Sunflower House offers seniors lunch, conversation, exercise

BY LINDA JUMP

The Sunflower House Caregivers’ Resource Center in West Melbourne gives Linda Workman — who recently moved in with her daughter in Palm Bay — a nutritious lunch, personalized exercise and a way to meet people her age.

It also gives her daughter peace of mind.

“My mother isn’t able to make herself a nutritious meal and I’m not always home to fix her something,” Sonya Romero said.

“There was good food and activities and Miss Lulu is wonderful.”

Lulu Howard is a dining room site manager.

“Seniors come to socialize, meet people, have lunch and play games,” Howard said.

Hot or cold meals are available for those older than age 60, regardless of income. Donations are accepted but not required. Caregivers under age 60 can eat for $3.50. To make an appointment, call 24 hours ahead at 321-417-4078.

Sunflower House opened in June at 312 Fell Road. The opening in West Melbourne follows the closure in February of the original location on Merritt Island.

The center is open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., with Meals on Wheels lunches prepared at the Brevard Community Kitchen served about 11:30 a.m. It becomes the 13th Seniors at Lunch site in the county, said Beth Schibley, the program director.

“We are the only site like this. Senior caregivers sometimes need to step out of the blender to refill their well and then go back to the person they care for refreshed,” she said.

The center loans out medical equipment such as wheelchairs or shower seats. Medical equipment also is available in Cocoa and Merritt Island.

The center offers referrals for senior issues and services, support groups, puzzles, bingo-style games, Friday afternoon movies and presentations.

“We are thrilled to reach more people in Brevard,” said Vimarie Monopoli, the director of development with Aging Matters.

Nancy Klein moved recently from Fort Lauderdale to Melbourne, and misses her friends.

“I came here for the company, the food and to get out,” she said.

Her neighbor Maureen Brown brought her. Both said they’ll return. “Everything was great,” Brown said.

For information, go to AgingMattersBrevard.org SL

JOE’S CLUB

Continued from page 16 always smiles when I mention she is going to spend the day there,” Sandberg said.

Social interaction is a major benefit of adult daycare, but Joe’s Club also focuses on medical care and Alzheimer’s care.

At home caregivers benefit, too.

“They can do outside work, attend school, go to a doctor appointment or get necessary rest. They can choose to take the day off to enjoy their own activities,” Timmermann said.

Nursing services include: administering medication and oversight, weight and vital signs monitored and recorded, and diabetic care, feeding tube care and dressing changes.

For more information, call 321253-4430 or visit myjoesclub.org SL

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The Writing Workshop 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. Learn about creative writing with syndicated author April Cobb. Cocoa Beach Library 550 N. Brevard Ave. Cocoa Beach 321-868-1104

Crafternoon for Adults

2 p.m.

This month's craft is a pressed flower laminated book mark.

Mims/Scottsmoor Library 3615 Lionel Road Mims, 321-264-5080

Friday Night Dancing at the VMC

6:30 p.m.

Veterans Memorial Center 400 S. Sykes Creek Parkway Merritt Island 321-453-1776

The Wild West Concert 3 p.m. The Space Coast Symphony salutes the Wild Wild West. AMC Avenue Theater 2241 Town Center Ave. Viera, 855-252-7276

SHINE 9 a.m. - noon Call for appointment. Wickham Park Senior Center 2785 Leisure Way Melbourne 407-514-1800

Sip & Smoke 6:30 p.m. Locally hand-rolled cigars provided for purchase by Chaffiot Cigars and a spotlight spirit selected by the mixologists. 28 North Gastropub 2250 Town Center Ave. Viera, 321-241-1159

BCSO Charity Classic Car Show

4 p.m.

Proceeds from the car show will benefit the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office charities.

Pint & Pistol

2911 Oxbow Circle Cocoa, 321-305-6448

Scottish Country Dancing

6:30 - 9:30 p.m. Springs of Suntree Clubhouse 8300 Holiday Springs Road

Suntree, 321-427-3587

Spanish Class

1 - 2 p.m.

Martin Andersen Senior Center 1025 S. Florida Ave. Rockledge 321-453-5098

Movie Matinee 12:30 p.m.

The movie will be "Woodstock" (1970) rated R Cocoa Beach Library 550 N. Brevard Ave. Cocoa Beach 321-868-1104

Bingo

2 - 3:30 p.m.

RSVP Required. One Senior Place 8085 Spyglass Hill Road Viera, 321-751-6771

New Horizons Band

Jam Session

9 a.m. - 2 p.m. Martin Andersen Senior Center 1025 S. Florida Ave. Rockledge 321-631-7549

Let’s Take a Ride Concert

August 9 and 10 6:30 p.m. A concert presented by the Melbourne Municipal Band. Melbourne Auditorium 625 E. Hibiscus Blvd. Melbourne 321-724-0555

Tango for Tails

6 - 9 p.m.

Dinner and an Argentine Tango show benefiting Cash 4 Canines. Milpa Tacos y Tortillas 207 Brevard Ave. Cocoa, 321-305-4584

Car and Truck Show

5 - 8 p.m. Friendly’s 1011 E. Eau Gallie Blvd. Indian Harbor Beach, 321-725-3648

Seniors Hula Class

3 - 4:30 p.m. Fun and easy to follow hula class. Wickham Park Senior Center 2785 Leisure Way Melbourne 321-255-4494

Tropical Caribbean Night 6 - 10 p.m. Caribbean style hors d’oeuvres and live music. Duran Golf Club 7032 Stadium Parkway Viera, 321-504-7776 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Woodstock Tribute Concert

3 - 4 P.M.

The Sand Blasters will perform a Woodstock tribute concert celebrating the hits of the 1960s. Cocoa Beach Library 550 N. Brevard Ave. Cocoa Beach 321-868-1104

Summer Evenings Concert Series

7 p.m.

Presented by the Brevard Symphony Orchestra. Suntree United Methodist Church 7400 N. Wickham Road Suntree, 321-345-5052

Space Coast Cars and Coffee

5 - 8 p.m.

Thrifty Parking Lot 910 Barton Blvd. Rockledge, 201-658-2004 13 14 15 16 17 18 19

Jazz Guitarist Walk

Stacey in Concert

2 - 4 p.m.

Presented by the Space Coast Jazz Society. Veterans Memorial Center 400 S. Sykes Creek Parkway Merritt Island

Brevard Investment Education Group

11 a.m.

Suntree/Viera Library

902 Jordan Blass Drive Suntree, 321-255-4044

Cornhole

11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Estate Planning Seminar 10 - 11 a.m.

Presented by William A. Johnson, board certified elder law attorney. RSVP required. One Senior Place 8085 Spyglass Hill Road Viera, 321-751-6771

Parkinson’s Support Group 10 - 11 a.m.

One Senior Place 8085 Spyglass Hill Road Viera, 321-751-6771

Rummikub

Cook the Book 6 p.m. This month's book is "Mad Hungry Cravings" by Lucinda Quinn. Mims Scottsmoor Library 3615 Lionel Road Mims, 321-264-5080

Tinnitus [and Hearing

Loss] Do You Suffer

From Ringing of The Ears?

11 a.m. - 1 p.m.

A Personal Hearing Solutions lunch and learn presentation.

RSVP

Bonsai Weekend 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

See more than 40 incredible miniature trees, attend a care demonstration and meet vendors. The event is included with Zoo admission.

321-453-1776

Great Palm Bay Senior Center

1275 Culver Drive, NE Palm Bay, 321-724-1338

1 - 4 p.m. Wickham Park Senior Center 2785 Leisure Way Melbourne 321-255-4494

Chess 1 - 3 p.m. Wickham Park Senior Center 2785 Leisure Way Melbourne 321-255-4494

One Senior Place 8085 Spyglass Hill Road Viera, 321-751-6771

Brevard Zoo 8225 N. Wickham Road Viera, 321-254-9453 20 21 22 23 24 25 26

Turkey Creek Sanctuary

Ranger-led Tour

10 - 11 a.m.

First and third Sunday

Each tour will be led by the park ranger and will focus on common plants and animals found in the sanctuary.

Turkey Creek Park

1518 Port Malabar Blvd. NE Palm Bay, 321-676-6690

Potluck dinner and Bocce lessons

5:30 p.m. Learn the fundamentals and fun of playing bocce. The Italian American Club of South Brevard 1472 Cypress Ave. Melbourne 321-242-8044

Space Coast Strikes Back

3 - 5:30 p.m.

Eighth annual bowling tournament to support hospitality education.

Shore Lanes Bowling Center 600 N. Courtenay Parkway

Merritt Island

727-642-3404

Understanding Alzheimer’s & Dementia

1 -2 p.m. Learn the difference between Alzheimer’s and dementia stages, current research and treatments available.

Sunflower House 3125 Fell Road West Melbourne 321-452-4341

Medicaid Planning Seminar 10 - 11 a.m.

Presented by William A. Johnson, board certified elder law attorney. One Senior Place 8085 Spyglass Hill Road Viera, 321-751-6771

Karaoke 6 p.m. Hook & Eagle Tavern 2500 Clubhouse Drive Viera, 321-639-3487

Bingo 6 p.m.

Packages begin at $8, with a minimum payout of $1,635.

Greater Palm Bay Senior Center 1275 Culver Drive, NE Palm Bay 321-724-1338

Fashion Palooza the Fall Edition Noon - 3:30 p.m.

Fashion show and Cajun lunch benefiting Success Indeed. St. John the Evangelist Catholic Community 5655 Stadium Parkway Viera,

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Gospel Harmony Boys Free Concert 11 a.m. - noon

One of America's finest Southern Gospel Quartets live.

First Baptist Church of Rockledge

1810 Cedar Street Rockledge 321-636-1493

Bone Builders 9 - 10 a.m.

Martin Andersen Senior Center 1025 S. Florida Ave. Rockledge, 321-631-2749

Mah Jongg Noon - 3 p.m.

Aging Matters 3600 W. King St. Cocoa, 321-452-4341

Boomer Trivia 4 - 6 p.m. Tuesdays. Free to play, teams or solo.

Pizza Gallery 2250 Town Center Ave. Viera, 321-633-0397

Ride the Central FL Sunrail

8:30 a.m.

Big Kid Adventures for adults. Travel to a different location each month, having fun and making new friends.

Kiwanis Island Park 951 Kiwanis

Brevard Commission on Aging

BCOA meetings are open to the public and are held the second Thursday of each month at the government center in Viera. For information, contact Cindy Short at 321-6332076, FAX 321-633-2170, cindy.short@brevardfl.gov, brevardf l.gov/HumanServices/CommissionOnAging or at 2725 Judge Fran Jamieson Way, B-106, Viera, FL 32940.