Connections Fall 2017 by ACCAging

VOLUME 41, ISSUE 4

ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY how robot companions and other tech helps people thrive ALSO INSIDE: Broadway, Fall Travel, Volunteer Spotlight & More

PRODUCED IN PAR TNERSHIP WITH

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ceo/ p re si de n t Eve Anthony B OA RD O F DIRECTORS Shannon Wilder, Chair Paige Otwell, Vice-Chair Robert Hardell, Treasurer Julie Gaines, Secretary Publisher, t h e at h e n s b a n n e r - h e r a l d Scot Morrissey V P o f Sa l e s , T h e At h e n s B a n n e r - H e r a l d Kevin Clark EDITOR Donnie Fetter d i rector of m a rke ti n g & e n g ag e m e n t, The athe ns banne r -he r al d Tina Laseter c r e at i v e d i r e c t o r Kelsey Foster ACC A STAF F Kelli McCain Eve Anthony Erin Beasley ACCOUNT E X ECUTI V ES Tom Bennewitz Sherry Clarke Hayley DeBell Clinton Ervin Alicia Goss Laura Jackson Joshua Lyon A dv e r t i s i n g S u p p o r t Ashley Thompson Allyssa Berrong Kelsey Foster contributors Jenay M. Beer, Ph.D. Kelli McCain Photography Joshua L. Jones editorial Chris Starrs Charity Robinson RED Denty

© 2017 ACCA Connections is a quarterly publication distributed by ACCA throughout Northeast Georgia. The information contained herein has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable. Reproduction in whole or in part, without the expressed written permission from the publisher, is prohibited. Advertising in this publication does not imply a relationship with ACCA.

This fall, the Center for Active Living will host a trip to visit Gibbs Gardens and enjoy the stunning fall foliage.

contents AGING...EVERYBODY’S DOING IT 07 spotted around town BROADWAY IN ATHENS this season’s performances

THE FUTURE IS NOW cover story: assistive technology

FALL PREVENTION MONTH a matter of balance

LIVE WELL. AGE WELL. meet scott baxendale

VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT meet joe wisenbaker

TRAVEL NEAR TO AFAR fall travel opportunities

STEP BY STEP duke geddis talks line dancing

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AGING... EVERYBODY’S DOING IT

1. ACCA and other local nonprofits were presented with a check from Creature Comforts Brewery’s “Get Comfortable” campaign. Their fundraising efforts raised a total of $121,000! 2. At ACCA’s 50th anniversary celebration, State Rep. Chuck Williams presented a resolution which was passed by the Georgia House of Representatives to commemorate ACCA’s 50 years of service. 3. The School of Cosmetology volunteered with Bentley Adult Day Health clients for a day of hair transformations. Kathleen Groft is loving her new hair style! 4. Luther Mosley, along with several other CAL+ clients, created plates to send along to our Federal Congressmen to advocate for Meals on Wheels funding as part of a national #SaveLunch campaign. 5. Meals on Wheels volunteer, sixth generation Athenian, and member of ACCA’s 2017 retroProm Court, Tom Hodgson wowed a packed house at Rabbit Box with a love story set in his family’s historic 1860s home. 6. ACCA’s Grandparents Raising Grandchildren program hosted two summer camps focusing on literacy and STEM competencies. The kids had a blast! 7. ACCA President/CEO Eve Anthony with First Lady Sandra Deal and LeadingAge Georgia CEO Walter Coffey at the Georgia Older Adult Cabinet meeting. 8. ACCA welcomed Dr. Narayana Gowda and Dr. Don Scott, Geriatrician, as part of the Internal Medicine Geriatric rotation through our partnership with St. Mary’s Health Care System and the AU UGA Medical Partnership. FALL 2017 I CONNECTIONS / WHAT’S NEXT magazine I 7

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In The Classic City the music scene is a way of life. This season, Athenians need to go no further than the Classic Center to experience the excitement of a diverse music scene of live theater in style and comfort. Broadway is known for such diversity. In the Broadway entertainment series at The Classic Center, theater goers have the opportunity to experience the wide variety of genres that have had their place on Broadway. National tours of Kinky Boots, Riverdance 20 Years, Cabaret, Motown the Musical, and The Sound of Music are included in the regular season tickets. Available to add-on to the season tickets include Mannheim Steamroller Christmas, The State Ballet Theatre of Russia’s The Nutcracker, and RENT 20th Anniversary Tour. “The entire 2017-2018 Broadway entertainment series has something for everyone,” said Ashley Crain, The Classic Center’s advertising and public relations coordinator. “All of the shows consist of amazing music that will appeal to music lovers of all genres.” From the dance emphasis of Riverdance, Cyndi Lauper’s songs in Kinky Boots, the familiarity of The Sound of Music and The Nutcracker, and the mature audience billing of Cabaret and RENT, The Classic Center is a one-stop place, and the message of hope is a theme of many of the shows featured in this series. Sammy Ferber plays Mark is in his second tour of RENT. Sammy’s enthusiasm for the show is rooted in his experiences hearing the score growing up and the passion Sammy has for live theater is obvious. In the late 1990s, at the height of the AIDS crisis, Roger Larson wrote RENT as a modern day remake of La Boheme. RENT is set in Manhattan’s East Village. Its groundbreaking coverage of the crisis and the revolutionary rock score made it important then and now. “It’s about the power of love and friendship and living a fulfilling live in the face of mortality,” said Ferber. “… Now more than ever it’s so crucially important to share this message for love and acceptance to those who may seem different.” 1 0 I C O N NE C T I ONS / W HAT’ S NEX T magazine I FALL 2017

RENT and the entire Broadway series offer the promise of what Ferber, in his enthusiasm for his work on this national tour, describes as the place of live theater in an age of digital entertainment. “There’s something electric and irreplaceable about seeing a live performance; something innate in the human experiencing emotional things together as a group,” he said. And while Sammy has seen every version of RENT available and is a big fan of digital entertainment and all the ways we can access music today, as he says, “None of that can compare to seeing a Broadway show.” The flexibility to experience the music of Broadway at The Classic Center as a couple, friends, or family is a benefit of the season ticket. And the add-on shows look like they’re not to be missed as well. Season tickets are flexible: you can use them for yourself, give to another person who really wants to see a show, or swap your tickets for one show for additional seats at something you want to take family members to see. A season ticket purchase is a 10 percent discount over single ticket sales and also includes presale parking and entry to Classic Conversations.

Above: Title card from Riverdance 20 Years Opposite: Maria from The Sound of Music Credit, Jeremy Daniel and Matthew Murphy

For tickets, visit us online at www.ClassicCenter.com/Broadway call 706.357.4444, or stop by The Classic Center Theatre Box Office.

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The Classic Center 2017-2018 Broadway Entertainment Series Kinky Boots Thursday, November 9, 2017 | 7:30 p.m. Having inherited a shoe factory from his father, Charlie forms an unlikely partnership with cabaret performer Lola to produce a line of high-heeled boots and save the business. Based on true events, Kinky Boots tells the heartwarming and humorous story of two people with nothing in common – or so they think! Kinky Boots is the winner of every major Best Musical award, including the Tony, the Grammy and London’s Olivier Award. Featuring 16 original songs by pop icon Cyndi Lauper, and written by Harvey Fierstein, this dazzling sensation is inspiring audiences around the world.

Riverdance 20 Years Wednesday, January 17, 2018 | 7:30 p.m. The international Irish dance phenomenon is back by popular demand in Riverdance – The 20th Anniversary World Tour. Drawing on Irish traditions, the combined talents of the performers propel Irish dancing and music into the present day, capturing the imagination of audiences across all ages and cultures in an innovative and exciting blend of dance, music and song. Of all the performances to emerge from Ireland, nothing has carried the energy and the spectacle of Riverdance 20 Years.

Cabaret Monday, February 19, 2018 | 7:30 p.m. Welcome to the infamous Kit Kat Klub, where the Emcee, Sally Bowles, and a raucous ensemble take the stage nightly to tantalize the crowd. Leave your troubles outside – life is beautiful at Cabaret, John Kander, Fred Ebb and Joe Masteroff’s Tony Award-winning musical about following your heart while the world loses its way. *For Mature Audiences

Motown the Musical Friday, March 9, 2018 | 8 p.m. It began as one man’s story . . . became everyone’s music . . . and is now Broadway’s musical. Motown the Musical is the true American dream story of Motown founder Berry Gordy’s journey from featherweight boxer to heavyweight musical mogul who launched the careers of Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, Smokey Robinson and many more. Featuring classic songs such as “My Girl” and “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough,” experience the story behind the music in the record-breaking smash hit Motown the Musical.

The Sound of Music Thursday, April 19, 2018 | 7:30 p.m. The hills are alive! This brand new production of Rodger and Hammerstein’s The Sound of Music, the musical story of Maria and the von Trapp family, will once again thrill audiences with its Tony, Grammy and Academy Awardwinning Best Score, including “My Favorite Things,” “Edelweiss” and the title song. 1 2 I C O N NE C T I ONS / W HAT’ S NEX T magazine I FALL 2017

Optional Broadway Entertainment Series Add-on Shows (not included with the Broadway season ticket) RENT 20th Anniversary Tour* Friday, September 15, 2017 | 8 p.m. Tony Award-winning RENT returns to the stage in a 20th Anniversary production that promises to be as impactful and exciting as the original. With its inspiring message of joy and hope in the face of fear, this timeless celebration of friendship and creativity reminds us to measure our lives with the only thing that matters – love. *For Mature Audiences

Mannheim Steamroller Christmas Sunday, November 19, 2017 | 7:30 p.m. Mannheim Steamroller Christmas by Chip Davis has been America’s favorite holiday tradition for over 30 years. Grammy Award-winner Chip Davis has created a show that features Mannheim Steamroller Christmas classics along with a selection of compositions from his groundbreaking Fresh Aire series. Experience the magic as the spirit of the season comes alive with the signature sound of Mannheim Steamroller.

The State Ballet Theatre of Russia’s The Nutcracker Friday, December 22, 2017 | 7:30 p.m. Saturday, December 23, 2017 | 2 p.m. Whether you’re creating a new family tradition or continuing your current one, The Nutcracker is the perfect holiday show for every family. Co-presented with the University of Georgia Performing Arts Center, and performed by the State Ballet Theatre of Russia, The Classic Center Theatre is thrilled to offer this holiday classic once again this season. Left: Title card from The Nutcracker Below: Mannheim Steamroller Christmas Credit, Matt Christine Photography

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the future

IS NOW Aside from the support provided that allows aging adults to continue their independence, assistive technology also represents big business throughout the world, with sales of various devices and services estimated to surpass more than $25 billion by 2024. Companies in the assistive technology industry are constantly seeking to – as Ralph Waldo Emerson once put it – build a better mousetrap, with the frequent release of new products on the marketplace.

Two Atlanta-based entities – SimpleC, located in Marietta and Tools for Life, located on the Georgia Tech campus – are among those working to improve the lives of older adults and people with disabilities, although their approaches are quite different. With its innovative Companion tablet, SimpleC utilizes media-based therapy to respond to the needs of any person requiring assistance. Tools for Life doesn’t manufacture or market any products, but the agency works with individual clients to determine which assistive technologies work best for the goal of independence.

SimpleC – ‘We move with technology’ SimpleC’s Companion is the instrument the company uses to aid older adults – including those dealing with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia – in remaining safely at home by enabling individuals to continue to complete the tasks and activities they’ve done their whole lives. “We work with people using behavioral science to deliver media-based therapy … and we’re about helping establish FALL 2017 I CONNECTIONS / WHAT’S NEXT magazine I 15

a healthy daily routine and helping people maintain independence wherever they are,” said Melany Sattler, vice president of clinical services for SimpleC. “Our main goal, particularly with older adults, is we want to help them remain at home and at the lowest level of care.” Working in concert with Watson, IBM’s artificial intelligence platform, SimpleC creates an independent Companion program devised to meet the specific needs of a client. Using media (photos, music, video), the simple and clear-cut Companion offers four therapeutic techniques – reminiscence, validation, music and trusted voice – to aid clients when dealing with behavioral concerns like agitation, depression, confusion and aggression. Above: An Amazon Show, a home automated technology, displays a recipe to follow along with voice activation.

“We work with the patient all through the dementia where they can still respond to reminiscence cues, memories that take them back to different time periods in their life,” said Sattler. “Music is incredibly powerful throughout our lives, so we use music (as a) motivator.”

Tools for Life – An inventory of assistance

Companion is also an invaluable tool for folks with cognitive issues as it can track a client’s routines, and remind them of doctor’s appointments, to take their medication, and to stay fed and hydrated, among many other services.

Housed at Georgia Tech’s College of Design, Tools for Life is well versed in the many assistive technology products on the market. AT specialist Rachel Wilson says Tools for Life has an inventory of some 15,000 devices.

Noting that SimpleC will soon offer Companion for purchase through Apple’s App Store, Sattler says the company is well versed in emerging technologies and is always on the lookout for new applications that can aid their clients.

“We (strive) to find different solutions that meet the needs of the individual,” she said. “No two people are the same, so there are many different solutions for many different purposes. The nice thing about our program is the System Technology Act, which every state has.

“We move with technology,” she said. “Our product has been on the market a little over five years and it has changed significantly. The Companion is still the core of what we do and we personalize our Companion for each individual. We’ll set it up for somebody. The Companion itself is constantly changing and it moves with the person based on their level of need and what’s relevant.”

“We have the opportunity to have a huge inventory of all different kinds of assistive technology. We help people try them out and they can borrow (a device) and see if it works for them, as well as introducing them to all these different concepts.”

For more information, visit www.simplec.com.

Previous Page: AMAC employee Charlie Drummond uses a Glassouse, a Bluetooth connected mouse that is operated by movements of the head and by clicking the mouthpiece Below: Tablets are versatile devices that can assist in many ways.

Both Wilson and Martha Rust, AT specialist and services coordinator, are complimentary of products like Amazon Echo and Google Home, which can help seniors with everything from providing a relaxing environment to reminding them to take their medications. “Lots of devices are universal,” said Rust. “The Amazon Echo is really big right now. We’ve been able to use it a lot with our aging folks because they are able to listen to radio, their music, sports, the weather. … We’re also using it for environmental controls as well because it works with at-home devices so someone with mobility issues can turn the lights on and off and the ability to change the air conditioning or heat without leaving the bed.” Some assistive technology devices, such as the PARO therapeutic robot, simply offer companionship. It’s a kind of simulated pet. Other technologies are more functional in helping out with daily tasks. A relatively new device on the market that has impressed

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Wilson is GlassOuse – referred to as “the world’s first assistive mouse” – which aids in the control of electronics for folks who are unable to use their hands. “Someone came in and had the opportunity to try GlassOuse out and see if it actually worked for them,” she said. “He had a spinal cord injury and was 60 years old, and wanted to be able to check his emails and play cards on the computer without having to get his wife or somebody else to do it for him. His family wanted to make sure it was something he would like and would actually use, so he came in and sat down with us and lo and behold, his wife wound up ordering it.” Telepresence robots have also made an impact at Tools for Life. Wilson calls telepresence robots “Skype or Facetime on steroids” and says they connect individuals with family members or caregivers so aging adults can be monitored and reminded, if necessary, to do everyday tasks. “A lot of family members don’t live near other family members, so we have a few telepresence robots so they can have it at their home and their loved ones in that other state can dial right into that robot, roam around and make sure mom and dad are OK or if they’re taking their medication,” said Rust. “We’ve had several successes. One family had a person who travels a lot for work and her (mother) was in hospice and she was able to check in on her parent every day when she was out of town for work. It gave her a huge sense of relief that she was able to see her mom.”

Tools for Life also beta tests a wide range of products, so individuals can be assured that there’s a device out there that can be of assistance for both the elderly and their families. For more information, visit www.gatfl.gatech.edu.

PARO – the therapeutic robot What looks like a simple stuffed toy seal is actually an advanced, interactive robot. Developed by the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) in Japan, the PARO therapeutic robot allows a user to receive the documented benefits of animal therapy in circumstances or locations where live animals would be difficult to use. PARO has sensors all over its body that allows it to sense and respond to many different types of stimuli. It can feel temperature and pressure, it can “see” light and darkness, and can even “hear” and recognize sounds, including its name. It responds intelligently using a combination of sound and movement. For example, if the patient strokes it, PARO will try repeating the behavior it did before that in order to get stroked again. Like a real animal, PARO has been found to reduce stress in both patients and their caregivers. It has also been shown to promote healthy social interaction between the patient and others; in one example, a patient unwilling to speak under normal circumstances was inspired to talk to their caregiver about PARO.

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Will robots help you when you retire? By Jenay M. Beer, Ph.D.

Household robots, such as Rosie from the Jetsons, were once dreams of Hollywood filmmakers. Technological advances are now making household robots a very real possibility; although they may look and behave a bit different than Rosie. Consumers can already buy a slew of commercially available robots to help with everyday tasks like vacuuming, clearing gutters, and lawn mowing. Our homes are becoming increasingly automated with an ever-growing market of smart home technology and appliances – from automatic lights, shades, locks, and garage doors to smart dishwashers, refrigerators, laundry machines, and even coffee pots. Although such technologies are not as socially sophisticated as Rosie, they do offer the promise of performing activities that we personally need or want help with, particularly as we age. Household robots are often referred to as “assistive robots” or “personal robots.” Developing assistive robots, however, has proven to be a difficult challenge. As robots become more advanced, how should they interact and communicate with us? More specifically, how should robots interact and communicate with older people, including those with cognitive decline, physical impairments, and a loss of vision or hearing? What about their caregivers? The success of assistive robots hinges on better understanding these complex, multi-faceted dynamics and incorporating them into the design process. The field of human-robot interaction (HRI) focuses on just that - how to design, evaluate, and implement robots for human use; or in other words, how to put the human into the engineering equation. Asking important questions like, what might older adults want a robot to do, or not to do? How should the robot be controlled, for example using a remote or by voice control? Should the robot communicate, and if so, how? Furthermore, should the robot be social, or have a personality? The goal of HRI is to develop technology that is useful, usable, and integrates seamlessly into our daily lives. Accomplishing this requires collaboration between multiple disciplines – specifically, social sciences, engineering, and computer science. Advances in robotic technology continue, improving capabilities around autonomy, intelligence, learning, and mobility. As the technology improves, robots become more and more useful, the possibilities for applications increase, and the need for HRI as a field of study grows with it. Who knows how long it will be before we can spend our retirement years relaxing while our homes are cleaned by Rosie? It may be sooner than you think!

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IT’S A

E C N A L A B F O R E T T A M

September is Fall Prevention month across the U.S., but falling is an ever-present concern for older adults. According to the CDC, approximately one fourth of Americans over 65 fall each year, making falls the leading cause of fatal and non-fatal injuries for individuals in this age category. To help reverse these statistics, targeted programs such as Matter of Balance (MOB) are sweeping the nation to help improve strength and balance and bolster confidence. Today’s seniors are on the move and are more determined than ever not to let falls (or a fear of falling) stand in their way or impact their quality of life. Matter of Balance is an evidence-based fall prevention program that is supported by top authorities such as the National Council on Aging and the CDC. This interactive, 8-week course aims to identify and overcome barriers as well as to reframe thinking surrounding falls. While there are some exercise components to the class to help improve balance, strength, endurance and flexibility, it is heavily based on discussion. Participants have commented that they noticed some physical improvements after incorporating the MOB exercises into their regular routines as well as increased levels of consciousness in their daily maneuvering as a result of the class discussions. The program was first offered at ACCA last winter and is back by popular demand this September. Space is limited, so reserve your spot as soon as possible! In addition to Matter of Balance, The Center for Active Living (CAL) offers several opportunities to the community that address fall risks and promote fitness and balance enhancement. Our classes and workshops are available to CAL members and the community, keeping different schedules, interests and capability levels in mind. 2 0 I C O N NE C T I ONS / W HAT’ S NEX T magazine I FALL 2017

Options include:

ONGOING WEEKLY CLASSES Balance in Motion This class, led by a physical therapist, takes place on the ACCA motion wellness system outside right at the entrance of the Greenway. Activities rang from balance to climbing to dexterity tasks. It meets every Wednesday morning at 10am. Class is free for CAL members. First class is free for non-members.

Smart Moves This low impact class focuses on balance and reflexes using exercise equipment such as medicine balls and resistance bands paired with fun activities. Every Monday at 9am and Thursday at 2pm in the ACCA Harris Room. Class is free for CAL members. First class is free for non-members.

Tai Chi This martial arts style class uses low-impact movements and meditation practices to center the individual. Meets every Monday at 1pm in the ACCA Harris Room. Class is free for CAL members. First class is free for non-members.

Yoga The most advanced form of balance enhancement that the Center for Active Living offers. Sessions are done on the floor on a yoga mat. Classes take place 4 days a week in the ACCA Harris Room. 2:45pm on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, 10am on Friday. Class is free for CAL members. First class is free for non-members.

Special Classes & Workshops Matter of Balance 8-Week Fall Prevention Program Starts on Thursday, September 21st and goes through Wednesday, November 8th. Classes meet at 3:30pm. Cost of the series is $25.

STEADI Screenings Every second Tuesday of the month, resident physicians with St. Maryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Hospital are on hand to conduct fall risk

assessments, known as the STEADI (Stopping Elderly Accidents, Deaths & Injuries) assessment. Availability is limited, so please reserve your spot in advance. Full descriptions of CAL offerings can be found in the catalogue at the back of the magazine. To sign up or enroll, please contact Wellness Coordinator Nikaela Frederick at nfrederick@accaging.org or 706-549-4850. Classes are free for CAL members and first time visitors. Below: The class does some stretching to warm up before beginning the Matter of Balance exercises.

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LIVE WELL. AGE WELL.

Meet Scott Baxendale What type of work do you do at Baxendale Guitar?

How did you get started building guitars?

We teach guitar repair and restoration using hand techniques. The course can last between six months to one year. We take apart and rebuild guitars to create a higher grade instrument. The students of the course learn about geometry, playability, sound and other techniques. We also remanufacture old guitars. This is an ecofriendly practice as many older guitars are made from wood like rosewood and mahogany that is now endangered. Custom guitars can also be built here. We are really more of a workshop than a music store.

When I was in fourth grade, I saw The Beatles perform on Ed Sullivan. After that I got the wigs and boots from their merchandise and wanted to start a band. My friends and I started a band called ‘The Shaggy Dogs’ from a movie that had recently come out. We sang Beatles songs, but changed the lyrics to be about dogs. For example, ‘I Wanna Hold Your Hand’ became ‘I Wanna Hold Your Paw’. We performed for our class and ended up going on tour to every classroom in the school. I built guitars for our band using poster board, wood, yarn, and buttons. Later on, I was in college at the University of Kansas and started working at Mossman Guitars. It was a pioneer boutique guitar factory. What brought you to Athens? I had bought Mossman Guitars and started a shop in Denver. I sold the shop in 2010 after 11 years in business and moved to Athens because the Drive By Truckers hired me as a guitar tech. What do you think the key is to living well and aging well? I play and perform music, which is a hobby that I really enjoy. I also spend a lot of time around young people. I think hanging out with the younger crowd keeps me thinking young. You’ve built guitars for some notable artists. Do you have any favorites you have worked with? This career has afforded me the opportunity to know and be friends with many of the important artists of our generation. Each instrument I make is a piece of art – individual sculptures. To be able to hand a piece of my art to another artist that can be inspired by it and moved to create their art really brings everything full circle and keeps me focused and motivated.

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VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT

Joe Wisenbaker Joe Wisenbaker has been volunteering with the GeorgiaCares program at the Athens Community Council on Aging for over a year. Wisenbaker experienced a series of complications while navigating his own healthcare benefits after retiring from the University of Georgia. While researching benefit options, Wisenbaker discovered GeorgiaCares. He decided his research on the topic would benefit others and give him the opportunity to learn more about Medicare. “I didn’t realize the clientele would be so diverse with such a variety of situations,” he said. “This is such a needed

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service for everyone, but especially for those with a lower income. “ I never realized there was so much extreme need in Georgia. I thought healthcare needs were complicated for UGA retirees such as myself. For those with lower incomes, advanced or chronic health concerns, and other obstacles, this service is invaluable.” When asked about his experience volunteering with this program, Wisenbaker replied, “Having struggled with the ins and outs of selecting my own healthcare policies, I feel that having an unbiased opinion to assist the general

public in choosing the best route for their situation is a wonderful resource. After starting as a volunteer with GeorgiaCares, I received very detailed training in which I learned so many new things. Older adults should not have to choose between paying for food or medication. Being able to educate others and provide information about resources to offer the most help possible is very rewarding.” The GeorgiaCares program provides free, unbiased and factual information and assistance to Medicare beneficiaries and their caregivers with health and drug plans. The goal of the program is to help people with Medicare understand their benefits, make informed decisions about health care options, and provide ways to protect themselves from fraud, error and abuse. With open enrollment right around the corner, GeorgiaCares staff and volunteers are expecting a sizable increase in incoming calls for counseling. These calls will be managed by a team of well-trained staff, volunteers like Wisenbaker, and interns. If you have questions about Medicare, call ACCA’s GeorgiaCares team at (706) 5494850. For more information about the wide array of volunteer opportunities with ACCA, please contact Susan Carson at 706.549.4850, or visit www.accaging.org/volunteer.

Above: Joe Wisenbaker, Retired UGA Faculty/GeorgiaCares Volunteer

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Travel Near to Afar Lilburn’s majestic Hindu temple promises globe-trotters a memorable experience without the jetlag By Allyn Rippin

Many adventures await Athenians this fall, from a pilgrimage to the Blue Ridge mountains to see the changing foliage to a variety of seasonal shows and exhibitions. For those looking for a destination that promises an immersive cultural and spiritual experience, look no further than the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir located in the Atlanta suburb of Lilburn. This spectacular Hindu temple is the largest of its kind outside of India and is an enlivening counterpoint to the commercial plazas and residential communities that define American suburbia. The temple, or mandir, opened in 2007 as a house of worship for the area’s burgeoning Indian-American community, which has doubled in the past decade. Visitors of all 2 6 I C O N NE C T I ONS / W HAT’ S NEX T magazine I FALL 2017

faiths and cultural backgrounds are invited to come learn about Hinduism, or simply admire the art and peaceful environs. Much like the proverbial onion peel, the temple has many layers to discover, starting with the remarkable story of the building itself. With its soaring, powder-white spires and 13 domes reminiscent of the Taj Mahal, the temple was constructed entirely of Turkish limestone, Italian marble and Indian pink sandstone. It is an awe-inspiring feat of engineering. Nearly 35,000 limestone and marble pieces were hand-carved in India by over a 1,000 skilled craftsmen, shipped to Georgia and methodically assembled like a 3-D puzzle by hundreds of volunteers. In Sanskrit, mandir means “a place where the mind becomes still and can engage with God.” Once inside the tranquility of the temple, one can admire the intricate carvings, experience sacred rituals performed daily or enjoy a self-guided audio tour. Visitors not only get a taste of the culture and spiritual life of India, but can sample authentic sweets and snacks at the all-vegetarian cafe and gift shop.

Join the Center for Active Living as we travel to BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir on Friday, September 22 (9 a.m. departure). The trip is $10 for members, $15 for non-members. The price does not include lunch. Transportation to and from the Center will be provided. Dress code: Visitors are asked to remove shoes before entering the temple. All clothing must cover shoulders and knees (wraps provided). For more info or to reserve your spot, contact Nikaela Frederick at 706.549.4850.

Above & Below: Visitors will be able to admire the stunning level of detail in the templeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s architecture.

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Autumn Splendor Take a look at the brilliant colors of fall with a nice stroll through Gibbs Gardens in October. Highlights include the Japanese maples and wildflowers contrasted against evergreens casting picturesque shadows on the garden’s ponds. Enjoy lunch at the garden’s Arbor Café. Wednesday, October 25. 9:30 a.m. departure. Cost is $35 for members, $45 for non-members (not including lunch).

Cirque du Soleil This is not your average circus under the Big Top. The world famous Cirque Du Soleil is a spectacle in its own class. Escape into a colorful, mythological world in the production of Luzia, inspired by Mexican culture, featuring an impressive display of acrobatic skill, dazzling costumes and lively music for this night on the town at Atlantic Station. We will dine at Atlantic Station afterwards before heading back. Friday, November 17. 2 p.m. departure, 4.30 p.m. showtime. Cost is $65 for members, $75 for non-members (includes ticket and transportation). 2 8 I C O N NE C T I ONS / W HAT’ S NEX T magazine I FALL 2017

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Step By Step 73-year-old Duke Geddis proves that it’s never too late to learn how to dance By RED Denty

ACCA starting in October.

For the past six years, the retired United States Air Force weapons controller and EPA scientist has worked to add another skill to his resume — line dancing.

Teaching line dancing, Geddis said, adds another aspect to an already challenging activity.

“There’s something about being in a crowd of 40 or 50 people and we’re all moving in sync,” Geddis said. “It gives me a soaring feeling, and I’m sure the others feel the same.” The cowboy-boot-wearing Geddis dances twice-a-week at the Athens Community Council on Aging’s Center for Active Living, an activity that not only works his body, but his mind as well. “Line dancing puts your memory to work, and builds on the connections between the brain and the muscles,” he said. “You’ve got wiring up there. Use it, or lose it.” Geddis is definitely using “it.” In addition to attending regular classes, he also teaches line dancing at the VFW in Athens on Friday nights, and will be leading a beginner line dancing class at the

“It’s harder work for me, but its fulfilling,” he said. “I get a lot of enjoyment out of teaching.” According to Geddis, he didn’t always have the skills necessary to teach others how to line dance. In fact, the man who now boasts more than half-a-decade of experience almost walked away from line dancing at the beginning. “I was terrible, just terrible. I couldn’t get the simplest of steps,” Geddis said. “But after stumbling around for a few weeks, my coordination and balanced improved. I started to get it.” He added that, at the beginning, he thought he would never be able to master certain dances, like the tango.

“I get a lot of enjoyment out of teaching.”

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“I can now do a tango,” he said. Geddis has also mastered several other styles of line dancing, including sam-

ba, swing, and his favorite, the cha cha, which he’s ready to show off at the drop of a hat. “Over to the side. Under to the side. Left. Right. Cha cha cha,” Geddis said, as he performed the moves to his favorite song, George Straight’s One Night at a Time. As for picking up the activity while in his sixties, Geddis said that he “saw no disadvantages to picking up line dancing later in life.” “There’s more to it than just a challenge or a way to exercise. It’s just plain fun,” Geddis said, proving that an old dog, can in fact learn some new tricks, and become pretty good at line dancing while they’re at it. You can join Duke on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. for line dancing at the ACCA Center for Active Living on Hoyt Street in Athens. Classes are free for members. Above: “There’s something about being in a crowd of 40 or 50 people and we’re all moving in sync,” Geddis said. “It gives me a soaring feeling, and I’m sure the others feel the same.” Opposite: Geddis has been line dancing for six years, and has now mastered several styles of dance. One of his favorites is the cha cha. Below: Geddis is involved with line dancing at the ACCA in more ways than one. In addition to teaching the activity and leading a beginners class, he also runs the music twice-a-week for the regular class.

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NEW for the Fall Expo: Workshops & Demonstrations • POUND Fitness Class • Cooking Demo • Gardening & Healthy Eating • Live Performance • Live Bingo 3 2 I C O N NE C T I ONS / W HAT’ S NEX T magazine I FALL 2017

Activities • Haircuts & Styles for Men & Women • Nail Manicures & Chair Massages • Interactive Vendor Booths • Java Joy Coffee Cart • and more...

The Center for Active Living (CAL) is a multi-purpose center offering older adults in Athens and surrounding communities opportunities to stay active and engaged. CAL provides unique social, educational, and wellness related classes and activities, group trips, and supportive services. For membership information or to register for trips and classes, contact Nikaela Frederick, CAL Wellness Coordinator, at (706) 549-4850 or nfrederick@accaging.org.