Ga Gen 2010 Summer by Wells-Smith Partners

Generations Georgia

Summer 2010

L e p IS

Published quarterly by Georgia’s Area Agencies on Aging

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

S e1 U E

Adult Day Care Fills Important Needs for Caregivers

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 River Valley 7 Middle Georgia 8 Central Savannah River 9 Heart of Georgia Altamaha 10 Southwest Georgia 11 Southern Georgia 12 Coastal Georgia

Generations Georgia

SUMMER 2010 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:

2009

On the Cover: Adult day care provides family members with a much-needed break in caregiving, as well as offering important services such as medical monitoring and a variety of well-planned activities. Here’s what you need to know about this important tool for caregivers. See story, page 4.

Summer 2010, Volume 9, #4 © 2010 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

Doing Battle with

Cholesterol

hat can you do to improve your cholesterol level besides taking drugs? Here are some proven options: Eat less saturated fat, found predominantly in red meat, butter and cream. Cut back on trans-fatty acids found in fried food and processed foods, such as cakes and cookies. Avoid labels that say “hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated.” Limit your intake of sugar, white flour and white rice. Eat more unrefined, complex carbohydrates such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains and soy products. Exercise to lower your “bad” LDL as well as raise your “good” HDL cholesterol. Try to take off those extra holiday pounds. Add soluble fiber (found in foods such as oat bran) to your diet. This binds cholesterol in the intestinal tract and increases its elimination from the body.

Nest Egg

Your Retirement

CAREGIVING NEWS&NOTES

etirees who have been carefully feeding their 401(K) and individual retirement accounts for years face a psychological hurdle when they have to switch gears and start withdrawing money. Financial planners give this advice: Plan for both sooner and later. The phases of retirement are often called the go-go years, the slow-go years and the no-go years. You should plan for your lifestyle during each of these periods — perhaps traveling and hobbies in the early years, followed by a slow-down during the next phase. Then expect spending to increase again because of health-care costs in your final years.

Surfing the Net Each issue of Georgia Generations offers several Web sites devoted to caregiving information and resources: www.retirementjobs.com offers job postings — full-time and part-time — from companies specifically looking for candidates older than 50. www.ourparents.com lists care providers geographically, including independent living communities, assisted living, in-home care and Alzheimer’s care.

Protect Medicare and Medicaid Benefits

Why Keep

Aspirin

by your Bedside?

eart attacks can occur with various symptoms — or with no symptoms at all. Chest pain, a pain in the left arm, nausea or intense sweating are all warning signs. If chest pain wakes you up from a deep sleep, take these steps: • Immediately chew two aspirins and swallow them with water. They will get into your system faster by chewing before swallowing. • Call 911 and say that you may be having a heart attack. Say that you have taken two aspirins. • Unlock your door, sit down on a chair or sofa and wait for their arrival. Doctors believe that during the early stages of a heart attack aspirin — which is known for preventing blood platelets from sticking together — can prevent a clot from getting bigger.

Keeping Your in Tiptop Shape Seniors are known for their love of walking. But pounding the pavement, or even the walking trails, can take its toll on your feet. While sitting in a chair, try the following foot-friendly exercises. Marble Pickups — Strengthens muscles in the bottom of the foot and eases arthritic joints in mid-foot. Use your toes to pick up marbles from the floor. Drop marbles into a bowl. Arch Rolls — Eases heel pain and loosens tight arches. Roll a tennis ball or water bottle back and forth under each foot. Toe Writing — Maintains range of motion in your toes, feet and ankles. Raise one foot. Write the alphabet in the air with your toes, making big letters. Repeat other foot. Towel Scrunches — Strengthens mid-foot muscles and eases discomfort from fallen arches. Lay a hand towel on the floor. Use your toes to scrunch and pull the towel toward you.

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

GeorgiaCares 1-800-669-8387

By Martha Nolan McKenzie

Adult Day Care Fills Important Needs for Caregivers E

very weekday morning, Keith Mavity drops his mother, Joy, off at The Guest House adult day health center on his way to work. Joy, 78, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease over a decade ago, spends her day in the Gainesville center interacting with other seniors, participating in various activities and enjoying a hot lunch. After work, Mavity picks her up and brings her back to his home, where he lives with his father and two young children. Being able to take his mother to The Guest House has allowed Mavity to keep his parents together. “It’s been a godsend,” says Mavity. “My father can’t care for her 24 hours a day. Without The Guest House, I would have had to either put Mom in a nursing home or quit work to stay home with her. Now I can work and Dad is able to take care of Mom in the evenings and on weekends. It gives us the ability to have a

fairly normal life, and Dad is able to have Mom in the house with him. It’s been a blessing.” It’s a blessing more and more of us are going to need. By 2030, the number of people age 65 and older will double – to 70 million. Anywhere from 50% to 80% of this group will need some type of long-term care due to physical or mental limitations. Many of these seniors will be cared for by a spouse, adult child or other family member. To keep from burning out while juggling jobs, children and community obligations with their caregiving duties, these caregivers will need a break — the kind of break adult day care is designed to give. In other words, what child care centers were to working parents in the ‘80s and ‘90s, adult day care centers are to caregivers now and in the coming decades. “Our need for adult day care has been huge for a long time,

Georgia Generations

and it’s only going to increase,” says Mary Lou Vergara, caregiver program coordinator for the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC). “The pool of family caregivers is getting smaller and smaller while the aging population is getting bigger and bigger. That combination is a perfect storm.” Despite the need, many who could benefit from adult day care don’t take advantage of it. Some are simply not aware the service exists. “Our clients don’t know about it,” says Laura Sapp, Gateway supervisor of the Southern Georgia Area Agency on Aging (AAA). “They usually call in for another service, like Meals on Wheels, and during the screening we discover they are eligible for adult day care and we’ll tell them about it.” Many confuse adult day care centers with senior centers. The latter caters to seniors who are physically and mentally active and seek interaction with peers. The ratio of staff to clients is about one to 50 or 60. Adult day care centers, by contrast, provide a more sheltered environment for people who have memory loss or physical impairment and need more care than someone going to a senior center. The ratio of staff to clients is more like one to five. There are three models of adult day care centers: The Social Model: This type of center provides assistance with some activities of daily living (ADLs) and therapeutic services designed to help participants with physical and mental functioning. The Health/Medical Model: This model provides — in addition to the above — skilled nursing and rehabilitation services, including occupational and physical therapies, speech and language therapy, and other health and medication services. This model is partially funded by Medicaid because it provides these health services. The Specialized Model: This type of center provides services targeting specific populations, such as individuals with dementia and Alzheimer’s. Except for the centers that accept Medicaid, Georgia currently has no licensing requirement to open a center. “All you need is a business license,” says Georgia Gunter, president of the Georgia Adult Day Care Association and director of The Weinstein Center for Adult Day Care Services in Atlanta. That means caregivers should get their information from a reliable source and ask plenty of questions: How long has the center been in operation? What is the staff-to-client ratio? Who can give me recommendations? “The very best thing to do is go and visit,” says Vergara. “Observe how people are being treated and how they are being stimulated. You can tell a lot from a visit.”

Providing Respite for the Caregiver

The overriding benefit of adult day care is to provide respite for the caregiver. The ability to entrust a loved one in a safe, caring environment, with competent staff and peer interaction, may be the extra buoy that keeps the caregiver’s head above water. “Caregivers are more stressed than they ever have been,” says Vergara. “Their loved ones are living longer, their siblings might live far away. They are working and raising kids.

Summer 2010

When people come to see me, they are exhausted. They say, ‘Wow, this is much harder than I thought it would be.’ And caregiving often starts unexpectedly and can go on for a long, long time. I can’t over-emphasize how critical respite is for the caregiver.” Even a small break can be so beneficial that RossWoods Adult Day Services in Dalton began a Caregiver’s Time Out program in addition to its regular services. On the second Tuesday of every month, caregivers can bring their loved ones to RossWoods from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. They can attend a caregiver support group at the center or enjoy an afternoon and early evening out while their loved ones participate in activities and have a warm supper. “It’s a great benefit,” says Carla Jones, executive director of RossWoods. “It’s amazing the benefit caregivers get from even a small break. They feel refreshed and able to tackle their caregiving responsibilities in a much better mood.” Respite can also mean the difference between being able to keep a loved one at home and being forced to put him in a nursing home. “Our primary goal is to prevent premature placement in long-term care facilities,” says Jocelyn Pryor, executive director of The Guest House, where Mavity’s mother goes. “We are able to give families an affordable option that lets them keep their loved ones at home. So many times, the elderly are placed in long-term care prematurely because the families don’t have any options and their loved ones cannot stay home alone.” That’s exactly the fate Susie Harrison and her siblings were able to avoid for their mother. Harrison’s mother, who

The overriding benefit of adult day care is to provide respite for the caregiver. passed away last year at age 99, had attended RossWoods for 15 years prior to her death. Harrison and her sister both work full-time for the local school system in Dalton, but their mother was not able to stay home alone due to Alzheimer’s. “When Dad passed away, he made us promise that we’d take care of Mom and not put her in a nursing home,” says Harrison. “So my sister and I were trying to figure out which one of us would quit our job to take care of Mom. Then someone from RossWoods contacted us — I don’t know how they got in touch with us, but they did. And what a blessing it was! Mom was very happy there. All she wanted to do was sleep when she was with us. But at RossWoods she loved to fold clothes, take dishes into the kitchen and just help out. When she was there, she just had a sweetness about her. And we could still care for her at night. It was very important to us that she stay at home.”

Social Stimulation for Seniors

While caregivers reap incalculable benefits from adult day care, the seniors who attend gain something as well — primarily socialization. At the centers, the seniors interact with each other in activities designed to stimulate body and mind. They may discuss current events, do chair exercises, work in a garden, play bingo or do a craft. “Most people who come to adult day centers are living with family members or on their own in senior housing,” says Gunter. “They are not able to get out in the community and they are often very isolated. Day care centers allow them to be around other people, and that’s incredibly important.”

Participants at RossWoods Adult Day Services in Dalton enjoy socializing and sharing in stimulating activities. Indeed, a recent study by San Francisco’s Institute on Aging found that adult day care centers help maintain their clients’ health and independence. The study followed 16 seniors at adult day care centers and compared them to a group who did not attend a center. It found that after one year, the seniors who went to a center had fewer problems with daily activities and perceived an increase in their quality of life. Gunter has seen the same thing at the Weinstein Center. “When a senior comes home from the center, family members tell us that senior is often more alert, in a better mood and sleeps better at night,” says Gunter. “The socialization and stimulation they receive from the center help in all these areas.” Attending a day care center certainly made a difference in Dorothy Alford’s life. When the 83-year-old Covington woman began to attend the EJB Adult Day Care Center, she was withdrawn, a heavy smoker and suffered from serious arthritis in her hands. Alford’s daughter mentioned to the center’s director, Fay Salmon, that her mother used to love to sew. So Salmon brought in her old sewing machine, gathered some material and encouraged Alford to start sewing. “I really didn’t think I’d be able to do what they wanted done,” says Alford. “I didn’t think I could handle the scissors.” She gave it a try anyway and rediscovered her love of the

craft. The difference it has made is obvious. “She’s come out of her shell and socializes with all the other seniors,” says Salmon. “She doesn’t want to leave at the end of the day. She has really cut back on her smoking. Her arthritis is much better because she’s exercising her joints. And when she’s sewing, she’s in her glory. She tunes everything else out and just sews and sews.”

Medical Monitoring for Seniors

Adult day health services can play a vital role in keeping seniors healthy and independent. These medical model day cares employ registered nurses and nursing assistants to monitor and care for their charges. At Mercy Senior Care in Rome, staff nurses and assistants weigh and check vital signs of their seniors weekly, if not more often. They will transport seniors to and from appointments to doctors, physical therapy, wound clinics or other medical needs. They communicate with their clients’ physicians regularly and notify them if there is a change in a symptom or condition. “There are very few populations who have access to a nurse or medical person almost every day,” says Elizabeth Molina, manager of Mercy Senior Care. “Trying to get in touch with their doctors can be very frustrating, but if they bring their concerns to us, we can navigate the system for them and get an answer. That allows them to maintain a better health status. I think that’s one of the biggest benefits of our program.”

The Need for Rural Centers

Forty percent of Georgia’s population age 60 and older live in rural communities, and 90 of the state’s 144 adult day care centers are located there. The need, however, outstrips the supply. “We have three centers in our 18-county area,” says Southern AAA’s Sapp. “All of the centers have waiting lists.” The dearth is keenly felt since these day centers can play an even more critical role in rural communities than in their urban counterparts. “Seniors in rural areas have more challenges in interfacing with medical care,” says Claire Russell, owner of The Homeplace Adult Daycare Inc., which operates centers in Thomson, Lincolnton, Wrens and Millen.

Georgia Generations

“The care they get in adult day care is crucial. We do regular health screenings, monitor their weight to make sure they are eating, do vital sign checks twice a week, check blood sugar levels, change dressings and catheters, examine skin to make sure there are no sores. We identify a health problem or change in symptoms and send the senior to the doctor. Not only do we play a huge role in maintaining their qualify of life, we save lives.” To help address the shortage of adult day care centers in rural areas, the Georgia Division of Aging Services launched a mobile day care (MDC) program. Anywhere from one to three days a week, an adult day staff member travels to a community that lacks an adult day program and sets up shop temporarily in a senior center or recreations department building. The sites offer the same sorts of programs and activities as their “bricks and mortar” counterparts. By piggybacking off existing facilities, the MDC is able to bring adult day care to communities that would otherwise not be able to afford it.

Focus on Clients with Dementia

Many adult day centers specialize in serving clients with dementia. That’s because caregiving to this set of seniors is particularly taxing. “Alzheimer’s care is so one-on-one,” says Gunter. “Many times the caregiver has to do literally everything for the loved one. And it can go on for a decade or more. It’s a very, very demanding type of caregiving.” Centers that cater to clients with dementia focus on activities that enhance physical, cognitive and memory skills. “We try to keep them challenged, reaching out to them on whatever level they are on,” says Dorothy Dye, director of My Friend’s House, an adult day care center that is operated as an outreach of Valdosta State University’s Division of Social Work. “We have sessions where we talk about current events and sessions where we reminisce. We do a lot of board games that help with memory. We garden, sing old church songs and visit with one another. We do physical activities as well — we even have a Wii game! Some clients may not remember our names from day to day, but it’s a familiar place and familiar faces. It offers consistency, and that’s very important for persons with Alzheimer’s.” At The Cambridge House Enrichment Center in Newnan, the clients with Alzheimer’s particularly enjoy the pet therapy sessions. Pet therapists come in each week, bringing a couple of therapy dogs that the seniors can pet and watch. “They really love that,” says Mary Ann Neureiter, executive director of the center. “It’s very calming for them.” So calming that Neureiter brings her own dog, Claudia, to work with her every day. “She’s the Cambridge House mascot,” Neureiter says of her miniature pinscher. “She’s here every day, and it’s just another form of therapy.”

ABCs of ADCs

Adult day cares can take many forms. Some, like RossWoods, are large, state-of-the-art facilities. In December, RossWoods moved into a new 14,000-square-foot facility

Summer 2010

designed specifically for adult day care. It has an activity kitchen, where clients can cook, in addition to a full commercial kitchen. Special areas include a large gathering room, a music room, a patio, two bedrooms (if someone needs a nap) and even a beauty salon. The center currently serves 28 to 30 seniors a day, but it can handle up to 50. “The more, the merrier,” says Jones. Other centers, such as The Homeplace, are smaller and retrofitted to accommodate their current use. The four Homeplace centers are private homes that have been converted to day care centers. “They are very homey environments, but they are all very different because the houses themselves were different,” says Russell. The centers can accommodate up to 30 clients each, but the client/staff ratio is higher than in an urban area. “It’s a completely different paradigm than an adult day care in, say, Atlanta,” says Russell. “In our communities, everything is not a fingertip away. So we play a social worker role and help them get all the resources they need, from A to Z.” Some adult day care centers are private, for-profit concerns. Others are county-run. And more and more are being opened by faith-based organizations. The First United Methodist Church of Lawrenceville opened Grace Arbor, a congregational respite program, in 2005 in response to the need of several in the congregation. The center, which is housed in the church, serves church members and non-members alike who suffer from early to mid-stage dementia. It is run — except for the director and part-time assistant director — entirely by volunteers. “I think congregational respite is unique from public adult day care in many ways,” says Robin Dill, director of Grace Arbor. “The volunteers who work here have either been called to do it, have a desire to give back or have had experience with dementia of a loved one. It’s different from having a paid staff. These volunteers are here because they have a gift they want to give.” In addition to many of the usual adult day care activities, seniors at Grace Arbor take on service projects. To support a non-profit clinic next to the church, Grace Arbor clients build bluebird boxes. A $100 donation to the clinic is rewarded with a bluebird box. “They really love to work on projects that help other people,” says Dill. Grace Arbor charges clients $42 a day. That puts it near the middle of the road in adult day pricing. Adult day care centers charge anywhere from $20 to $100 a day. Some accept payment on a sliding scale, allowing lower-income seniors to pay what they can afford. The Alzheimer’s Association’s Georgia Chapter offers a voucher program called Caregiver Time Out. Full-time caregivers of persons with dementia can apply for reimbursement of up to $1,200 a year for in-home, adult day or overnight respite care. However, due to funding cuts, the program currently has a substantial waiting list. To learn more about Caregiver Time Out, call 1-800-272-3900. To find an adult day care in your area, call your local AAA. You can also ask your physician’s office or an association such as the Alzheimer’s Association. GG

GUEST CLOSE-UP

CO-AGE meeting recognizes state advocates

Regional winners of the Martha Eaves Advocating for Positive Change Awards presented at the CO-AGE meeting in Savannah. They are joined by Kay Hind, far right, chair of the Georgia Council on Aging. By Abigail G. Cox, Aging Services Coordinator, Georgia Council on Aging

he Coalition of Advocates for Georgia’s Elderly (CO-AGE) “post-session” meeting was held at St. Joseph’s / Candler Hospital in Savannah on April 29, where older Georgians from across the state were recognized for their advocacy efforts. In addition, participants learned about all of the highs and lows from the 2010 Georgia General Assembly session. Kay Hind, chair of the Georgia Council on Aging, opened the meeting, followed by Melba Paulk-Veazey, CO-AGE chair, who reviewed the meeting agenda and welcomed the new director for the Division of Aging Services, Dr. James Bulot. Dr. Bulot addressed the participants and praised the advocacy work already being done at the state and local levels. The highlight of the meeting was the announcement of the 2010 Martha Eaves Advocating for Positive Change Awards. Winners from across the state were recognized for devoting time and energy to advocating for positive change at the local, state or federal level. Individuals were nominated by Georgia’s Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs). Here are the 2010 award winners and the AAAs that nominated them: Ñ Anne Bragg — SOWEGA AAA Ñ Kenneth P. Brooks — Heart of Georgia Altamaha AAA Ñ Rev. Lloyd E. Dees — Coastal Georgia AAA Ñ Isabelle Harper — Central Savannah River AAA Ñ Barbara Harris — Middle Georgia AAA Ñ Roselle Moody — River Valley AAA

Ñ Laurie Parker — Northwest Georgia AAA Ñ Dennell “Nell” Simmons — Southern Georgia AAA Ñ Shirley Smith — Northeast Georgia AAA Ñ Chuck Ware —Atlanta Regional Commission AAA Ñ Robert Wood — Southern Crescent AAA In addition to the awards presentation, attendees learned about the CO-AGE legislative and budgetary victories and setbacks at the 2010 Georgia General Assembly session. The outcome of each of the 2010 CO-AGE priorities was presented, along with the “Be There 4 Seniors” campaign messages about the budget priorities. Advocates had fought hard this year with the SFY 2010 amended and SFY 2011 budgets, asking legislators to restore $1,376,718 (almost 135,000 respite hours) for nonMedicaid HCBS respite services and to support the governor’s proposal to replace state funds of $611,520 in the Adult Protective Services (APS) and $1,000,000 in the Long Term Care Ombudsman (LTCO) programs with the Nursing Home Civil Monetary Penalty (CMP) funds. Kathryn Fowler, executive director for the Georgia Council on Aging, gave participants a snapshot of the devastating cuts that Georgia’s seniors have endured over the past year. The meeting adjourned with a call for action. Each participant was encouraged to talk to his or her legislators about the impact of the budgetary cuts to aging programs and services. For updated information on CO-AGE issues and the 2010 legislative session outcomes, you can contact the Georgia Council on Aging at 404-657-5343. GG 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 Georgia’s AAAs.

Northwest Georgia

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

Wellness program covers important health issues

enior nutrition centers entertaining and easy are a hub for wellness to understand. Daily activities. These educaexercise programs tional programs help take place at each seniors (age 60-plus) to be senior nutrition more independent by living center and include healthier lives and chair, video and managing chronic diseases. machine exercises. Nutrition education and Medication screening, physical activity, management includes medication management a series of classes to Dr. Noaleen Ingalsbe, registered and Senior Farmers’ prepare an individualdietitian and wellness coordinator for Markets are all part of the ized medication guide. the Northwest Georgia AAA, enjoys Area Agency on Aging The guide has samples working with seniors in the varied wellness program. of the actual pills facets of the wellness program. Nutrition services beside the name, include a monthly newsletter, nutrition which doctor prescribed them, the counseling, referrals for high-risk seniors, purpose, and the strength and frequency and wellness presentations that are of doses. Summer 2010

The yearly Senior Farmers’ Markets are popular. Georgia farmers bring stategrown produce to the center, and seniors receive vouchers worth $20. Sign-up is required through the local senior nutrition center, and there are a limited number of vouchers. Even if you do not attend the center regularly, you may participate in some events and services. For information on any of these services, call your local senior center. For other information, call the AAA of Northwest Georgia at 706-802-5506 or tollfree 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

Caregivers follow ARC on Facebook

ant to receive current information on older adults and notices of upcoming events hosted by the Area Agency on Aging at the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC)? Ever wonder about what you need to better care for a loved one, or what is available to support you in your role as a caregiver? Then follow ARC on Facebook by becoming a fan of the AgeWise Connection fan page. It can be a quick and easy link with answers to your questions! Facebook is a free social networking program on the Web that anyone can join. It’s a great tool to connect and communicate with family, friends and others in the community. You can share information and updates about yourself, post photos and videos, invite people to events and more. According to IStrategyLabs, the fastestgrowing demographic of Facebook users is the 55-plus age group. To join, visit www.facebook.com and sign up for a Facebook account. You will need to provide your name, email address, gender and date of birth, and create a password. Once you have established an account, you will set up your profile. The profile page is where you can share as much or as little information about yourself

™

as you would like. You can also post pictures to your profile. Facebook does have security settings that allow you to restrict who sees your profile information. After you have created a Facebook account, then you can become a fan of the AgeWise Connection page. Just visit www. facebook.com/AgeWiseConnection, or look for AgeWise Connection using the Facebook search function. By joining the AgeWise Connection fan page, you can: n Find out about upcoming events sponsored by ARC and other community partners. n Receive reminders about important dates and deadlines related to Medicare benefits and other programs. n Receive information about eligibility requirements and application

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, 404-613-6000 Gwinnett County Gwinnett County Senior Services, 678-377-4150 Henry County Henry County Senior Services, 770-288-7001 Rockdale County Rockdale County Senior Services, 770-278-7230

information for programs such as Medicare Saving Programs, Low-Income Energy Assistance Programs and more. n Receive educational information and materials. n Be linked to health and benefitsrelated resources and Web sites. For more information about Facebook, you can visit the following sites: http://mashable.com/guidebook/facebook/ offers an online guide to Facebook. www.dummies.com offers Facebook cheat sheets.

We invite you to take the leap into social networking and join Facebook! Then become a fan of the Agewise Connection page to keep current on information and events for older adults and caregivers. Tell your friends about it too! After you visit the Facebook page, go to www.agewiseconnection.com or call 404-463-3333 if you have additional questions. We look forward to having you join the community of AgeWise Connection friends on Facebook! 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

Age Strong! Live Long!

eniors at the Newton County Senior Center in Covington, Georgia, have taken steps to live up to this year’s theme for Older Americans Month — Age Strong! Live Long! Already the exercise class meets three times a week and is more than 75 strong; the walking club has walked over 75,000 miles since its beginning in 2006 and has a membership of 90 members; and the line dancing club has performed at nursing homes and onstage at the Porter Memorial Auditorium and many other venues. Now the seniors are continuing their active pace as they participate in Dance for Your Life — a cardio exercise class that was introduced by their activities coordinator, Freda Reed. The seniors dance nonstop for one hour, including a

The Newton County seniors’ quest to stay healthy and strong is evident in the many participants who attend wellness and fitness classes and love every minute of it. For informaDance for Your Life class participants in action: (front row) Estelle tion on the Newton Haley, Merna Natly, Edith Williams, Arlene Woods; (middle row) County Senior Center Joyce Dunson, Agnes Frederick; (back row) Mildred Scott, Ida Davis, wellness and fitness Janie Davis and Willie Davis. classes, call 770-787-0038. For further information, 5-minute warm-up; 25 minutes of dancing contact the Northeast Georgia AAA, to a “Dancing in the Spirit” video; 25 305 Research Drive, Athens, GA 30605; minutes of freestyle dancing — anything 706-583-2546 or 1-800-474-7540. from square dancing to the Cuban shuffle; and finally a 5-minute cool-down. Since the NorthEast Georgia encompasses these counties: Barrow, Clarke, Elbert, Greene, Jackson, Jasper, Madison, class began in January 2009, it has grown Morgan, Newton, Oconee, Oglethorpe, Walton from 5 members to over 25 members.

River Valley

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

“Focus on Health” highlights River Valley programs

olumbus City Councilman Pop Barnes serves on the River Valley Regional Commission Council. Councilman Barnes is very active in promoting community health. He is a registered nurse and is the host and producer for a local weekly TV show, “Focus on Health.” Recently our case manager, Linda Harris, and GeorgiaCares coordinator, Shameika Linda Harris, Councilman Pop Barnes and Shameika Averett. Averett, were featured guests on the show. The River Valley Area Agency on Aging had the opportudoes not understand the benefits and nity to showcase services and programs value of this service. The program for seniors and people with disabilities. enables seniors to live at home longer The Community Care Services instead of moving to a nursing home. Program (CCSP) was highlighted on the When appropriate, CCSP maintains show because much of the community dignity and independence for the client Summer 2010

and primary caregivers, as well as substantial costs savings. Some of the CCSP services include adult day health, emergency response systems, homedelivered meals and respite services. The average CCSP recipient stays at home for over four years! The newly created Aging and Disability Resource Connection was also discussed on the show. We are expanding our database of community resources for people with disabilities, caregivers and professionals, so that one phone call can serve as the true gateway to community services. For more information regarding our services and programs, please call the River Valley AAA at 1-866-55-AGING. RIVER VALLEY 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

PTC training helps mother and daughter

“I

’m the caregiver” — “No, I’m the caregiver” is the argument of Kay Stephenson and her daughter, Katie, two members of the Powerful Tools for Caregivers (PTC) training class currently taking place at Cochran First Baptist Church. On February 17, 1983, Katie was injured in a car accident while the family was traveling home from church. Her mother, Kay, and brother, Brad, had been attempting to quiet Katie from crying in her car seat when they hit a horse running wild in the countryside. The neurosurgeon told the family that Katie would not live through the night. She did — and the doctor then told the family to start planning Katie’s funeral. Three weeks later, the doctor said, “Well, she just won’t die,

so I guess I should go ahead and do surgery on her.” He placed a shunt in her brain to drain the fluid, and said Katie would be deaf and probably blind. Today, Katie is 27 years old, is not deaf and blind, is happily employed, and loves her family and friends. Although she knows exactly what she is saying, Katie experiences some challenges communicating with others and has a slight physical handicap. Katie learned to be independent after living at Cave Springs for eight months, where she learned to buy groceries, wash her own clothes, manage her own money, and do chores at the girls’ cottage. “We never would have made it this far without God and my parents,” explains Kay. “The skills learned in the PTC class will help us help each other.”

Katie and Kay Stephenson.

For information about other programs, contact Heart of Georgia Altamaha RC, 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

Southern Georgia

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

Bacon County Senior Center relocates

t was a perfect solution to two issues that tugged at the hearts of Alma residents. The old Bacon County Primary School was to be demolished, and the Bacon County Senior Center had outgrown its facility. However, thanks to a community effort, a piece of history was Seniors at the new Bacon County Senior Center welcome Charlton saved, and area seniors County seniors to a St. Patrick’s Day luncheon on March 17. now have a new home. center. Rep. Jack Kingston, Sen. Greg Seniors who had attended the school Goggans, Rep. Tommy Smith and the as children joined forces with local Bacon County Board of Commissioners residents to create the “Save the School” also provided invaluable support. committee and received CDBG funding to The new facility provides 6,000 square transform the old school into a new senior 12

feet of space. According to Chris Williams, Bacon County Senior Center site manager, “We now enjoy a dining room that seats a hundred, an arts and crafts room, a library, an exercise room, a large kitchen and expansive windows. The seniors are delighted.” For information, call the Southern Georgia AAA at 912-285-6097 or toll-free at 1-888-732-4464. The Southern Georgia AAA is a division of the Southern Georgia Regional Commission located at 1725 S. Georgia Parkway West, Waycross, GA 31503. Southern 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

Changes, changes, changes!

hings are not like they used to be, are they? That certainly applies to businesses of all sorts, as well as to aging programs in Georgia. Area Agencies on Aging are not just information resources for persons age 60-plus, and senior centers are more than just places for senior adults to go for a free lunch and a bingo game. It’s been a long time since this was true. Senior centers are now truly community centers, offering a wide array of information, services, assistance and opportunities for seniors to contribute to their communities. The Legacy Link Area Agency on Aging and senior centers in this 13-county area serve a wider range of ages now because they recognize that neighbors, children and grandchildren may need assistance to care for senior adults.

The Legacy Link Kinship Care Program is highly successful in the region and offers grandparents and other

Senior centers are now truly community centers, offering a wide array of information, services, assistance and opportunities for seniors. relatives information and support to assist in the parenting of young children. Each summer, many children enjoy the experience of going to all sorts of summer camps — thanks to the help of Legacy Link and local businesses who

donate clothes and gear for the campers. Wellness programs in many counties in this area are growing in popularity due to the commitment and support of Legacy Link and centers whose staff encourage seniors, provide fun experiences and lead exercise sessions — along with assistance from community volunteers. Whoever thought weights and machines like treadmills could be fun to people in their 60s, 70s and 80s? And imagine that waiting lists would be kept at the centers for the use of those machines? Changes, changes, changes! It has been said, “Growing old isn’t for sissies!” For more information, call 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

Georgia Family Support Program offers support and information

he Southern Crescent AAA is proud to have been selected by the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregiving to implement the Georgia Family Support Program. The Georgia Family Support Program is designed for couples with one partner living with Alzheimer’s disease or related dementia — and provides support, education and information on resources for the partner in the caregiver role. The program will consist of six counseling sessions conducted by a professional counselor with a master’s degree in social work or a doctorate in counseling. Each participating family will be offered 24 hours of in-home or out-ofhome respite care, so that the caregiver can participate in the program. The entire Summer 2010

program lasts 18 months for each participant, as the counselor will provide follow-up at two months and six months after the completed sessions. Support groups will also be a part of the program, along with ad hoc telephone sessions. Alzheimer’s disease can have devastating effects on both those diagnosed and their families. It currently affects an estimated four million people in the U.S., but that number is expected to keep growing. The Family Support Program began at New York University with

Dr. Mary Mittelman in the 1980s and has expanded to Minnesota and now Georgia. The program has been proven to reduce caregiver stress, improve family support and, in many cases, delay having to place a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia in a nursing home. 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

Central Savannah River

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

Doctors Hospital helps seniors live life to the fullest

he Central Savannah River Area (CSRA) Area Agency on Aging and Doctors Hospital of Augusta believe that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. In support of this philosophy, the two have partnered to offer programs for seniors on topics such as balance and fall prevention, nutrition, cancer care and joint protection. These programs provide seniors with tools they can use to lead proactive, safe and healthy lifestyles. One such event was Doctors Hospital’s recent H2U (health to you) program. During the six-week program, H2U members learned how to live life to its fullest despite chronic health problems. Monique Hillman and LaTonya McNair, both registered nurses at the CSRA Area

Agency on Aging, presented the material in a clear, concise manner and Participants of the recent Doctors Hospital H2U (health to you) class. encouraged a great deal of audience participation. wellness program, contact Monique Future wellness programs are schedHillman at 706-210-2000, ext. 171. uled for the Brigham and Sand Hills When our communities are the wind Community Centers. To learn more about beneath our wings, the sky’s the limit! community events and health screenings For more information, contact the CSRA offered at Doctors Hospital of Augusta, AAA at 706-210-2018, 1-888-922-4464, or contact their “consult a nurse” line www.areaagencyonaging.com. at 706-651-4343 or visit their Web site at Central Savannah River encompasses these www.doctors-hospital.net. For informacounties: Burke, Columbia, Glascock, Hancock, Jefferson, Jenkins, Lincoln, McDuffie, Richmond, Screven, Taliaferro, tion on other activities provided through Warren, Washington, Wilkes the CSRA Area Agency on Aging’s

Southwest Georgia

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

“Understanding Caregiving — Changes, Challenges and Choices”

he SOWEGA Council on Aging, SOWEGA CARE-NET and SOWEGA Alzheimer’s Association sponsored a Lunch and Learn Seminar on Thursday, April 29 at the First Methodist Church in Albany. The event speakers were Ann Hudgins and Charlotte DeLucca, who are trainers for “Powerful Tools for Care givers” in the region and personal caregivers for their own family members at home. The seminar was beneficial for all caregivers, both personal and professional, as the speakers shared their stories and what they had learned through the caregiving “Changes, Challenges and Choices” in their lives. A panel of experts also spoke and answered questions about 14

caregiving. The panel consisted of a doctor, lawyer, ombudsman, and child disability advocate, so that all caregiving situations were addressed. Family caregivers are the backbone of long-term care and the main reason that those who need continuous care are able to remain in the community instead of in a facility. Family caregivers often find that their caregiving duties make them isolated from family, friends and activities. This can cause high levels of stress, compromise the caregiver’s health and lead to depression.

Family caregivers are extremely valuable, need support and assistance with their caregiving duties and deserve recognition. The Family Caregiver Program has recently expanded the territory in the Southwest Georgia area to include all 14 counties under the SOWEGA Council on Aging — including Baker, Calhoun, Colquitt, Decatur, Dougherty, Early, Grady, Lee, Miller, Mitchell, Seminole, Terrell, Thomas and Worth counties. For more information on the Family Caregiver Program, call Monica Posey or Ada Brown at 229-432-1124. For further information, contact the Southwest Georgia Area Agency on Aging at 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

Georgia Generations

Coastal Georgia

Covers a 9-county area surrounding Brunswick and Savannah

Determined Coastal advocates meet with their representatives

uring the last week in February each year, senior adults from all over Georgia head to Atlanta for Senior Week at the Capitol, where they have a chance to meet their legislators and advocate for the Coalition of Advocates for Georgia’s Elderly (CO-AGE) priorities. The Coastal Area Agency on Aging coordinates the trip to the Capitol for dedicated advocates of senior issues in their counties. Senior Week at the Capitol is sponsored by the Georgia Council on Aging and CO-AGE. For advocates like 86-year-old Sadie Ryals of McIntosh County, Senior Week at the Capitol is an extraordinary opportunity to meet representatives and talk about the concerns of elders. This is the fifth year in a row that Ryals has traveled

to Atlanta with other advocates from the Coastal region. One of the biggest highlights for the advocates this year was a unique opportunity to sit at the desks of House Representative Majority Leader Jerry Keen meets with Coastal advocates on the floor of the House of Representatives. members. Representative Majority Leader Jerry Keen who can’t come to the Capitol. We need invited the group to the floor of the you to be there for them.” House of Representatives and spoke with For additional information, call the Coastal the well-prepared advocates, who really AAA at 1-800-580-6860. knew their issues. Rev. Henry Fraser of Liberty County Coastal Georgia encompasses these counties: Bryan, Bulloch, Camden, Chatham, Effingham, Glynn, voiced his concerns for imminent budget Liberty, Long, McIntosh cuts that would affect seniors in his county. “I am here to represent those

Dear Readers,

gazine. the last issue of Georgia Gen erat ions ma With regret we inform you that this is nt information that supports the importa e vid pro to n bee has l goa the n, atio Since its cre , our s of older adults and families. And, you live the in y pla ers egiv car l rma info t role tha years. ely positive feedback over the past ten readers, have responded with extrem in these st come to an end due to funding cuts mu ions erat Gen rgia Geo of tion lica The pub org ia , Area Agencies on Ag ing (AA As) in Ge diff icult economic times. Unfortunately and this isions and reallocate shrink ing dollars have been forced to make diff icult dec publication has become a casualty. r local the information available through you However, while the publication ends, p the be timely and important. Be sure to kee Area Agencies on Ag ing continues to e concerning care and support of older aris t tha ns stio que for dy han ber num phone adults. 6 or going t the countr y by calling 1-800- 677-111 hou oug thr A AA any find also can You ia’s Area county where you live. Staff at Georg to ww w.eldercare.gov and entering the with t the countr y stand ready to provide you Agencies on Ag ing and those throughou es for older adults. up-to-date information about resourc rs for their thanks to our readers and our sponso As we say good-by, we extend a sincere unwavering support.

Georgia’s Area Agencies on Aging