GaGen 2009 Spring by Wells-Smith Partners

Generations Georgia

Spring 2009

Pushing

100 and Going Strong

Spotlight on Georgia’s centenarians

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

Area Agencies on Aging – Gateways to Community Resources 1

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

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

4 7 6

9 12

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

Generations Georgia

spring 2009 Published quarterly

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

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

2008

On the Cover: Centenarian Ruth Allen, who celebrated her 101st birthday last September, is part of a distinguished and rapidlygrowing group of seniors to reach the 100-year-old mark. Here’s a closer look at this phenomenal trend. See story, page 4. Cover and feature photography by Ben Brown.

Spring 2009, Volume 8, #3 © 2009 by the Atlanta Regional Commission. The information contained herein has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable. However, the Atlanta Regional Commission and JAM Communications make no warranty to the accuracy or reliability of this information. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without written permission. All rights reserved.

Georgia Generations

Healthy,

Low-Cost

Eating

ired of paying so much for beef, chicken or pork? If rising prices have put a pinch in your grocery budget, you should consider adding more beans and whole grains to your diet — as an excellent, inexpensive source of protein. Hearty and economical, beans and whole grains have long fed people around the world. Some beans contain as much as 15 grams of protein per cup and provide other nutrients such as iron and zinc. That makes them an excellent, cholesterol-free meat alternative. The fiber in beans also helps to lower cholesterol levels and improve health.

Sting Spotlights Medical Supply Fraud approved two companies that had, in fact, been set up by the GAO as sham businesses. In other words, they were fake medical supply companies! In response to the findings, CMS agreed to tighten enrollment procedures. It put into place new standards that require medical suppliers to be certified before they can receive Medicare billing privileges.

Protect Medicare and Medicaid Benefits

SYMPTOMS

ost of us know that chest pain and shortness of breath are symptoms of heart attacks. But did you know that pain or discomfort in the jaw, neck or back can also signal a heart attack? According to a survey of 72,000 adults published by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, only 48% recognized those symptoms. In addition, only 62% recognized another symptom — feeling weak, light-headed or faint. If you experience any of those symptoms, as well as discomfort in the arms or shoulders, get to an emergency room or call 911. Receiving treatment within an hour can greatly increase your chances of a good recovery. TIP: While you are waiting for treatment or for the ambulance, chew and swallow one regular aspirin.

New law suspends 2009 IRA distribution

$ $ $

inimum required distributions (MRDs) from certain retirement accounts have been suspended for 2009, thanks to a new law passed in December 2008. This is important news for retirees, because it suspends — for 2009 only — the IRS regulation that generally requires individuals beginning in the calendar year following the year they turn 70½ to withdraw a minimum amount of money from their retirement accounts (like IRAs and 401(k)s) each year. The provision in the law does not impact 2008 required distributions or those seniors who turn 70½ in 2009. If you think this regulation might apply to you, check with your financial advisor for details.

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

Know Your

Government Accountability Office (GAO) investigation has detailed fraud in the Medicare program — partly because the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, or CMS, has reimbursed fictitious sellers of medical supplies without thoroughly reviewing their qualifications. A sting operation recently put a spotlight on the problem. Reports indicate that CMS

CAREGIVING NEWS&NOTES

Surfing the Net Each issue of Georgia Generations offers several Web sites devoted to caregiving information and resources: www.lotsahelpinghands.com helps family caregivers and volunteers by providing communication resources to help build supportive communities. www.care-givers.com offers expert information and features an extensive list of caregiver support message boards where caregivers can share their experiences.

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

GeorgiaCares 1-800-669-8387

Pushing

100 and Going Strong

By Martha Nolan McKenzie

ester “Les” Fraser doesn’t turn 100 until June 1, but his son has already reserved a room at one of his favorite Atlanta restaurants for his party. Thirty-five of Fraser’s friends plan to help him celebrate becoming a centenarian. Fraser will be joining a distin guished, but rapidly growing club. While centenarians used to be a rarity, they now make up the fastest-growing segment of the U.S. population, swelling by 35% between 1990 and 2000. Thanks to significant improvements in medical prevention and intervention, an estimated 70,000 Americans have reached the century mark, and close to 1 in 20 boomers are expected to achieve that distinction, according to United Nations population projections. In fact, the pool of 100-year-olds is finally large enough for scientists to be able to study it. The University of Georgia, in collaboration with several other universities, recently completed

Georgia Generations

the Georgia Centenarian Study. Harvard and Boston University conducted similar research in the New England Centenarian Study. A surprising finding reported by both studies was that, contrary to the expectation of extreme frailty, many centenarians are healthy, vibrant and living independently. The Georgia study found that 20% to 25% of centenarians live independently in the community, are cognitively intact and generally full of life. The New England study noted that many of its subjects avoided common chronic diseases associated with aging, such as cancer, heart disease and Alzheimer’s disease, and that 9 out of 10 were

relatively healthy and independent into their 90s. That pretty much describes Fraser, who, other than having macular degeneration in one eye, enjoys excellent health. He played golf regularly until last year and says he logged 16,000 miles on his exercise bicycle. These days he takes brisk walks up and down the hallways of the Atlanta condominium where he lives, outpacing the private duty nurse who comes in occasionally to help out. Centenarian Thelma Thomas fits the bill as well. The Cedartown woman, who turns 100 on March 30, says she is fit as a fiddle. “I’ve never been sick that Continued on page 6 Georgia Generations

Lester “Les” Fraser

Born: June 1, 1909, Chicago, IL

If faced with the adage “use it or lose it,” Lester “Les” Fraser would always choose “use it” — whether it be his body, his mind or his spirit. An athlete since youth, Fraser grew up in Chicago playing football and running track. His high school football team was the city champs. After college he played rugby, first for a Chicago team and then for a New York team. He and his wife, Muriel, sailed their sailboat in Long Island Sound. He bowled, rode an exercise bike and golfed. “He was always extremely active his whole life,” says his son, Tom Fraser. “It’s really only been in the last year that he has slowed down.” Fraser was equally energetic off the athletic field. When he got out of the Navy Air Corps at the close of World War II, he saw an opportunity and grabbed it. “They had stopped making women’s sportswear during the war years, so I figured there would be a pent-up demand,” says Fraser. So he left his job as women’s wear merchandising manager at Macy’s and opened a small retail store in Buckhead called Casual Corner.

Thelma Thomas

By the time U.S. Shoe Corp. bought out his business in 1970, Casual Corner had proliferated and Fraser was able to retire comfortably. He spent the next 32 years lending his business expertise to entrepreneurs through SCORE, a non-profit partner with the U.S. Small Business Administration. “They gave me a luncheon last Spring for all the years I had put in,” says Fraser. “It was real nice.” Today, Fraser maintains Secret to a long life: close ties to a large network of friends. Three bud“ Wine, women and song.” dies meet with him once a week to play bridge. When asked if he generally wins these games, Fraser smiles, “Frankly, yes!” He goes out to dinner with friends about five times a week. “My son made me quit driving about a year ago, but I have so many friends who drive,” he says. “Of course, they’re younger than I am, but they pick me up and take me to restaurants. I still get out and about!”

100

Born: March 30, 1909, Cherry Log, GA

“I started drawing and painting on anything I could get my hands on when I was just a little thing — about five years old,” says Thelma Thomas. “It might have been on a piece of wood or cardboard, and sometimes the paint was whitewash that I mixed with dirt or clay. And I’ve written poetry for as long as I can remember.” Finding the time to paint and write, however, was another matter. Thomas grew up 1 of 12 children in a four-room log cabin on a small cotton farm. Her days were filled with milking the cow, feeding the chickens, picking cotton, doing the laundry in the creek and tending to younger siblings. There was no money for luxuries like new shoes, so Thomas and her siblings put cardboard in the bottoms of their shoes when the soles wore out. Despite the hard work, or maybe because if it, Thomas was inspired to create art. “I just looked around and saw the beauty in life and wanted to capture it,” she says. When she turned 14, Thomas had to quit school and leave the farm to go work in Atco Mills in Cartersville. “I was just devastated when I had to quit school to go to work,” says Thomas. “One of my biggest regrets was that I was never able to graduate.”

Spring 2009

After six long years in the mill, Thomas married Selman Thomas — at least in part to escape the drudgery of the work she hated. She and her husband opened a variety of businesses in Texas, Florida and Marietta, GA. Through it all, Secret to a long life: Thomas continued to paint “ F ind something you enjoy and write poetry, some of and do it.” which was published. These days, Thomas spends her time visiting with friends and joining in the activities at the assisted-living facility where she lives in Cedartown. And though she can no longer paint, she still likes to pen a poem on occasion.

I can recall,” says Thomas. “I have never taken any medication, other than an aspirin a day.” What is their secret? How can these people not only live to 100, but arrive at that age so functional and healthy? That’s a good question, according to the researchers of the centenarian studies. “We found that there is no single secret, or even set of secrets,” says Leonard W. Poon, director of UGA’s Institute of Gerontology and principal investigator of the Georgia study. “But that is good news. If there were only one secret, and only a few people happened to have it, then that would be bad news for the rest of us. If there is no one secret, it means all of us may have a shot at making it to 100.” Author Jim Heynen came to the same conclusion almost 20 years ago in his book, “One Hundred over 100: Moments with One Hundred North American Centenarians” (Fulcrum Publishing, 1990). Heynen traversed the country interviewing centenarians and compiling their stories into the book. In his introduction, he notes the diversity of the people he talked to — free spirits and worrywarts, athletes and couch potatoes, the devout and the skeptics. “The variety of people should convince you that no one is exempt from the possibility of longevity,” writes Heynen. “Once and for all, you should be assured there is no one formula, no single secret. As you will see, if there is one secret, there must be at least 100.” That being said, some factors can boost your odds of having Willard Scott announce your 100th birthday on the Today Show. For one thing, choosing the right parents helps. If your parents lived into their 90s or made it to 100, you likely have genes and perhaps a lifestyle that predispose you toward longevity. “My father died at 93, but it wasn’t from any kind of disease related to old age,” says Fraser. “He was living in Chicago and was taking a walk during the winter. He slipped on the ice and died of hypothermia.” Predisposition, however, is a far cry from a guarantee. “If you read all the studies and literature on the topic, the best guess out there is that genes account for 25% to 30% of longevity,”

Carroll Sidney Hardee

100

Born: Jan. 14, 1909, Thomas Creek, GA

When Carroll Hardee was a boy of nine, his father found him in the woods, preaching to tree stumps. No one was surprised, then, when he became a minister. Though he worked as a welder for most of his adult life, Hardee’s true calling was the church. He served as the pastor of three churches simultaneously — a feat that was possible because the small country churches had services just once a month. Hardee always yearned for an education, but as the son of a sharecropper, Hardee could only attend school after the planting season was over. He read whenever he could — mostly the Bible and newspapers — and grasped every opportunity to learn. Though he never graduated from high school, he took a few courses at Morehouse College. It was through his children that he was able to fulfill his dreams of education. “He insisted that all of us graduate from college,” says Marvara Green, one of Hardee’s eight children. “The same goes for the grandchildren and great-grandchildren. In our family, we have PhDs, lawyers, engineers, investment bankers and biologists.” For the success of his children and their children, Hardee is quick to credit his wife of 76 years, Macedonia. “When you’re raising children both parents are as one,” says Hardee. “But my wife was the disciplinarian.” The Brunswick resident still rises at 5:30 every morning and spends his Secret to a long life: days tinkering in his “work house,” “I always prayed to be able to take care watching golf and the Braves, reading the Bible and discussing politics. “I of my family and to be a God-fearing never thought the Lord would keep me man. I think that’s why the Lord has let around to witness an African American me live as long as I have.” president!” says Hardee. And he still looks to the future. “Whenever he eats a piece of fruit, he saves the seeds,” says Green. “Then he plants them so he can watch them grow.”

says Poon. “That means about 70% is up to us — what we do in our own behavior or the environment we create.” It also helps to choose your gender wisely. About 85% of centenarians are women, and only 15% men. That’s because women are, in general, physiologically stronger and able to survive chronic diseases, while men are more likely to die of heart attacks or cancer at younger ages. But the men who do make it to 100 tend to be better off functionally than their female counterparts. Researchers speculate that’s because for men to make it to 100, they have to be in extraordinarily good health.

A healthy lifestyle with a good diet, regular exercise and all things in moderation can increase your odds not only of living to 100, but also of being in good health when you get there. The Georgia Centenarian Study, for example, found that centenarians consumed about 20% to 30% more carotenoids and vitamin A from foods than non-centenarians — which basically means they ate a diet rich in fruits and vegetables. In addition, few centenarians smoked, were obese or consumed excessive alcohol. The Georgia Centenarian Study also identified a cluster of “robust Continued on page 8 Georgia Generations

Josephine Levine

102

Born: March 21, 1907, in Brooklyn, New York

Josephine Levine got her first job at age 60, and she kept it until she was 80. Before going to work at The Yeshiva of Flatbush, a private school in Brooklyn, Levine had been a stay-at-home wife and mother of three. Then her husband, Nathan “Nat” Levine, passed away suddenly from a heart attack. “It was very fashionable then,” Levine quips. “It was like all the men of that time got together and made up their minds they were all going to die of a heart attack, and they did. My son had just graduated from medical school, so Nat did get to see that.” Levine had never graduated from college, although she attended New York University for two years “…which was really something back then, for a woman to go to two years at a university.” And she was a voracious reader from a very tender age. So after her husband passed away, Levine went to work in the elementary school of The Yeshiva. She was in charge of book distribution and inventory. In 2003, her son convinced her to move into a senior high rise in Atlanta to be close to Secret to a long life: him and his family, but she misses her home. “I’m a Brooklyn gal. I still miss my friends there,” says Levine, pictured above with great-grandaughter, Melinda Hartz. “ I really don’t know. My mom True to character, she’s making the best of the situation. “I don’t spend much time in my died at 84 and my dad died room,” she says. “I go outside if it’s nice. I go down and talk to people. And I do the comat 70. So I have no idea how puter. I’m afraid of losing…” and here she taps on the side of her head. “So to keep my brain I’ve lived this long.” sharp, I learned the computer. Now I spend two hours on it every day, emailing friends and family members. And they email me back.”

Ruth Dabney Allen

101

Born: Sept. 25, 1907, in Raleigh, NC

Ruth Dabney Allen wanted to start playing the violin at age eight, but her music teacher insisted that she study piano for two years first. So Allen was not able to take up the instrument that would shape her life until the relatively late age of 10. By 17, she was a music instructor at North Avenue Presbyterian School, now part of The Westminster Schools. For the next 73 years, Allen taught violin to hundreds of students — at Washington Seminary (now also part of Westminster), at Agnes Scott and in her home. She stopped teaching at 90, and then only because she moved into an apartment in an Atlanta retirement community and didn’t have the room to give lessons. Some of the students Allen trained went on to perform Secret to a long life: in professional symphonies in London, Boston, Baltimore and other cities. When “ I guess I’ve got the right genes. My they are in town, former students will pop in on Allen, sometimes playing a piece mother lived to 92 and my father to on her baby grand piano or her violin. Allen didn’t marry her husband, Roger Wolcott Allen, until she was 45. “I met 81, but he wouldn’t ever go near a Roger during my first year out of high school, but I was so involved in my profesdoctor. He might have lived longer sional life, I wasn’t interested in getting married for a while.” if he had.” A few years after she married, Allen helped found the Atlanta Community Symphony Orchestra. “The orchestra just celebrated its 50th anniversary, and I’m the only founding member left,” says Allen. Allen reluctantly gave up the violin recently, after a fall. “My back has been bothering me ever since, so I could only practice 15 minutes a day,” says Allen matter-of-factly. “You can’t sound right if you only practice 15 minutes a day, so I said I’d rather give it up than not sound right.”

Spring 2009

personality characteristics” typical among centenarians. “They tend to be relaxed, stable, practical and down to earth,” says Peter Martin of Iowa State University, one of the study’s project managers. “But they are not the kind of person you can push around. They are a bit dominating and shrewd.” Centenarians are apt to stay intellectually and socially engaged, volunteering, doing crossword puzzles, learning new things. At 102, Eloise Hudson serves on the Mothers’ Board auxiliary group at her church, sings in the Golden Seniors Choir, which performs at different functions, and goes to the Warren County Senior Citizens Center four days a week. “She doesn’t come here on Fridays,” says Paulette Walker, program director at the center in Warrenton. “Her daughter says she stays home on Fridays because she wants to see where her family is going, so she can go too.” Even recent hip replacement surgery didn’t slow Hudson down. “She just bounced back and was right back at it in no time,” says Walker. “I have to,” says Hudson. “My daughter won’t let me quit!” Perhaps the most critical trait of centenarians is their resilience. “They tend to know how to cope with life and deal with adversity,” says Martin. And a big component of coping well is having a support system. “If you want to be 100, you probably won’t get there on your own,” continues Martin. “You need people to cheer you on. At first it’s usually a spouse. Then children and grandchildren.” No matter what path brought them to the century mark, these elders have much to share with the younger generations. Consider Ann Nixon Cooper, the now-107-year-old Atlanta woman whom President Barack Obama mentioned in the climax of his election night victory speech. “She was born just a generation past slavery, a time when there were no cars on the road or planes in the sky, when someone like her couldn’t vote for two reasons — because she was a woman, and because of the color of her skin. And this year, in this election, she touched her finger to a screen and cast her vote,” President Obama said in his speech. He summed up the significance of her experience by saying that “after

Joseph Troncalli

100

Born: Sept. 5, 1908, in Birmingham, AL

When asked what he thinks is the hardest part about getting old, Joseph Troncalli retorts, “Old? I’m not old!” His daughter can verify that. “He’s still full of life,” says Bea Adams, who lives near Troncalli in Rome. “He entertains the grandkids with stories. He visits family and friends. And he dances. Even though his wife is gone, he still loves his dancing — and he can still go most of the night! The last time he went to the Eagles Club to dance, all the old women stood in line to dance with him.” The Eagles Club refers to the Fraternal Order of Eagles, in which Troncalli was Secret to a long life: active for 75 years. He has a picture of himself with President Franklin Roosevelt “ Smoke a lot of cigars and at the Atlanta Eagles Club facility after the work hard.” president had signed Social Security into law, and another with President Jimmy Carter after he had signed anti-age discrimination legislation. Presidents aren’t the only dignitaries with whom Troncalli rubbed elbows. During his career as a produce wholesaler and retailer in Atlanta, Troncalli got to know the city’s movers and shakers. He delivered groceries to Margaret Mitchell, author of Gone with the Wind. He caddied for golf legend Bobby Jones. He counted former Atlanta Constitution editor Ralph McGill as one of his best friends. “I knew Poppa King (Martin Luther King Sr.) really well, because he had a house behind a grocery store I owned.” Troncalli has outlived all these friends, as well as two wives. His four children are still living, though, as well as more grandchildren and great-grandchildren than he can count. “How many?” he says in response to a query. “Gosh, I’ve got gangs of them. I know I spent about $65 on stamps just to send Christmas cards to all of them.” 106 years in America, through the best of times and the darkest of hours, she knows how America can change.” Perspectives such as these speak of the value centenarians bring to our society. “Regardless of how they got there, these are exceptional people,” says UGA’s Poon. “They should be honored. They should be national

treasures, and we should learn from them.” And we shouldn’t consider their stories completely told. “A 100-year-old is not a finished book,” says Martin. “Each is still writing his or her last chapter. And sometimes the most interesting facet of any book is found in the last chapter.” 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

Northwest Georgia CARE-NET Caregiver of the Year Award

atsy Beck, caregiver with ResCare of Rome, was awarded the Northwest Georgia Caregiver of the Year Award by CARE-NET, an organization that is part of the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregiving in Americus. Patsy is the caregiver for Niki Malone, daughter of Debbie Malone. Amy Tribble, MPA, director of state initiatives with the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregiving, presented the award. Debbie Malone, a single mother, has been caring for Niki for all of her daughter’s 30 years. This responsibility became necessary after Niki was diagnosed with a brain tumor at age three. Later, as Debbie’s health began to fail, she needed assistance to be able to keep Niki at home. “I know there will be a time when residential placement will be right for Niki, but we are Spring 2009

Niki Malone (left) with her caregiver, award winner Patsy Beck.

not ready for that yet,” says Debbie. Help came in the form of Patsy Beck, whose quiet and calming spirit smoothly fit into their family routine. Debbie describes Patsy as “our angel.” For the first time in 30 years, some of the physical and emotional stress that comes with being a caregiver

has been lifted. Thanks to Patsy, Debbie has someone in her life to share the tremendous responsibility of caring for Niki. Of all the Americans needing 24-hour care, 70% are housed in institutions and 30% are cared for at home. Those caregivers in the home save the taxpayers untold millions of dollars a year. Although it is usually a labor of love, it is also an exhausting process. Some services are available to help with caregiving. Call the AAA in your region. For more information, contact the AAA of Northwest Georgia at 706-802-5506 or toll-free 1-800-759-2963. Northwest Georgia encompasses these counties: Bartow, Catoosa, Chattooga, Dade, Fannin, Floyd, Gilmer, Gordon, Haralson, Murray, Paulding, Pickens, Polk, Walker, Whitfield

Atlanta Regional Commission Covers a 10-county area surrounding Atlanta

Training sessions enhance caregiving communication skills

Active Listening Strategies* Open-Ended Clarifying Questions

Closed Questions

• Result in simple “yes” or “no” factual • Begin with How, What or Why supervisors and answers direct care staff. Recognizing • Used to clarify information and keep • Tend to bring the conversation to a the conversation open by encouragstop, requiring more questions to the value of ing a person to share as much as get the full story effective commuthey wish nication, over 80 * From the Coaching Supervision: Introductory Skills for Supervisors in-home and residential care. supervisors of Prepared by the PHI Institute through a grant from the Department of Labor. direct care service providers recently received training active listening by using open-ended through the Taking Care Initiative, clarifying questions. This technique allows sponsored by the Atlanta Regional for better understanding and helps to Commission (ARC). The purpose of this establish and continue a positive relationtraining was to enhance communication ship between the supervisor and worker. skills for persons working directly with According to ARC Program Coordinastaff who provide care to seniors and tor Patrice Earnest, many of the techpersons with disabilities. Using a Coaching niques emphasized in this training Supervision model curriculum can also be used by caregivers and training to improve communication. For instance, curriculum, the applying active listening strategies such as sessions provided paraphrasing (stating in your own words interactive, what you think someone has just said) and participatory asking open-ended questions can have educational positive results. The person you’re talking techniques and to will appreciate that they have been approaches aimed at heard, and open-ended questions will increasing supervioften keep the conversation going, sory skills. allowing for a more complete understandParticipants ing of the situation. learned about new The Taking Care Initiative is funded in Direct care staff members receive training through the Taking Care Initiative, approaches such as sponsored by ARC. part by the Healthcare Georgia Foundation, an independent, private foundation created in 1999 — whose mission is to advance the health of all Georgians and to expand ™ Atlanta Regional Commission, 404-463-3333 access to affordable, quality health care for www.agewiseconnection.com underserved individuals and communities. The two-day training sessions were If you need caregiving information, contact an AgeWise Connection partner: conducted by the Aging Services of Georgia Cherokee County Cherokee County Senior Fayette County Fayette Senior Services, (formerly the Georgia Association of Services, 770-345-5312 770-461-0813 Homes and Services for the Aging). Clayton County Clayton County Aging Fulton County Fulton County Aging

roviding care for an older adult in declining health can be both difficult and complex. The thousands of families providing support and care to their older family members face their own unique challenges, yet many of these caregivers deal with common issues. One such issue is effective communication. Communication can be the most important key to providing optimal support and care to an older adult. And while good communication between the family caregiver and the older family member is crucial, it is also critical between the direct care staff of agencies and their clients — and between

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

Program, 404-730-6000 Gwinnett County Gwinnett County Senior Services, 678-377-4150 Henry County Henry County Senior Services, 770-288-7001 Rockdale County Rockdale County Senior Services, 770-278-7273

To learn more about this initiative, contact Patrice Earnest at 404-463-3229 or by email at pearnest@atlantaregional.com. 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

NEGA CARE-NET honors local caregivers

he Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregiving, in cooperation with the NEGA CARE-NET, is proud to announce the 2008 NEGA Caregiver of the Year Award winners. Rosa Willis is the winner of the 2008 NEGA CARE-NET Family Caregiver Award. She was nominated by Vivian Evans of the Greene County Senior Center. Willis cared for her godmother until her death in 2008. She currently takes care of her grandchildren as well as a friend who is in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease. Willis participates in the Greene County Kinship Care Program. Janna Bruce is the winner of the 2008 NEGA CARE-NET Para-Professional Caregiver Award. She was nominated by

2008 NEGA CARE-NET Volunteer Caregiver Award. He was nominated by VistaCare, where he works as a volunteer. Mansour is described as “caring, considerate, compassionate and dependable in his volunteer work.” He currently attends the Amy Tribble (left), who is with the Rosalynn Carter Institute for University of Georgia Caregiving, joins Cory Mansour, Volunteer Caregiver winner; Rosa Willis, and plans to become a Family Caregiver winner; Michele Kelley, NEGA AAA assistant director; physician. and Elaine Gunter, co-chair of the NEGA CARE-NET. Not shown is Janna Bruce, Para-Professional Caregiver winner. Congratulations to all of the winners! the owner of Reddy & Associates, LLC, For more information on the NEGA where she is a clinical manager. Bruce CARE-NET, please call Michele Kelley at makes every patient a priority, and each 706-369-5650. patient leaves the office feeling as if they NorthEast Georgia encompasses these counties: truly have someone who cares for them. Barrow, Clarke, Elbert, Greene, Jackson, Jasper, Madison, Morgan, Newton, Oconee, Oglethorpe, Walton Cory Mansour is the winner of the

Lower Chattahoochee

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

First year of local event raises funds for charities

lark Realty Capital, Clark Builders Group and Pinnacle hosted the first Southeast Clark CARES Open at Bull Creek Golf Course to benefit the Clark CARES Foundation, a public charity that

provides direct aid to deserving nonprofit organizations. More than 60 golfers and 40 corporate sponsors raised over $90,000 for recipient organizations in the community, including the Lower Chattahoochee Area Agency on Aging (AAA). The beneficiaries of the Southeast Clark CARES Open serve a wide array of charitable needs in and around Fort Benning and Columbus. The Lower Chattahoochee AAA is fortunate to be a recipient and was chosen because they connect senior citizens and caregivers with Lower Chattahoochee AAA staff Shameika Biggs and Lauren Pfgroner accept a check from the Clark Realty Foundation. an array of services and Spring 2009

provide assistance to improve older adults’ quality of life. The Clark CARES Open is held in three locations across the United States. Collectively, the events have raised more than $750,000 since their establishment four years ago. After the tournament, players attended a lunch reception held in the Bull Creek Golf Course Pavilion. The reception began with the announcement of the tournament winners, followed by the official check presentation to this year’s charitable organizations. The Lower Chattahoochee AAA is very appreciative for this honor. The money will be used for senior services assisting those most in need. For more information, contact the Lower Chattahoochee AAA at 1-866-55-AGING. LOWER CHATTAHOOCHEE encompasses these counties: Chattahoochee, Clay, Crisp, Dooly, Harris, Macon, Marion, Muscogee, Quitman, Randolph, Schley, Stewart, Sumter, Talbot, Taylor, Webster

Heart of Georgia Altamaha

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

Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregiving honors grandparent

he phenomenon of grandparents raising grandchildren is becoming more and more visible in today’s society. In the United States, there are millions of grandparents who, each day of every year, are stepping in to care for their grand children when the parents are not able to. These grandparents generally do so without any recognition. However, on October 23 at the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregiving Annual Gala in Americus, one such grandparent was acknowledged. Norma Lee Newsome is extra special. She is, in fact, a GREAT-grandmother who is 71 years old and has been raising her four- and six-year-old great-grandsons for almost five years. To make life just a little

Norma Lee Newsome (center), Volunteer Caregiver of the Year, with two other award recipients, Jeanette Hayes and Gwendolyn Gibbs.

more challenging, her four-year-old greatgrandson has a diagnosis of autism, and the six-year-old is also currently under going tests for a possible diagnosis of autism. Newsome is a tireless caregiver to her great-grandchildren. She gets very little respite from her caregiving duties

and thus has little time to herself. But she doesn’t complain because she loves her great-grandchildren, and says she wouldn’t have it any other way. Newsome received the 2008 Volunteer Caregiver of the Year Award for the Heart of Georgia Altamaha region. Former First Lady Rosalynn Carter presented the award to her at the Gala. Newsome had a wonderful time and was grateful, yet humble, in her acceptance of the award. Congratulations, Norma Lee Newsome! For more information, call Kerrie Sirmans at the number below. For information about other programs, contact Heart of Georgia Altamaha RDC, 331 W. Parker St., Baxley, GA 31513; 912-367-3648 or toll-free 1-888-367-9913. heart of georgia encompasses these counties: Appling, Bleckley, Candler, Dodge, Emanuel, Evans, Jeff Davis, Johnson, Laurens, Montgomery, Tattnall, Telfair, Toombs, Treutlen, Wayne, Wheeler, Wilcox

Southeast Georgia

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

Entertaining and informative DVD explains AAA services

he Gateway staff of the Southeast Georgia Area Agency on Aging (AAA) has created a lighthearted educational DVD entitled “Assessing Ms. Sadie.” The video features a humorous skit that follows Sadie Stout (Judi Gary) through the process of being screened for aging services by a Gateway staff member (Evelyn Mixon). This informative DVD is being shared throughout the Southeast region to reach people who may not be familiar with the AAA or the programs that the organization offers. The purpose of the video is to familiarize the community with AAA services and to dispel any misconceptions that might inhibit some people from inquiring about assistance. 12

DVD as an outreach tool at a local gathering of African-American church leaders in Valdosta. And while the DVD is being used to inform the public, it is also being used to educate Aging Advisory Council members as well as provider staff. For more information, call the Southeast Georgia AAA at 1725 South Georgia Parkway West, Waycross, GA 31503; 912-285-6097 or toll-free 1-888-732-4464.

“Our AAA Gateway staff is dedicated to providing the best service to communities in Southeast Georgia,” says Wanda Taft, AAA director. “Our staff is always coming up with creative, imaginative ways to Sadie Stout phones her AAA! keep the commuSoutheast Georgia nity informed and encompasses these counties: engaged. This video is more evidence of Atkinson, Bacon, Ben Hill, Berrien, Brantley, Brooks, Charlton, Clinch, Coffee, Cook, Echols, Irwin, Lanier, their genuine concern for the well-being of Lowndes, Pierce, Tift, Turner, Ware the older population.” Most recently, Gateway staff used the

Georgia Generations

Legacy Link

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

Kudos to Legacy Link partners

he Legacy Link, Inc. is grateful for the many “partners” that help the Area Agency on Aging provide services to older individuals, persons with disabilities, family members and others who care. Legacy’s subcontractors are official partners, but there are many other groups, clubs, churches, businesses and individuals who help expand services beyond what the traditional government monies can provide. For instance, there are numerous public and nonprofit training sites where older worker trainees are supervised through the Legacy Link Senior

Community Service & Employment Program. These agency sites are invaluable to the program, and generate excitement when they hire older workers who have been under their supervision! Other examples are the many civic clubs and church members who deliver meals-onwheels in the region. These unpaid volunteers make sure that older persons receive meals throughout the region — seniors who otherwise would not have nutritious lunches on a regular basis. Valuable “partners” in the area also

include college students who volunteer to do everything from serving lunches at senior luncheons and working at Senior Health Fairs to working at Senior Farmers’ Markets, helping older persons with their bags of fruits and vegetables. Their friendliness and enthusiasm have continued to make these events more enjoyable for seniors, and their participation is appreciated! Certainly, there are many other partners not mentioned above. Thanks go out to all the partners who support programs in the region. Legacy Link looks forward to continued relationships and accepting new “partners” in the future. For information, contact Legacy Link, P.O. Box 2534, Gainesville, GA 30503-2534; 770-538-2650 or toll-free 1-800-845-LINK. Legacy Link encompasses these counties: Banks, Dawson, Forsyth, Franklin, Habersham, Hall, Hart, Lumpkin, Rabun, Stephens, Towns, Union, White

Southern Crescent

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

Fundraiser creates support for area seniors

he Southern Crescent Area Agency on Aging (SCAAA) recently partnered with the Grantville Senior Center in a fundraiser to raise money for area seniors. The weakening economy has caused budget cuts to programs serving seniors, and SCAAA knew that they had to step up to the plate and work to raise additional funds for crucial programming. The fundraiser was held on a Saturday evening at the Grantville Senior Center. The event included a chili meal prepared by SCAAA staff and homemade desserts made by senior center participants. The dinner was followed by an entertaining show — the hilarious “The Womanless Wedding” — produced and performed by an all-male cast from the Grantville Senior Center. The evening was filled with good Spring 2009

Participants from the Grantville Senior Center perform in “The Womanless Wedding.”

food and many laughs as the guys strutted their stuff onstage. SCAAA was able to net over $800 toward local senior programming.

SCAAA felt that it had to think outside the box and come up with new ways to supplement programming for area seniors. SCAAA plans to continue to put on fundraisers in different areas of the region in the future to help support more programs. For additional information, contact the Southern Crescent AAA, P.O. Box 1600, Franklin, GA 30217-1600; 706-675-6721, 770-854-6026 or toll-free 1-866-854-5652. Southern Crescent encompasses these counties: Butts, Carroll, Coweta, Heard, Lamar, Meriwether, Pike, Spalding, Troup, Upson

Middle Georgia

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

Thanksgiving donations to kinship caregivers

he Middle Georgia RDC/ Area Agency on Aging, Kinship Care/Relatives As Parents Program was able to reach out in the community and collaborate with a nonprofit organization to assist several families during this past holiday season. The Kinship Care Program assists grandparents or relatives who provide for their kin on Members of the Macon Chapter, A. Philip Randolph Institute a full-time basis when the (providing donated baskets) and Kinship Caregivers (recipients of the donated baskets). families are torn apart by substance abuse, incarceration, death, mental or physical illness, child trouble-free. However, with the current abuse or neglect. constraints of the economy, many families For many families, planning and the are caught in a bind trying to make ends preparation of Thanksgiving dinner appears meet even for the most basic holiday meal.

The A. Philip Randolph Institute and the Central Georgia Labor Council assisted three grandparent-headed households this past Thanksgiving. Each family received a box full of Thanksgiving meal basics, including a turkey. Thanks to donations from volunteers, the agency was able to fill these boxes full of Thanksgiving food. Without this help, these families may have had a difficult time financially providing for themselves. The Middle Georgia Regional Development Center Area Agency on Aging is located at 175 Emery Highway, Suite C in Macon, GA. For more information on services, call 478-751-6466. Middle Georgia encompasses these counties: Baldwin, Bibb, Crawford, Houston, Jones, Monroe, Peach, Pulaski, Putnam, Twiggs, Wilkinson

Central Savannah River

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

It takes a community to build a center!

he residents of Washington County The warmth can be felt from the moment have taken to heart that “it takes a participants pull into the parking lot, community to build a center”! In just over thanks in part to a local Boy Scout troop eight months, Washington County seniors have gone from having no place to gather to what many consider a premier center. But don’t take our word for it — listen to the community. Alan Smith, amateur magician, says, “I was blown away by the number of people using this vital program. I realized right away that this was no ordinary program.” Terry Bouldin, registered dietitian, adds, “It feels so warm and cozy — it is just like home Seniors rocking around the clock at the 50’s dance party. and you don’t want to leave.” 14

who donated their time to enhancing the landscape. The magic of this wonderful place is not the result of one but of many. Certainly much of the success comes from the efforts of the center’s caring staff, headed by Jane Colson and supported by Lynne Beal, Jean Lembke, Agnes Curtis and Cherry Bowen. Together this staff has the Midas touch, turning their plans and ideas into solid-gold events. The seniors also make major contributions with their enthusiastic participation in the programs and contributing like no one else can… in their own special way. The center is located at 446 Maurice Friedman Road, Sandersville, GA. The phone number is 478-552-0898. Central Savannah River encompasses these counties: Burke, Columbia, Glascock, Hancock, Jefferson, Jenkins, Lincoln, McDuffie, Richmond, Screven, Taliaferro, Warren, Washington, Wilkes

Georgia Generations

Southwest Georgia

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

Accepting hospice care

“T

o everything… there is a season…” says the song from the Sixties. Our lives go through “seasons,” from birth to growing into senior adulthood and eventually death. Care givers of elderly loved ones or those with debilitating illness often have to make decisions about the care of their loved ones as they approach the end of life. And when the doctor recommends hospice care, many people reject the help or wait for a variety of reasons. What does accepting hospice care mean? First, it means that the patient, his/ her doctor and the caregiver have reached an understanding that getting well is not going to happen and death is approaching. It means accepting the hospice provider’s helpful staff and services to help care for

the patient and guide decisions about their care. Hospice, covered through Medicare, helps financially by providing medications and supplies. Medical care by registered nurses and hands-on care by trained nurses’ aides relieve the caregiver of some responsibilities. A social worker, grief counselor and chaplain are members of the care team assisting the patient and their family members with information, counseling and emotional support. When the patient, caregiver, family members and hospice staff work together, the result is a supportive atmosphere for the patient to remain at home in comfort

with those who love them and those who are best equipped to handle the challenges they face. For further information, contact the Southwest Georgia Area Agency on Aging at 1105 Palmyra Road, Albany, GA 31701-2508; 229-432-1124 or toll-free 1-800-282-6612. Southwest Georgia encompasses these counties: Baker, Calhoun, Colquitt, Decatur, Dougherty, Early, Grady, Lee, Miller, Mitchell, Seminole, Terrell, Thomas, Worth

Coastal Georgia

Covers a 9-county area surrounding Brunswick and Savannah

Coastal Network offers Powerful Tools for Caregivers

he Coastal caregiving role. Georgia Six members Caregivers Network, of the CAREInc. (CARE-NET), in NET, who cooperation with the attended a threeArea Agency on day leaders’ trainAging, is bringing a ing, work in new education and teams to build support program to the skills of caregivers in the caregivers. The There are an estimated 19,000 family caregivers Coastal region. Powerful Tools in Coastal Georgia today. Thanks to a new Powerful Tools for curriculum offers initiative, caregivers can now take advantage of an Caregivers is a sixstrategies for educational and skill-building program called Powerful Tools for Caregivers. week course that reducing personal provides family stress, alleviating caregivers with effective tools to increase negative self-talk, communicating effectheir self-care and confidence as they deal tively with family members and health care with the complex emotions and enormous providers, dealing with difficult feelings stresses that often accompany the and making tough caregiver decisions. Spring 2009

“We are very excited about launching the Powerful Tools program in the Coastal region,” says Sharon Dickol, director for the Coastal Area Agency on Aging and Chair of the CARE-NET coalition. “We have teams of trainers in Statesboro, Savannah and Brunswick, which will allow us to reach caregivers in all parts of the region. We are especially looking forward to reaching those caregivers who exhibit high levels of stress and have no formal support services in the home.” To learn more about Powerful Tools for Caregivers, or to find out when the next classes are scheduled, call 1-800-580-6860. Coastal Georgia encompasses these counties: Bryan, Bulloch, Camden, Chatham, Effingham, Glynn, Liberty, Long, McIntosh