senior citizens

02/05/14/ - Wednesday's Topical Currents is with Elder Care of Florida founder Jacqueline Harris Chiodo. Over a 30-year career, she’s been a senior trust officer for numerous Florida banks.  She’s founded Elder Care of Florida, which provides “fiduciary” safety to Florida seniors. One in five seniors in the state who lost investment money have been defrauded.

Kate GeMeiner, in a pixie haircut and a sensible brown pantsuit, holds up what, from the back of the room, appears to be a see-through balloon. It isn’t.

“Never use Vaseline with a condom,” she says in her best announcer’s voice. “Never, only KY jelly.”

The audience sits in rapt silence.

“And before you use a condom, check it for the expiration date.”

In a corner, a couple of women titter.

A Florida Senate panel Tuesday instructed the Agency for Health Care Administration to draft legislation --- fast --- that would allow the state to shut down unlicensed assisted-living facilities as quickly as possible.

"Tell them to hustle," said Sen. Alan Hays, a Umatilla Republican and vice-chairman of the Senate Children, Families and Elder Affairs Committee.

Hays was addressing AHCA Secretary Liz Dudek, who briefed senators as they consider a third attempt in three years at tightening oversight of Florida's assisted-living facilities.