In Jefferson County, where roughly a third of residents are 60 or older, Advantage Aging Solutions is working to make sure those neighbors can get food and stay in their homes. The organization runs senior food distributions and meal service for older and homebound residents, and it helps connect people with transportation, pharmacy, grocery and housing resources.

The need is partly a matter of arithmetic. More than a quarter of the county's population is 65 or older, and Executive Director Lisa Bretz puts the share age 60 and up at about a third. "About 33-percent of Jefferson County's population is made up of individuals age 60 and older," Bretz said. "On modest to very low income, housing options are not readily available."

Advantage Aging Solutions is the designated Area Agency on Aging and Aging and Disability Resource Center for North Florida, covering 14 counties across the Panhandle and Big Bend. Food is one piece of a wider set of services. The agency also arranges access to in-home care, runs caregiver support and education programs, and offers free virtual classes for older adults through GetSetUp on subjects including fitness and nutrition. Trained staff walk callers through what they qualify for rather than leaving them to sort out the paperwork alone.

Jefferson County residents who need help, or who are calling on behalf of an older parent or neighbor, can start with Florida's Elder Helpline at 1-800-963-5337, which routes callers to the Area Agency on Aging and the Aging and Disability Resource Center serving their area. Advantage Aging Solutions also takes calls directly at 866-467-4624.