Welcome to

Attacks and abuse on the state’s elderly are on the rise. Last year the Department of Children and Families received 49,000 reports of physical abuse and neglect. As Whitney Ray tells us, an attack cost one Florida senior her life.

Hear it Here: Elderly Abuse on the Rise

Just hours after Janice Fore celebrated her 74th birthday she was killed in a robbery at her Manatee County home. Attacks on the elderly are becoming more common in Florida.

“I think we’re easy targets,” said senior Carol Arroyo.

A weak economy has Arroyo worried about her safety

“We get to be more vulnerable. We fell that way. We look at people and think is that a safe person to be around or not,” said Arroyo.

Rising gas prices and an increase in foreclosures are the main reasons the Department of Children and Families gives for a 15 percent increase in elderly abuse cases. The Department of Children and Families is calling for more training for investigators and asking people to keep an eye on their elderly neighbors. Police officers agree.

“Know your neighbor. At least introduce yourself to them. Know who the family members are so it there’s an emergency or if you haven’t seen that elderly neighbor in a day or two you can contact the family member and at least have them come over check on them,” said Tallahassee Policeman David McCranie.

The AARP says one reason we’re seeing more attacks on the elderly is because the 85 plus population has increased by almost half.

“We’re America’s grayest state and we’re getting grayer at a rapid pace,” said Dave Bruns with Florida AARP.

The best advice officials are giving to seniors is: watch your back, and make sure someone else is watching as well