Senior issues newsletter, 2020 November

11/4/2020

November 2020 Newsletter | Gcoa

GCOA's Senior Issues Newsletter

Senior Issues Newsletter November 2020

Virtual October CO-AGE Meeting
"Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic." - Arthur C. Clarke
The October CO-AGE meeting was a great success! Over 300 viewers tuned in for important updates on aging services and to hear more about our 2021 priority issues. Division of Human Services Commissioner, Robyn Crittenden, and Division of Aging Services (DAS) Director, Abby Cox, spoke with viewers about state funding, how DAS has become more innovative and determined to serve older and disabled Georgian's in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Issue presenters from the July CO-AGE meeting were in attendance to answer all of our viewers questions about the priority issues. As we get closer to the 2021 legislative session it is important that our members are knowledgeable about the issues and are confident in speaking to their legislators about them.

In this Issue:
October CO-AGE Meeting Work Groups Advocacy Training 2021 CO-AGE Priorities General Election Distinguished Older Georgian 2021 Issue Brochure Personal Stories AAA Spotlight COVID-19 Resources Uplifting Stories around GA Save the Date News You Can Use Melba's Corner

If you missed the meeting, you can still view it on our website, www.gcoa.org, through December. We are also available to answer any questions that you may have about the priority issues by sending an email to questions@gcoa.org. You can also get more information on the issues from our virtual priorities brochure HERE.

2021 Issue Work Groups

Behavioral Health and Housing - Nov. 5th @ 10am Telehealth for Dentistry - Nov. 9th @ 2pm Coroner Notification - Nov. 12th @ 2pm Disaster Planning Equity - Nov. 12th @ 10am End the Wait (HCBS) - Nov. 16th @ 2pm

It is easy to join a work group, just contact Eric Ryan at eric.ryan@gcoa.ga.gov to join!
GCOA Advocacy 101 Training

GCOA will be hosting a series of Advocacy 101 training sessions for all aspiring advocates, and current advocates, who are interested in learning how they can help with CO-AGE initiatives. The trainings will cover topics including: what an advocate is, basic advocacy activities, and how you can help to spread the word on important issues affecting Georgia's seniors. The sessions only last for 30 minutes and will be aired on the GCOA Facebook page via Facebook Live. Please see below for dates and times. We hope to "see" you there!!
Thursday, November 12th @ 6pm
Tuesday, November 17th @ 10am

https://www.gcoa.org/november-2020-newsletter?utm_campaign=b39a43e2-5656-40fd-a883-94fa26ac3c23&utm_source=so&utm_medium=mail_lp&c... 1/4

11/4/2020

November 2020 Newsletter | Gcoa
2021 CO-AGE Priorities
BUDGET: Home and Community Based Services Behavioral Health and Housing
LEGISLATIVE: Coroner Notification Disaster Planning Equity Telehealth for Dentistry

Learn more about the 2021 CO-AGE Priorities HERE.
General Election
There are now a record 7.6 million registered voters in Georgia, according to voter registration rolls obtained by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution from the secretary of state's office after the Oct. 5 registration deadline. Georgia voters have turned out in record numbers to vote during the early in-person voting period, and the November 3rd general election is JUST 2 DAYS AWAY!
If you have completed an absentee ballot, drop boxes have been installed throughout the state to provide voters a way to return their absentee ballots. Absentee ballots can be inserted into drop boxes anytime before polls close at 7pm on November 3rd. In this election there are many close races to watch that could shift power from Republicans to Democrats in the Georgia House of Representatives. The state legislature is responsible for drafting both congressional and state legislative district plans. The outcomes of the 2020 election cycle in Georgia stand to influence the state's redistricting process following the 2020 census. According to Charles Bullock, professor of political science at UGA, "Whichever political party is in charge of this process could tweak the boundaries in their favor to capture potentially decisive voting blocs for the next decade." (read more) YOUR VOTE MATTERS! Make sure that your voice is heard in this election by voting!!
New Online Brochure!!!

EXCITING NEWS! Our 2021 CO-AGE Priorities brochure is now available online! Share this online brochure with your legislators to educate them on our 2021 CO-AGE Priority Issues.
We have a limited number of hard copies available by request only. If you would like to receive hard copies, please email Eric Ryan at eric.ryan@gcoa.ga.gov. Enjoy!
See Online Brochure

Distinguished Older Georgian

The Distinguished Older Georgian Award is announced by GCOA

every February during Senior Week at the Capitol. Honorees are

individuals who have rendered service to seniors, are role models

N O M I N AT I O N S NOW OPEN

for positive aging, and have made significant contributions to society. Nominees must also be at least 70 years young. Please click HERE if you have someone that you would like to nominate for this honor.

https://www.gcoa.org/november-2020-newsletter?utm_campaign=b39a43e2-5656-40fd-a883-94fa26ac3c23&utm_source=so&utm_medium=mail_lp&c... 2/4

11/4/2020

NOW OPEN

November 2020 Newsletter | Gcoa Deadline for submissions - November 6, 2020

Personal Stories

(HCBS): "Adult Day Care for my husband was a
lifesaver! I'm grateful for these
services!"

Budget funding and legislation are greatly influenced by the personal experiences of older Georgians. Legislators want to hear about how you are affected by the budget and current laws of the state. GCOA can't succeed without YOU!!
Please click HERE to see how to submit a good personal story.

(Teledentistry): "I live in rural Georgia and have a difficult time getting to my dentist appointments twenty
miles away."

Area Agency on Aging Spotlight
Middle Georgia Area Agency on Aging
The Middle Georgia Regional Commission is the state-designated Area Agency on Aging (AAA) for Middle Georgia. This agency offers various services to older adults and people with disabilities that promote an independent, dignified lifestyle for those they serve.
MGRC has 11 senior centers throughout their region which provides free meals and a variety of social activities for older adults to engage in. The agency also offers services such as the Elderly and Disabled Waiver Program (EDWP), Home and Community Based Services, Wellness Program, Elder Rights and Advocacy, and more. They also offer inhome case management services that target the needs of seniors and disabled older adults in order to keep them in their communities. The What-A-Waste program is an exclusive senior nutrition program that addresses food consumptions, improving food service operations, and repurposing food waste including composting. NGRC also provides a Caregiver Closet that provides caregivers with incontinence products when they have financial restraints. In 2018, 68 caregivers were provided in incontinence products and donations. In addition, donations into the caregiver closet nearly equaled the annual state funding allocated to the initiative.
MGRC continues to service their community amidst the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. Similar to other AAA organizations, MGRC has created their own Covid19- Information Hub for Macon, GA. The site has a status report for every Macon county, holds information on the confirmed cases of Covid in Middle GA and the number of deaths.
For more information on the Middle Georgia Area Agency on Aging, visit their website HERE.
COVID-19 Resources

CDC guidance for older adults Tips for dementia caregivers

GA DPH COVID-19 Information Check your risk

Receive home cooling assistance
Free medication to patients impacted by COVID-19

Where to get food help
Eviction prevention and homeless assistance

Please click the links above for information regarding COVID-19 and how to keep yourself and your loved ones safe.

Uplifting Stories across Georgia

As the spread COVID-19 continues to have devastating affects on our state, we at GCOA want to keeping you encouraged by making you aware of the positive

happenings around Georgia. Local businesses, organizations, and individuals are all

ki t th t h l th i f ll G i

d t k th i it lift d i th i

https://www.gcoa.org/november-2020-newsletter?utm_campaign=b39a43e2-5656-40fd-a883-94fa26ac3c23&utm_source=so&utm_medium=mail_lp&c... 3/4

11/4/2020

November 2020 Newsletter | Gcoa
working together to help their fellow Georgians and to keep the spirits lifted in their communities. We have linked some of these stories below.

If you know of any uplifting stories in your area, please contact Natasha Taylor at natasha.taylor@gcoa.ga.gov.
Save the Dates

News You Can Use

Ga. House Speaker on tour to boost members in re-election fights Feds outline COVID-19 vaccine availability for Sr living residents

October 27, 2020

October 22, 2020

LTC Facilities worried about third COVID spike over winter months Georgia to revamp food programs for seniors

October 21, 2020

October 21, 2020

Inspection reports reveal violations at Augusta personal care home Most home health aides `Can't Afford Not to Work'

October 19, 2020

October 16, 2020

Why older citizens are more likely to vote

Industry operator lends expertise to new Sr living degree program

October 5, 2020

October 7, 2020

Melba's Corner

An elderly woman had just returned to her home from an evening at church service when an intruder startled her. As she caught the man in the act of robbing her home of its valuables, she yelled, "STOP! ACTS 2:38!" (Repent and be baptized, in the name of the lord, so that your sins may be forgiven.)
The burglar stopped in his tracks. The woman calmly called the police and explained what she had done. As the officer cuffed the man to take him in, he asked the burglar, "Why did you just stand there? All she did was yell scripture at you."
"SCRIPTURE?!" replied the burglar, "She said she had an AXE and TWO 38's!
2020 Georgia Council on Aging

2020 Georgia Council on Aging

2 Peachtree St., NW, Suite 32-270, Atlanta, GA 30303-3142

https://www.gcoa.org/november-2020-newsletter?utm_campaign=b39a43e2-5656-40fd-a883-94fa26ac3c23&utm_source=so&utm_medium=mail_lp&c... 4/4