Senior issues newsletter, 2017 December

December Senior Issues Newsletter | www.GCOA.org

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December 1, 2017 In This Issue 40th Anniversary 2018 CO-AGE Priorities Legislative Meetings SENIOR WEEK!! 40th Sponsors! Other News Save the Date

Elder Abuse Update
Visit our Elder Abuse webpage for news and updates.
Click here

2018 CO-AGE Priorities

Quick Links Join CO-AGE GCOA Homepage CO-AGE ISSUES Division of Aging Services

Budget
HCBS Funding ADRC Funding
Legislative
Abuser Registry Personal Care Home Requirements Medicaid Funded Assisted Living
Visit www.gcoa.org/issues for videos and issue summaries.

Vicki Johnson welcomes a record breaking crowd to ACCA for the October CO-AGE Meeting.

CO-AGE Priority Update
In August, we announced the 2018 CO-AGE Priorities. That very month work groups began conference calls to discuss the issues and create talking points. After more than 23 calls we have gathered stories and are gearing up for the 2018 General Assembly.
HCBS More than 12,000 Georgians are on the waiting list for home and community based services. These services cost the state of Georgia just one-tenth of what a nursing home bed costs. Even with increased funding last year the waiting list grew.
ADRC Funding The Aging and Disability Resource Connection is a "No Wrong Door" access point for families and older Georgians in need of services. This valuable resource for older Georgians has lost federal grants and needs funding to ensure its vital mission can continue to help the 92,000 Georgians who call each year.
Abuser Registry Georgia Bureau of Investigation Director Vernon Keenan describes elder abuse as an "iceberg crime," meaning only a small portion of crimes committed are reported. Since 2010, reports of elder abuse have increased 550%. Individuals committing these crimes must be prevented from obtaining employment or access to older Georgians and other at-risk adults.
Medicaid Funded Assisted Living Affordable housing is scarce for those older Georgians needing assistance with activities of daily living, such as eating, bathing and dressing. While Medicaid funding is available to qualified seniors for some personal services, that funding is limited and does not cover housing expenses. Often the result is that low income older adults who can no longer remain in their homes independently end up in costly Medicaid nursing home beds.
Personal Care Home Requirements Recent news stories from the Augusta area highlight a problem older and disabled Georgians are facing in Personal Care Homes that are not licensed or not following regulations. Individuals have received inadequate care and even died when in the care of these unscrupulous personal care home operators. Georgia has strengthened penalties for unlicensed Personal Care Homes and must now ensure that Personal Care Homes provide adequate care to residents.

Legislative Meetings!

GCOA and ACCA met recently with Appropriations Chairman Rep. Terry
England in Auburn.

Successful advocacy for the 2018 legislative session began earlier this fall with our first legislative meetings. Meeting with legislators now, before the session begins, is important. These meetings before the session allow time to discuss the issues in detail so that legislators and other policy makers are prepared when the 2018 General Assembly convenes. Please let us know how your meetings or conversations with legislators have gone!

ADRC Priority gets statewide coverage in AARP Bulletin
Dionne Lovett knows that the Aging and Disability Resource Connection (ADRC) is often a lifeline for families caring for relatives or other loved ones.

"Our counselors end up spending anywhere from 25 minutes to two hours on the phone with families who just don't know what to do," said Lovett, director of the Coastal Area Agency on Aging in Darien. "We're really helping families not feel so stranded. Our job is to help them sort through what is going on and understand what their options are." Continue Reading on aarp.com
Senior Week!
This year, because of new building restrictions, groups will be limited on each day. Please make your plans early so that you can get the date you want! Contact Eric Ryan ASAP to reserve your spot!
Join us this February 7 and 8, 2018 for Senior Week at the Capitol. These two exciting days are the chance for you to visit your legislators in the midst of the session and let your voice be heard. Please contact Eric Ryan to schedule your visit. Please contact Eric Ryan if you are interested in sponsorship opportunities for Senior Week.
Senior Week! Volunteers Needed!
Have you been to Senior Week before?
Do you want to volunteer to help groups navigate the capitol as a guide?
Please contact David Coffman for more information or to volunteer! We will provide training so you can help lead groups through the Capitol!
We need YOU to come out and help us!
Thank you to our 40th Anniversary Sponsors:
Check out our videos from the 40th Anniversary:

GCOA Message from Governor Deal

GCOA Message from Lt. Gov Cagle

GCOA Message from Speaker Ralston
Champions:

GCOA Message from Commissioner
Crittenden

Supporters:
Legacy Link Athens Community Council on Aging
Open Hand Alzheimer's Association, Georgia Chapter
Coastal Home Care, Inc. Mary Ann Johnson & Terence J. Centner Georgia State University Gerontology Institute
AgeWell Forsyth Heart of Georgia Area Agency on Aging
Georgia Gerontology Society Windcorp Management Services
Georgia Watch Meals on Wheels Association of Georgia
Middle Georgia Area Agency on Aging Alliant Health Solutions, Inc. Senior Citizens, Inc.
Georgia Association of Home Health Agencies SilverSneakers by Tivity Health
Other News
Aging as Opportunity
Georgia Council on Aging was featured in the ACCG's County Government Magazine in the November 2017 issue. Kathy Floyd, GCOA's Executive Director, wrote the article for county governments to describe Governor Deal's Older Adults Cabinet and the issues most concerning to older Georgians. You can read the full article in Georgia County Government Magazine here.
News You Can Use:
Oldest living Georgian marks her 114th birthday
Georgia must do more to track, prevent elder abuse, some say
Georgia's Senior Health Care Crisis
Experts call for an elder-abuse list
State slips to 41st in senior health ranking
Health Study: More older Georgians are food insecure
Save the Date

February 7-8, 2018 GCOA Senior Week at the Capitol
Senior Week at the State Capitol is an annual event where hundreds of advocates from across the state speak out for issues that impact the lives of older Georgians. Contact Eric Ryan today to sign up.

April 16-20, 2017 ENGAGE with CO-AGE
ENGAGE with CO-AGE is a way for you to bring CO-AGE to your community. Attendees will learn how Georgia's seniors fared in the legislative session. We need you! Consider hosting an ENGAGE with CO-AGE event. Contact Eric Ryan today to sign up.

April 11-14, 2018 GGS and SGS Joint Conference The Georgia Gerontology Society's annual conference will be held April 1114. Learn more on their website here.
Melba's Corner
None of Homer's grandsons share his corny sense of humor. When the family is eating lasagna, he says, "Lean over your plate, boys. You'll get less-on-ya." He says to the ten-year-old, "Don't yell through the screen; you'll strain your voice." And when He took another grandson to the zoo, he asked, "Do you know why that snake's not pressed against the glass? He doesn't want to be a windshield viper." They'll probably laugh later.
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