How to Get a Brevard Needs Screening Through the Elder Helpline

What to have in front of you

• The older adult’s full name, age, address, county, and phone number
• A plain list of help needed with bathing, dressing, walking, meals, medicines, transportation, memory, or supervision
• What unpaid help is available now and whether the caregiver can keep doing it
• Insurance type and rough income/assets if you are comfortable sharing them for program screening
• Any recent discharge, fall, caregiver loss, shutoff notice, or other urgent change

What to say when someone answers

“I am calling about someone in Brevard County who needs more help at home. I do not know which program fits. I would like one needs screening across in-home help, respite, meals, transportation, and long-term-care options.”

Small but useful: Write down the person’s name, the date, the exact next step, and when you should call again.

Do this in order

1. 1

   Describe the hardest unsafe task first, not the diagnosis alone.

2. 2

   Ask which programs the screening covers and whether a separate SMMC LTC screening is appropriate.

3. 3

   Write down the screener’s name, every referral, and whether the referral is an application, a pre-enrollment placement, or only a phone number.

4. 4

   Ask when you should follow up and what change should trigger a new screening.

What happens next

The Aging and Disability Resource Center triages needs, gives information and referrals, and manages screening for several publicly funded long-term-care programs. Some services have funding limits or prioritized lists.