Middle Georgia RDC | Area Agency on Aging (AAA) News

Area Agency on Aging

June 2010

Most of us shudder when we hear news reports of abused, neglected, and exploited children and seniors. We find it incomprehensible that the most vulnerable members of our community are hurt, often by members of their own families or close friends.

Abuse is an under recognized problem with devastating and often life threatening consequences. The National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA) estimates that for every case of elder abuse, neglect, exploitation, or self-neglect reported to authorities, about five cases go unreported. NCEA estimates that between one and two million Americans age 65 or older have been injured, exploited, or otherwise mistreated by someone on whom they depended for care or protection. Unfortunately, no one knows for certain how many elders are victimized, because the problem often remains hidden.

So, who is at risk? Elder abuse can occur anywhere – in the home, in nursing homes, or other institutions. It affects seniors across all socio-economic groups, cultures, and races. Based on available information, women and “older” elders are more likely to be victimized. Dementia is a significant risk factor. Mental health and substance abuse issues, of both abusers and victims, are risk factors. Isolation can also contribute to risk.

What is elder abuse? In general, elder abuse refers to intentional or neglectful acts by a caregiver or “trusted” individual that lead to, or may lead to, harm of a vulnerable elder. It includes physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, exploitation, neglect, abandonment, and self-neglect.

What are the warning signs? Slap marks, unexplained bruises, and certain types of burns or blisters (such as cigarette burns) may be signs of physical abuse. Pressure ulcers, filth, lack of medical care, malnutrition or dehydration may be signs of neglect. Withdrawal from normal activities, unexplained changes in alertness, or other unusual behavioral changes may be a result of emotional abuse. A sudden change in finances and accounts, altered wills and trusts, unusual bank withdrawals, checks written as “loans” or “gifts,” and loss of property may be a result of financial exploitation.

What can you do to prevent elder abuse? First and foremost, stay in contact with your older friends, neighbors, and relatives. Maintaining communication will help decrease isolation, a risk factor for mistreatment. It will also give them a chance to talk about any problems they may be experiencing. Be aware of the possibility of abuse. Does your elderly friend or family member seem withdrawn, nervous, fearful, sad, or anxious, when they have not seemed so in the past?

Report suspected mistreatment to the Georgia Division of Aging Services, Adult Protective Services at 1-888-774-0152. If a senior is in immediate, life threatening danger, call local enforcement. Concerns regarding a resident in a long term care facility can be reported to the Middle Georgia Community Action Agency, Long-Term Care Ombudsman at 478-922-4464.

If you are interested in learning more about elder abuse, call the Middle Georgia Area Agency on Aging at 478-751-6466 or toll free at 1-888-548-1456. We would be delighted to answer your questions or schedule a presentation for your group.

Geri Ward, AAA Director

AAA Services

Services at a Glance...

"Gateway," the AAA's single point of entry, provides a "one call connection" to aging and disability resources. Skilled intake and screening specialists conduct screenings for programs and services offered in the 11 counties of the Middle Georgia service area. Eligible clients are placed on a waiting list until funding levels permit entry into service. Call 478-751-6466 for service.

Gateway Provider Service Referral Form

The Community Care Services Program (CCSP), a Medicaid funded program, provides in-home services to older adults at risk of nursing home placement. Services include personal care, light housekeeping, meal preparation, respite care, emergency response systems, and/or 24-hour supervision. A client cost share may be required for this program. Contact the Gateway, 478-751-6466 or via e-mail to the Area Agency on Aging.

Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) includes home delivered meals, congregate meals in a community setting, homemaker, personal care, and respite care services. A client cost share may be required for some of these programs. Contact the Gateway, 478-751-6466 or via e-mail to the Area Agency on Aging.

	The GeorgiaCares Program assists consumers in understanding and accessing Medicare programs, provides information about health insurance and long-term care options, and increases awareness of fraud committed against older adults. Contact Butch Swinney or call him at 478-751-6489.
	Elder Rights and Advocacy protects the rights of older adults through programs such as Elder Legal Services, GeorgiaCares, and Ombudsman services (to protect residents in long term care facilities) and to advocate for additional service options for older adults. Contact Julie Hall or call her at 478-751-6466.
	The Kinship Care Program provides services to grandparents and other relatives, who have custodial responsibility for grandchildren or other minor children under the age of 18. Support groups are offered in Bibb and Peach Counties. Contact Natalie Prater or call her at 478-751-6509.
	The Wellness Program promotes healthy aging through education on nutrition, exercise, and safe usage of medication. The Area Agency on Aging recently received a grant award for implementation of a Chronic Disease Self Management Program, which will be piloted in Bibb, Monroe, Peach, and Putnam Counties. Contact Nicole Gaither or call her at 478-751-6411.

The Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) provides temporary, paid work experience for individuals age 55 and older whose incomes fall at or below the federal poverty line and have poor employment prospects. Contact Javonna Latimore, 478-745-4400 or SCSEP.

Senior Centers

The Middle Georgia Area Agency on Aging, through contracts with local service providers, offers a hot, midday meal and a variety of social activities to older adults interested in attending one of the region's 12 senior centers.

1-Baldwin County Senior Center
290 Linda Drive
Milledgeville, GA 31061
Sabrina Hosley, Director
478-451-0445

2-Crawford County Senior Center
281 McCrary Avenue
Roberta, GA 31078
Patricia Jenkins, Director
478-836-2643

3-Jones County Senior Center
304 Old Clinton Road
Gray, GA 31032
Ann Carter, Director
478-986-6815

4-Macon-Bibb County Senior Center
1283 Adams Street
Macon, GA 31201
Renee Johnson, Director
478-751-2778

5-Monroe County Senior Center
515 Highway 83 South
Forsyth, GA 31029
Freida White, Director
478-994-1701

6-Peach County Senior Center
101 Murray Road Ext.
Fort Valley, GA 31030
Imogene Mobley, Director
478-822-1144

7-Perry Senior Center
1060 Keith Drive
Perry, GA 31069
Tammy Baker, Director
478-988-0060

8-Pulaski County Senior Center
534 Broad Street
Hawkinsville, GA 31036
Billie Hayes, Director
478-783-1074

9-Putnam County Senior Center
457 East Sumpter Street
Eatonton, GA 31024
Joan Jones, Director
706-485-9784

10-Twiggs County Senior Center
400 Bullard Road
Jeffersonville, GA 31044
Denise Goodman, Director
478-945-3900

11-Warner Robins Senior Center
155 Maple Street
Warner Robins, GA 31093
Renea McFeeters, Director
478-923-0229

12-Wilkinson County Senior Center
127 High Hill Street
Irwinton, GA 31042
Lacondra Parks, Director
478-946-2212

Contracts for Services

The MGRC/AAA contracts with nonprofit, for profit, and government agencies to provide a full continuum of services to older adults. It releases a Request for Proposal (RFP) for key services a minimum of once every four years to coincide with the Georgia Division of Aging Services' planning cycle. January 2011 is the target date for release of the RFPs for the four year period beginning on July 1, 2011. To be placed on the bidder's list, call Sharon Dawson, Aging Services Manager, at 478-752-3256 or via e-mail, sdawson@mg-rc.org

For FY 2010, the following agencies are under contract with the MGRC/AAA to provide services to Middle Georgia's older adults:

Community Care Services Program, Care Coordination

McIntosh Trail Management Services, Inc.

Congregate and/or Home-Delivered Meals

Houston County Council on Aging
Meals on Wheels of Macon and Bibb County, Inc.
Middle Georgia Community Action Agency
Overview Community Action Agency
Pulaski County Council on Aging
Putnam County Board of Commissioners
Wilkinson County Board of Commissioners

Legal Services

Georgia Legal Services Program

Long-Term Care Ombudsman

Middle Georgia Community Action Agency

Senior Community Services Employment Program

Meals on Wheels of Macon and Bibb County, Inc.

Search for Senior Services

The Middle Georgia Regional Commission and its Area Agency on Aging (AAA) are active members of the Georgia Area Agencies on Aging (G4A). The G4A maintains an extensive database of services of interest to seniors. You can access and search this database for vital services relating to seniors by accessing the G4A web site located at http://www.georgiaservicesforseniors.org.