Care and support for seniors

Marion Senior Services President/CEO Jennifer Martinez talks with Sen. Darryl Rouson during a meeting in Ocala on July 31. [Photo by Andy Fillmore/Ocala Gazette]

The Ocala/Marion County Mobile Integrated Senior Crisis Response Team got a big thumbs up from a state senator for its role in aiding elders in distress at a recent gathering in Ocala.

The make-up and work of the senior crisis team was explained to Sen. Darryl Rouson (D, District 16) in a slide presentation and round table discussion on July 31 at Marion Senior Services, which included team members.

Rouson’s district 16 encompasses portions of Hillsborough and Pinellas counties. His committee assignments include the Children, Families and Elders Committee, according to flsenate.gov He has been visiting groups statewide looking for models of help teams aimed at resolving non-law enforcement type crises encountered by seniors.

The senior crisis team is a collaboration of members of more than 20 local agencies, including MSS, Marion County Sheriff’s Office, Ocala Police Department, Marion County Fire Rescue, Ocala Fire Rescue, SMA Healthcare and Hospice of Marion County. The OFR and MCFR Community Paramedic programs are an integral part of the senior crisis team.

According to a MSS post on social media, the team provides more unified continuum of care for some individuals, makes service referrals that best suit the needs of citizens in crisis and works to facilitate the return of first responders to their normal duties. The work of the team has led to a drop in excessive 911 calls and avoiding duplication of services

Members of the crisis team, such as MCSO Senior Intervention Specialist Cynthia Irving, MCSO Capt. Dennis Joiner, OPD Victim Advocate Office Supervisor Donna Guinn or OFR Capt. Chris Hickman, are contacted in cases where seniors are in need of supportive help.

Hickman said members of the team “share passion” and “respect” for seniors.

The 5^th Judicial District State Attorney’s Office has been involved in issues encountered by the team. The role of the office includes a focus on elder exploitation and guardianships. Fraud, especially online and phone fraud, and setting up protective guardianships are areas of increasing focus for the team.

Dr. Mary Lossada, chief medical officer of Empath Hospice of Marion County, also is a member of the team.

Marion Senior Services in Ocala began organizing the crisis team in 2020 and continues in a lead role.

“We wanted to make it better for seniors,” said MSS Executive Director Jennifer Martinez.

Martinez said the plight of some seniors “breaks her heart” but the focused, rapid response by several agencies can help elders with mental health and other non-law enforcement issues like those related to dementia.

The work of the crisis team addresses issues such as an estimated 60% of those with dementia may wander, 20% may face an act of violence and 60% may have a firearm in the home, according to the presentation. Team responders may see elders experiencing delusions or hallucinations.

Cases seen by the responders range from seniors losing their homes through exploitation, people with no caregivers needing immediate placement like a woman using laundry detergent as body lotion, people living on Reese’s candy and Diet Coke, hoarding and cases of high incidents of 911 calls.

Martinez used an example of a couple in a home deemed unlivable by an agency, who were helped straightaway.

According to a least one attendee, the Mobile Integrated Senior Crisis Response Team “wraps their arms around the client and their family.”

Lutheran Services Florida, which organized Rouson’s visit, is a funding partner with MSS and SMA Healthcare. Dr. Christine Cauffield, CEO of LSF Health Services of Jacksonville, was on hand for the MSS gathering. Cauffield said she is “thrilled” by the Ocala model senior crisis team.

Robin Lanier, vice president of Marion County Services, SMA Healthcare in Ocala, made a presentation at the gathering.

The Marion County Hospital District, also a funding partner of SMA Healthcare, was represented by CEO Curt Bromund.

Rouson gave a positive review of the Ocala model senior crisis team following the gathering.

“I think seniors are on good footing with this organization in Marion County,” he said.

To learn more, go to marionseniorservices.org