income totally supported by their social security. According to Yahoo Finance, the average SSI for a senior is $943 a month and $1415 for a couple. Some resources are available to help, but they are often difficult to find, apply for, and access the benefits. Many require online applications, have regulatory information they need about you, and have poverty level income requirements. The 2025 federal poverty level is $15,650 for an individual and $21,150 for a couple annually ( Federal Poverty Guidelines / Levels for 2025 & Their Relevance to Medicaid Eligibility ).
The Senior Resource Center will be located right behind the My Island Thrift Shop at 234 E. Merritt Island Causeway. Seniors can make an appointment and come in to discuss their financial difficulties. We intend to prioritize their needs and assess which resources will be most appropriate at that time. For example, say you’re having trouble keeping up with food or utilities, but your housing situation is stable. We can help by giving you food bank information or applying for food stamps if eligible. Accessing applications online during the visit for help with energy or water bills. The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program or LIHEAP can apply an annual credit based on your income and offers crisis assistance with shut of notices or deposits for people over age 60 ( Brevard County Community Action Agency ).
Our center will also have a loaner program for durable medical equipment for those who qualify. We will have walkers, wheelchairs, and other necessary equipment that can be taken for a period as a loaner. Upon return, each piece of equipment will be completely sanitized and ready for another senior in need. Unfortunately, health insurance will not always pay for needed equipment leaving a senior at risk for falls or worse. Rentals can be costly.
With rising rent costs in our area, we are finding more and more seniors who are housing unstable and at high risk for becoming homeless. These are senior citizens who worked for their SSI, many of them blue collar workers, with no addiction or mental health issues. Elderly people who keep their apartments clean and organized yet they are unable to increase their incomes to keep up. There are 6 income based senior only apartment buildings in the county. There are none on the island or beachside due to the need to potentially evacuate in a hurricane. These buildings use a calculation based on your annual mean income and your rent will not go beyond that percentage. The rents for them range from $932 a month for 1 bedroom to $1324 for a 2 bedroom. They are all full and all have varying lengths of time on their waiting list. In time, we hope to create a system to make it easier by navigating the entire process.
Of course, we are not the only resource or non-profit in the area and we will connect with other valuable resources in our own community. Wonderful existing organizations like Community Action Agency, The Sharing Centers, Aging Matters and more. As we grow and become more and more familiar with the needs of the seniors, we hope to also add group activities like maybe a game day, or movies, or even ballroom dancing! We are so proud to bring this much needed program to this area. One of our senior programs that have been popular are:
The Seniors at Lunch program held every weekday at Woody Simpson Recreation Center is made possible by a partnership with Aging Matters. This program offers social opportunities, activities, and hot meals to anyone who struggles with a disability or is over the age of 60. Free transportation is also provided in the Merritt Island area North of 520. Healthy Meals for Older Islanders is an additional service that provides a simple, nutritious take-home meal for individuals needing food.
Please call Carolyn at 321-501-3999 or Traci at 321-506-8591 if you want to learn more! We are excited to keep expanding our abilities to meet the needs of this community.
Originally published in Merritt Island Now