Florida Can Be a Challenging Place for Some Older Adults, but There's Reason to Hope for Change

Reports of rampant social isolation, rising prescription medicine costs, evaporating affordable housing options, and poor oversight for professional guardians have made Florida seem like a very unfriendly state for U.S. seniors — but there are signs of hope, reports the Orlando Sentinel . Several local and national advocates recently cited positive changes on the horizon, including state authorization of autonomous vehicles on state roads, which could serve as a future transportation option for many older Americans. Florida legislators also added another $1.7 million toward the Alzheimer's Disease Initiative to serve 151 more individuals on the statewide wait-list, while Community Care for the Elderly saw $2.1 million in extra funding to service 256 more people on the waitlist. A severe lack of reasonable salary for public guardians remains endemic, while the advent of electronic wills is inexorably moving forward. State Gov. Ron DeSantis' signing of legislation that would allow Floridians to use drugs from Canada and the International Drug Importation Program is considered a key victory for consumers, although federal approval is pending.