gagen 2004 winter
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Building Georgia Also in This Issue: s New Opportunities in Nursing s A Look at Georgia’s AAAs Published quarterly by Georgia’s Area Agencies on Aging Winter 2004 TMTRANSCRIPT
GenerationsGeorgia
Published quarterly by Georgia’s Area Agencies on Aging
TMWinter 2004
Also in This Issue:■ New Opportunities
in Nursing■ A Look at
Georgia’s AAAs
Age-FriendlyCommunities
Building
in Georgia
2 Georgia Generations
Northwest GeorgiaLegacy LinkAtlanta Regional
CommissionSouthern CrescentNortheast GeorgiaLower ChattahoocheeMiddle GeorgiaCentral Savannah RiverHeart of Georgia
AltamahaSouthwest GeorgiaSoutheast GeorgiaCoastal Georgia
Area Agencies on Aging – Gateways to Community Resources
123
54
78
6
9
12
1011
1
10
Georgia is divided into 12 AAAs, each serving a different part of the state.They are:
2
35
4
7
8
69
12
11
WINTER 2004 Published quarterlythrough a cooperative effort of Georgia’sArea Agencies on Aging.
For information contact:Atlanta Regional CommissionAging Services Division40 Courtland St., NE, Atlanta, GA [email protected]
Editorial Project Development:JAM Communications, Atlanta, GA
Design and Production:Wells-Smith Partners, Lilburn, GA
Georgia Generations is a:
On the Cover:Bogie and Carolyn West of Lake Allatoonaenjoy shopping in downtown Marietta.Throughout Georgia, and across thenation, communities are realizing theneed to become more elder-friendly. See story, page 4.
Photo by Anne Ledbetter.
GenerationsGeorgia
Winter 2004, Volume 3, #2 © 2003 bythe Atlanta Regional Commission. Theinformation contained herein has beenobtained from sources believed to bereliable. However, the Atlanta RegionalCommission and JAM Communicationsmake no warranty to the accuracy or reliability of this information. No part ofthis publication may be reproduced ortransmitted in any form or by any meanswithout written permission. All rightsreserved.
Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) were established under the OlderAmericans Act in 1973 to respond to the needs of older adultsaged 60 and over in every community. To read more about eachof Georgia’s AAAs and the services available, turn to a statewidemap and news from each agency, beginning on page 9.
Fall 2003 3
The recent blackout in parts of the U.S. taught agood lesson in preparing for emergencies. One
important step is to assemble a “72-hour” emer-gency kit, which you should keep in an easilyaccessible closet or storage space.
Here are some items it should contain:WATER One gallon per family member per day, in
plastic containers.FOOD Non-perishable goods that require no
refrigeration or cooking — canned meats, fruits andvegetables, canned milk or juice, peanut butter andjelly, nuts and crackers.
FIRST-AID KIT with bandages, antiseptic, aspirinor pain reliever.
HOUSEHOLD SUPPLIES, such as battery-operatedradio, flashlight, candles and extra keys.
SPECIAL ITEMS, such as prescription medicineand important family documents.
Agroup purchasing programhas been organized for
caregivers who buynutrition, bathing,mobility, incontinenceand other products.The Caregivers Mar-ketplace provides awide range of dis-counts, rebates,education andresources. Viewerscan browse theMarketplace Website, searchingproduct lists by category,brand or company. A SavingsCatalog shows companiesoffering discounts for care-
givers using a special Savings Card. The education/
resources link pro-vides adetailed listof new prod-ucts beingoffered,including pho-tos, descrip-tions, andprices. There isno cost forenrolling. Forinformation, call1-866-327-8340
or visit the Web site atwww.caregiversmarketplace.com.
&NEWS NOTESCAREGIVING
Surfing the Net
Each issue of Georgia Generationsoffers several Web sites devoted
to caregiving information andresources:
www.eldercare.gov linkscaregivers to the information
and referral (I&R) services oftheir state and Area Agencies on Aging. These I&R
programs can help you identify appropriate services inthe area where you or your family member resides.
www.nmha.org is a comprehensive site for theNational Mental Health Association, the largest U.S.nonprofit organization addressing all aspects of mental health and mental illness. It offers in-depthinformation, news and advice, fact sheets, resourcesand legislative updates.
www.hospice.net guides caregivers facing end-of-life situations, including pain control, discussing losswith children, coping with grief and understandingMedicare hospice benefits.
Look for more helpful Web sites in the next issueof Georgia Generations.
Contrary to common belief, “old” and“tired” do not go hand in hand. Feel-
ing exhausted is not a normal part ofaging! If you or your caregiving recipientfeels fatigued for weeks on end, it couldbe a sign of an undiagnosed health prob-lem. Make an appointment for an overallphysical exam. If your doctor has ruled outa major medical cause of fatigue, the nextthing to think about is overall fitness. Withaging, muscles tend to lose bulk andstrength. Thus a person’s reservoir of stam-ina and energy, in essence, is shallower, andhe or she can tire more easily.
What to do? Both strengthening and endurance exercises will pushthose reserves higher. Follow these tips:
■ Exercise moderately every day. Walking, leg lifts from a seatedposition and light hand weights will build muscle strength andendurance.
■ Eat smaller amounts of food more often, and avoid large por-tions of fatty or starchy foods.
■ Take time every day to relax.
How to Create anEmergency Kit
Protect Medicare and Medicaid Benefits
Metro Atlanta: 404-463-0763Outside Metro Atlanta: GeorgiaCares 1-800-669-8387
Purchasing Power
Report suspected fraud and errors.Call your Senior Medicare Patrol Project for details and to request a presentation.
FatigueFixing
Building
Communities
4 Georgia Generations
IT’S THE AMERICAN DREAM. RETIRE. MOVE TO THE BEACH OR THE MOUNTAINS. ENJOYYOUR GOLDEN YEARS PLAYING GOLF, STROLLING WITH FRIENDS AND RELAXING.
For most seniors, this scenario is just that — a dream. In reality, most olderadults want to — and actually do — stay right where they are as they age or retire— in their homes or towns where they have lived for years. However, it’s often notan easy choice. Our communities, which work so well for families with children, arenot as well suited to meet the needs of their aging citizens.
BY MARTHA
NOLAN MCKENZIE
“We have to recognize thatour communities are age-biased,” said Kathryn Lawler,project director of Aging Atlanta,a program within the AtlantaRegional Commission chargedwith assessing the needs ofolder Atlantans. “We built themwith one group in mind — fami-lies with children. And everyonemanages to navigate them whenthey are healthy, can drive andhave a reasonable income. Butonce they become constrainedby age and income, it becomesvery difficult to live and getaround in the community.”
It’s a problem that will onlyincrease in the coming years.Every month, the world’s olderpopulation increases by 1.2million. In Georgia, the 65-plussegment will swell to almost 17percent of the total state popu-lation by 2025 from nearly 10percent in 2000, according tothe U.S. Census Bureau. Thatmeans 1.7 million Georgianswill be 65 years or older by2025. And many leading experts
on housing for the elderly estimate that only 7 percentof the elderly move into any kind of formal retirementcommunity.
Numbers like these have spawned a growing aware-ness of the need to make communities elder-friendly. InGeorgia, community planners, leaders and senior organi-zations across the state are beginning to make changesthat will allow seniors to age in place.
Just what is an elder-friendly community? There is noone definition or blueprint. Each community must assessthe needs and desires of the seniors who live there andmake the changes that will allow them to remain. In gen-eral, however, communities need to consider the basicneeds of housing, transportation and social and civicinvolvement.
“Mostly we have to think about how to retrofit ourexisting communities, because by and large, where seniorsare living right now is where they are going to stay,” saidLawler. “At this point, it’s a cutting-edge concept. Theseneeds have always been there, but they are coming to theforefront more than ever before.”
HOUSING CHALLENGESThe four-bedroom, two-story house that worked so
well for a couple when they were raising their childrensuddenly becomes too much to keep up when the kidsleave home. But at this point, the options are limited.
“They can either stick it out in a house that’s way toobig for them or leave their community entirely, becausethere are no other types of housing units in that commu-nity,” said Scott Ball, executive director of the CommunityHousing Resource Center, a nonprofit housing group inAtlanta.
Indeed, in many areas it’s illegal to build a “grannyflat” or “in-law suite” in your home. “Those decisions aremade because people don’t want renters in their neigh-borhoods,” said Lawler. “But those sorts of in-houseapartments really work well for older adults who down-size but want to stay in their own communities.”
Similarly, residents and elected officials often fightzoning ordinances that would allow town homes andapartment buildings in their neighborhoods. They don’twant the congestion such developments bring. But, onceagain, that type of housing is well-suited for seniors.
As a result, when the senior is ready to leave thatfour-bedroom, two-story home, he has nowhere to go.
Appropriate housing is not a problem that is confinedto big cities. In Perry, GA, the city council has made hous-ing for seniors one of the town’s top priorities. “We areencouraging, through our regulatory process, the develop-ment of mixed housing options within communities — single-family houses, duplexes and triplexes,” said LeeGilmour, city manager. “Perry is ideally suited for retirees— we’re just 90 miles out of Atlanta, but we don’t have thebig city congestion and problems. We have a nice climateand affordable housing. And we also, like the rest of thecountry, have an ever-growing population of seniors, so wefeel it’s important to address their housing needs.”
Sometimes, making changes to the house the senior isliving in or bringing in some services can forestall theneed to move at all. In Augusta, AARP volunteers, in coop-eration with Walton Options for Independent Living, buildramps for seniors who are confined to wheelchairs. Theseramps make it possible for the senior to remain in hishome while giving him greater independence.
Winter 2004 5
Golf carts are an innovative means of transportationfor seniors in Peachtree City.
Only about 7 percent of retirees move toa type of formal retirement community,and only 1 percent of those aged 65 to74 live in a nursing home.
“There’s a crew of us who build the ramps,” said RaymondRufo, a retired dentist and treasurer of AARP Chapter 266 inAugusta. “None of us were professional builders, but we wereall handy around the house, and we do a pretty good job. Ourclients are usually thrilled with our work, and they are evenmore thrilled that they will not get a bill for it.”
Having meals delivered can also help seniors remain intheir homes. There are many meals-on-wheels programsthroughout the state, which draw upon a variety of communityresources. For example, in Sparta, GA, Joycelyn Huff coordi-nates a small church-based meals-on-wheels program. On thefourth Saturday of every month, volunteers gather at thePower of God Ministries Christian Center and prepare anddeliver dinners to area seniors. “We deliver about 100 meals amonth,” said Huff. “And the funds all come from the church.”
The Atlanta neighborhood of Toco Hills is designated as aNaturally Occurring Retirement Community (NORC). A NORCis a community with a high concentration of older adults, andToco Hills has a high concentration of seniors in their 70s, 80sand 90s, many of whom are observant Jews. They want toremain in their community, where they can walk to one of fivesynagogues and where restaurants and groceries offer anarray of kosher foods. With limited senior housing available inthe neighborhood, staying in the community means staying intheir homes.
The Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta and Jewish Family & Career Services have teamed up to create a NORC
supportive service project in Toco Hills. “We thought if we canprovide the services they need, they can remain in their ownhomes longer,” said Barbara Rosenberg, supervisor of ElderConnections, a program of Jewish Family & Career Services.
Elder Connections has helped with home repairs, installedgrab bars and provided homemaker services to Toco Hills seniors, and it recently started its own home care service —Legacy Home Care — to provide help with tasks of daily living,such as bathing and dressing.
TRANSPORTATION OPTIONSAt some point, seniors are confronted with the fact that it
is no longer safe for them to drive a car. “It’s extremely trau-matic, because our communities have created a total depend-ence on the automobile,” said Ball. “So giving up those carkeys is giving up your ability to participate in society in anymeaningful way.”
But mothballing the family car shouldn’t have to meanmothballing the former driver. “It becomes difficult for peopleto drive probably several years in advance of their inability towalk,” said Ball. “So if we made our communities pedestrian-friendly, with mixed housing types and nearby services, seniorscould continue to participate in the community.”
The changes required could be as simple as increasingthe amount of time a traffic light stays red. “In Toco Hills, wefound the lights didn’t stay red long enough for a senior in awalker or wheelchair to make it across the crosswalk,” saidFaye Dresner, senior planner with the Jewish Federation ofGreater Atlanta. “It’s such a simple thing, but I had neverthought of it before.”
The Atlanta Regional Commission runs a Livable CentersInitiative to try to retrofit communities within the metro areato make them more accessible and pedestrian-friendly. The
initiative awards $1 million a year to communities for plan-ning purposes, and then draws from a $350 million fund toimplement needed changes, such as building new side-walks, replacing curbs with ramps and adding lighting.
“We identify activity or employment centers and thengive them funds to do a plan for how to make the area morewalkable,” said Dan Reuter, land use division chief at theARC. “Once they have completed the study they are eligiblefor construction funds.”
So far, the ARC has distributed $70 million of the con-struction funds. For example, it provided funds to improvesidewalks, add pedestrian lighting and benches andincrease visibility of crosswalks in downtown Marietta. Indowntown Duluth, ARC money was used to build new side-walks and bike lanes. And in Suwanee, it helped build apedestrian underpass below the railroad tracks, as well asadd sidewalks and crosswalks.
In Peachtree City, seniors who no longer drive can getto nearly anywhere they want to go, thanks to an extensivegolf cart path system that links homes, retail centers,
6 Georgia Generations
By 2025, worldwide average life expectancywill be 73 years. By 2050, one in five personswill be older than 65.
Secret shoppers in Gainesville “test” Belk DepartmentStore, which recently was awarded an Elderly-FriendlyCertification.
recreational areas and employment areas. Soseniors can walk, bike or drive a golf cart tothe grocery, the bank and the drug store with-out going out on a main road.
“We have 11,000 households and almost9,000 of them own a golf cart,” said PeachtreeCity Mayor Steve Brown. “Peachtree City wasn’t necessarily designed for an aging popu-lation, but it works incredibly well for thatdemographic.”
So well that other cities have come to studyits system. The city council in Perry is devel-oping a master plan of golf cart routes seniorscould use to go to medical, shopping or recreational facilities.“We’ve gone to Peachtree City and looked at theirs, and wewould like to develop something similar,” said Gilmour.
In more spread-out rural parts of the state, walking — oreven driving a golf cart — isn’t a viable option. In these areas,local governments and senior organizations are beginning toprovide transportation services to area seniors. In northwestGeorgia, Catoosa County runs a service called Trans-Aid,which provides seven vans to take seniors to doctors’ appoint-ments, shopping and to the senior center in Ringgold.
For Gloria June Martin, the van means the differencebetween being mostly homebound and being active. The 73-year-old widow lives alone, and her son and daughter-in-law
both work full-time. “I wouldn’t get out too often if it weren’tfor the van,” said Martin. “They take me to Wal-Mart wheneverI need something, they take me to the grocery on Thursdayafternoons and to the beauty shop. A week ago I needed tohave a tooth extracted, and they let me out right in front of thedental clinic and, when I was finished, came back and got meand took me home. I thought that was wonderful.”
Accessibility goes hand in hand with transportation, andcommunity planners are beginning to address this issue aswell. In Gainesville, Legacy Link, the Area Agency on Aging,awards businesses Elder-Friendly Certification if they meetcertain criteria. Among the things they consider are the easeof entry, the width of the aisles to accommodate walkers andwheelchairs and availability of benches for resting. To date,the Colonial Lakeshore Mall, Crossroads Deli, Milton MartinToyota, Belk Department Store and the public library systemhave been certified as elder-friendly.
Indeed, businesses can play a large role in making commu-nities elder-friendly. “One of the main reasons behind the
NORC projects is to help educate service providers and busi-nesses about the importance of offering services that are elder-friendly,” said Jewish Federation’s Dresner. “For example,a pharmacy could send a van to deliver medications to seniorcustomers on a particular day, or a grocery could send a van topick seniors up to shop at their store.”
SOCIAL AND CIVIC ENGAGEMENTStudies show isolation is one of the biggest problems in the
senior population. So a key component of any elder-friendlycommunity is encouragement of social and civic involvement.Solutions can be simple, inexpensive — and unexpected.
For example, in East Point, where the Jewish Federationteamed with the Atlanta Regional Commission’s Aging Atlantaproject and Fulton County to create a second NORC support-ive service project, the mayor decided people must mail intheir bills rather than bring them to city hall in person. “Shewas trying to save money, but the area seniors got veryupset,” said Aging Atlanta’s Lawler. “That’s because goingdowntown to city hall to pay bills was a social event and animportant part of their routines. So she went back to accept-ing bills in person.”
The seniors of East Point face many challenges. More than13 percent of the 65-plus population live below the poverty line,compared with about 9 percent in the region. Long-time resi-dents, about half of whom are African-American, have watchedtheir property taxes triple and new residents move in with “gen-trification” projects. Safety, transportation and housing aremajor concerns. Still, it’s the little things that can make a bigdifference.
“Things like being able to pay a bill in person, or havingchairs in the bank so people can visit after they do their bank-ing — these have nothing to do with traditional aging services,but they may have a greater impact on somebody’s life than thethings we are doing now,” said Lawler.
Senior centers around the state play a big role in keepingolder adults connected and engaged in their communities. InPalmetto, the Palmetto Neighborhood Senior Center serveslunch every day, offers myriad health and wellness programs
89 percent of Americans aged 55 andolder want to remain in their current residence as long as possible.
Winter 2004 7
Mayor Clark Boddie of Palmetto visitsseniors at the Palmetto Senior Center
to discuss community concerns.
and coordinates activities. “Theamount of programming we have forseniors is just tremendous,” said Pal-metto Mayor J. Clark Boddie, who regu-larly visits seniors at the center. “Thisyear we are having the 150th anniver-sary of our city, and a lot of the activi-ties will be held at the senior center.We encourage them to participate ineverything. We auction off quilts theymake, sell cakes they bake — get theminvolved in any way we can.”
Getting involved was one of themain ideas behind the Columbia andRichmond County Seniors and LawEnforcement Together (SALT) pro-grams in Augusta. “The program wasoriginally designed to help ease thefear that some older folks have whendealing with law enforcement,” saidKathleen Ernce, advocacy programs director for the SeniorCitizens Council in Augusta. “And as part of the program, sen-iors volunteer in the sheriff’s department. It’s been a godsendfor both the sheriff’s department and the seniors. The sheriff’sdepartment gets badly needed volunteer help, and the seniorsfeel they are doing something that is extremely worthwhile.”
That’s why Walter S. Williams of Augusta volunteers to filefor several hours each Monday morning in the administrativeoffice of the Richmond County Prison. Williams, 85, is thecoordinator of the SALT program for the AARP in RichmondCounty, and he didn’t want to ask his volunteers to do anything
he wasn’t willing to do himself. But he also derives a sense ofsatisfaction from the work. “I really think I’m providing a use-ful service,” said Williams. “Anything I can do to help releasedeputies from clerical duties and put them back on the street Ifeel is a real service to my community.”
Making the transition to an elder-friendly communityrequires connecting with and really listening to seniors. “Youcan’t just go out and count the number of bus stops and timehow long the light stays red,” said Mia Oberlink, programdirector of AdvantAge Initiative, a project of the Center forHome Care Policy and Research in New York. The initiativehelps communities measure their elder friendliness and takeaction to make improvements. “You need to know how olderpeople feel about living there, what their experiences are and
what their desires and needs are. Often service providersthink they know best without going to the source.”
Oberlink cites New York’s Lincoln Square, which is one of 10communities nationwide participating in the AdvantAge Initia-tive project. A steering committee identified safety as a majorconcern among the senior residents of Lincoln Square andorganized a meeting with the residents and leaders in the com-munity, including a city council representative, the state senatorfrom the district and a police official. The police officer startedout trying to reassure the residents, saying the crime rateagainst seniors in that neighborhood was virtually non-existent.“But once the seniors started talking, it became clear that olderpeople weren’t reporting the crimes for fear of reprisals,” saidOberlink. “This was news to the police officer. We are thrilledthis came up and now they can think of things to do about it.”
Elder-friendly community advocates stress that makingneighborhoods more accommodating of seniors benefits every-one. Mixed housing promotes multigenerational living andinteraction, which is a plus for everyone along the age con-tinuum. Pedestrian-friendly design encourages walking andbiking, which improves health, increases social interactionand reduces congestion and pollution. Encouraging seniors topatronize businesses that are elder-friendly is good for theeconomy of the town. And keeping seniors in the neighborhoodcan result in a more vital community atmosphere.
“We have really started promoting our senior housingbecause we recognize their benefit to our community,” saidPeachtree City’s Mayor Brown. “When I have a senior couple,I’m talking about people who do not crowd the schools, who donot drive at peak times and who get involved in the commu-nity. That’s why we really go out of our way to attract andretain seniors.” GG
Seniors contribute their time to their communities, making up about 85 percentof the volunteer work force.
Augusta volunteers build ramps for homeowners who use walkers
or wheelchairs.
8 Georgia Generations
GUEST CLOSE-UPGUEST CLOSE-UP
By Lucy Rogers, Senior Vice President, Ethica Health and Retirement Communities
Certified nursing assistants (CNAs) attwo Georgia nursing homes will soon be
climbing a career ladder with the opportu-nity to advance to licensed practical nurse(LPN). The Seasons Health and Rehabilita-tion Center in Conyers and Traditions Healthand Rehabilitation Center in Lithonia areparticipating in a pilot project designed toenhance educational opportunities for certi-fied nursing assistants.
Georgia nursing homes provide care toapproximately 37,000 patients daily. Certi-fied nursing assistants are responsible forproviding approximately 85 percent of thedirect care to patients in nursing homes.Unfortunately, the CNA has often beenviewed as a “dead-end” job with no potential for professionalgrowth. This fact drives many out of the profession once theyhave entered the CNA workforce and prevents many otherskilled individuals from ever entering this workforce. Recruit-ment and retention pose challenges for the long-term careprofession, threatening the quality of care delivered to thethousands who rely on CNA services.
Adding to these retention problems is a growing need tomeet new demand. This problem is emerging just as demandfor health care services is rapidly increasing due to popula-tion growth and an aging demographic in Georgia. The Geor-gia Nursing Home Association estimated that 3,000 nursingassistants would be needed for positions in Georgia nursinghomes during 2003. In addition, GNHA projected that 1,000LPN positions would need to be filled. Certified nursing assis-tants are vital to the long-term care profession.
Through the collaborative efforts of various state and pri-vate entities, a career ladder has now been established toprovide a pathway from CNA to LPN. The Georgia Departmentof Labor, DeKalb Workforce Board, Atlanta Regional Commis-
sion, Department of Community Health, Georgia Departmentof Technical and Adult Education, DeKalb Technical Collegeand Ethica Health and Retirement Communities have devel-oped a partnership to customize a career ladder that will pro-vide a bridge from the entry-level CNA positions to LPN.
The model provides entry into a health career at the CNAlevel, with a structured learning environment that helps stu-dents progress to the LPN level. The career ladder was devel-oped to accommodate the needs of the students, allowingthem flexibility to juggle full-time work, school and familyresponsibilities. Students will also have access to computersand software to enhance their reading and math skills andtake online courses. CNAs will receive pay for actual class-room time. Salary increases will be given at the successfulcompletion of each level.
It is anticipated that 20 percent of the CNAs who enter the program will advance to LPN within three years. Thispilot project will provide a model for other partnerships ofvarious state and private entities to replicate throughout thestate. GG
Winter 2004 9
Building a BridgeCertified Nursing Assistant
to Licensed Practical Nurse
Lisa Griffin (standing left), program facilitator, and Lorie Scroggs (standing right), administrator, ofthe Seasons Health and Rehabilitation Center, conduct training.
A Look at Area Agencies on Aging Around Georgia
NorthwestNorthwestGeorgiaGeorgia
AtlantaAtlantaRegionalRegionalCommissionCommission
SouthernSouthernCrescentCrescent
LegacyLegacyLinkLink
NortheastNortheastGeorgia Georgia
CentralCentralSavannahSavannahRiver River
MiddleMiddleGeorgia Georgia
SouthwestSouthwestGeorgia Georgia SoutheastSoutheast
GeorgiaGeorgia
Heart ofHeart ofGeorgiaGeorgiaAltamahaAltamaha CoastalCoastal
GeorgiaGeorgia
LowerLowerChattahoochee Chattahoochee
NorthwestGeorgia
AtlantaRegionalCommission
SouthernCrescent
LegacyLink
NortheastGeorgia
CentralSavannahRiver
MiddleGeorgia
LowerChattahoochee
SouthwestGeorgia Southeast
Georgia
Heart ofGeorgiaAltamaha Coastal
Georgia
In communities across the country, Area
Agencies on Aging (AAAs) serve as gateways to
local resources, planning efforts and services
that help older adults remain independent. On
the following pages are the programs and
services offered by Georgia’s AAAs.
One of the challenges of an AreaAgency on Aging (AAA) is letting
people know about the programs that pro-vide assistance to older adults and theircaregivers. However, local media outlets —TV, radio and newspapers — can supportAAAs by informing the public about issuesof interest to the aging population.
In the Northwest Georgia area, localnewspapers often run announcements andarticles about senior citizens and their fam-ilies. Information on aging also reachesthousands of homes via radio and TV.
Nelle Reagan, host of WRGA-AM’s Talkof the Town in Rome, frequently interviewsAAA staff about Alzheimer’s support, pre-scription assistance, Medicare issues and
in-home services. Because Reagan hasbeen a caregiver for several family mem-bers, she has firsthand knowledge of issuesfacing the elderly and their families.
Peggy Stanfield, host of Senior Moments,
a local cable call-in show on Fort Ogle-thorpe’s UCTV, is a senior activist andadvocate who is a friend to all seniors inthe viewing areas of Walker and Catoosacounties. A walking directory of seniorinformation, Stanfield is one of that area’sgreatest resources.
We appreciate our local media outletsfor doing an excellent job in helping usreach the elderly and underserved popula-tions in our area.
For information, contact AAA of Northwest Georgia, P.O. Box 1793, Rome, GA30162-1793; 706-802-5506 or toll-free 1-800-759-2963.
Northwest Georgia
Partnering with thenews media
NORTHWEST GEORGIA ENCOMPASSES THESE COUNTIES:Bartow, Catoosa, Chattooga, Dade,Fannin, Floyd, Gilmer, Gordon,Haralson, Murray, Paulding, Pickens,Polk, Walker, Whitfield
10 Georgia Generations
Covers a 15-county area surrounding Rome, Dallas, Dalton, Cartersville
Nelle Reagan, host of WRGA-AM’s Talk of the Town.
Legacy LinkCovers a 13-county area surrounding Gainesville, Cumming, Clarkesville, Toccoa, Hiawassee
Recently an honor wasbestowed on a most
deserving individual who livesin Gainesville. Nola Woffordwas selected as the OlderWorker of the Year for the 13-county region.Wofford hasworked longer than the vastmajority of persons employedin the region. She began work-ing when she was 13 years oldand is now 86 years old!
Wofford retired from Milliken Mills, where she hadworked for many years, andcontinued working by providing care forindividuals with Alzheimer’s Disease. She
enrolled in theLegacy Link SeniorCommunity Ser-vice & Employ-ment Program and
participated in a “Professional Caregiving”course sponsored by Legacy. In short
order, she was employed as a caregiver foran elderly woman, and the family isdelighted to have her. The son remarked,“[Nola] is truly a remarkable person. Shedoes things for my mother that are aboveand beyond the call of duty.”
Nola Wofford is an excellent rolemodel who always exhibits a positive atti-tude and is truly a dedicated worker. She isalways willing to go that extra mile andcertainly deserves the Older Worker ofthe Year honor.
For further information, contact LegacyLink, P.O. Box 2534, Gainesville, GA 30503-2534; 770-538-2650 or toll-free 1-800-845-LINK.
Older Worker of the Year honored
Bobby Buchanan, director of the South-ern Crescent Area Agency on Aging
(SCAAA), was the guest speaker for“Evening with the Expert” at the StateUniversity of West Georgia (UWGA) onOctober 7. The event was sponsored bythe Gerontology Program of the SociologyDepartment and Sigma Phi Omega, theGerontology honors society.
Buchanan informed attendeesof the employment opportuni-ties available with the SCAAAand its subcontracting agen-
cies, as well as among other providers ofservices in the region. He also outlined theprograms administered and contracted outby the SCAAA. The event gave thoseinterested in the field of aging an opportu-nity to hear firsthand about actual posi-tions available right in their communities.
Collaboration of the Area Agency onAging and the academic com-
munity within the region isnot new. Dr. Jan Purk,
director of the Gerontol-ogy Program at
UWGA, has servedwith the SCAAA onCARE-NET and itseducation commit-tee, and theSCAAA has
supported the Gerontology Program’sannual aging forum since its inception. Inaddition, students, scholars and researcherscontact the SCAAA for information on theresources in the provider database. Thisimportant partnership between the AAA,which serves as the “Gateway to Commu-nity Resources,” and academia is vital tothe overall focus on exceptional service —and provides a tool for public relations andvocational advocacy.
For further information, contact SouthernCrescent AAA, P.O. Box 1600, Franklin, GA30217-1600; 706-675-6721, 770-854-6026or toll-free 1-866-854-5652.
Partnerships withacademia
Bobby Buchanan speaks at the State University of West Georgia,
Carrollton.
SOUTHERN CRESCENT ENCOMPASSES THESE COUNTIES:Butts, Carroll, Coweta, Heard, Lamar,Meriwether, Pike, Spalding, Troup,Upson
LEGACY LINK ENCOMPASSES THESECOUNTIES: Banks, Dawson, Forsyth,Franklin, Habersham, Hall, Hart,Lumpkin, Rabun, Stephens, Towns,Union, White
Southern CrescentCovers a 10-county area surrounding Franklin, Newnan, LaGrange, Griffin, Carrollton
Nola Wofford with the OlderWorker of the Year Award.
Woffordbeganworkingwhen shewas 13 yearsold and isnow 86 yearsold!
Winter 2004 11
“One day I looked in the mirror andsaid, ‘What has happened to me?
When did I become a caregiver?’” Many of us have experienced this sudden realiza-tion. Then a nagging feeling sets in that weshould be resigned to a stoic life, often iso-lated from the support of others.
That image is changing, however, givingway to more positive attitudes about thelifestyle of those who care for a loved oneor friend.Atlanta CARE-NET is breakingground by redefining and affirming thecaregiver in all of us! It’s true that at sometime most of us will be either the care-giver for someone or the receiver of carefrom anotherperson. Care-giving seems tobe woven intothe very fabricof our lives,which alsomeans it is anactivity that we can prepare for in ourfuture.
Learning about caregiving is the first
step in being readyto assume a care-giving role. Forthose who arealready caregivers,many resourcesare available.Atlanta CARE-NET, an interfaithcoalition of, by andfor caregivers,empowers caregiversand local faith-basedorganizations by forging them into a pow-erful network for strength, support,
resources, education and advocacy.The Rosalynn Carter Institute for
Human Development conceived the
CARE-NET idea. Atlanta CARE-NET isone of eight CARE-NETs in Georgia, andone of two that focus on working withfaith-based organizations. The goal is to
have a CARE-NET in all 12service areas bythe end of nextyear, linking care-givers in a sup-portive networkacross the state.
Representa-tives fromdiverse faith tra-ditions, united bytheir commonconcern for care-
givers, comprise the steering committeefor Atlanta CARE-NET.The staff of theRosalynn Carter Institute for HumanDevelopment have trained 40 facilitators incongregations and faith-based organizationsto work directly with caregivers.The train-ing model, “Caring for You, Caring for Me,”is available through Atlanta CARE-NET andthe Rosalynn Carter Institute. In additionto training opportunities, Atlanta CARE-NET provides informational programs forcaregivers and access to resources in theAtlanta Regional Commission’s CONNECTdatabase of more than 15,000 services.
The highlight of 2003 was the Novem-ber caregiver conference, “Share the Caring— Celebrating Caregiving Ministries,”which was held in honor of National Caregiving Month at Columbia TheologicalSeminary in Decatur.
To become a part of Atlanta CARE-NET,contact Mary Lou Vergara, caregiver programcoordinator, ARC–AAA, at 404-463-3524 [email protected].
Atlanta Regional CommissionCovers a 10-county area surrounding Atlanta
Cherokee County Cherokee County SeniorServices, 770-345-5312
Clayton County Clayton County Aging Program, 770-603-4050
Cobb County Cobb Senior Services, 770-528-5364
DeKalb County Office of Senior Affairs, 404-687-7117
Douglas County Douglas Senior Services, 770-489-3100
Fayette County Fayette Senior Services, 770-461-0813
Fulton County Fulton County Aging Program, 404-730-6000
Gwinnett County Gwinnett County SeniorServices, 770-822-8850
Henry County Henry County Senior Services, 770-898-7670
Rockdale County Rockdale County SeniorServices, 770-922-4633
Atlanta Regional Commission404-463-3333
ATLANTA REGIONAL COMMISSIONENCOMPASSES THESE COUNTIES:Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, DeKalb,Douglas, Fayette, Fulton, Gwinnett,Henry, Rockdale
If you need caregiving information, contact:
12 Georgia Generations
Waking up to caregiving? Hook up with Atlanta CARE-NET
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CARE-NET empowers caregivers and localfaith-based organizations by forging theminto a powerful network for strength,support, resources, education and advocacy.
On September 20, the Columbus CivicCenter became a gigantic doctor’s
office for thousands who participated inthe annual men’s and women’s healthscreening expo! The Lower Chatta-hoochee Area Agency on Aging (LCAAA),along with the Muscogee County MedicalSociety and the Muscogee County Physi-cians Foundation, sponsored this event.
A variety of health screenings andother health information were available to
the expo participants who had lined upoutside the doors for hours before theyopened — as well as to those who arrivedthroughout the day. Thanks to the spon-sors, many health screenings that wouldhave cost over $200 in private health careoffices were provided free of charge.
Due to partnerships between theLCAAA and local high schools, severalhealth care career-track students assistedwith blood pressure screenings and distrib-uting literature. The LCAAA staff providedinformation concerning caregiver programs,such as in-home and out-of-home respite,as well as prescription drug benefits
through pharmaceutical companies andGeorgiaCares insurance information.Participants also sought information onmeals-on-wheels, congregate meals, home-maker services and personal care.
As the day ended, many participantshad not only benefited from screenings andreceiving valuable information but werealso much more familiar and knowledge-able with the “Gateway to CommunityResources” available through the LCAAA.
For further information, contact LowerChattahoochee AAA, P.O. Box 1908, Columbus,GA 31902-1908; 706-256-2900 or toll-free 1-800-615-4379.
Since 1975, the Athens CommunityCouncil on Aging (ACCA) has provided
an important option for caregivers of frail adults by operating adult day care centers. In 1988, the Northeast GeorgiaArea Agency on Aging (NEGA AAA) joined the efforts of the ACCA to provideAlzheimer’s day care services. And in 1998, the ACCA began a nationally recog-nized model mobile adult day care pro-gram that has expanded to six counties.
Participants in Athens-Clarke andWinder-Barrow adult day care centersbenefit from medical monitoring by skillednursing staff, support from social work per-sonnel, personal care, nutritious meals and
snacks and therapeutic activities led byhealth aides.
The first mobile programs began fouryears ago in Greene and Elbert countiesthrough partnerships with senior centersand the ACCA. Newton County was addedin 2001 and Morgan County in 2003. Theseservices provide companionship and sup-
port to frail older adults andrespite to their caregivers.
As the population of olderadults grows in NEGA, familiesare recognizing adult day care as avaluable resource that allows sen-iors to remain at home and in thecommunity. NEGA AAA and theACCA anticipate the day whensuch programs can be provided inall of the 12 counties in North-east Georgia.
For further information, contactNortheast Georgia RDC, 305 Research Drive,Athens, GA 30605-2795; 706-583-2547 ortoll-free 1-800-474-7540.
Lower ChattahoocheeCovers a 16-county area surrounding Columbus, Americus, Butler, Montezuma, Cuthbert
LOWER CHATTAHOOCHEE ENCOMPASSES THESE COUNTIES:Chattahoochee, Clay, Crisp, Dooly,Harris, Macon, Marion, Muscogee,Quitman, Randolph, Schley, Stewart,Sumter, Talbot, Taylor, Webster
Fitness and health expodraws area seniors
Northeast GeorgiaCovers a 12-county area surrounding Athens, Winder, Monroe, Covington, Madison
NORTHEAST GEORGIA ENCOMPASSES THESE COUNTIES:Barrow, Clarke, Elbert, Greene,Jackson, Jasper, Madison, Morgan,Newton, Oconee, Oglethorpe, Walton
Caregiving in NortheastGeorgia: Adult day care
Clifford Stovall (center) with Vickie Howell (right), employeeof the ACCA, and Ethel Salley, Stovall’s granddaughter, goeshome after a day at the adult day care center.
Cathy Spears, GeorgiaCarescoordinator, and Dawn Dust,
LPN, GeorgiaCares counselor,both with the Lower
Chattahoochee AAA, discussaging services with a patron.
Winter 2004 13
Osteoporosis is a disease that causesbones to become fragile and more
likely to break. Prevention of this disease isvery important because, while there aretreatments, there is no cure. The only sureway to determine bone density and frac-ture risk is to have a bone mass measure-ment (also called bone mineral density orBMD test), a painless, noninvasive and safeprocedure.
Brenda Kirkland, wellness coordinatorwith the Middle Georgia RDC/AAA,and Cheryl Robinson, chronic disease pre-vention coordinator with the Georgia Department of Human Resources, havecollaborated to bring osteoporosis screen-ing to the 12 senior centers in the Middle
Georgia area. To perform the screen-ing, Robinson uses a portable periph-eral machine measuring density in theheel of the foot.
According to Kirkland, studies haveshown that osteoporosis affects 44million women and men aged 50 andover nationwide. Further studies haveshown that a balanced diet rich in cal-cium and vitamin D, weight-bearingexercises, a healthy lifestyle, bone densitytesting and medication when needed areeffective in the prevention of osteoporosis.If medically necessary, Medicare permitsindividuals to repeat BMD testing everytwo years. Co-pays and deductibles apply.
With the information obtained fromthe BMD test, participants and their doc-tors can decide what prevention or treat-ment is best for them.
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 ENCOMPASSESTHESE COUNTIES: Baldwin, Bibb,Crawford, Houston, Jones, Monroe,Peach, Pulaski, Putnam, Twiggs,Wilkinson
Middle GeorgiaCovers an 1 1-county area surrounding Macon, Warner Robins, Milledgeville
The prevention ofosteoporosis
Central Savannah RiverCovers a 14-county area surrounding Augusta, Thomson, Martinez/Evans, Waynesboro, Sandersville
“Let me know if I can help.” Thephrase rolls off the tongues of con-
cerned friends, but for most harried care-givers, it leads to a land of second-guessingand missed opportunities for assistance.AAA caregiver specialist Georgia Jopling
urges caregivers to make advance prepara-tions and to turn every polite offer into anaction plan.
“People mean well, but they don’t knowhow to help,” Jopling says. “So write a listof simple ideas and keep it with you.” Shesuggests holding potluck meetings to discussneeds and to match family and friends withtasks. “Choose a good discussion leaderand take notes,” Jopling recommends.
Jopling recalls a caregiver whoonce said that although her daughter-in-law had offered assistance, it wasgenuinely difficult for the caregiver tosay, “Could you help me bathe motheror get her to the doctor?” By learning
to respond with clear-cut suggestions, thiscaregiver eased her load and added newdepth to a family relationship.
Relatives and friends can alleviate care-givers’ anxiety by avoiding vague offers andgetting specific. “Volunteer to do some-thing concrete like sitting with someonefor an hour, giving a ride or cooking ameal,” Jopling says. “Forming a caregivingteam is the absolute kindest gift that youcan give to others and to yourself.”
For further information, contact CentralSavannah River AAA, 3023 River Watch 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
Caregiving teams create closeness
Lillian Brown receives a bone density test fromCheryl Robinson at the Monroe County SeniorCenter.
AAA Caregiver Specialist Georgia Jopling(left) demonstrates simple assistive deviceswith colleague Joyce Tutt-Cherry. “Volunteertime and adaptive tools make excellent giftsfor caregivers,” Jopling says.
14 Georgia Generations
“Aging in place” is the new buzzphrase for people consid-
ering their immediate and long-term housing needs. Unfortunately,many homes are ill-suited to theneeds of older adults. Doors maybe too narrow to accommodatewheelchairs; bathtubs are slipperyand can cause a fall. These safetyproblems and others often makeit difficult for older adults toremain in homes they have occu-pied for years.
Fortunately, though, homes that werenot built for “aging in place” can be modi-fied to allow older adults to safely remainin their homes. The Family Caregiver Program in Southwest Georgia is helping
people to find ways to modify theirhomes.
If a personis unable tosafely utilize abathroom, youcan make thebathroommore accessi-ble by chang-ing to a highertoilet, addinggrab bars, pro-viding a tub
transfer bench and installing a hand-heldshower. You can also make the home moreaccessible by widening doorways, buildingramps, changing doorknobs to lever-stylehandles and replacing shelves with drawersin kitchen base cabinets. Lift chairs savethe caregiver from back strain and help thecare receiver to be more independent.
The possibilities are endless. Lookaround you and see how making modifica-tions and obtaining helpful equipment canbenefit you and your family now and later!
For further information, contact SouthwestGeorgia COA, 1105 Palmyra Road, Albany, GA31701-2508; 229-432-1124 or toll-free 1-800-282-6612.
Fictional character Bertha Barnes hasbeen referred to the Southeast Georgia
Area Agency on Aging (AAA) by a familyfriend. Recently widowed by the death ofHerman, her husband and primary care-giver, Bertha has been left alone to care forherself, which proves to be difficult mostdays. On this particular day, Berthaanswers her ringing phone and is greetedby the friendly voice of Sabrina, a nursewith the Southeast Georgia AAA, markingBertha’s entrance into the “Gateway toCommunity Resources.”
This is the opening scene of a skit illustrating the AAA’s telephone screening
process. Screening Day for Bertha has beenperformed by two Southeast Georgia AAAnurses for the Aging Advisory Council, theSoutheast Georgia RDC board of directorsand a Community Care Services Programnetwork meeting. The skit accurately por-trays a routine screening of a potentialAAA client to determine program needsand eligibility. Bertha is asked questionsabout her medical needs, mobility, nutri-tion, monthly income and other pertinentmatters. Yet the skit also demonstrates thehuman side of the screening process byrevealing Bertha’s touching emotionalneeds.
Screening Day for Bertha has received anoverwhelming number of positiveresponses from all audiences. The skit hasproven to be an effective tool in explainingthe screening process to the public.
For information, contact Southeast Georgia
RDC, 1725 South Georgia Parkway West,Waycross, GA, 31503; 912-285-6097 or toll-free 1-888-732-4464.
Southeast GeorgiaCovers an 18-county area surrounding Waycross, Valdosta, Tifton, Douglas, Folkston
Southeast Georgia AAA nurse Vickie Wainrightportrays Bertha in the skit.
Caregiver Mary Carter and care receiverCleo Carter watch as Wade Saunderswidens a door for wheelchair access.
SOUTHEAST GEORGIA ENCOMPASSESTHESE COUNTIES: Atkinson, Bacon,Ben Hill, Berrien, Brantley, Brooks,Charlton, Clinch, Coffee, Cook, Echols,Irwin, Lanier, Lowndes, Pierce, Tift,Turner, Ware
Nurse/client skitincreases understandingof screening process
Home modification =accessible housing
Southwest GeorgiaCovers a 14-county area surrounding Albany, Bainbridge, Moultrie, Thomasville
SOUTHWEST GEORGIA ENCOMPASSES THESE COUNTIES:Baker, Calhoun, Colquitt, Decatur,Dougherty, Early, Grady, Lee, Miller,Mitchell, Seminole, Terrell, Thomas,Worth
Winter 2004 15
PHOT
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SponsorsThanks to these Georgia companies and organizations for their generous support
AARPAssuming responsibility for the home care of loved
ones can involve assist-ing with daily activities,managing high-tech
medical treatments and dealing with issues arounddying. AARP’s “Life Answers” program can help youmeet these critical responsibilities. Find out more atwww.aarp.org/lifeanswers
Bridgebuilders, Inc.Personal care in thecomfort and privacy ofyour own home.
Customized services delivered with compassion,integrity and professionalism. 600 S. Central Ave.,Hapeville 30354; 404-765-4300.
Georgia Alliance for Staffing Solutions
An alliance that promotes qualitylong-term care for seniors and persons with disabilities by seeking
innovative solutions to improve staffing and supportcaregivers. www.agingatlanta.com
GeorgiaCaresGeorgiaCares is a private-publicpartnership that assists Medicarebeneficiaries with health insurance
questions and Medicare problems. GeorgiaCares alsoseeks to enroll all eligible Medicare beneficiaries inall low cost prescription assistance programs. Forassistance please call 1-800-669-8387.
Georgia Council on AgingThe Georgia Council on Aging advocates on behalf of olderGeorgians and their families. For more information, please visit
the Web site at www.gcoa.org
Grady GoldGrady SeniorServices was
created with the special care needs of older adults inmind! People over 60 can receive comprehensiveevaluations and care for common problems seen inolder adults. 404-616-0800.
PfizerThe “Health, Medicines &Lifestyles” icon on Pfizer’s Website, will lead you to topics that
include “Profile of Caregiving,” “Exploring Your HealthOn Line” and many more. www.pfizer.com
Sixty Plus, Piedmont HospitalA program to enhance the well-being of olderadults and their familiesby providing services,
education and support. 1968 Peachtree Rd., Atlanta30309; 404-605-3867.
Southern Home Care ServicesNursing and personalcare services tailored
to your needs, Southern Home Care Services servesall ages with compassion, skill and respect. Licensedand accredited. www.southernhomecareservices.com
The Rosalynn Carter Institute for Human Development
Dedicated to promoting the mentalhealth and well being of individuals,families, and professional caregivers.
The RCI is proud to partner with Area Agencies onAging (AAAs) in Georgia to develop CARE-NETsacross the state. www.rosalynncarter.org
Georgia Generations is published and supported byGeorgia’s Area Agencies on Aging.
Additional circulation support is provided by thegenerous sponsors listed here. For more information onbecoming a sponsor of Georgia Generations please call404-463-3222.
Bridgebuilders, Inc.Bridgebuilders, Inc.
Many people ask...
16 Georgia Generations
How can I help? OLDER ADULTS ANDCAREGIVERS across Georgia can now be recognized in a unique way. The Thanks Mom and Dad Fund® hasbeen established to honor someone special in your life or to honor the memory of someone who was an inspirationto you. ■ With each contribution, those honored receive a certificate recognizing the role they played in the donor’slife. Your contributions are tax-deductible and provide support for many of the programs described in this issue. If youwould like more information about the Thanks Mom & Dad Fund,® please call 1-800-676-2433.