GaGen 2002 Winter by Wells-Smith Partners

Georgia

Generations Winter 2002

Resources for Caregivers Also in This Issue: Monica and Mom ■■ News & Notes Geriatric Case Management . . . and more Published quarterly by Georgia’s Area Agencies on Aging

AAAs – Gateways to Community Resources 1

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

4 7 6

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

9 12

Georgia

Generations WINTER 2002 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

On the Cover: A special mother/daughter moment is shared by Monica Kaufman, WSB-TV news anchor, and her mother, Hattie Edmondson, both of Atlanta. The two women enjoy a close relationship based on companionship, friendship and respect. See story, page 4. Photo by Caroline Joe.

Winter 2002, Volume 1, #2 © 2002 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

Medicare Changes

To Soak or Not? Cold winter nights may bring thoughts of soaking in a hot tub. Should you encourage your elderly loved one to take a hot bath? Doctors point to the advantages of a hot soak: The heat helps to temporarily relax stiff arthritic joints, relieves back pain and might aid in sleeping. However, here are words of caution: Limit the person’s soak to no more than 15 minutes and avoid very hot temperatures, so they won’t become overheated. Use EXTRA CAUTION when they are getting out of the tub (and for several minutes afterwards), to make sure they don’t slip. Also, watch for any signs of dizziness or faintness. Anyone taking betablockers or ACE inhibitors (both of which lower blood pressure), as well as anyone with low blood pressure, should be extra careful.

Caregiving in an Emergency In light of the recent events in our country, this advice is timely: People with dementia might not understand what is going on around them during an emergency. However, they do pick up emotions and might have a partial understanding, which could lead to greater confusion. Take these steps to reduce agitation: ■ Shield the person from media coverage of the event, including TV, radio and newspaper.

Winter 2002

■ Find ways to verbally reassure the person. ■ Try to maintain daily routines as much as possible. ■ Seek ways to take care of yourself. It can feel particularly lonely when your loved one can’t respond to your needs during a difficult time. Look for the means to feel nurtured and connected with others as much as possible. Source: www.caregiver.org

Medicare benefits and services are expanding through the Benefits Improvement and Protection Act of 2000 (BIPA). Some portions of the Act are already in effect, with others on the way. Make a note of these new and expanded benefits: ■ Pap tests, pelvic exams and clinical breast exams, previously covered only every three years are now covered once every two years. ■ New coverage for glaucoma screening will be offered to high-risk individuals annually, beginning January 2002. ■ Colonoscopy screening, previously only covered for high-risk individuals, is now offered once every 10 years to all Medicare beneficiaries.

■ Medical nutrition therapy, previously not covered, will be offered to people with diabetes or renal disease beginning January 2002. ■ The normal 24month waiting period for disability coverage for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Disease (Lou Gehrig’s Disease) is now waived. ■ The definition of “homebound” will, at an undetermined date, be relaxed to include adult day care as a treatment plan, and allow Medicare recipients to attend religious services outside the home. Interested in more details? In metro Atlanta, call HICARE (Health Insurance Counseling and Referral for the Elderly) at 404-463-3350; elsewhere, call 1-800-669-8387.

Surfing the Net Help is at your fingertips. Here are just a few of the many Web sites devoted to caregiving information and resources: www.caregiving.org, site of the National Alliance for Caregiving, provides an extensive searchable database of resources. www.benefitscheckup.org is run by The National Council on the Aging. Visitors fill out a short questionnaire; then the site identifies federal and state benefit programs for which the care recipient might be eligible. www.careguide.com is run by a professional care management company. It offers tips, online support groups and a search tool to find providers and services. You can also get a professional consultation at $125 an hour. Look for more helpful Web sites in the next issue of Georgia Generations.

PHOTO BY CAROLINE JOE.

Carl Conine, a participant in the day care program at Benton House, Stockbridge, GA, enjoys a helping hand from Carolyn Griffin, CNA.

Resources Caregivers FOR

BY MARTHA NOLAN MCKENZIE ast July, Robin Hodges-Caraballo of Stockbridge, GA, moved her 71year-old father, James Hodges, into her home. The elder Hodges suffers from Alzheimer’s and could no longer live alone. She was happy to take her father in, but she works full-time as a legal assistant in an Atlanta law firm, so she couldn’t provide care during the day. Happily, she found Benton House, an adult day care facility in Stockbridge. “It’s an excellent facility,” said Hodges-Caraballo. “It’s clean and the staff really treats him like family. My father actually looks forward to going.” Hodges-Caraballo has also used Benton House for respite care, leaving her father overnight so she and her husband can escape to the North Georgia mountains for a much-needed break. “It’s been such a relief to have Benton House,” said Hodges-Caraballo. “I’m at peace, and my dad loves it.”

As Hodges-Caraballo has found, there are more resources available for caregivers than ever before — from respite care to transportation services, from legal aid to support groups and from home health services to utility discount programs. The challenge for caregivers is to locate and evaluate these resources. “One of the biggest problems is that everything is so fractured,” said Suzanne Mitz, president and co-founder of the National Family Caregivers Association in Kensington, MD. “Even if there are a lot of resources available in your area, it’s difficult to pull together exactly what you need. And you’re generally trying to do this when you’re under stress, which makes it that much harder.” Caregiving experts point out that if you know where to look, however, the process can be a lot easier. Here are eight general areas in which to begin your search.

Your local Area Agency on Aging AAAs are located in communities across the country and serve as gateways to local resources for caregivers. “Your first stop should be your Area Agency on Aging,” said Pat Freeman, executive director of Legacy Link Inc, a AAA in Gainesville. “We all have large databases of resources and services in our areas. We can’t give you everything, but we can get you started.” For example, if you wanted to find respite care for your elderly father so you could take a much-needed break, a counselor at the AAA could give you a list of options in your area or in the area in which your father resides. She could tell you which places offer daytime services and which will allow you to leave him overnight. She would know which ones take people with dementia and which ones take people with incontinence. She could give you their hours, prices and eligibility requirements, if any. And she would provide this information free of charge. Georgia Generations

Cynthia Haley, caregiver specialist with CSRA Agency on Aging in Augusta, emphasized the wide range of information available. “We can help people find low-cost transportation, homemaker services, help with bathing and grooming, adult day care and home modification programs. We can tell people where to find assistive devices — everything from bathtub rails to panty hose grabbers. Many people just don’t realize how much they can benefit by reaching out to organizations such as ours.” To find the AAA nearest you, turn to “A Look at AAAs Around Georgia,” beginning on page 9. For AAAs in other states, call the Eldercare Locator at 1-800-677-1116.

Your employer or the care recipient’s employer When Glen Fuse’s mother was admitted into the hospital in June for a bout of amnesia, they both had to face the fact that she could no longer live in her own home. But where should she go? With Fuse living in Atlanta, his sister in Nashville and his 84year-old mother in St. Louis, finding a place wasn’t going to be easy. “My sister and I were trying to coordinate things long-distance, and we were on a very short deadline, since she couldn’t stay in the hospital very long,” said Fuse, a regional editorial manager of the FW Dodge division of McGraw-Hill. “We weren’t sure where to turn.” Then Fuse remembered his company’s employee assistance program, which offered eldercare counseling and referral, through a work/life services firm called Harris Rothenberg. He was put in touch with a counselor and explained his situation. “I was so impressed,” said Fuse. “She (the counselor) started helping almost immediately. She began leaving voice messages with recommendations of assisted living facilities near my mother’s house.” Winter 2002

Fuse and his sister ended up finding a place for their mother on their own — a nearby apartment complex for seniors — but he was very happy with the assistance he got from his employer. “I have nothing but good things to say about the employee assistance program,” said Fuse. “It brought a lot of

peace of mind knowing I had someone I could turn to.” Caregiving benefits provide a win/win situation for everyone. A 1997 study by MetLife Mature Market Group found that employees who are caregivers cost their employers as much as $29 billion a year in lost

Georgia Tech’s Aware Home Project or older Americans, there is truly no

rupted by someone at the door. By the time

place like home, and most would pre-

she got back to the kitchen, she may have for-

fer to stay there. Unfortunately, that’s

gotten what she was doing. A computer and

not always possible. Decreased mobility, for-

cameras would have been recording her activ-

getfulness and impaired senses may limit the

ities, so she could look back at the images of

ability of seniors to live safely at home.

her actions to jog her memory.

However, computer systems being devel-

What if she lost her keys or eyeglasses?

oped at Georgia Institute of Technology could

She could go to one of the touch panels

make aging in place more feasible. The Aware

located throughout the house and the system would track the missing object, which would have been outfitted with a small radio-frequency tag. The system might then tell her, “The keys are in the bedroom.” If your mother is arthritic, she could wear a pendant that acts like a camera and can detect simple gestures done in front of it. So if she wanted to turn a light on, she could point to the light and raise her finger. Sound like a far-fetched “Jetson’s” episode? Well, it’s closer than you may think. Aware Home technology may be a reality

Dr. Elizabeth Mynatt, assistant professor in the Georgia Tech College of Computing, demonstrates the digital family portrait, which helps caregivers track senior family members.

early in this century. “We have an impending crisis in the United States of an aging population,” said Dr. Elizabeth Mynatt, assistant professor in the Col-

Home project, now under development at

lege of Computing at Georgia Tech. “If we can

Georgia Tech, would combine a system of

create an environment in the home that can

computers and sensors throughout the house

partner with [seniors] for even basic daily

that could warn the resident of impending

activities, then we can enable these individu-

problems, deliver reminders about daily rou-

als to live independently in their own homes,

tines, such as taking medications, and even

in contrast to moving to an institutional care

contact emergency services.

setting.”

Here’s how it would work. Suppose your mother was preparing a meal and was inter-

For information about the Aware Home, visit the Web site at www.cc.gatech.edu/fce/ahri

productivity. As a result, many companies have begun to offer benefits designed to help the employee who is caring for an aging relative. One such company is AT&T, which employs some 10,000 workers in Georgia. Employees can take up to 12 months in family leave over a 24-month period and retain their benefits during the entire time. They have the option of gradually returning to work after the leave, in case they are still giving care. They can have three excused work days per year, which can be taken in two-hour increments, flex schedules and job shares. AT&T also offers onsite caregiving support groups for any office that requests them and has a quarterly eldercare conference call, which operates like a radio call-in show. Consultants are available for all employees via telephone 24 hours a day, seven days a

week. AT&T contracts with Ceridian Benefits Services, a provider of human resources and benefits administration services, to offer some of these benefits. For AT&T, such benefits are good business. “It is very much a business issue,” said Skip Schlenk, director of work and family programs at AT&T. “The MetLife study showed how much caregiving costs employers, and that study is more than 10 years old. If you look at this country’s demographics, you can only assume that cost is going up.” While the largest U.S. companies lead the way in providing caregiving benefits, smaller firms are starting to join in. The CSRA Agency on Aging in Augusta has begun a program called the Coalition for Caregivers in the Workplace. The program is designed to educate employers on the impact caregiving can have on their bottom line and to share approaches to the issue.

“We are eager to get the word out,” said Haley. “There are a number of things a workplace of any size could implement, some at no cost at all — such as flex hours, having information available onsite and sponsoring support groups. The employees would benefit, and so would the company.”

Local hospitals Many hospitals have outstanding programs for seniors and their caregivers. The John D. Archbold Memorial Hospital in Thomasville, GA, is a good example. Archbold houses the later life resource center. Anyone in the hospital’s five-county area can come into the center for a free assessment of their caregiving needs and get referrals to available services.

An Anchor’s Family ‘Anchor’ and she wanted her grandma to come to all

vinced her mother, Hattie Edmondson,

her games.”

At other times, Grandma Hat goes to Monica’s church, where she helps her daughter organ-

to leave Louisville, KY, and move to

“Grandma Hat” decided to make the move

ize activities for seniors. “She has more friends

Atlanta at the age of 65, and she’ll quickly give

to Atlanta, but not until she had the house of

my age than her own age,” Monica says. “She

all the credit to her 21-year-old daughter, Claire.

her dreams . . . a cozy bungalow on the property

likes to stay around young people, who are more active.”

The popular WSB-TV news anchor recalls:

behind Monica’s home. In fact, Monica custom-

“Claire wanted her to move here. She was too

built the home to Grandma Hat’s specifications:

Grandma Hat stays busy all week, often walk-

far away! Claire was eight years old at the time,

two large bedrooms, two baths, a raised toilet,

ing to the museum or to the mall, or taking a

a lowered tub and wider-than-usual doorframes.

bus to Lenox Square. On Sundays, Monica always

That was 13 years ago, and since then, the

takes her to church, followed by dinner or shop-

two women have established a routine and a

ping. “I am fortunate to have good friends who

lifestyle that combines companionship with

stop in to help when needed. They’ll take her to

friendship and respect. Every Wednesday is

church, check on her and watch over her when

“their day,” spent shopping, running

I’m out of town.”

errands, or whatever Grandma Hat,

Monica is learning to deal with the role

now 78, chooses to do. Sometimes

reversal that comes with caregiving for an older

Monica takes her to Tullwater Ele-

parent. And she now seeks out close friends who

mentary School, where she

have older parents, in order to compare notes

reads to first graders. “The

on caregiving. “But I’m still learning a lot from

kids love it,” she says. “Many

her — about family history and family stories

of them have never seen

. . . and she still sits up and waits for me to come

an older grandma.”

in after work every night,” she says with a grin. Georgia Generations

MAKEUP BY JAMILLAH SIMMONS SHELTON. PHOTO BY CAROLINE JOE.

sk Monica Kaufman how she ever con-

Your church or faith-based organization Religious organizations, such as Catholic Charities USA, the Lutheran Ministries Association, Jewish Family & Career Services and other similar groups, are good places to look for help. Jewish Family & Career Services, for example, has a program called Jewish Elder Access, which is a free information and referral service. Counselors can guide callers to home services, such as in-home care, homemaker services and kosher meal delivery, and to community services, such as transportation, senior centers and elder law. “I either give people actual referrals to a service or I provide general information, such as explaining the difference between assisted living and independent retirement communities,” said Cori Sackin, C.I.R.S., information and referral specialist with Jewish Elder Access.

Associations dedicated to a specific illness Organizations such as The American Cancer Society, the American Diabetes Association and the American Heart Association can offer valuable services, advice and referrals to caregivers. The Alzheimer’s Association stands out for the level of service it provides for those who suffer from the disease as well as for their caregivers. The Greater Georgia Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association operates a 24-hour help line on which callers can always reach a live counselor. The chapter also organizes more than 70 support groups in metro Atlanta and throughout parts of the state, reaching to Columbus and Rome. It runs a multicultural outreach program to educate the African American and Korean communities about the disease and to make sure they are accessing all the resources available to them. The Georgia chapter also offers a caregiver time-out program, which helps fund respite care. “It pays up to $100 a month for a year, which can be used for adult day care, a caregiver to come into the home or an overnight stay at an assisted living facility,” said John Thames, family and community services director for the chapter. Winter 2002

The Rosalynn Carter Institute

n the caregiving journey, the biggest hurdle many providers encounter is the fragmentation of the system. The Rosalynn Carter Institute for Human Development in Americus, GA, is working to remove that obstacle by helping community caregiving leaders develop more coordinated, integrated systems of care. To that end, the Institute is expanding its successful Caregivers’ Networks (CARE-NETs). “In CARE-NET, we bring together all the people in a community who are involved in caregiving issues — hospitals, community service groups, not-for-profits and the AAAs,” said Ronda C. Talley, executive director of the Institute. “We talk with each of them about what they are doing and try to break down the communication barrier so they all talk to each other.” The Institute already has two CARE-NETs in place — one in Americus serving west central Georgia and one in Valdosta serving south Georgia. Through a grant from the U.S. Administration on Aging, it will establish six more CARE-NETs in the state. The Institute also garnered a grant from Johnson & Johnson, which it will use to fund a field study and a “science to practice” program. The “science to practice” program will assemble four national expert advisory panels to determine best practices as well as areas of need. Each panel will produce a book on its findings that can be used as a comprehensive caregiving handbook. The panels will focus on specific caregiving areas, such as cancer, diabetes and Alzheimer’s. For information on the Rosalynn Carter Institute, visit its Web site at rci.gsw.edu or call (229) 928-1234.

Geriatric care managers Contacting all the above resources and following up on their leads is likely to be a time consuming proposition. There is an alternative. You can hire a geriatric care manager to work his or her way through the labyrinth for you. For a fee usually ranging from $75 to $150 an hour, a geriatric care manager will meet with your family member, assess his needs and help set up a plan of care to meet his immediate needs and those of the future. “A geriatric care manager can arrange for home care, make the calls to set up services for adult day care or for having meals delivered and monitor the care the person receives,” said Connie Rosenberg, president of the National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers in Tuscon, Ariz. A note of caution. No license is required to become a geriatric care manager. So ask questions about the manager’s background and check references to be safe. To find a geriatric care manager in your area, you can

visit the association’s Web site at www.caremanager.org and look up the information for free, or you can call 1520-881-8008 and purchase a directory for $15.

The Web For those who can navigate the Internet, the Web offers a wealth of information for caregivers. Examples of some of the best caregiving Web sites are listed under Caregiving News & Notes, on page 3.

Other caregivers “Sometimes the best information comes from other caregivers,” said Mitz of the National Family Caregivers Association. “A neighbor of mine called me this morning for recommendations for home care services for her husband, who had a stroke. Since I’ve been providing care for my husband, I knew where to send her.” To find other caregivers, consider joining a support group. You can find support groups by contacting some of the resources listed in this article.

GUEST CLOSE-UP

PHOTO BY CAROLINE JOE.

Putting It All Together with Geriatric Case Management By Nancy Morrison, Program Director, Sixty Plus Older Adult Services at Piedmont Hospital, Atlanta

or many anxious caregivers, the path to information and understanding often starts when a geriatric case manager asks, “Can you tell me a little bit about your situation?” A geriatric case manager is a professional who brings together the skills of a problem solver, educator, coordinator, facilitator, liaison and, often, a negotiator. Whether the issue is the older adult’s ability to continue living independently, driving skills, memory decline, chronic or acute illness, complex family dynamics or other equally challenging circumstances, a geriatric case manager can focus and coordinate the right plan of care. Problems that at first seem insurmountable begin to look more manageable once concerns are expressed and the assessment begins. “Fortunately, a friend directed us to a geriatric case manager who understood my mother’s situation and the concerns of the family,” said Sidney Guberman, who is a caregiver for his 85year-old mother. “Moira [Keller, LCSW, geriatric case manager] helped us look at options we didn’t know existed. It is so helpful for my family to know that if our situation should change, we have someone who will continue to work with us and offer support and encouragement.” Involving the older adult’s physician early in the planning process is essential to a successful outcome. The combined expertise of the case manager, physician and other healthcare and service providers can assure the right balance between independence and safety. “When I see people in the office,

Gail Bechtel, LCSW, Geriatric Case Manager with Piedmont Hospital’s Sixty Plus Older Adult Services, talks with family caregiver, Alice Emig. they’re completely out of context,” said Patrick S. Coleman, M.D., an internist at Piedmont Hospital. “Plus, I’m sure that people are often more reserved around their physicians. At home they’re able to open up more, and nurses and case managers are trained to pick up on these kinds of things.” “The case manager is a wonderful partner when my patients and their families are faced with difficult issues,” added Paul A. Herd, M.D., internist at Piedmont Hospital. “Having the capacity to intercede or evaluate the patient in the home and help meet their psychosocial needs is beneficial to the doctor’s overall treatment plan.” While geriatric case managers often work independently in private practice, they are also employed by hospitals as an outpatient service, in aging services and in community agencies. Depending on the sponsoring organization, their services range from free to several hundred dollars. When seeking the services of a case manager, it is important to interview the person to learn more about his or her experience and credentials, and to determine whether you can establish a rapport with this person. For referral information, contact 404-605-3867.

The combined expertise of the case manager, physician and other healthcare and service providers can assure the right balance between independence and safety.

Georgia Generations

A Look at AAAs Around Georgia Here are the programs and services offered by Georgia’s AAAs. Our special “Spotlight” highlights a different AAA in each issue of.

Central Savannah River

SPOTLIGHT ON

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

Adult day services help caregivers

ecades ago, sons, daughters and spouses agonized over one question that would change their lives forever: “Can we care for them by ourselves, or should we call a nursing home?” Today, families have an ever-widening range of options to help their loved ones remain in the community.The Central Savannah River Area Agency on Aging (AAA) is on a mission to connect individuals with these new resources during the caregiving process — one of the most poignant journeys that families will ever face. “The AAA works to preserve senior citizens’ roles in their families and neighborhoods for as long as it is safe to do so,” said Cynthia Haley, caregiver resource speWinter 2002

Adult day services have exploded in popularity across America — growing from 300 facilities in 1978 to more than 4,000 today — as families seek alternatives to nursing homes and ways to balance careers with the growing demands of eldercare. “Home is where most individuals desire to stay for as long as possible,” said Pat Madray, executive director of Augusta’s AutumnCare Day Generations come together at Jud C. Hickey Adult Day Center. “Because our center is Center in Augusta. comprehensive and includes medical oversight as well as socialization, cialist for the AAA. “We believe in a this is an attainable goal.” At AutumnCare, whole-family approach to caregiver supa diverse group of men and women engage port, and some of this field’s most critical in therapeutic activities, exercises, and conproviders are in the adult day services versation surrounded by colorful murals arena.”

reminiscent of small-town Southern streets. Families facing Alzheimer’s disease must meet unique challenges, explains Mary Craft, care coordinator for the Augusta Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association. Craft, Executive Director Laura Hydrick, and their local team serve CSRA caregivers through offerings such as a helpline, support groups and adult day care services for clients Day care participants enjoy exercise and socialization. who have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia. ety of programs, including new volunteer“In the beginning, caregivers often feel led initiatives in neighborhoods and faith Herculean in mind and overestimate their communities.The organization will also ability to deal with Alzheimer’s,” Craft said. expand the CSRA Coalition of Caregivers “They may feel that their ‘rainy day’ hasn’t in the Workplace, a regional network that come yet, even though they’re actually provides free technical support and public standing in the middle of a thunderstorm.” education to employers who want to help This season, the CSRA Agency on Aging workers remain healthy and productive will reach out to caregivers through a vari-

throughout the caregiving process. “Our agency is a one-stop center for access to hundreds of local and national resources,” Haley said. “Caregivers don’t have to struggle alone.We’re here to help.” The CSRA Agency on Aging, a division of the CSRA Regional Development Center, serves the needs of senior citizens and caregivers in 14 Georgia counties by coordinating area resources and encouraging innovation in the field of aging. For further information, contact: Central Savannah River RDC, 3023 Riverwatch Pkwy., Suite A, Augusta, GA 30907-2800; 706-210-2018 or toll-free 1-888-922-4464.

CENTRAL SAVANNAH RIVER ENCOMPASSES THESE COUNTIES: Burke, Columbia, Glascock, Hancock, Jefferson, Jenkins, Lincoln, McDuffie, Richmond, Screven, Taliaferro, Warren, Washington, Wilkes

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

Agency launches public awareness campaign

n an effort to reach more potential clients in the 18-county region, the Southeast Georgia RDC’s Area Agency on Aging kicked off a public awareness campaign this past June. All three phases of the campaign have been implemented and are producing positive results. The first phase of the campaign involved placement of display advertising in several regional telephone books that cover the majority of the region. Phase two was the erection of billboards in eight specifically targeted counties. Two criteria were used in choosing the counties in which the billboards were placed; the counties either had to be a regional economic hub or had less than antici-

Catherine Larkins. “We have seen a significant jump in the number of referrals of potential clients that can be directly attributed to the marketing.” Eyecatching billboards promote region’s AAA services. For further information, contact: pated participation in the aging programs. Southeast Georgia RDC; 3395 Harris Road, Advertising in local newspapers in the Waycross, GA 31503-8958; 912-285-6097 or 18 counties makes up phase three, which toll-free 1-888-732-4464. began in August. A sizeable ad for the Southeast Georgia AAA is being placed in the region’s local newspapers every two SOUTHEAST GEORGIA ENCOMPASSES THESE COUNTIES: Atkinson, Bacon, weeks for a period of six months. Ben Hill, Berrien, Brantley, Brooks, “This public awareness campaign has Charlton, Clinch, Coffee, Cook, Echols, proven to be a great investment by the Irwin, Lanier, Lowndes, Pierce, Tift, Southeast Georgia AAA,” stated Director Turner, Ware Georgia Generations

Atlanta Regional Commission Covers a 10-county area surrounding Atlanta caregivers’ confidence and competence in their roles as caregivers. Caregivers who call the Aging Connection (ARC’s regional and county-based information and amily caregivers often face challenges referral system) are first assessed for which they are not prepared. Harby Information and Referral Specialriet can no longer help her paralyzed eldists for needs related to specific erly mother out of bed due to a back services. Referrals are provided to injury and is reluctant to ask friends for services such as adult day care, inassistance. Martha lovingly cares for her home or out-of-home respite care, husband who has Alzheimer’s Disease, but support groups, and care managehe has recently begun refusing to bathe ment. Callers who could benefit despite all her efforts. Howard wants to from additional assistance in solving continue to be the primary caregiver for their caregiving problems then have his disabled father so he can remain at the opportunity to consult with the home, but Howard’s siblings are insisting Caller consults with Margaret Anderson, new Caregiver Caregiver Support Specialist. on nursing home placement. Shirley is Support Specialist. Anderson is also convening a unsure whether she should quit her job to Caregiving Advisory Committee to care full-time for her adult daughter with resenting Atlanta’s faith community. A sense identify methods of supporting family caremultiple sclerosis, since she hesitates to of trust and familiarity often characterizes givers in the Atlanta region. A key initiative “bother” the physician with too many the relationship between famquestions. ily caregivers and their congreTo assist family caregivers gations, providing a unique in addressing these and other opportunity to reach careimportant issues, the Atlanta givers with information and Regional Commission (ARC), supportive services. the Area Agency on Aging for In addition, the Caregiver the metro Atlanta region, has Support Specialist will serve as hired a registered nurse as a resource to community organizations and will explore opportunities for outreach to ARC’s Caregiver Support Specialist. Marprovide community education on issues caregivers affiliated with religious congregagaret Anderson, M.S., R.N., provides specialrelated to family caregiver support. She will tions in partnership with organizations repized phone consultation to strengthen also assist with the development of information for caregivers on ARC’s Web site and contribute to articles included in the Atlanta Regional Commission Georgia Generations publication. 404-463-3333 For additional information or to consult with ARC’s Caregiver Support Specialist, call the Aging Connection at 404-463-3333. County Contacts:

RN specialist supports family caregivers

New service provides specialized consultation to strengthen confidence and competence.

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 Senior Connections, 404-377-9901 Douglas County Douglas Senior Services, 770-489-3100

Winter 2002

Fayette County Fayette Senior Services, 770-461-0813 Fulton County Fulton County Aging Program, 404-730-6000 Gwinnett County Gwinnett County Senior Services, 770-822-8850 Henry County Henry County Senior Services, 770-898-7670 Rockdale County Rockdale County Senior Services, 770-922-4633

ATLANTA REGIONAL COMMISSION ENCOMPASSES THESE COUNTIES: Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette, Gwinnett, Fulton, Henry, Rockdale

Coastal Georgia Covers a 9-county area surrounding Brunswick and Savannah

Survey points out caregiving needs

he coastal region Caregiver Needs Assessment was completed in October. Coles and Associates, the company that conducted the surveys, presented their findings in November. Some of the results were rather surprising, while others were expected. The pie charts displayed here show some of these caregiver statistics. The median age of caregivers in the study was 61.1 years, while the average age of care recipients was 77. Adult children accounted for 34% of caregivers, while 28% were spouses. One especially interesting statistic was that while 78% reported they owned a vehicle, only 44% drove on a regular basis.

Female

Married

Employed

Disturbingly, 77% reported moderate to severe stress associated with their role as caregiver, and 47% rarely or never attend any social groups or functions. The study findings will be a good tool while developing caregiver support programs.The largest single need reported by all caregivers was respite care; however, the listing of needs was extremely diverse and will be a challenge for our programs to address. The Coastal Area Agency on Aging plans to have new services in effect as of

Live With Care Recipient

Annual Income Under $15,000

January 2002. For more information call 1-800-580-6860. For further information, contact: Coastal Georgia RDC; P.O. Box 1917, Brunswick, GA 31521; 912-264-7363 or toll-free 1-800-580-6860.

COASTAL GEORGIA ENCOMPASSES THESE COUNTIES: Bryan, Bulloch, Camden, Chatham, Effingham, Glynn, Liberty, Long, McIntosh

Heart of Georgia Altamaha Covers a 17-county area surrounding Baxley, Dublin, Vidalia, Jesup, Swainsboro

Coordinator oversees AAA programs

Special Projects Coordinator was hired in September to administer the Caregiver Program. Caregiver activities in the region include:

Maria Rea, Special Projects Coordinator.

■ Alzheimer’s and Caregiver support groups have been established. Information and resources are distributed at each meeting to provide training with coping and stress management. ■ A Family Caregiver Conference was held in November 2001 and focused on National Family Caregiver’s Month.Topics included: Coping With Stress as a Caregiver,Ten Tips for Family Caregivers, and Celebrating the Family Caregiver. ■ In December, a Christmas program was presented for selected areas. The program theme was “Christmas Around the World” with arts and crafts and Christmas dishes from different countries. ■ A Home Modification Program, which focuses on installation of grab bars in restrooms and construction of ramps that provide access to and from the home, began in November 2001.

■ Heart of Georgia Altamaha was one of five AAA’s in the state that were funded for a Voucher Demonstration Grant. Eligible participants are given a booklet of vouchers to be used for in-and-out of home respite, lawn care, personal care needs and other items as needed. ■ A Regionwide Caregiver Forum will be held in April, 2002. For further information, contact: Heart of Georgia Altamaha RDC; P.O. Drawer 1260, Baxley, GA 31515; 912-367-3648 or toll-free 1-888-367-9913.

HEART OF GEORGIA ALTAMAHA ENCOMPASSES THESE COUNTIES: Appling, Bleckley, Candler, Dodge, Emanuel, Evans, Jeff Davis, Johnson, Laurens, Montgomery, Tattnall, Telfair, Toombs, Treutlen, Wayne, Wheeler, Wilcox

Georgia Generations

Southwest Georgia Covers a 14-county area surrounding Albany, Bainbridge, Moultrie, Thomasville ing a key in the lock can be frustrating tasks due to arthritis.The after-effects of a stroke can make dressing, bathing and grooming harder to accomplish.Therapeutic tools any people need a little help with are available but are often very everyday activities as they grow costly. Nancy Harper, Family older.Things like taking a jar lid off or turnCaregiver Program Coordinator at SOWEGA Council on Aging presents a program using everyday objects in unusual ways to make life easier. For instance, foam hair curlers turn into assistive devices by making eating utensils, pens, and toothbrushes easier to grasp. Kitchen Coordinator Nancy Harper demonstrates use of foam hair curlers. tongs turn into “grab-

Gadgets and gizmos make life easier

bers” to reach the hard to reach things on the floor or up high. A little imagination

Everyday objects are used as assistive devices. and the Dollar Store are making life easier in Southwest Georgia. For further information, contact: Southwest Georgia COA, 308 Flint Avenue, 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, Seminole, Terrell, Thomas, Worth, Mitchell

Legacy Link Covers a 13-county area surrounding Gainesville, Cumming, Clarkesville, Toccoa, Hiawassee PACE to offer a wide variety of wellness services, workshops and he Village Wellness Center counseling for in Chicopee Village near seniors and Gainesville has many “partners” their families. involved in promoting wellness Lunch & services for seniors. Chicopee Learn sessions Methodist Church donated the are held reguuse of the old Chicopee Village larly on topics Clinic to a local non-profit such as arthrigroup called GHAIN.Volunteers tis, hearing, cleaned, painted, swept and “Plants, Herbs raised money to fix up the Seniors enjoy “Goodfoot” program. & Prescriptions building. — Do They Mix”, and many others. Legacy Link, Hall County Public Health A walking club has a regular schedule and PACE, Inc. (Programs Assisting Comand creative movement classes are held munity Elders) became partners and set up every Wednesday, both led by a physical a new Wellness Program for seniors in the therapist. One of the most popular refurbished clinic. Legacy contracted with

Partners promote wellness program

Winter 2002

services is the “Goodfoot” program. The Center is open on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. A schedule is available listing mammograms, hearing screenings, bone density scans and other tests. Village Wellness Center is located at 3 First Street in Chicopee, just off the Atlanta Highway. Call 770-538-2790. For further information, contact: Legacy Link, P.O. Box 2534, Gainesville, GA 305032534; 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

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

New program promotes home safety

id you know that each year more than 11 million Americans over the age of 65 — one out of every three — fall down? Hip fractures cost an average of $33,000 per patient for medical care. Most alarming, falls kill more people over 65 than cancer, stroke, and heart disease combined. However, there is some good news. One-half of home accidents, including dangerous falls, can be prevented by making a few simple changes. A sensible home modification strategy will allow you and/or a loved one to stay at home.

With funding through the National Family Caregiver Support Program of the Older Americans Act, the Middle Georgia Area Agency on Aging will contract with volunteer-based agencies to provide assessments and home modification to assist caregivers and to promote the safety and well-being of adults in their residences.

Home modification services help seniors remain at home. Home modification services are also designed to reduce the risk of injury and to facilitate the ability of older individuals to remain at home.The program will be implemented in Bibb County and expanded into additional counties within the planning and service area. Caregivers will also have

access to a self-assessment guide to assist them in identification of fall hazards and accessibility issues.The most common home modifications include installing grab bars, railings and ramps, and making improvements to lighting.The result? Older adults can stay where they want to be — in their own home. For further information, contact: Middle Georgia RDC, 175-C Emery Highway, Macon, GA 31217; 478-751-6466 or toll-free 1-888-548-1456.

MIDDLE GEORGIA ENCOMPASSES THESE COUNTIES: Baldwin, Bibb, Crawford, Houston, Jones, Monroe, Peach, Pulaski, Putnam, Twiggs, Wilkinson

Northeast Georgia Covers a 12-county area surrounding Athens, Winder, Monroe, Covington, Madison daily basis. “We give the people something to do and something to look forward to. The job has been such an important part of my life, and I will miss it,” said Searcy. Searcy is fter 31 years of retiring to spend more serving the eldtime with her grandchilerly of Walton County, dren. “I guess I didn’t Margie Searcy has want to be an 80-year-old decided to retire.The director; I think 79 is 79-year-old Searcy has close enough,” said served as the director Searcy. of the Walton County In 31 years, Searcy has Senior Citizens Counplenty of memories to cil, Inc. since its inceptake with her, but perhaps tion in 1971. her favorite is the time the During her tenure, senior center won a new Searcy helped oversee Retiring Director Margie Searcy. Saab automobile.At the the development of time, food deliveries were two satellite senior being made in a deteriorating van. Searcy centers in Loganville and Social Circle as heard of an essay contest for use of a car well as overseeing the Monroe facility on a

Margie Searcy leaves 31-year legacy

for one year. Not expecting to win, she entered. For the next three years, the center was given a car each year to deliver meals to the homebound. Another accomplishment that Searcy takes pride in is the center’s Community Achievement Award, which is a national award based on the services provided by community organizations. “I love what I do.You do it for the people,” she said. “That’s wonderful when you’re able to help someone. It makes you feel good. It’s so rewarding.” For information, contact: Northeast Georgia RDC, 305 Research Drive, Athens, GA 306102795; 706-369-5650.

NORTHEAST GEORGIA ENCOMPASSES THESE COUNTIES: Barrow, Clarke, Elbert, Greene, Jackson, Jasper, Madison, Morgan, Newton, Oconee, Oglethorpe, Walton

Georgia Generations

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

Council learns about caregiving services

n important aid to caregivers in the Northwest Georgia area is the Elder Rights Council, a group of representatives from professional caring agencies who meet to share ideas and resources to protect the region’s elderly. Area Agency on Aging Director Debbie Studdard reported Dainty Woody at the Blue Ridge Senior Center in Fannin County.

that recent guest speakers have included representatives from the HICARE program, Georgia Legal Services, and Adult Protective Services. Information has been given on legal guardianship and issues of the rights of those with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias; Medicare and health insurance counseling and assistance; elder abuse in Georgia and protections afforded those who report it; and inhome services such as respite care, homemaker, meals and nursing to keep elders living in their homes as independ-

ently as possible. Council members attending meetings include representatives from the NW Georgia AAA, Department of Family and Children Services (DFCS), Georgia Legal Services, assisted living homes, mental health professionals, and others. For information about these and other services, please call 1-800-759-2963. In the Rome calling area, phone 706-802-5506. For information, contact: AAA of Northwest Georgia, P.O. Box 1793, Rome, GA 301621793; 706-295-6485.

NORTHWEST GEORGIA ENCOMPASSES THESE COUNTIES: Bartow, Catoosa, Chattooga, Dade, Fannin, Floyd, Gilmer, Gordon, Haralson, Murray, Paulding, Pickens, Polk, Walker, Whitfield

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

Strong bond between mother and daughter

ccording to the National Long Term Care Survey (1994), more than seven million persons are informal caregivers providing unpaid help to older persons who live in the community and have at least one limitation in their activities of daily living.The Southern Crescent AAA would like to highlight one

Ms. OJ and mother Bunice.

such exemplary caregiver from one of our communities, Carroll County. Ms. Othessia Jones, a senior herself at 63, is caregiver to her mother, 88-year-old Bunice Jones. Bunice suffered a stroke in January 2001 and is now paralyzed on her right side. Othessia became primary caregiver and relocated to her mother’s residence after Bunice came home from the hospital. Othessia had retired from the University of West Georgia just one month prior to her mother’s stroke. Ms. OJ, as Othessia is affectionately called, sat by her mother’s side every day and all night at Tanner Medical Center. She continued to do the same when Bunice was able to come home. Along with her constant caregiver duties, Ms. OJ must make periodic visits to her own home to maintain it as well.When asked about major obstacles to caregiving, Ms. OJ

stated that transportation is the biggest problem. Ms. OJ credits her ability to continue caring for her mother amidst all her other responsibilities to her strong faith and the support she receives from her church community. Ms. OJ will tell you that she does not question why any of this has happened; in fact, her mother’s illness has brought their family closer together and given them a stronger bond than ever before. For further information, contact: Southern Crescent AAA, P.O. Box 1600, Franklin, GA 30217-1600; 706-675-6721 or toll-free 1-866-854-5652.

SOUTHERN CRESCENT ENCOMPASSES THESE COUNTIES: Butts, Carroll, Coweta, Heard, Lamar, Meriwether, Pike, Spalding, Troup, Upson

Sponsors Thanks to these Georgia companies and organizations for their generous support

AARP

Georgia Council on Aging

Assuming responsibility for the homecare of loved ones can involve assisting with daily activities, managing high-tech medical treatments, and dealing with issues around dying. AARP’s “Life Transitions” program can help you meet these critical responsibilities. Find out more at www.aarp.org/lifeguide

The Georgia Council on Aging advocates on behalf of older Georgians and their families. For more information, please visit the Web site at www.gcoa.org

Bridgebuilders, Inc. Personal Care in the comfort and privacy of your own home. Customized services delivered with compassion, integrity and professionalism. 600 S. Central Ave.,

GNHA is committed to continuously improving the quality of life of all persons requiring long term health care. “Serving Georgia’s elderly since 1953.” Call 678-289-6555 for more information or visit www.gnha.org

Grady Gold Grady Senior Services was created with the special care needs of older adults in mind! People over 60 can receive comprehensive evaluations and care for common problems seen in older adults. 404-616-0800.

Hapeville 30354; 404-765-4300.

Sixty Plus, Piedmont Hospital

Georgia Alliance for Staffing Solutions

A program to enhance the well-being of older adults and their families by providing services, education and support. 1968 Peachtree Rd., Atlanta 30309; 404-605-3867.

An alliance that promotes quality long-term care for seniors and persons with disabilities by seeking innovative solutions to improve staffing and support caregivers. www.agingatlanta.com

Georgia Nursing Home Association

Pfizer

The Governor’s Council On Developmental Disabilities The Governor’s Council collaborates with citizens, advocates and policymakers to help enhance the quality of life for people with disabilities and their families. To learn more: 888-ASK-GCDD or www.ga-ddcouncil.org G ov e r n o r ’ s Council On Developmental D i sa b i l i t i e s

Georgia Generations is published and supported by Georgia’s Area Agencies on Aging. Additional circulation support is provided by the generous sponsors listed here. For more information on becoming a sponsor of Georgia Generations, please call 404-463-3222.

The “Health, Medicines & Lifestyles” icon on Pfizer’s Web site, will lead you to topics that include “Profile of Caregiving,” “Exploring Your Health On Line,” and many more. www.pfizer.com

Do You Know About...

The Georgia Fund for Children and Elderly? You can help children and the elderly by contributing to the Fund when you file your state income tax return. Forms 500 and 500 EZ include a place to write in an amount — as

little as one dollar! Your tax-deductible contribution will provide home-delivered meals and transportation to the elderly and will help children with special needs. Look for information in your instruction book.