Elder Helpline 1-800-963-5337 - DOEA.
Assessment Instrument (701B) This form is the full assessment used at initiation of services, at reassessment, to assess an update/significant change in the consumer's situation, or to only obtain demographics. It can be used to prioritize consumers who have not begun to receive services.
Signs of decline in overall health include weight loss, changes in appetite, problems swallowing, fatigue, burns, black and blue marks (possible signs of falling), hearing loss (look for signs of lip reading and talking loudly), withdrawn without reason, complaints of muscle weakness, insomnia, excessive sleeping or ...
If you become concerned, go over and knock on the door. Listen and offer your support. Get help from Adult Protective Services if you are concerned an adult may be self-neglecting. Call 911 if the person needs immediate medical attention or is in danger of immediate harm.
If you are seeking assistance for an older adult, and calling from Florida, please call 1-800-96-ELDER.
Depending on the medical assessments conducted by the Department of Elder Affairs, seniors may be eligible for a wide range of supports, such as nursing home care, dental care, prescription drugs, transportation and homemaker services.
How do you find a geriatric social worker who can help? Check with your county or city Area Agency on Aging or your state board of social workers. You can also ask your doctor or other care providers. If you use hospice services, they have their own social workers.
A caretaker's leaving an elderly patient home alone for a significant amount of time could be considered neglect, at the very least, and possibly abandonment.
Florida does not have filial responsibility laws. Elder law is an area of legal practice that specializes on issues that affect the senior population. The purpose of elder law planning is to prepare the elderly person for financial freedom and autonomy through proper financial planning and long-term care options.
The department is the primary state agency responsible for administering human services programs for the elderly and for developing policy recommendations for long-term care.