Division of Aging Services [Vol. 3, issue 3 (Apr. 2013)]

April 2013

Volume 3, Issue 3

DHS State of Georgia
Division of Aging Services
DAS Mission:
The Division of Aging Services (DAS), together with the Aging Network, and other partners, assists older individuals, at risk adults, persons with disabilities, their families and caregivers to achieve safe, healthy, independent and selfreliant lives.

Spotlight on Camden County--"Are You Ok?" Program

A daily telephone call safety check is available to the citizens of Camden County, through the Sherriff's Department. This free service is for the homebound, the unassisted, the elderly, or any other citizen who would benefit from a daily check. Under the program, dispatchers call citizens at a daily designated time and speak to the person being called to make sure they are ok. If no answer is received after the first call a second call is made shortly thereafter. If the second call elicits no response appropriate measures are taken to make contact with the person and determine their status. The flexible program is available countywide.

Coastal AAA is interested in partnering with the Sherriff's department on expansion of the program to include homebound clients and their HCBS waitlists. Further, the Coastal AAA is exploring the possibility of duplicating the program in other coastal counties.

Pamela Rogers Contracts Administrator 1181 Coastal Drive, SW Darien, GA 31305 912-437-0842

Georgia Council on Aging photographed with Governor Nathan Deal during Senior Week at the Capital, February 28, 2013

Inside this issue:

Spotlight on Camden County--"Are you 1 ok?" Program

Balancing Incentive Program

2

From the Director's Office

2

Centenarian Award honoring Mr. Henry 3

DAS Excellence University--Lunch and 4 Learn Series
Georgia Long Term Care Ombudsman 4 Spring Conference

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Balancing Incentive Program
The Division of Aging Services, along with the Department of Community Health is participating in the Balancing Incentive Program (BIP). Below are some facts about BIP.
The Balancing Incentive Program authorizes grants to States to increase access to non-institutional long-term services and supports (LTSS) as of October 1, 2011.
The Balancing Incentive Program will help States transform their long-term care systems by:
Lowering costs through improved systems performance & efficiency Creating tools to help consumers with care planning & assessment Improving quality measurement & oversight
The Balancing Incentive Program also provides new ways to serve more people in home and community-based settings, in keeping with the integration mandate of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), as required by the Olmstead decision. The Balancing Incentive Program was created by the Affordable Care Act of 2010 (Section 10202).
For more information on this program, including the complete text of Georgia's application, visit this website: http://www.medicaid.gov/Medicaid-CHIP-Program-Information/By-Topics/Long-Term-Services-and-Support/Balancing/ Balancing-Incentive-Program.html
From the Director's Office
I'd be honored if you'd be a part of our DAS Cares team as we participate in the American Cancer Society Relay for Life event on April 26th at Georgia State University. As you may know, many of our friends and co-workers in the Division of Aging Services are currently battling cancer or are cancer survivors. Some choose to fight this disease publicly, sharing their struggles with friends and co-workers, seeking support and solace; others choose to keep their struggles private, sharing their concerns with only a select few. Each person must fight their own battles, but we don't have to let them fight it alone. Please consider joining the DAS Cares team:
To honor those who are fighting cancer, that they are not alone. For those who have lost the battle, that they are not forgotten. For those who have prevailed, to inspire us.
The money raised through Relay For Life events support the American Cancer Society's lifesaving including funding groundbreaking research that helps scientists understand cancer's causes, determine how best to prevent it, and discover new ways to cure it. The Society is the largest private funder of cancer research. Too many people, including possibly someone you or I know, will be diagnosed with cancer this year. A Relay For Life event is our opportunity to inspire hope by raising funds and awareness to help those facing the disease. I hope you will join me!
Use this link to join the team or donate.
Jay

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Volume 3, Issue 3

Centenarian Award Honoring Mr. Henry Cosby
Linda Savage Region 8 Policy Specialist DHS Office of Child Support Services
Henry Clinton Cosby, also known to many in Talbot and surrounding counties as "Mr. Henry" was honored on March 16, 2013, as he celebrated 100 years of life with family and friends at a birthday party hosted by the Geneva Baptist Church in Geneva, Georgia.
Mr. Cosby received a Distinguished Georgia Centenarian Award from the Georgia Department of Human Services, which was presented to him by the Pastor, Reverend John Shelley, at the beginning of the celebration. To receive this award, Mr. Cosby's name with a description of his accomplishments was submitted to the Georgia DHS Division of Aging Services by his granddaughter, Linda Savage. The Division issued the certificate of recognition to honor his outstanding contributions to the families and communities of Georgia.
Mr. Cosby was born March 16, 1913 to Emily Jewel Royal Cosby and Clinton Alexander Cosby in Carnegie, Georgia, Randolph County. Mr. Cosby is the sole living survivor of his 3 siblings, James Thomas (J.T.) Cosby, Cecil Brooks Cosby and Catherine Cosby.
Mr. Cosby stated he attended Anders School, a 2-room school out from Carnegie, where he completed the 7th grade. He worked in logging for his Uncle's logging company prior to meeting his Bride, Luna Tabithia (Bithia) Gilbert, of Junction City, Ga. Mr. Henry married "Miss Bithia", as he has often referenced her, December 23, 1933 at the Talbotton Methodist Church parsonage. To this union two children were born. In addition to his two children, Mr. Cosby is blessed to have 6 grandchildren; 12 great grandchildren ; 3 great great grandchild. Mr. Henry was a committed and loyal when his bride of 63 years, "Ms. Bithia", passed away in 1996.
Mr. Henry began farming with hogs and eventually became a cattle farmer, an occupation he had for many years. He was an entrepreneur and then began his own construction business, H.C. Cosby Construction Company. He was a well-known builder, who built private as well as public structures in Talbot and surrounding counties. Mr. Henry retired at the age of 65 and has continued to remain in good health by walking his farmland, 2 miles per day, and socializing. "Mr. Henry" has never met a stranger. He is known for his wave and the fact that he speaks to everyone. "Mr. Henry" has always had a routine, from getting up
at 5:00 a.m. to cook and eat his breakfast of 2 eggs, bacon, and toast to eating his "Post Toasties" (cornflakes) with milk at bedtime. He was on the job at 8:00 a.m. and at home, driving in the drive way, at 5:00 p.m.. One could set their clock by "Mr. Henry's" promptness!
Photo Credit: A family photo shot with daughter, 4 generations in picture: From left to right: Cage Huddleston, Great Grandson; Vivian Huddleston, Daughter; Henry Cosby--Honoree; Eugene Huddleston, Son-in-Law; Cole Huddleston, Great Grandson; Rear left to right: Ellen Huddleston, Granddaughter in-law; Jason Huddleston, Grandson, Ken Savage, Grandson-in-law; Heather Savage, great granddaughter; Linda Savage, Granddaughter and Joshua Savage, great grandson.
DAS is appealing to the public to help celebrate the lives of Georgia's centenarians. Individuals may request a certificate of recognition of any Georgia resident who will turn 100 or older this year by visiting the DAS website and clicking "Honor a Centenarian." Requests should be made at least 45 days in advance of the centenarian's birthday.

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DHS State of Georgia
Division of Aging Services

Two Peachtree Street 33rd Floor
Atlanta, GA 30303 1-866-55-AGING

DAS Excellence University--Lunch and Learn Series
DAS Excellence University hosts the Director's Brown Bag Innovation Luncheons every 2nd Wednesday of each month from 12pm to 1pm in Room 33-389 at Two Peachtree and via WebEx. Jay uses this time to discuss important topics with staff. This is also an opportunity for staff to give their ideas on how DAS can be better, how DAS can innovate and how DAS can create a culture that values new ideas & ways of thinking which aligns with our values.
From time to time guest speakers are invited and during the month of March guest speaker, Jae Cosby, Executive Director of the Georgia Radio Reading Service (GaRRS) presented.
GaRRS is a nonprofit closed circuit radio station whose mission is to improve the quality of life for every Georgian who is blind, visually-impaired or has difficulty with access to the printed word.
GaRRS broadcasts information via sub channel radio transmission and streams it on the internet. Founded in 1980, GaRRS broadcast is provided by more than 500 volunteer readers from across Georgia who deliver approximately 200 different radio shows each month including cover-to-cover readings of magazines, newspapers, and books, population-specific programming (Seniors, Veterans and Hispanic/Latino News), public service announcements and information regarding community-support programs and activities. GaRRS programs are broadcast 7 days a week, 24 hours a day.
For more information about GaRRS, including how to gain access to the service or how to volunteer your time, please visit the following website: http://www.garrs.net
For more information about DAS Excellence University's Director's Brown Bag Innovation Luncheons or to provide suggestions for luncheon topics, please contact Chris Mitchell, DAS Quality Advisor, chmitchell1@dhr.state.ga.us.

Spring Long Term Care Ombudsman Training Conference
June 12-13, 2013
Methodist Children's Home 304 Pierce Avenue Macon, Georgia
For more information contact
Gabrielle Numair (404) 657-5326