GaGen 2008 Fall by Wells-Smith Partners

Generations Georgia

Seniors in t he e c r o f k r o W

Also in This Issue: ■ Caregiving News & Notes ■ A Look at Georgia’s AAAs Published quarterly by Georgia’s Area Agencies on Aging

Fall 2008

Area Agencies on Aging – Gateways to Community Resources 1

Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) were established under the Older Americans Act in 1973 to respond to the needs of older adults age 60 and over in every community. To read more about each of Georgia’s AAAs and the services available, turn to a statewide map and news from each agency, beginning on page 9.

Georgia is divided into 12 AAAs, each serving a different part of the state. They are:

4 7 6

9 12

1 Northwest Georgia 2 Legacy Link 3 Atlanta Regional Commission 4 Southern Crescent 5 Northeast Georgia 6 Lower Chattahoochee 7 Middle Georgia 8 Central Savannah River 9 Heart of Georgia Altamaha 10 Southwest Georgia 11 Southeast Georgia 12 Coastal Georgia

Generations Georgia

FALL 2008 Published quarterly

through a cooperative effort of Georgia’s Area Agencies on Aging. For information contact: Atlanta Regional Commission Aging Services Division 40 Courtland St., NE, Atlanta, GA 30303 404-463-3239 jkauffman@atlantaregional.com

Editorial Project Development: JAM Communications, Atlanta, GA Design and Production: Wells-Smith Partners, Lilburn, GA Georgia Generations is a:

2008

On the Cover: Older workers are finding more opportunities — and more reasons — to continue on the job or to re-enter the workforce. It’s a winning trend for their employers as well. See story, page 4

Fall 2008, Volume 8, #1 © 2008 by the Atlanta Regional Commission. The information contained herein has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable. However, the Atlanta Regional Commission and JAM Communications make no warranty to the accuracy or reliability of this information. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without written permission. All rights reserved.

Georgia Generations

Clinics Succeed in Reducing

Falls

ew statistics from Australia conﬁ rm that falls can be greatly reduced, according to the International Council on Active Aging newsletter. A group of Australian seniors were recently evaluated for risk factors associated with falling. Thirteen clinics offered the evaluations and gave recommendations for reducing those risks. Most seniors were referred to the clinic by their general practitioner. They included women with an average age of 77.9 years who were considered at high risk: 78% had fallen within the preceding six months and 63% had fallen multiple times. Evaluations showed problems such as impaired balance, muscle weakness, chronic medical conditions, taking more than four medications and vision impairment. Multidisciplinary clinic teams provided various interventions, such as a home exercise program, home assessments or change in gait aids. Results: At six months, there was a reduction of more than 50% in falls, multiple falls and fall injuries.

o you want to know more about the prescription drugs you or your family members are taking? Go to www.CRBestBuyDrugs.org, Consumer Reports’ new Web site, to learn more about the cost, effectiveness and safety of prescription drugs. This Web site is available at no cost to the consumer.

TAKING CARE OF

Your Gums

bout 90% of adults have gum disease during their lives. Watch for these warning signs: • Red, swollen or tender gums. • Bleeding gums when you brush or floss. This bleeding is not normal. Even if your gums don’t hurt, get them checked. • Gums that have pulled away from teeth. Part of the tooth’s root may show, or your teeth may look longer. • Pus between the teeth and gums

(when you press on the gums). • Bad breath. • Permanent teeth that are loose or moving away from each other. • Changes in the way your teeth fit when you bite. • Changes in the fit of partial dentures or bridges. The three main steps in fighting gum disease are brushing, flossing and seeing your dentist regularly. Brush at least twice a day and floss at least once a day.

Protect Medicare and Medicaid Beneﬁts

CAREGIVING NEWS&NOTES Don’t Get

LOCKED OUT

eed a locksmith? The Better Business Bureau has warned consumers to beware of untrustworthy locksmith companies that are ripping off people across the country. Seniors are heavily targeted by these firms. Victim complaints reveal that several locksmith companies, all using similar methods, are significantly overcharging consumers, charging consumers for unnecessary services, using intimidation tactics, and failing to give refunds or respond to consumer complaints. One problem is that most phone books accept ads from these irreputable firms. “Ironically, these companies operate under names like ‘Dependable Locksmith,’ but in reality they exploit the vulnerable situation of consumers who are locked out of their house or car,” says BBB’s Steve Cox. Some states have passed laws that attempt to curtail false advertising. Complaints about locksmith services to the 114 BBBs serving the U.S. increased almost 75% from 2005 to 2006 and have continued to come in steadily since then.

surfing the Net Each issue of Georgia Generations offers several Web sites devoted to caregiving information and resources: www.cancerproject.org focuses on cancer prevention and survival through a better understanding of cancer causes, particularly nutrition. www.medhelp.org offers comprehensive medical information, including health and disease topics and “Ask the Doctor” forums.

report suspected fraud and errors. Call your Senior Medicare Fraud Project for details and to request a presentation.

metro Atlanta: 404-463-0763 Outside metro Atlanta: GeorgiaCares 1-800-669-8387

Seniors in t he Workforc e

trator for Mercy Senior Care and SCSEP program adminis er elop dev job a as k wor Marty Car ver enjoys her itions within the program. es par ticipants in training pos in Dallas. She recruits and plac

By Martha Nolan McKenzie

tanley Sackin thought he was ready to take it easy and perhaps do some volunteer work when he retired in 2002 from a successful career of owning and operating Johnny Rockets restaurants in Atlanta. It didn’t quite work out that way. Sackin soon discovered retirement was a bit…well… boring. So he took a job doing demonstrations of new products in supermarkets on weekends. “It was a lot of fun,” says Sackin, now 72. “It kept me in front of people, and it also provided a little extra spending money.” After two years of handing out samples of new sodas and chips, Sackin accepted a promotion to district coordinator, recruiting other seniors to hand out sodas and chips. “I work about 30 hours a week now, but I do it all from home,” says Sackin, who is now

confined to a wheelchair due to arthritis. “It’s grown into something quite wonderful. I book demonstrations in 42 supermarkets for all kinds of products, and I have over 150 people who do the demonstrations. It keeps me happily busy and I feel like I’m contributing.” Sackin is on the forefront of a trend that cannot help but grow. That’s because the U.S. is headed toward a massive labor shortage, fueled by the retirement of baby boomers and the dearth of baby busters to fill their shoes — and their jobs. Some experts predict that by 2012, there will be 3.3 million fewer workers than jobs. At the same time, boomers are reaching the ends of their careers healthier and with longer life expectancies — in other words, more years for fun during retirement — than previous generations, and many will want or need to continue working in some form or another. Georgia Generations

“In all kinds of surveys, boomers are saying they actually want to work longer and continue to add to society,” says Shawn T. Coyne, managing director of The Coyne Partnership in Atlanta. “And these days, employers can actually use them more effectively than they could 50 years ago, since the economy has gone from labor-driven to knowledge-driven.”

Business: Forget the cradle, rob the rocker Despite the obvious numbers, the U.S. is a bit behind the curve in recognizing the benefit — indeed, the necessity — of tapping the Silver Collar workforce. “Most other countries revere older workers, but not so in the U.S.,” says Tom Darrow, principal of Talent Connections, an Atlanta-based recruiting firm, and past president of the Atlanta Chapter of the Society for Human Resource Management. Indeed, many employers see older workers as costing more in terms of salaries and health benefits and producing less in terms of sick days and outdated skills. As a result, “age discrimination is alive and well in Corporate America,” says Darrow. Still, Darrow and other experts are seeing the beginnings of change. Several bills have been introduced to encourage businesses to employ older workers, including the Older Worker Opportunity Act of 2007, which provides a tax credit for businesses that employ older workers in a flexible work program, and the Health Care and Training for Older Workers Act, which extends COBRA health insurance from the time of retirement (age 62 and up) until seniors become eligible for Medicare at age 65, as well as improves seniors’ access to federally-funded job training programs. And some of the old myths simply don’t hold up. Take the notion of sick time off. “A company might say, ‘If we hire someone who is 60, they’ll miss a lot of work because they’ll be at the doctor’s all the time,’ ” says Darrow. “But studies have shown that the people who are out sick most often are those in their 20s and 30s. They have kids, so they take off when they are sick and when their kids are sick.” The belief that you can’t teach an old dog new tricks also falls apart under a bit of scrutiny. Consider Betty Langston. After working her entire career operating machinery in either carpet mills or sewing factories, Langston found herself unable to continue in that sort of physical labor after a car accident. The Cave Spring woman went back to school to learn computer skills and went through an SCSEP — the federal Senior Community Service Employment Program that is designed to help seniors re-enter the workforce. She was hired by the Coosa Valley Regional Development Center to do basic clerical duties. That was six years ago. Today Langston, now 66, handles buying for 12 nutrition centers, works with the payroll and trains site managers on the computer, and is still updating her skills. She recently took a class in Microsoft Excel and is considering classes in Access and QuickBooks. “I’ve been amazed that I’ve been able to pick up the computer skills as well as I have,” says Langston. “It just proves you are never too old to learn.” Fall 2008

Indeed, older workers offer a wealth of skills and assets that companies are seeking: EXPERIENCE. Older workers typically bring wisdom drawn from years on the job and living through various business cycles, bosses and management trends. Sharon Dickol, aging services director for the Coastal Georgia Regional Development Center in Brunswick, has seen the benefit firsthand. “We hired a woman who is over 65 as an information and assistance specialist,” says Dickol. “She had worked for years in DFCS (Division of Family and Children Services), and she has turned out to be a tremendous resource for us. Her knowledge of Medicaid, in particular, has been extremely helpful.” Beyond specific, practical skills, senior workers bring continuity. “They are the keepers of the culture,” says Sharon Douglas, vice president of human resources at Aflac in Columbus. “A new, young manager might not know how to treat an employee who is getting married or having a baby. Someone who has been here a long time can say, ‘Here is what we do for our employees in this situation at Aflac.’ They are the ambassadors of our culture.”

Older workers bring wisdom drawn from years on the job and living through various business cycles … and trends. WORK ETHIC AND MOTIVATION. Older workers in general are not seeking to move up or move on. They are working because they want to, so they tend to give it their best effort. A 2005 study by Towers Perrin for AARP found that older workers are among the most motivated in the workplace. Faye Christopher, SCSEP project director for Legacy Link in northeast Georgia, agrees with the study. “We have three staff members who are on the SCSEP program and 12 job developers who are over 55, I’m proud to say,” says Christopher, who herself is 62. “Our older workers bring a strong sense of responsibility to the table. They have a great attitude. They are happy to work, and they are not waiting for five o’clock to roll around so they can go somewhere else.” LOYALTY. “Companies tend to think, ‘If we hire Bob at 55, he’s only going to be around for a couple of years,’” says Darrow. “But actually, if you hire Joe right out of college, he will probably have 17 different jobs over the course of his career. So Bob may well end up sticking around longer than Joe. And, in fact, we’ve seen that older workers tend to be much more loyal to their employers and more likely to stay around.” CUSTOMER IDENTIFICATION. Any industry that caters to older clients — such as health care, travel or financial planning — would be well served to have some older workers among its ranks. “If you are 60 years old and want to talk to a financial planner, you probably don’t want to talk to a 20-year-old kid,” says Darrow.

Even beyond face-to-face encounters, older consumers likely will be more prone to patronize companies with a reputation for hiring and working with seniors. “Take cell phones,” says Darrow. “They are basically all the same. But if word gets out on the street that one cell phone company is olderworker–friendly, my parents and their friends would probably go to that company to buy their phones. I think for businesses, going gray will be as beneficial as going green is today.” If companies want to reap the many benefits of employing older workers, they’ll need to rethink their approach toward attracting and keeping these workers. “Businesses are really just starting to think about these issues,” says Coyne. “For example, corporate benefits plans are designed to attract young workers — they offer maternity coverage, pediatric coverage. If I’m 65, I don’t care too much about that, but I may be interested in long-term care coverage or geriatric coverage.” Some companies are well ahead of the curve. Publix, Home Depot, CVS, Wal-Mart and IBM, just to name a few, lure older workers with benefits such as flexible schedules, part-time work with benefits, training and tuition reimbursement. Aflac brings retirees back on an informal basis when they are needed. When an administrative assistant broke her hip in an accident, for example, the company brought back a retired administrative assistant, Rachel, to fill in. “We didn’t have to train anybody,” says Douglas. “We just called Rachel, she came

in the next day and it was like she had never left. We were able to keep operating smoothly as if nothing had happened.” Georgia Power has formalized that arrangement, maintaining a database of about 200 retirees who are interested in coming back to work on a periodic basis. “For example, I may get a request from a manager saying, ‘I need to get my guys through a service restoration course,’” says Heyward Williams, training and workforce planning manager for Georgia Power. “I will call a trainer who has retired, and he’ll come back for two to three weeks to run the course. We stay on schedule and the retiree earns a bit of money and has a chance to contribute his expertise and skills.” Jerry Wester, 61, retired from Georgia Power four years ago, but he’s gone back off and on since then. “They call whenever they need something that I can do,” says Wester. “One time in January I got a call at 6:30 a.m. Three of the four instructors for a class were out with the flu and they asked me how soon I could get there. I enjoy the work — it keeps my mind busy and sharp. And I enjoy the extra spending money.”

Seniors: Not your father’s retirement

For their part, seniors want to remain in the workforce longer or return to it after retiring for a variety of reasons, not the least of which is financial. “Boomers are going to have a longer lifespan, so they face more years ahead of them after the traditional retirement age,” says Coyne. “At the same time, boomers have had a lower savings rate than previous generations, so they are not in as good a financial shape as their predecessors.” In addition, boomers by and large cannot count on the defined-benefit pension plans that their parents and grandparents enjoyed. And, as luck would have it, they are k er s A ll W o r heading into their retirement years just as the stock mars s for n o Wor k er s ket and housing market have tanked, taking their net + a 6 e 6 R Ma jor t n e worth with them. m e r i n Ret i g Brenda Morris Chatham’s financial world was shatn i k r Wo tered by a different kind of luck. A car accident broke her back, and her convalescence depleted her retirement a in to r e m savings. “It was the first time in my life I’ve ever had to De s ire t ive or ask for help,” says Chatham, 57. p ro d u c Through the SCSEP program at Legacy Link, Chaus e f u l tham was able to find work at the North Georgia to s t a y Technical College. She started out at minimum wage D e s ir e e lly a c t iv working three four-hour days. Now she is working p hy s ic a full-time, paying her bills and loving life. “I would tell anyone, this job gives me far more than I give it, and e h t d N ee ef it s I give it all I have,” says Chatham, who works with n e b h h e a lt students trying to get their GED. Even for people who can actually afford to quit to s t a y working, the extra income of even a part-time posiD e s ir e e y a c t iv tion can help maintain a lifestyle that might m e nt a ll include trips, vacation homes and other luxuries. But money, many seniors will tell you, isn’t ne y o the only thing that makes the world go round. m e h N eed t 70 8 0 Working provides a sense of purpose and connec50 6 0 0 4 0 20 3 g each tion that many seniors seek. Just ask Eldis in fy ti n e 0 10 dants id of respon Perry. The 80-year-old Buchanan woman has e g ta n e Perc r reason. as a majo

11 1 1 RP Source: AA

Georgia Generations

been the site director for the Coosa Valley Regional Development Center for the past 12 years. “Actually, I had planned to retire when I turned 65,” says Perry. But when the Arrow shirt factory in which she worked as a machine operator closed two years prior to her retirement date, she decided to use her extra time to complete her GED. “I just wanted to get my degree for my own satisfaction, but I never considered getting another job,” says Perry. “I had my Arrow pension, Social Security, my home and some savings, so I didn’t really need to work. But my husband had passed away a year after Arrow closed and my daughter lives out of town, so I was left alone with nothing in particular to do. Some friends told me about this job, and I took it mainly just to give me somewhere to go each day. “It’s turned out to be so much more than that,” continues Perry. “It has really given me more self-confidence and taught me that I can do things I never thought I could.” Many boomers are also motivated by a chance to give back. A study released by the MetLife Foundation and Civic Ventures, a San Francisco-based think tank on boomers, work and aging, found that a majority of people between the ages of 44 and 70 want to use their skills and experience to help others. In fact, the report estimates that between five and eight million Americans are already involved in what the report calls an “encore career” — meaningful work that combines earning an income with making a contribution to society.

Resources provide the link Businesses increasingly need to rely on older workers to fill posts in the face of a growing labor shortage. Seniors want and/or need to keep working past traditional retirement age. The final part of the equation is a way to bring the two together. Various programs around the nation and state are trying to do just that. The Employ the Older Workers Job Fair Series — a partnership between AARP Foundation and the Employment Guide — is a national program reaching more than 40 cities, designed to bring together older workers and 50-plus–friendly employers. Closer to home, the Atlanta Regional Commission recently sponsored an Aging Workforce Dynamics Summit, bringing together executives from seniorfriendly corporations and labor experts to discuss aging workforce trends and implications. Talent Connections is starting an older worker practice. “We want to do three things: evangelize the benefits of older workers to human resources professionals; coach older workers on how to get hired — how to prepare a resume, how to dress, how to respond to questions about age and health issues, etc.; and be the connecting point, so companies can come to us when they are looking for older workers, and vice versa,” says Darrow. Across the state, the AAAs administer SCSEPs, federal senior employment programs. Beyond working with seniors on resume and interview skills, the program actually places seniors in training positions with organizations such as United Way, the Department of Labor and the Social Security office, and in hospitals and nutrition centers. “Sometimes the senior is employed by the agency, and sometimes not,” says Fall 2008

Dixie Cook, senior employment manager for Rome-based Mercy Senior Care, which administers an SCSEP. “But either way, when they finish their training there, they are ready to be employed.” Mercy Senior Care also administers a senior employment program called On the Job Training. In addition to providing employment assistance, the program will reimburse an employer for 50% of the cost of training a senior worker. “It doesn’t matter if the company spends $6 an hour or $20 an hour training the worker to do the job — we’ll reimburse half of their total cost,” says Cook. “If uniforms, assistive devices or special tools are needed, we’ll assist the senior in getting those.”

If [businesses] are not actively recruiting and retaining older workers, they are really missing the boat. Both programs have been very successful. “In the SCSEP, we are finishing the year with 68% of all participants accepting employment outside the program,” says Cook. “Our goal is 38%, so that’s pretty incredible!” A plethora of sources are available to help seniors who want to stay in or re-enter the workforce. ■ Your local Area Agency on Aging has information on the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP). ■ AARP.org/money/careers provides information and education to help persons 50-plus find a job, tweak resumes, polish interviewing skills, negotiate a salary and benefits, explore a second career path, explore flexible work arrangements, consider self-employment and more. Click on National Employer Team to see a list of companies that are interested in hiring older workers. The WorkSearch Assessment System provides community-level job and career assistance. On the Web site listed above, click on “Finding a Job.” Then click on AARP Foundation WorkSearch program. A range of no-cost services helps individuals assess interest, abilities and skills. ■ RetirementJobs.com. For job seekers 50 and over. Career opportunities, advice, e-newsletter, stories of recareering; “age-friendly” certification for employers. ■ Workforce50.com. For job seekers 50 and over; formerly called Senior Job Bank. ■ RetiredBrains.com. For older boomers, seniors and retirees. ■ Seniors4Hire.com. For job seekers 50 and over. ■ YourEncore.com. For older scientists, engineers and product developers. ■ RetireeWorkforce.com. For retirees and mature workers. “There are a lot of resources out there — you just have to take advantage of them,” says Darrow. “And not just seniors. I tell businesses if they are not actively recruiting and retaining older workers, they are really missing the boat.” GG

GUEST CLOSE-UP

Celebration Honors Senator Isakson’s Parents 3

2 4 1

(1) The senator’s parents, Julia and Ed Isakson; (2) Donna Jennings of SecureHorizons bids in the silent auction; (3) the Isakson family; (4) the senator with John Jamieson, Georgia Natural Gas, and wife, Molly.

By Maureen Kelly, President, Thanks Mom & Dad Fund®

he 6th Annual Thanks Mom & Dad Fund® Celebration was held at the Sheraton Atlanta Hotel on June 20 with U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson honoring and remembering his parents, Ed and Julia Isakson. To his surprise, Senator Isakson’s children also honored him along with his wife, Dianne! Guests heard how much Senator Isakson had been inﬂ uenced by his parents’ example, integrity and work ethic. The same sentiment was echoed in son Kevin Isakson’s words when he said that his father had taught the children by his actions, not his words. Few people realize that it was the experience of caregiving that led the senator’s brother, Andrew, and his own children to begin planning the development of two beautiful Continuous Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs) at Park Springs in Stone Mountain and Peachtree Hills Place. The annual Thanks Mom & Dad Celebration includes dinner and a silent auction and is held each year to raise money for aging programs and services throughout the state of Georgia. Sponsors included WSB-TV/Channel 2, Georgia Natural Gas, SecureHorizons, BlueCross BlueShield of Georgia, Publix Super Markets Charities and Pﬁ zer, Inc. WSB-TV/Channel 2 personalities Jocelyn Dorsey and Chuck Dowdle were the emcees, and Dorsey presented beautiful video

tributes of the senator and his family as well as the Thanks Mom & Dad grantees. With the talent and generosity of Nathan Bolster Photography, a unique new feature was added last year to set the tone for the event — a photographic display of prominent Georgians and the parents who had inspired their lives. Dowdle added to the display this year by inviting Atlanta Braves pitcher Tom Glavine and his parents to be part of the exhibit. Guests were in bidding frenzies over numerous auction items such as a weekend with a Mercedes-Benz, a photographic safari in South Africa, a round of golf at The Legends at Chateau Elan, Tiffany’s newest white dolomite necklace, and numerous autographed sports items from Tom Glavine, Phil Niekro, the Big “O” — Oscar Robertson, Richard Petty and Archie Grifﬁ n. The atmosphere was enhanced with delicious wines courtesy of Trinchero Family Estates and music provided by John Knapp, and dedicated volunteers made it all possible. It was a grand celebration with something for everyone as participants honored their elders and raised money for aging programs throughout the state of Georgia. For more information about the Thanks Mom & Dad Fund®, please contact Maureen Kelly at 404-463-3222. And don’t forget to be one of the ﬁ rst 1,000 to sign up for the beautiful Thanks Mom & Dad license plates so that our goal is met by the end of the year! GG Georgia Generations

Northwest Georgia

A Look at Area Agencies on Aging Around Georgia In communities across the country, Area

legacy link

Northeast Atlanta regional Georgia commission southern crescent

Agencies on Aging (AAAs) serve as gateways to local resources, planning efforts and services that help older adults remain independent.

central savannah river middle Georgia

lower chattahoochee

heart of Georgia Altamaha

southwest Georgia

southeast Georgia

coastal Georgia

On the following pages are the programs and services offered by Georgia’s AAAs.

Northwest Georgia

Covers a 15-county area surrounding Rome, Dallas, Dalton, Cartersville

Information & Assistance offers help of all kinds

f an 80-year-old widow needs to find someone to clean her gutters, who can she call? Or if a homebound older person’s companion pooch is ailing and he can’t get him to the vet, how does he find help? Who do you call to sign up for homedelivered meals? In-home assistance? The Area Agency on Aging has a team of Information & Assistance (I&A) screeners who answer the phones and handle questions like the ones above. Calls come in from the elderly, disabled, their caregivers and families and others. With a database of about 3,000 resources in the 15 counties of Northwest Georgia, most questions can be answered. In addition to providing information and referrals, the screeners are the gateway to many services, doing initial interviews with Fall 2008

callers to assess their eligibility and degree of need. Callers can be screened for homedelivered meals, homemaker services, adult day care, respite care and the Community Care Services Program (in-home services for low-income, frail elderly to help them remain in their own homes as long as possible). If you or your senior or disabled loved ones need help, call your regional Area Agency on Aging at the number below. For more information, contact the AAA of Northwest Georgia, P.O. Box 1798, Rome, GA 30162-1798; 706-802-5506 or toll-free 1-800-759-2963.

Beverly Ford, RN, supervisor of screeners, takes a phone call from a senior seeking services.

Northwest Georgia encompasses these counties: Bartow, Catoosa, Chattooga, Dade, Fannin, Floyd, Gilmer, Gordon, Haralson, Murray, Paulding, Pickens, Polk, Walker, Whitfield

Atlanta Regional Commission Covers a 10-county area surrounding Atlanta

Kinship Center celebrates milestone

n December 2008, the Clayton County Kinship Care Resource Center will celebrate its fifth anniversary. The vision for the center was born when the 2000 U.S. Census revealed unusually high numbers of grandparents raising their grandchildren in parent-absent households. After town hall meetings were held in several Georgia counties, Clayton County was selected as a demonstration site for development of a full-service resource center for grand parent caregivers. The vision was to have a center where grandparents raising grandchildren could come for help in navigating through “the system” — a place where people would care about them, respect them for what they were doing and help them through the maze. The Clayton County Aging Program, under the Clayton County Department of Parks and Recreation, committed a part-time case manager, Angie Burda, to offer outreach and limited programming in 2003. By April 2005, there was a “grand opening” to celebrate a center dedicated to kinship* care — the Clayton County Kinship Care Resource Center in Jonesboro, Georgia. Since 2003, the Clayton County Kinship Care Resource Center has provided services to over 400 relative

™

caregiver families. Currently the center is serving 146 families, including 165 caregivers, 109 teens and 237 children. The program has two full-time employees,

Spring break in St. Augustine, Florida.

three part-time staff and many volunteers who pitch in throughout the year. Families in the program can participate in a wide variety of services and volunteer options designed to strengthen and stabilize their lives. The center offers assistance in locating resources for custody issues, housing, wills, financial assistance, employment, child care, Medicaid/Medicare and other benefits. The center also provides case management, support groups, parent

Atlanta Regional Commission, 404-463-3333 www.agewiseconnection.com

If you need caregiving information, contact an AgeWise Connection partner: Cherokee County Cherokee County Senior Services, 770-345-5312 Clayton County Clayton County Aging Program, 770-603-4050 Cobb County Cobb Senior Services, 770-528-5364 DeKalb County Office of Senior Affairs, 770-322-2950 Douglas County Douglas Senior Services, 770-489-3100 10

Fayette County Fayette Senior Services, 770-461-0813 Fulton County Fulton County Aging Program, 404-730-6000 Gwinnett County Gwinnett County Senior Services, 678-377-4150 Henry County Henry County Senior Services, 770-288-7001 Rockdale County Rockdale County Senior Services, 770-922-4633

education, financial management, health seminars, computer training, counseling and stress management. These programs build bonds among people who share similar life experiences and concerns. There are also family activities such as parent/child group recreational programs and special events. A highlight this year was a trip during spring break to St. Augustine, Florida, with 121 grandparents and grand children! In June, the center held a reception for eight youth who had graduated from high school and four who are currently in college. As a result of the work of the center and the recognition it has received from community partners and state legislators, Governor Sonny Perdue released $500,000 to begin a statewide kinship care network. Every region in the state now has some form of kinship care program. On the national level, Clayton County Commissioner Virginia Burton Gray traveled to Kansas City in July 2008 to accept an award from the National Association of Counties for the outstanding work of the Clayton County Kinship Care Resource Center. Of all its accomplishments, the Kinship Care Resource Center is most proud of the grandparents and grandchildren who have been transformed from powerless victims into powerful advocates. They have become living signs of hope for grandparent and relative caregivers everywhere. For more information about the program, please call Angie Burda, program coordinator, at 770-477-3417. * The term “kinship” is derived from the word “kin” and refers to grandparents and other relatives who are raising children age 18 and younger. Atlanta Regional Commission encompasses these counties: Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry, Rockdale

Georgia Generations

Northeast Georgia

Covers a 12-county area surrounding Athens, Winder, Monroe, Covington, Madison

Taking the mystery out of LLP

he GeorgiaCares Lifelong Planning (LLP) Program, developed under Governor Sonny Perdue’s Lifelong Planning Initiative, is a statewide educational effort to build consumer awareness about longterm care services and costs, and to provide tools to help individuals assess their potential needs.

The LLP Program for the NEGA AAA region is located at the Athens Community Council on Aging. Connie Lavelle, the local Lifelong Planning coordinator, provides information about long-term care options and insurance, reverse mortgages, finances, housing choices, home modification and retirement planning. There are ongoing efforts in the region to provide information about Lifelong Planning. For example, on May 2, 2008, a Senior Expo at the Oasis Church in Loganville attracted a large group of seniors to the LLP booth. On May 6–8, 2008, Lavelle monitored the GeorgiaCares booth at the Georgia Retired Educators Association’s

50th Annual Convention. The UGA Food Service Fair (open to area nonprofit agencies) was also held in May at the East Village Commons. This annual event gave the employees of the UGA Food Service an opportunity to stop by to chat with Lavelle and learn more about the Lifelong Planning Program. For more information on this program, call the GeorgiaCares Lifelong Planning Program at the Athens Community Council on Aging at 706-549-4850 x36 or toll-free 1-800-669-8387. The email address is llplanning@accaging.org. For further information, contact the Northeast Georgia AAA, 305 Research Drive, Athens, GA 30605; 706-583-2546 or 1-800-474-7540. NorthEast Georgia encompasses these counties: Barrow, Clarke, Elbert, Greene, Jackson, Jasper, Madison, Morgan, Newton, Oconee, Oglethorpe, Walton

Lower Chattahoochee

Covers a 16-county area surrounding Columbus, Americus, Butler, Montezuma, Cuthbert

New tools of medicine

s the development of new technological devices increases, so does the clinical application of this advanced medical equipment. In today’s health care system, telecommunication is the newest consulting tool being used by a range of patients across the country. Telemedicine is a cutting-edge technology that uses computer communications to improve medical practice and training. Valley Health Care, located in Talbot County, uses Telemedicine as a resource to exchange health information and provide health care services across geographic barriers. As introduced by BlueCross BlueShield, Telemedicine has provided Valley Health Care’s patients with a viable option for seeking outside specialized help. Katrina Jones, a staff Fall 2008

Telemedicine provides health information.

nurse at Valley Health Care, explains that in order to receive this care, a patient is referred by his/her primary doctor. Payment depends on the specialist’s policy. Insurance and any other health care coverage is accepted, including Medicaid

and Medicare, and is an option for patients of any age. Telemedicine is specifically designed to help patients who are limited in their travel — especially senior patients who live in areas with a physician shortage. In the state of Georgia, the reach of Telemedicine is far, with specialists in locations spanning from Savannah and Albany all the way to Atlanta. For information, contact Valley Health Care at 706-665-2585. For more information, contact the Lower Chattahoochee AAA at 1-800-615-4379, 1428 Second Avenue, Columbus, GA 31901. LOWER CHATTAHOOCHEE encompasses these counties: Chattahoochee, Clay, Crisp, Dooly, Harris, Macon, Marion, Muscogee, Quitman, Randolph, Schley, Stewart, Sumter, Talbot, Taylor, Webster

Heart of Georgia Altamaha

Covers a 17-county area surrounding Baxley, Dublin, Vidalia, Jesup, Swainsboro

Kinship Care summer camp

or the third year, the Heart of Georgia Altamaha AAA Kinship Care program was fortunate to be able to send 20 children to a summer camp retreat. The children who qualified for camp scholarships were children who are being raised by grandparents or other relatives such as aunts, uncles, brothers or sisters. These family caregivers, or Kinship Caregivers, are rapidly growing in number as our society struggles with drug use, child abuse and neglect, and incarceration. The goal in offering the camp was to give the Kinship Caregivers a week of muchneeded respite from the tiring, often stressful job of raising their grandchildren. With funding provided through the generosity of the Rayonier Foundation, the children enjoyed attending a weeklong

Summer camp participants enjoy a game of soccer.

overnight camp at Flying Eagle Christian Ranch and Retreat. The camp included a variety of experiences for the children, such as mini golf, a petting zoo, many field activities, swimming and paddleboats on the pond, devotional sessions, and the

most popular of the activities — horseback riding. A great time was had by all, and most important, the Kinship Caregivers were grateful to have the opportunity for some relief from the everyday challenges of caregiving. For information about other programs, contact Heart of Georgia Altamaha RDC, 331 W. Parker St., Baxley, GA 31513; 912-367-3648 or toll-free 1-888-367-9913. heart of georgia encompasses these counties: Appling, Bleckley, Candler, Dodge, Emanuel, Evans, Jeff Davis, Johnson, Laurens, Montgomery, Tattnall, Telfair, Toombs, Treutlen, Wayne, Wheeler, Wilcox

Southeast Georgia

Covers an 18-county area surrounding Waycross, Valdosta, Tifton, Douglas, Folkston

Arthritis Awareness event focuses on fun and education

n 2006, nearly one in five adults suffered from one of the most prevalent chronic health problems and the nation’s leading cause of disability among Americans — arthritis. This debilitating disease affects the elderly more than any other segment of the population, and often results in chronic pain and can lead to depression

Senior center participants exercise to promote healthy lifestyles.

and sleep disturbances. Therefore, learning how to manage arthritis is essential to maintaining quality of life. The Southeast Georgia AAA recently hosted an Arthritis Awareness event for senior center participants from Bacon, Clinch and Coffee counties. The theme for the event was “Stop Clowning Around and Kick Arthritis to the Curb.” Seniors took part in games that promoted physical activity as a way to manage arthritis. SEGa AAA Wellness Coordinator Bridget Delaney informed the seniors that in addition to the benefits of exercise, the symptoms of arthritis could also be lessened by eating a healthy diet, drinking plenty of water, and taking vitamin supplements after first discussing with their doctor.

The seniors were also treated to an entertaining and informative skit performed by Nutrition Site Managers Chris Williams, Angela Jones and Connie Lott (a.k.a. Daisy, Lottie and Flopsie the Clowns). Through humor, this skit stressed the benefits of exercise for those with arthritis. The Arthritis Awareness event was partially funded through a grant from the Southeast Health District. For more information, call the Southeast Georgia AAA at 1725 South Georgia Parkway West, Waycross, GA 31503; 912-285-6097 or toll-free 1-888-732-4464. Southeast Georgia encompasses these counties: Atkinson, Bacon, Ben Hill, Berrien, Brantley, Brooks, Charlton, Clinch, Coffee, Cook, Echols, Irwin, Lanier, Lowndes, Pierce, Tift, Turner, Ware

Georgia Generations

Legacy Link

Covers a 13-county area surrounding Gainesville, Cumming, Clarkesville, Toccoa, Hiawassee

Senior Center artists ignore disabilities

hanks to gifted, compassionate Ellen Gerber, two seniors are able to explore the joy of creativity through painting. At the Union County Senior Center, Gerber patiently encourages Zady Canady and Carmen Keith as each carefully applies watercolors to a project. Pictured here is a free-form landscape painted by Canady. Keith has rendered an equally impressive butterfly on a blossom. But wait — these women are legally blind. Canady has glaucoma, macular degeneration and light sensitivity, while Keith has macular degeneration, the “wet” kind. Gerber and her husband, a retired member of the U.S. Air Force, settled in Blairsville in the cool, green mountains of North Georgia. Kathy Hill, Senior Center director, is pleased that they did, because

she has been able to augment an already busy craft center with new art projects. With no formal art education but with experience in pencil drawing, Gerber says, “I never do any painting for my students. I will guide Canady’s and Keith’s hands occasionally and I help them mix paints to a color, and that Zady Canady’s beautiful free-form watercolor painting. pleases them.” Keith says, “I can’t wait until Thursday each week!” Gerber has 8–12 students on that and nutritionally fit while enjoying this day. Another student, Tillie Brown, good time in their lives. normally a crafter, is hard at work on this For information, contact Legacy Link, day, despite nursing a recently broken arm. P.O. Box 2534, Gainesville, GA 30503-2534; Seniors across the Legacy Link’s 770-538-2650 or toll-free 1-800-845-LINK. Georgia Mountains region are enthusiastiLegacy Link encompasses these counties: Banks, cally embracing opportunities like those in Dawson, Forsyth, Franklin, Habersham, Hall, Hart, Lumpkin, Rabun, Stephens, Towns, Union, White Union County, getting physically, mentally

Southern Crescent

Covers a 10-county area surrounding Franklin, Newnan, LaGrange, Griffin, Carrollton

Summer camps for children being raised by grandparents

inship Coordinator Gloria Sanford has been busy arranging summer camps for those involved in the Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Program through the Southern Crescent Area Agency on Aging (SCAAA). The program was able to give scholarships to 47 children who had rarely or never been to camp. And the grandparents, many of whom are lowincome and cannot afford to send their grandchildren to camp, got some muchneeded respite time to relax or catch up on errands. The children participated in camps sponsored by a variety of groups, such as Boys & Girls Clubs, Recreation Departments, YMCA, 4H, cheerleading, music, drama, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, Salvation Army and faith-based camps. Fall 2008

Some faith-based organizations were able to award their own scholarships for children to attend their camps. Sanford received numerous thank-you letters from happy campers who were grateful for the opportunities that the program offered. Some kids were able to go to the beach for the first time. One

teenager, who had immersed herself in music since the death of her mother, was especially excited to be able to attend music camp. In its inaugural year, the Summer Camp Program was an overwhelming success. Sanford is planning for even more children and grandparents to have a chance to participate next summer. Contact Gloria Sanford at 706-407-0021 with any questions about the Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Program at the SCAAA. For additional information, contact the Southern Crescent AAA, P.O. Box 1600, Franklin, GA 30217-1600; 706-675-6721, 770-854-6026 or toll-free 1-866-854-5652. Southern Crescent encompasses these counties: Butts, Carroll, Coweta, Heard, Lamar, Meriwether, Pike, Spalding, Troup, Upson

Middle Georgia

Covers an 11-county area surrounding Macon, Warner Robins, Milledgeville

Middle Georgia awarded Brookdale Foundation Grant

he Middle Georgia Regional Development Center/Area Agency on Aging was recently awarded a $10,000 grant from the Brookdale Foundation Relatives As

that the AAA serves, Peach County was chosen as the best candidate to receive the grant funding because of the extensive network of resources already in place to help Kinship Caregivers. The Kinship Care Relatives As Parents Program has partnered with organizations such as Peach County Family Connections, Community Partnership for Protecting A state health insurance company representative speaks to the Kinship Care Children (CPPC), Relatives As Parents support group. Peach County Parents Program (RAPP). The grant will Department of Family and Children fund the expansion of services in one of the Services, and the Fort Valley United AAA’s rural counties. Of the 11 counties Methodist Church to assist in developing

and implementing the program. According to 2000 U.S. Census data, Peach County has an estimated 712 individuals living in households that include one or more grandchildren. The Kinship Care Relatives As Parents Program offers information and assistance to these individuals. Support group meetings are held in Peach County on the last Thursday of every month at the Fort Valley United Methodist Church. A variety of speakers provide important information. For more information, please contact the Middle Georgia RDC/AAA, Kinship Care Specialist Natalie Brown at 478-751-6509 or nbrown@mgrdc.org. Middle Georgia encompasses these counties: Baldwin, Bibb, Crawford, Houston, Jones, Monroe, Peach, Pulaski, Putnam, Twiggs, Wilkinson

Central Savannah River

Covers a 14-county area surrounding Augusta, Thomson, Martinez/Evans, Waynesboro, Sandersville

ADRC resource staff

he CSRA Aging and Disability Resource Connection (ADRC) recently participated in the 4th Annual International Conference on Aging, Disability and Independence held in Tampa, Florida. The CSRA was invited to highlight Georgia’s ADRC developments and partnerships. Debra Minor, Gateway director, represented the CSRA AAA. She showcased the strong partnership with the Center for Independent Living. Judy Bartee, Human Resources director from Walton Options as well as one of the ADRC Advisory Council members, presented many examples of the broad variety of services to local screening and case management staff. She demonstrated the available assistive technology and explained how the lending 14

Left to right: Debra Minor, CSRA AAA; Judy Bartee, Walton Options; and Carrie Blakeway, Lewin Group.

closet and refurbishing clinic operate. Other ADRC staff who provide valuable support and information include Joyce Tutt-Cherry, AAA Community Resource Program manager, who conducts screenings to assess vision needs. She also receives referrals for home modifications and assistive devices to augment current

living environments. As chair of the ADRC Advisory Council, Janice Adams, LCSW and AAA’s ADRC disability specialist, represents the agency with the Disability and Mental Health Coalitions, channeling referrals to appropriate resources and presenting educational programs. As the state of Georgia continues to strive to help older adults age in place, these strong alliances among agencies and other resources are the backbone of a healthy, happy and productive senior community. For information about other CSRA programs, contact the Area Agency on Aging at 706-210-2000 or 1-888-922-4464 or visit www.areaagencyonaging.com. Central Savannah River encompasses these counties: Burke, Columbia, Glascock, Hancock, Jefferson, Jenkins, Lincoln, McDuffie, Richmond, Screven, Taliaferro, Warren, Washington, Wilkes

Georgia Generations

Southwest Georgia

Covers a 14-county area surrounding Albany, Bainbridge, Moultrie, Thomasville

House passes legislation to help caregivers

he Southwest Georgia CARE-NET and the SOWEGA Council on Aging have identified a problem that some family caregivers encounter — being called for jury duty. Whether a caregiver is caring for a frail, elderly loved one, or a physically or mentally disabled child or adult, the call to jury duty can cause many problems. Can another caregiver fill in while they serve? How would the cost of a respite provider be covered? Sometimes judges have been understanding in situations like this and have excused a family caregiver. But because there has been no law requiring judges to exempt family caregivers, some have not been as understanding. The Southwest Georgia CARE-NET

across the state helped the Southwest Georgia CARE-NET advocate for this bill, and on April 8, 2008, the bill was passed in the Georgia General Assembly. Governor Sonny Perdue signed the bill, now identified as Act 496, into law on May 12, and it went into effect on July 1! Thanks to Rep. Rynders, the legislators who voted “yes,” and caregiver advocates, family caregivers now have a new option — Rep. Ed Rynders; Rep. Bob Hanner; Kay Hind, ED, jury exemption for caregivers. SOWEGA; Rep. Freddie Powell Sims; and Nancy Harper, For further information, contact Family Caregiver Program Coordinator. the Southwest Georgia Area Agency on Aging at 1105 Palmyra Road, took the problem to Rep. Ed Rynders, who Albany, GA 31701-2508; 229-432-1124 or agreed to sponsor a bill to address this toll-free 1-800-282-6612. issue. The proposed bill, House Bill 188, would allow jury exemption for unpaid Southwest Georgia encompasses these counties: Baker, Calhoun, Colquitt, Decatur, Dougherty, Early, Grady, caregivers of persons age six and older with Lee, Miller, Mitchell, Seminole, Terrell, Thomas, Worth physical or cognitive limitations. CARE-NETs

Coastal Georgia

Covers a 9-county area surrounding Brunswick and Savannah

Coastal advocates address the growing epidemic of elder abuse

n June 12, 2008, the Coastal Georgia Area Agency on Aging (AAA) and the Chatham County S.A.L.T. (Seniors and Law Enforcement Together) Council cosponsored a workshop highlighting the fastgrowing epidemic of elder abuse. The workshop focused on ageism as a Expert panelists respond to audience questions at the Elder Abuse Awareness workshop held in Savannah. primary cause of this tragic form of abuse, and served as a platform for Chatham County addressed the far-reaching Board of Commission Chairman Pete consequences for seniors and the Liakakis to announce June 15, 2008, as community. World Elder Abuse Awareness Day Held in Savannah at Memorial Hospi(WEAAD). tal’s Mercer Auditorium, the event also Fall 2008

Speaking to a group of law enforcement officials, health care professionals and advocates, Chairman Liakakis stated that Chatham County seniors are “valued members of society” and that “it is our collective responsibility to ensure that they live safely and with dignity.” As raising awareness of elder abuse and neglect continues to be a challenge, no effort toward ending this problem is too small. Establishing safe community shelters and stronger laws will protect victims of this largely unrecognized type of abuse. For further information, contact the Coastal Georgia Area Agency on Aging at 1-800-580-6860. Coastal Georgia encompasses these counties: Bryan, Bulloch, Camden, Chatham, Effingham, Glynn, Liberty, Long, McIntosh