New Elder Abuse Fatality Review Team will focus on protecting the elderly

by Austin L. Miller

 

The state attorney for the 5th Judicial Circuit is putting together a team that will look at elderly deaths in this area.

The move comes after state legislators passed a bill authorizing each judicial circuit to create an Elder Abuse Fatality Review Team.

Legislators' goal is for the team to examine circumstances surrounding an elderly person's death, see if the death could have been prevented, and identify solutions or programs that could save someone else in the future.

The team can only review closed cases, not active or criminal cases. 

State Attorney Bill Gladson said he has contacted the sheriff's offices for the circuit's five counties — Marion, Lake, Sumter, Citrus and Hernando — to gauge their interest. Gladson said all five agencies agreed to participate. 

The five counties have more than 1.2 million people, according to State Attorney's Office officials.

State Attorney Bill Gladson

Gladson, a longtime prosecutor who became state attorney last month, said the process should be an eye opener for everyone because they can learn what does and doesn't work. The team can prevent future elder abuse or even deaths and provide resources to those in need. The team also will give recommendations to legislators who can then craft and explore laws to protect the elderly.

The team will consist of law enforcement personnel, prosecutors, health care providers and others who work close with the elderly. It will be required to submit a report on its findings to the Department of Elder Affairs, which will then send a summary report to the governor, Legislature and the Department of Children and Families.

According to the bill, which was signed into law by Gov. Ron DeSantis last year, in 2018, the state had an estimated 4.3 million people age 65 and older. It's believed that by 2030, that number will rise to approximately 5.9 million. State officials believe the 5.9 million figure will represent about a quarter of the state's population.

Elderly abuse occurs in private homes, nursing homes, long-term care facilities and other places, according to a summary analysis of the bill. Some of the people who commit these types of abuse are relatives, friends and neighbors who sometimes are companions or act as the elderly person's caregiver.

According to the bill, research has shown that elder abuse is often not reported because victims fear their safety may be compromised. They also fear being left alone or losing their caregiver's trust.

DCF reports that in fiscal year 2018-19, the agency received more than 37,000 reports of abuse, neglect or exploitations of people age 60 and older. The department investigated 252 deaths where the death was allegedly cause by abuse and neglect, according to information in the bill.

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New Elder Abuse Fatality Review Team will focus on protecting the elderly