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

Area Agency on Aging

November 2011...a word from Geri Ward, AAA Director

“There are only four kinds of people in the world – those who have been caregivers, those who are currently caregivers, those who will be caregivers, and those who will need caregivers.” Those words attributed to Rosalynn Carter, former First Lady, are so true. About 44 million Americans provide an estimated 37 billion hours of unpaid, informal care each year for adult family members and friends with illnesses or conditions that prevent them from handling daily activities such as bathing, managing medications, cleaning their homes and preparing meals, and handling their finances.

November is National Family Caregivers Month. The Middle Georgia Care-Net, through the generous sponsorship of AARP, is presenting “The Encouraged Caregiver, Learning by Heart” on Thursday, November 3, 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Mulberry United Methodist Church in Macon. Workshop topics will include caregiver wellness, legal issues affecting the caregiver and care receiver, and hospice care, among others. For more information or to register, call Beverly Link, the AAA’s Caregiver Specialist, at 478-751-6466.

Family caregivers shoulder tremendous burdens. Complex care needs, the demands of jobs and other family members, economic pressure, and the physical and emotional demands of long-term caregiving can adversely affect the health and well-being of caregivers. The Area Agency on Aging has staff available to talk with you about your unique needs as a caregiver. Please call us at 478-751-6466 or 1-888-548-1456.

November is the traditional time of year when Americans give thanks for our many blessings. If you are a family caregiver, thank you for your love, caring, and dedication. Each of you is an unsung hero!

AAA Services

Services at a Glance...

The "ADRC/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 ADRC/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 ADRC/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 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.
	Beverly Link wears two hats at the Middle Georgia Area Agency on Aging. Beverly serves as the Caregiver Specialist, providing support to caregivers of older adults throughout the region. In addition, through a contract with the National Council on Aging (NCOA), Beverly is a HUD certified Reverse Mortgage Counselor. Beverly is available by calling 478-751-6466.

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
199 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

GeorgiaCares Program

New Medicare Enrollment Dates

To enroll in a Medicare plan from October 15 - December 7, 2011

Call: 1-866-55-AGING or 1-866-662-4464

Things You Should Know About Open Enrollment

The National Council on Aging (NCOA) encourages seniors to consider the following during Open Enrollment for Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage and Medicare Advantage Plans:

Get an early start. Don't wait until the post-Thanksgiving rush to think about coverage for 2012.
Review your coverage. Even if you are happy with your current plan, it is always smart to check out all your options. Plans change and people change. There is no penalty for switching plans during Open Enrollment. Many people with Medicare can save hundreds of dollars each year by comparison shopping to choose the plan that best suits their needs.
Remember the 4 C's...cost, coverage, convenience, and customer service. What are your projected total costs going to be? Does the plan cover all your drugs? Can you get your prescriptions at a location convenient to you or by mail? How do other clients rate the plan in terms of customer responsiveness?
Take advantage of free preventive services. Consult your "Medicare and You 2012" handbook for a complete list of these benefits. Make an appointment for your annual wellness visit - deductible and cost sharing free.

Medicare Scams

In Georgia, Medicare beneficiaries have reported receiving calls claiming Medicare is issuing new cards. The caller asks to verify your Medicare information. This is a scam to get your personal information. Medicare is not issuing new cards. If you receive a call, write down the telephone number and name of the person calling. Immediately report this information to GeorgiaCares at the above telephone number.

Wellness Program

Health Promotion encourages healthy aging by addressing topics such as chronic disease burden, nutrition awareness, healthy lifestyle recommendations, and medication management tips. Events such as health fairs, screenings, and group presentations are coordinated in partnership with civic groups, educational systems, faith-based organizations, health care agencies, senior communities, etc.

Living Well Better Choices Better Health Workshops empowers individuals with chronic conditions and their caregivers to be good self-managers. Developed by Stanford University, the six-week evidence-based program is structured to help participants learn to manage chronic conditions, stay active, and take charge. Taught by specially trained volunteer leaders, the program covers better breathing, fatigue, pain, working with the healthcare provider, and much, much more. Workshops are available online or in your local community.

Georgia Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program expands awareness and use of farmers’ markets, promotes healthy eating, and provides $20 of fresh produce to eligible individuals. Participants must complete registration forms and an affidavit of income therefore pre-registration is recommended. Markets are scheduled annually from June – September.

Wellness Volunteers provides community service through diverse and flexible opportunities. A background as a health professional is not required, but enthusiasm for living well is a must. Volunteers: present wellness topics at community settings; assist with event plans and coordination; distribute information to local drop-off points; co-lead small group workshops; communicate with individuals for friendly follow-up; and share ideas for additional wellness events.

For more information about the topics listed on this page, contact Nicole Gaither, Wellness Coordinator, at ngaither@mg-rc.org, 478-751-6411, or toll-free 888-548-1456.

Caregiver Program

On November 3, the Middle Georgia Care-Net, AARP, Middle Georgia Area Agency on Aging, and the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregiving, will sponsor "The Encouraged Caregiver: Learning by Heart." To be held at Mulberry Methodist Church in Macon, beginning at 8:30 a.m., the program is geared toward the unique needs of caregivers responsible for the well-being of older adults and persons with a disability.

For more information on how to register, please call Beverly Link, Caregiver Specialist, Middle Georgia AAA, at 478-751-6466 or 1-888-548-1456.

Contracts for Services

Current Service Providers:

For FY 2012, 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.

Homemaker, Personal Care, and Respite Services

Help at Home, Inc.

AAA Proposals

The Middle Georgia Regional Commission, through its Area Agency on Aging, currently does not have Requests for Proposals open. For more information on the RFP process and to be placed on the RC/AAA's bidder's list, please communicate with Sharon Dawson, Aging Services Manager, at 478-751-6466 or sdawson@mg-rc.org.

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.