GaGen 2009 Summer by Wells-Smith Partners

Generations Georgia

Fayette Senior Services

Summer 2009

Sandy Springs Neighborhood Center

Hapeville Senior Center

Innnovative

Senior Centers

Athens-Clarke County Senior Center

Meeting tomorrow’s growing needs Gilmer County Senior Center

Thomson-McDuffie Senior Center

Eastside Golden Age Center

Union County Senior Center

Also in This Issue: n Caregiving News & Notes n A Look at Georgia’s AAAs Newton County Senior Center

Published quarterly by Georgia’s Area Agencies on Aging

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

SUMMER 2009 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: These senior centers, like scores of others around the state, are finding creative ways to adapt to a new clientele — the baby boomer generation. Yet, despite a focus on the younger set, older seniors are not being forgotten. See story, page 4.

Summer 2009, Volume 8, #4 © 2009 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

CAREGIVING NEWS&NOTES

Feeling Old and Tired?

Talk to the Doctor!

f you or a loved one is experiencing unusual fatigue, discuss it with your physician. Fatigue in seniors is often a sign of serious health problems, which can go undiagnosed because both doctors and patients consider fatigue a normal sign of aging. According to a Columbia University Medical Center study, a lack of energy — or anergia — in seniors can be linked to several health problems. In other words, fatigue and aging don’t necessarily go hand in hand. Seniors participating in the study reported symptoms such as waking up feeling tired, napping for more than two hours a day and feeling slowed down physically in recent weeks or months. Those labeled with anergia reported more arthritis, sleep disorders, cardiovascular symptoms and other health problems.

Protecting the Elderly N

ew legislation is being considered that would give greater protection to nursing-home residents. Sen. Herb Kohl (D-Wis.) recently introduced legislation that would require the creation of a national cross-referencing system. At present, most states require background checks for nursing-home employees, but there is no database that allows employers to checks for crimes committed in other states. A trial program in seven states found that 7,000 applicants for eldercare positions had criminal records or a substantiated history of abuse. Extending this program nationwide would greatly increase the protection of all vulnerable seniors who live in nursing homes.

Were you ready on June 12?

n that date, all full-power television stations stopped analog broadcasts. If you use “rabbit ears” or a rooftop antenna with your analog television, you need a converter box to continue receiving television broadcasts. To learn more, go to www.DTV2009.gov

Protect Medicare and Medicaid Benefits

Cut the Cholesterol To Improve Your Health

ood news: Recent studies on lifestyle changes have shown that seniors, as much or more than any other age group, can take steps to improve their health. Controlling cholesterol is one of the most important steps to take in living a healthier life. The American Heart Association recommends a total cholesterol count of less than 200 mg/dL. Your physician can break down your LDL (bad cholesterol) versus your HDL (good cholesterol). Keeping cholesterol low is a good idea for health in general. But for patients with known coronary artery disease or other vascular disease, studies have proven that keeping the cholesterol very low substantially reduces the risk of heart attack. What to do? Reduce your intake of saturated fat and simple sugars — and control your weight. Increase your level of exercise. Also, ask your physician if you would benefit from taking a statin medication, which has been proven to keep some cholesterol levels in check.

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.

Surfing the Net Each issue of Georgia Generations offers several Web sites devoted to caregiving information and resources: www.medlineplus.gov provides authoritative information about drugs, an illustrated medical encyclopedia, interactive patient tutorials, and latest health news, plus easy access to medical journal articles. www.seniorhousing.net has resources and information on senior living options, moving and storage, health and wellness, and other aging topics.

Report suspected fraud and errors. Call your Fraud Project for details and to request a presentation.

GeorgiaCares 1-800-669-8387

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Innovative

Senior Centers Meeting tomorrow’s growing needs By Martha Nolan McKenzie

troll through the Dorothy C. Benson Senior Multi purpose Complex in Atlanta and you might come across a class learning VISTA, the newest operating system for Windows. Down the hall, another group might be stretching into yoga poses and still another competing in a virtual reality bowling tournament on Nintendo Wii. This is a senior center? It certainly doesn’t look the part, with a jukebox in the lobby, a gleaming restaurant-style dining room dubbed the Sit and Chat Café and a fitness center filled with state-of-the-art exercise equipment. And it doesn’t act the part, with a program schedule that boasts offerings such as circuit training, buying and selling on eBay and rock climbing. “People don’t come here to sit anymore,” says Elizabeth Ingleheart, executive director of the Sandy Springs Neighborhood Center, which is part of the Benson complex. “The whole concept of senior centers is changing, in large part thanks to the baby boomers. Boomers don’t see themselves as old. They have different expectations. They expect a different, fresh look and more active programming.”

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As a result, senior centers all over the state and country are getting face-lifts and program makeovers. Though they began as basic congregate meal sites with perhaps a prelunch game of cards thrown in, senior centers have been adding services, classes and activities to reflect the changing interests of the changing senior population. These days, most look more like health clubs/community centers than senior gathering places. And they’re not done changing. With the crush of boomers waiting just outside their doors, centers wherever possible are sprucing up, adding on and re-branding themselves to appeal to the distinct tastes of the boomers. “While senior centers have had their place, the 21stcentury center has to be positioned to attract and retain a much wider and more diverse audience,” says Debbie Britt, executive director of Fayette Senior Services. “They certainly can’t be your grandmother’s senior center anymore.” For many communities, that means senior centers have evolved into a truly multipurpose facility — part restaurant, part gym, part social agency, part university, part travel agency and part social club. Just consider the Newton County Senior Center in Covington. In addition to the congregate lunch, various crafts classes and a TV lounge, the center offers computer instruction, an assortment of exercise classes and dancing. The center’s participants can go on day or overnight trips, ranging from a historic tour of St. Augustine, Florida, to a trip to a Georgia emu farm. And they can obtain support and referrals, whether they are raising their grandchildren, caring for a spouse with Alzheimer’s or dealing with grief. “We even run a one-week day camp in the summer for grandchildren being raised by their grandparents,” says Josephine Brown, director of Newton County Senior Services. “That offers the grandparents a week of respite. The center really offers a little bit of everything.” While many centers’ programs seem to target the younger set, older seniors are not being forgotten. “The younger seniors are definitely most interested in physical activity, wellness and nutrition,” says Kathy Hill, director of the Union County Senior Center in Blairsville. “But our older seniors are interested in just about everything we offer. They want to try most of the programs, even if some of them are a little harder or totally new for them.” Georgia Generations

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(1) Athens-Clarke County Senior Center; (2) Hapeville Senior Center; (3) Gilmer County Senior Center; (4) Eastside Golden Age Center; (5) Newton County Senior Center; (6) Sandy Springs Neighborhood Center; (7) Thomson-McDuffie Senior Center; (8) Fayette Senior Services’ LIfe Enrichment Center in Fayetteville.

Let them eat kale As boomers begin to enter the congregate meal programs, they are bringing their tastes with them. As a result, centers are moving from meatloaf and mashed potatoes toward salmon and fresh greens. Consider the menu at the Ultimate Café in the Fayette Senior Services’ Life Enrichment Center in Fayetteville — pecan-crusted trout, pasta primavera, bourbonglazed salmon, tiramisu and Louisiana-style crab cake with remoulade sauce. “When we opened the center in early 2008, we knew we wanted to attract everyone from age 50 to age 100,” says Britt. “And just as in your home, activity generally centers around the kitchen. So we did away with the institutional food and brought in an executive chef who prepares all the meals from scratch. It’s more cost-effective and much more appetizing. He makes homemade soups and wonderful fresh salads. Word spread quickly and our meals became a great attraction for us — people actually plan their week’s activities around the menu. We already have more than 2,100 members.” Senior Connections, a nonprofit provider of senior services, has rolled out the café concept in one of the five senior centers it manages in DeKalb County. Connections Café, which employs an executive chef, a sous chef and a dietitian, offers seniors a choice of tempting soups, salads, sandwiches and hot entrées. “Choice is big, especially with boomers,” says Debra Furtado, CEO of Senior Connections. “They don’t want to be told what to eat — they want to choose from a nice variety. And the food is so good that our staff eats here, as well as the kids who come here to volunteer. So we have intergenerational groups sitting and eating together family-style.” In another innovation, Connections Café charges seniors on a sliding scale. “Some seniors can pay full price, others part of the price and others none at all,” says Furtado. “I think that is the future of general operations for seniors. Those who can pay will be asked to, and those who can’t will access the services for free.” Summer 2009

Dianne Rutherford is taking the café concept one step further in Hapeville. The deputy director of South Fulton Senior Services oversees the Hapeville Senior Center, which had low and dwindling attendance. “So we went out into the community and asked seniors what they wanted, what would get them to come to the center,” says Rutherford. “They said they want an on-site prep restaurant and they want computers.” So Rutherford decided to convert the center’s dining room into a cybercafé. The room was redecorated to give it more of a restaurant feel and laptops were set up on tables and in corners. “Seniors will be able to choose from a varied menu — a minimum of three hot entrées as well as sandwiches and salads. They’ll also be able to meet with friends and access the Internet,” Rutherford says. “It’s kind of like a Starbucks with the added activities of a senior center.”

Focus on fitness If there is one thing boomers seem obsessed with, it is staying young and fit. As a result, exercise programs at most senior centers have become paramount. Many have added gyms or exercise rooms stocked with a variety of equipment. Virtually all centers offer some sort of fitness classes, including chair aerobics, yoga, Tai Chi and strength training. The exercise offerings at the Life Enrichment Center in Fayetteville sound more like the fare of a hard-body gym than a senior center. A senior-certified fitness expert and trained volunteers lead participants through classes of Zumba Gold (a combination of Latin dancing and aerobics), kettle bells (a cast-iron weight that looks like a cannonball with a handle) and a senior boot camp. “And let me tell you, the boot camp will kick your you-know-what,” says Britt. “Our fitness program has become a big focal point of our center.” While the exercise program at Eastside Golden Age Center in Savannah is more traditional, it is no less important. Participants can work out on a rowing machine, an elliptical and an ab machine called Red Exerciser. “We also have chair aerobics, line dancing and a walking program called Happy Feet,”

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❶ says Joycelin Maynard, site supervisor. “I give every senior a red foot made out of construction paper and they use it to document their daily exercise. We have a walking club that meets and walks around the school or around the park. One year we walked to California — we did the equivalent number of miles from Savannah to San Diego. We had a party after that. Exercise is the most important part of my program. “I have some seniors who really couldn’t walk well when they started with us,” continues Maynard. “Now they outwalk me. It’s a good feeling when I see a relative of one of our participants and they say, ‘Whatever you are doing for my mother, keep doing it. It’s really helped her.’”

A helping hand Some centers go beyond filling nutritional and exercise needs and operate more like a social agency, helping seniors with everything from respite care to legal assistance. “It’s actually part of our overall mission to act as a social agency,” says Ingleheart of the Sandy Springs Neighborhood Center. “We can provide in-home assistance. We can arrange for and

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The Brunswick Multipurpose Center helps low-income seniors get affordable food. “We work with America’s Second Harvest Food Bank, and once a month they give seniors a brown grocery bag full of food,” says Darlene Wymes, senior programs manager at the center. “We also participate in the Georgia Senior Farmers’ Market Program. A certified Georgia farmer will bring their fruits and vegetables to the center and our local AAA gives seniors a $20 voucher they can use to buy fresh produce.”

Senior university Learning is truly a lifelong endeavor for many seniors. As a result, many centers have begun partnering with local colleges and universities to offer classes for their participants. The offerings run the gamut. The Peach Senior Center in Ft. Valley partners with Ft. Valley State University to offer basic computer classes to seniors. The center also brings in speakers on a variety of topics. “The fire department has come in and done a program on fraud,” says Imogene Mobley, the site manager. “A lawyer has come in and spoken about legal aid. We try to offer anything to keep them informed.” The Life Enrichment Center partners with Clayton State University to offer a variety of classes for which seniors can earn CEU (continuing education unit) credits. “In January, we started offering classes here two evenings a week, and it has been very successful,” says Britt. “The most popular has been a certificate culinary class, but we have also offered courses in private investigation, wedding planning, guitar and Spanish.” The Athens-Clarke County Senior Center takes advantage of its proximity to the University of Georgia, working with a group of retired academics called Learning in Retirement. The group arranges a speaker for a monthly luncheon on topics ranging from nuclear power to bioterrorism. “Our seniors are interested in learning about things that are facing our economy, our environment and the future of education,” says Jennie Deese, executive director of the Athens Community Council on Aging. The Athens center even offers an employment program

Many centers have begun partnering with local colleges to offer classes for seniors. manage respite care or hospice. We bring a variety of resources to the center, from tax help to vision clinics.” Transportation can be a severe limitation for seniors, particularly in rural areas. The Columbia County Senior Center in Evans provides some transportation to enrichment activities as well as to shopping destinations. “It can be a real benefit for self-sufficiency,” says Jeff Asmann, manager of the center. “The seniors enjoy not having to be so dependent on their families, and it gives them a sense of independence.”

Georgia Generations

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(1) Sandy Springs Neighborhood Center; (2) Union County Senior Center; (3) Athens-Clarke County Senior Center; (4) Newton County Senior Center; (5) Gilmer County Senior Center; (6) Hapeville Senior Center; (7) Thomson-McDuffie Senior Center; (8) Fayette Senior Services’ Life Enrichment Center in Fayetteville; (9) Eastside Golden Age Center. for seniors who want to put their education to work. “We’ve found that many seniors want to go back to work to earn extra money,” says Deese. “So far, we have found positions for about 40 seniors in local nonprofits, and they are hoping to go on to become full-time employees.”

Something for everyone Every center, of course, is unique, just as is every senior. Each center must find a way to serve the individual wants and needs of its participants. Here’s a look at some notable programs around the state: n Trips — both day and overnight — are very popular at many centers. “My seniors just love to travel, especially when there is some history attached to it,” says Newton County Senior Center’s Brown. “We research where we’re going before the trip, and they have really enjoyed that. We also do a mystery trip twice a year, where we don’t tell them anything about where we’re going. Many of my seniors have never been to college, so on one mystery trip we took them to Oxford College. They toured the dorms, the student center and the campus. One woman told me, ‘Now I can say I’ve been to college!’” n At the Thomson-McDuffie Senior Center in Thomson, seniors not only enjoy making crafts and artwork at the center, but they also sell their wares in the center’s Grandma’s Craft Store. “The seniors make everything from quilts to jewelry to vases,” says Merlinda Hill, the center’s superintendent. “They do all kinds of ceramics. We sell it in our store and the funds go back into the center.” n Maynard takes the Eastside Golden Age Center seniors to several farms during the year. Seniors dig up their own sweet potatoes at a farm in Claxton, pick their own strawberries in Bloomingdale and harvest fresh collard greens and cabbage in Montique. “It’s a great way to supplement their grocery budget, and it’s also great exercise,” says Maynard. Maynard also uses funds from the local AAA for an eightweek program to purchase fresh produce from a local market. “I ask them what kinds of vegetables they like, and Summer 2009

one week the market delivered string beans,” says Maynard. “We put on some music and all the seniors snapped those beans and put them in zip-lock bags to freeze. Another week we shelled pink eye peas, and another time we put up okra. They really enjoyed putting the vegetable up — it was like a walk down memory lane.” n Some seniors lose their vision as they age, but Union County Senior Center’s Kathy Hill doesn’t think that should limit their options. She started an art program for low-vision seniors. “A local artist donates her time to teach the class,” says Hill. “She uses white canvases on black tablecloths to make it easier to see. I really wasn’t sure how well it would work out, but it has been great. Their paintings are really beautiful, and the artist makes cards from their work. We sell some of the artwork and the cards, and that pays for the program.” n The seniors at Gilmer County Senior Center in Ellijay have taken to the stage. Some participants in their 80s and 90s like to buck dance, or clog. Another lady plays the accordion and many like to sing. They combined their talents to perform skits and songs from the movie Oh Brother, Where Art Thou? in Rome. “We practiced for about a month for that performance, and everyone really enjoyed it,” says Lisa Burnett, site coordinator. “We have another show coming up on the square in Ellijay. We have an hour on the stage and we’ll be doing spring songs.” n Not all centers roll up the sidewalk at 4 p.m. “Our seniors still want to go out at night and have a good time,” says Hapeville Senior Center’s Rutherford. “So we put on some special evening affairs with music and wine. We decorate the center so it looks more like a social club. Soon we’re planning on having an affair on our patio with a live jazz band and an open bar. It’s giving the seniors a safe environment but treating them like mature adults, not someone who is frail.” No matter what the program, the ultimate purpose of all the centers is to bring seniors together. “One man told me if his family didn’t bring him to the center every day, he’d walk,” says Denise Goodman, manager of the Twiggs Senior Center in Jeffersonville. “The center, and the interaction they get here, is what keeps them active. It’s what gets them out of bed in the morning. Seniors tell me the center keeps them young.” GG

GUEST CLOSE-UP

Cost cutting puts patients

at risk

By Sheila A. Robinson, M.D., President, Georgia State Medical Association

ore Georgia doctors are finding their ability to care for patients negatively impacted by third parties. This news comes as the Georgia State Medical Association (GSMA) has released survey results detailing a trend that affects patients in Georgia. The survey, conducted with 100 physicians across the state, lays blame on a practice known as cost-based therapeutic substitution. This practice occurs when someone other than a patient’s doctor switches a patient’s medicine based primarily on cost. All 100 of the surveyed physicians believe that patient health — and not cutting costs — should be the first consideration when prescribing medicine. Cost-based therapeutic substitution erodes the doctor-patient relationship, as this practice undermines the ability of the physician to act in the best interest of the patient. Interfering with this relationship without the explicit approval of the physician may compromise the health and well-being of the patient. Physicians, because of their global knowledge of the disease process in a particular patient, are the only individuals who are in a position to assess the potential negative consequences of drug substitution. The simple fact is this: Drug substitution without the knowledge and approval of the caregiver places the patient in potentially major danger. It can sometimes lead to a patient receiving less effective medical treatment, often without their full knowledge. While most physicians are open to speaking with a pharmacist about a potential change in treatment, third parties are too frequently bypassing this important step. One of the most important aspects of a patient’s care is the

physician’s ability to choose the pharmacologic agent necessary for the management of their disease or condition. When insurance companies and pharmacists are allowed to make this decision, a core principle of health care is compromised. Physicians should be able to prescribe the best care for their patients without this outside, third-party influence. GG

Drug Substitution: Use Caution n

Read labels carefully. Your medicine was prescribed by your doctor, so make sure it has the same name and information — and if it’s different, ask your pharmacist why. Your doctor prescribes a particular medicine for one reason: to improve your health. Don’t use another one without your doctor’s knowledge — even if it’s less expensive. Therapeutic substitution can be dangerous. It means someone has switched your medicine to something with a different chemical content, and it could have a negative effect on you. Your doctor knows the details of your health, while others may not. Your specific physical or emotional condition is a primary factor in prescribing a specific treatment — so be able to recognize any diversion from that. If in consultation with your doctor, you make a choice to switch medicines, immediately report any side effects and unusual reactions to them. Remember that many things influence how your body responds to any medication. Help your friends. Look out for their health needs, and encourage them to ask more questions of their doctors, their pharmacists and their health insurance providers.

Georgia Generations

Northwest Georgia

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

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.

Legacy Link

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 Georgiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s AAAs.

Northwest Georgia

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

From institution to home â&#x20AC;&#x201D; with help

ave you or someone you know lived in a nursing home or a hospital for people with mental retardation (ICF-MRS) for at least six months and would rather live in your own home or in a group setting? Money Follows the Person is a new five-year grant funded by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services in partnership with the Georgia Department of Community Health that is designed to assist individuals for whom this is a suitable option. You have a choice to stay in the institution or resettle in the community with home and communitybased services through Medicaid. Three regions received the grants: AAA of Northwest GA, CSRA (Augusta), and ARC (Atlanta Regional Commission). Individuals residing inside or outside these Summer 2009

Amelia J. McCrickard, R.N., MFP coordinator, left, confers with Jill Crump, CCSP program coordinator, on potential clients for the newly-funded Money Follows the Person program.

regions are eligible if they will be moving into one of the three areas. The grant enables you to participate in planning your own life. It offers support

from people who can help you learn the skills you need and provide you with assistance to relocate. You may also get help with home improvements such as grab bars, ramps, widened doorways, or switch-activated door openers. Other services may include trial visits to the community, moving expenses, utility deposits, roommate match services, transportation, vehicle adaptations and household furnishings and supplies. For more information on transitioning from an institution to a community setting, call the AAA of Northwest Georgia at 706-802-5506 or toll-free 1-800-759-2963. 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

“One-Stop” Web site offers comprehensive support

elp is available for Georgia caregivers who need access to information on aging and disability resources. An exciting Web site — www.georgiaadrc.org — provides “one-stop” shopping that’s both easy to use and easy to understand. The Web site showcases Georgia’s Aging and Disability Resource Connection (ADRC) — a system of partnering organizations that are dedicated to: n Providing accurate information about publicly and privately financed longterm supports and services n Offering a consumer-oriented approach to learning about the availability of services in the home and community n Supporting individuals and family members who are aging or living with a disability What’s new? Georgia’s ADRC provides a single point of entry for access to comprehensive information on all aspects of aging, as well as information on various disabilities, including developmental disabilities. Directed to people of all incomes and ages, this service builds on existing networks to offer a full range of support options.

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How to Use the Site Go to www.georgiaadrc.org. Once you are on the home page, you can browse through the subjects on the left of your screen to search for information and general resources. You can also browse through a lengthy list of specific topics and find detailed information on each one. These topics include Advocacy, Community Life, Emergency Preparedness, Veteran Services, Assistive Technology, Housing, Transportation and many more. From this home page, you will be able to: n Link to related Web sites on a wide variety of aging and disability issues n Apply online for government benefits n Read all about long-term care and Medicare coverage

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, 770-278-7273

n Answer brief questions to help you determine your needs n Review a calendar of regional events and meetings n Use a Glossary (under the “Help” link) to look up the definition of words you may not understand If you can’t find the answer to your question — or if you need more help — don’t give up! You can contact one of the ADRC specialists in your area. These professionals have access to a larger database than what can be included on the Web site, so they may be able to provide you with additional information. The following Georgia AAAs are ADRCs: Metro Atlanta, Southern Crescent, Northeast Georgia, Central Savannah River Area, Coastal Georgia and Northwest Georgia. To find other AAAs in Georgia, look on pages 9–15 in this publication.

A Look at Our Partnerships The creation of formal and informal partnerships has been an essential element in the success of Georgia’s ADRC. Together, these partners have focused on three “A’s”: Awareness, Assistance and Access. Their goal is to move toward a proactive consumer-oriented approach — an intensive outreach to individuals of all income levels with comprehensive options counseling. Georgians are already applauding the Web site for the wealth of information it offers. One user recently emailed: “I am moving from Texas to Georgia, and this Web site was very helpful in educating me about services in Georgia and the linkages to services.” We want to hear from you! Look on the www.georgiaadrc.org Web site for a place to send your own comments. Please let us know what you like — and what we need to consider adding. 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

Seniors in the workforce

he NEGA Older Americans Community Service Employment Program (OACSEP) will receive additional funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, which is designed to help more Georgians acquire

new skills and get back to work. To be considered for the program, applicants must live in the 12-county area, be at least 55 years of age and meet specific income guidelines. Program enrollees are paid minimum wage while training. Training dollars do not affect the amount that enrollees may already receive for subsidized housing or Food Stamps.

Applicants must live in the 12-county area, be at least 55 years of age and meet specific income guidelines. Senior Eleanor Harper and Senior Corp volunteer Harriett Walden.

Mary J. Rice enrolled in the OACSEP program in March 2008, working at the Morgan County Health Department in Madison as an office clerk. After 90 days of training, she received an excellent or above-average score in every category on her performance evaluation. Only five months after Rice began the training, she was able to find a permanent job in a clerical/sales position with the Kampgrounds of America. She is still working there and loves her job. She says that she has good working conditions, good benefits, and great co-workers. The OACSEP, which is housed at the Athens Community Council on Aging, provides services in the Northeast Georgia region. For information, contact ACCA, 135 Hoyt Street, Athens, GA 30601, 706-549-4850. 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

Mayors for Meals Day

“M

ayors for Meals Day” is a national campaign by the Meals on Wheels Association of America. The day is designated to raise awareness about senior hunger and show support for senior nutrition programs. The Lower Chattahoochee AAA contracts with Direct Service Corporation, the Middle Flint Council on Aging, and the Talbot County Board of Commissioners to provide home-delivered and congregate meals in Lower Chattahoochee AAA’s 16-county region. Direct Service Corporation prepares and delivers 850 to 1,100 meals Monday through Friday to clients in Columbus, Georgia. Home-delivered meal service has the largest waiting list, with approximately 500-plus on the waiting list in our region. The combination of the time Summer 2009

Mayor Jim Weatherington of Columbus was eager to show his support by delivering meals to Columbus residents. Mayor Weatherington soon realized that the service is not just about delivering a meal; it’s a visit, a warm handshake, a smiling face, a caring hello. The mayor was quickly recognized by the families that he visited. Mayor Jim Weatherington delivers meals in Columbus, Georgia. He brightened their day as well as his own! it takes to make deliveries, the travel For more information, contact the Lower distance, the cost per meal, and the size of Chattahoochee AAA at 1-866-55-AGING. the volunteer workforce is creating a situation where the need for the meal LOWER CHATTAHOOCHEE encompasses these counties: Chattahoochee, Clay, Crisp, Dooly, Harris, service is quickly exceeding the financial Macon, Marion, Muscogee, Quitman, Randolph, Schley, support required to provide it. Senior Stewart, Sumter, Talbot, Taylor, Webster hunger is a disease that is curable. 11

Heart of Georgia Altamaha

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

Conversations That Matter

ifty advocates from throughout the Heart of Georgia Altamaha region convened at the Reidsville Garden Club in Reidsville, Georgia, to hold a Lunch and Learn entitled “Conversations That Matter: The Present and Future of Services for People with Developmental Disabilities.” Home to Georgia State Prison and the honorable State Senator Jack Hill, Reidsville is a quaint city of 2,235 people. Nestled in the county seat of Tattnall County and incorporated in 1838, Reidsville and its residents exhibit true Southern hospitality. Senator Hill is Chairman of Senate Appropriations for the State of Georgia, and it was no coincidence that the sponsors of this meeting chose the Reidsville Garden Club as the meeting site — strategically

people with disabilities. The event was organized by the Atlanta Alliance on Developmental Disabilities in partnership with the Heart of Georgia Altamaha AAA. Sponsors included the Office of Developmental Disabilities, Georgia Department of Human Resources, Georgia Governor’s Council on DevelopOphelia Gaines, executive director of Concerted Services, Inc., participates in a group discussion in an informal setting. mental Disabilities, Center for Leadership in Disability, and the College of Health and Human located next door to Hill’s Grocery. Sciences at Georgia State University. Parents of children with disabilities, For information about other programs, self-advocates, local professionals working contact Heart of Georgia Altamaha RDC, in disability supports and services, and 331 W. Parker St., Baxley, GA 31513; persons with an interest in supporting 912-367-3648 or toll-free 1-888-367-9913. people with disabilities and their families attended the event. The purpose of the heart of georgia encompasses these counties: Appling, Bleckley, Candler, Dodge, Emanuel, Evans, Jeff meeting was to identify the right resources Davis, Johnson, Laurens, Montgomery, Tattnall, Telfair, at state and community levels that can Toombs, Treutlen, Wayne, Wheeler, Wilcox make a difference in quality of services for

Southeast Georgia

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

Nursing students connect with seniors

n an effort to continue its dedication wellness issues, including diet, exercise, to building strong community partnernutrition and medication management. ships, the Southeast Georgia Area Agency Blood pressure screenings were also on Aging recently teamed up with nursing students from South Georgia College in Douglas to facilitate a wellness program for seniors at the Ware County/Nelson Greene Senior Center. Approximately 25 students from the South Georgia College Nursing Program, along with nursing instructors Scott Thigpen and B. J. Fountain, visited the senior center in Waycross Nursing students from South Georgia College give an exercise presentation. to provide information geared toward improving the health and well-being of older adults. The students offered. After the presentations, the answered health-related questions for the students received grades for their seniors and gave presentations about projects, which will be used to provide 12

course credit toward their clinicals. The instructors were enthusiastic about the opportunity for their students to visit the center and said they were looking forward to more partnerships in the future. They plan to work with the AAA to expand this program to other centers in the area. According to one instructor, this type of interactive session benefits not only the seniors but the nursing students as well. The students learn to connect with patients on a personal level and to apply their education in real-world environments. 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

A career path blossoms

aye Christopher found her way to Legacy Link through a flyer posted at a local drugstore, saying, “If you’re 55+ and want to get back into the workforce, call this number.” She did just that — and enrolled in the Legacy Link Senior Community Service & Employment Program. After an assignment to train in the Legacy administrative offices, she later became the coordinator for the regional GeorgiaCares program, an assistance and referral program. In 2007, Ms. Christopher became project director of the Senior Community Service & Employment Program, which operates in 13 counties. The program is funded with federal Department of Labor monies through a contract with the National Council on Aging (NCOA). Now

Faye Christopher.

the contract with NCOA has been expanded to cover 23 counties, and Ms. Christopher supervises 11 job developers and her administrative staff at Legacy Link. Not so long ago, Ms. Christopher thought nobody was going to hire her! But look at her now. The training and employment program is helping mature

workers throughout the 23 counties, and the training site supervisors love the fact that the trainees show up for work and are loyal and dependable. Everyone celebrates when a trainee obtains a “real job” and becomes more independent. The program has over 200 trainees assigned to nonprofit and public agencies in the 23 counties, and Ms. Christopher keeps tabs on everything. The National Council on Aging’s spring issue of Innovations magazine published a feature article about Faye Christopher. We’re happy to have her on staff at Legacy Link. For information, contact Legacy Link, P.O. Box 2534, Gainesville, GA 30503-2534; 770-538-2650 or toll-free 1-800-845-LINK. Legacy Link encompasses these counties: Banks, Dawson, Forsyth, Franklin, Habersham, Hall, Hart, Lumpkin, Rabun, Stephens, Towns, Union, White

Southern Crescent

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

Southern Crescent AAA awarded Kinship Grant

CAAA is proud to be the recipient of the 2009 RAPP (Relatives as Parents Program) grant from the Brookdale Foundation in New York. SCAAA’s kinship coordinator decided to apply for this grant in hopes of restoring some of the lost funding for the region’s Kinship Care program. The $10,000 grant money will be utilized over the next two years to provide respite services to grandparents raising grandchildren in the form of summer camps. The program sends eligible children to a week or two of summer camp of their choosing, giving grandparents a much-needed break from the exhilarating yet exhausting task of raising a grandchild. The SCAAA Kinship Care program will also begin a Summer 2009

The grant money will be utilized to provide respite services to grandparents raising grandchildren in the form of summer camps.

Participants in the Kinship Care program.

new support group in Meriwether County, as well as offer caregiver classes to

grandparents throughout the year. In addition, the program will be able to offer school supplies to assist grandparents for the coming school year. 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

Spotlight on caregivers in our region

he Middle Georgia Area Agency on Aging is highlighting one of its many astonishing caregivers in the region. For four years, seventy-one-year-old Katherine Nevels of Juliette, Georgia, has been the caregiver of her ninety-year-old mother, Mattie Johnson, who has been diagnosed with dementia and diabetes. Ms. Nevels took on the role of caregiving when her mother became a bilateral leg amputee stemming from diabetes complications and poor circulation problems. In addition to her many tasks as her mother’s caregiver, Ms. Nevels has also been a foster care parent for three wonderful girls, ages 6, 7 and 9, since 2007. Mattie Johnson receives personal support services and home-delivered meal services from the Middle Georgia

Community Care Services Program, an entity of McIntosh Trails Management Services, Inc., where her current case

manager is Taesha Marion. Ms. Marion coordinates services for clients who live in the Monroe County area. Ms. Nevels expresses her gratitude for receiving the CCSP services: “I want to thank CCSP for all the services that help me take care of my mom.” The Middle Georgia Regional Development Center Area Agency on Aging is located at 175 Emery Highway, Suite C, in Macon, GA. For more information on services, call 478-751-6466.

Left: Taesha Marion, CCSP case manager. Right: Katherine Nevels, daughter/caregiver of Mattie Johnson, client (center).

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

Tools to empower caregivers

he CSRA Area Agency on Aging, in family caregivers with “tools” — the skills cooperation with the University of that will enable them to care for themGeorgia Cooperative Extension Service, selves as they provide support for loved Northeast Georgia Area Agency on Aging and the Division on Aging Services, hosted its first “Powerful Tools Train the Trainer” class. The purpose of the class was to train more people working in the area of caregiving, whether as a professional or family caregiver, to teach Powerful Tools classes to other caregivers. The CSRA Area Agency on Aging is committed to providing resources to caregivers Class members receive instructions from Suzanne LaFolletteas well as to those receiving care. Black on how to communicate in challenging situations using the Powerful Tools empowers Aikido communication method. 14

ones with chronic illness. Caregivers learn to thrive in their role and not just survive. Two classes for family caregivers have already been offered in the Augusta area. Georgia Jopling (newly retired from the Area Agency on Aging) and Kathy Tuckey (from the Alzheimer’s Association), the first two trainers to conduct classes in the state of Georgia, remarked that they could even see physical changes in the family caregivers who attended the classes. For more information on Powerful Tools for Caregivers or upcoming classes, contact Teresa Evans, caregiver manager, CSRA Area Agency on Aging, at 706-210-2000 ext. 147 or 1-888-922-4464. 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

What tools are in your toolkit?

he first “Powerful Tools for Caregivers” class offered to family caregivers of older adults in Southwest Georgia was deemed a success by the caregiver participants. At the beginning of the class, the caregivers were obviously stressed, coping with a variety of problems and emotions related to their role as caregiver for family members. But as the group of caregivers met weekly for six weeks and were encouraged to develop new tools to

take care of themselves, things began to change. The group shared experiences and offered helpful suggestions to one another. They learned to value themselves, found

Each week the participants made an action plan to accomplish something they wanted to do.

to reduce the effects of stress. Each week the participants made an action plan to accomplish something they wanted (not needed) to do. Many of them made plans for activities that fulfilled their need for respite or a change of pace. After the last class, a “graduation” celebration wound up the series. The caregivers took note of the visible changes they saw in each other. One caregiver said, “I didn’t know how bad I needed this class!” — and her classmates agreed. For further information, contact the Southwest Georgia Area Agency on Aging at 1105 Palmyra Road, Albany, GA 31701-2508; 229-432-1124 or toll-free 1-800-282-6612. Southwest Georgia encompasses these counties: Baker, Calhoun, Colquitt, Decatur, Dougherty, Early, Grady, Lee, Miller, Mitchell, Seminole, Terrell, Thomas, Worth

new ways to communicate and to handle their emotions, discussed making difficult decisions and learned relaxation exercises

Coastal Georgia

Covers a 9-county area surrounding Brunswick and Savannah

Your gateway to information and services

or some, finding services for an aging or disabled loved one can feel like an insurmountable task, especially if the need for help comes on suddenly. All too often, family caregivers are forced to make difficult decisions while simultaneously juggling responsibilities at work and at home. When a caregiver is struggling to find appropriate care for someone who can no longer care for themselves, knowing where to turn for information and services can make the critical difference. Fortunately, for families in Coastal Georgia, help is just a single phone call away: 1-800-580-6860. Information and Assistance specialists at the Area Agency on Aging (AAA) respond to thousands of calls each year from individuals looking for resources that Summer 2009

will provide the help they need. This trained and certified team of aging and disability information experts takes their work seriously, often going above and beyond while working with callers to be sure they get the The Coastal Georgia AAA team answers thousands of calls each year. right assistance. Dale Tushman, a clinical social worker AAA are helpful, patient and informative.” with a dialysis unit in Glynn County, uses For answers to questions related to aging the Information and Assistance toll-free and disability services, contact the Area number as she works with patients and Agency on Aging — your gateway to their families. “Anything related to community resources — at 1-800-580-6860. services feels like a spiderweb to me and Coastal Georgia encompasses these counties: I’m someone in the field, so I can only Bryan, Bulloch, Camden, Chatham, Effingham, Glynn, Liberty, Long, McIntosh imagine how a client feels. Staff at the 15