Our Mission Statement

The Florida Geriatrics Society is a nonprofit (501c6) organization devoted to improving the quality of life and advancing the health care of older adults through education, research, networking and improving public awareness of professionals involved with caring for the elderly living in Florida.

A Message from the 2020-2022 FGS President:

It is an honor to be named the first nurse practitioner as President of this highly recognized state organization. The Florida Geriatric Society (FGS) has been around since 1989 and is the state affiliate for the American Geriatric Society. We are an organization that is devoted to improving quality of life and advancing the health care of older adults through education, research, and advocacy.

My Goals for my tenure are to:

1. Increase the number of interprofessional healthcare providers caring for the geriatric population to the membership of FGS.
2. Recruit and encourage interprofessional healthcare trainees into a career in geriatrics by focusing on the rewards of caring for older people.
3. Recruit interprofessionals from underrepresented groups for leadership position.
4. Provide interprofessional geriatric education related to caring for culturally diverse older persons and providing patient-centered care.
5. Promote and advocate for policy issues related to older adults.

I hope you will consider Joining today- as a member of this organization. As a member you will receive up-to-date information on clinical and legislative issues, network with healthcare providers from across the state of Florida, be provided relevant resources and continuing education related to the geriatric population.

Thank you again for this honor. I hope to meet you all in the future. Stay safe,

Debra A. Allan Danforth, DNP, APRN, FAANP

Special Section: Coronavirus (COVID-19)

The FGS is monitoring the CDC, the Florida Dept of Health, along with other state and federal agencies for updates , recommendations and advisories. For the most up-to-date information visit the Florida Department of Health or the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization announced that the current coronavirus outbreak, COVID-19 was declared a Global Pandemic. Since then the WHO, the CDC and FL Dept of Health continuously updates their websites with current data, guidelines and other resources and materials to reflect the current status of the Pandemic.

Everyone is at risk of getting COVID-19 although the outcomes and severity of the illness is varied from experiencing no symptoms or mild symptoms to death. Know your risk level and help to protect those that are at higher risk for severe illness. Do your part by knowing and practicing social distancing, frequent washing of hands, wearing a face mask over your mouth and nose, and limiting any large group gatherings can help to stop the spread of the virus and keep community spread controlled.
To learn more about the daily testing, hospitalizations or deaths in Florida, your county or zip code, click here to view the DOH Dashboard

If you have need to schedule a visit with your healthcare provider it is IMPORTANT to call ahead before visiting to learn what their office protocols are for your visit. Offices are taking many additional steps and procautions to help mitigate further spread of COVID-19 when a patient arrives for a medical appointment.

Read more about who is at greater risk and how to protect those that are:

7/2020 CDC Update Increased Risk Patients

(https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/need-extra-precautions/people-with-medical-conditions.html)

If you are at increased risk for serious illness from COVID-19 due to age or because you have a serious chronic health problem, it is extra important for you to take actions to reduce your risk of exposure to the disease.

People at an increased risk for Serious Illness from COVID-19

Data collected from around the world indicates since the Pandemic began that people with certain underlying conditions are at higher risk of getting very sick from this illness. These conditions include but are not limited to:

Older adults (those 65 years or older)
People of any age who have serious chronic medical conditions like:
- Serious heart disease such as heart failure, coronary artery disease, or cardiomyopathies
- Type 2 diabetes
- Obesity (BMI of 30 or higher)
- Cancer
- Chronic kidney disease
- Are immunocompromised from solid organ transplant
- Sickle cell disease

For additional information on COVID-19 click on logo below to open in new screen:

For any other questions related to COVID-19 in Florida, please contact the

FL Department of Health's dedicated COVID-19 Call Center by calling 1-(866) 779-6121. The Call Center is available 24 hours a day.

Inquiries may also be emailed to COVID-19@flhealth.gov.

Florida Geriatrics Society | P. O. Box 1403 | Land O Lakes, FL 34639 | 813.996.0322 | Exec@floridageriatricssociety.org

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