June 2018 Volume 7, Issue 4 aging.ga.gov DAS Newsletter Aging | Disability | Support | Safety DHS marks Alzheimer's & Brain Awareness Month Go purple in June! Learn about dementia during the Department of Human Services' observance of Alzheimer's and Brain Awareness Month. DHS will spotlight ways for all of us to increase early detection, keep our brains healthy, support fellow Georgians living with dementia, and promote lifesaving research. First, follow DHS on social media this month as we share stories from Georgians living with dementia as well as their care partners. We will also highlight innovative brain-health and community support projects in Georgia, including initiatives related to the Georgia Alzheimer's and Related Dementias (GARD) State Plan. The GARD plan, first developed in 2014, covers six key areas affecting the lives of Georgians with dementia: healthcare and research, services, workforce development, public awareness, safety, and policy. GARD partners are educating physicians and equipping them with resources to accurately detect early dementia, developing criteria to describe basic information that every direct-care worker should know about dementia, training legal professionals and earlyresponders to ensure the safety of people with dementia, and more. You can do get involved, too. Join the cause by sharing your own stories. Participate throughout the month or focus on The Longest Day. June 21, DHS will partner with the Alzheimer's Association Georgia Chapter to honor The Longest Day, an annual fundraising campaign featuring events nationwide. This year, DHS will reprise its exciting 2017 team event: "Dancing on Peachtree," but look for a twist. The 2018 dance party will be silent. Boogie on down to the 2nd floor, grab a pair of complementary headphones, and enjoy your own private concert of the tunes that get everybody on the dance floor. Dancing isn't your style? Then stop by for art projects, a bedazzled selfie station, and purpose cake. Donations collected at the event will be voluntary, and all contributions benefit the Alzheimer's Association's support programs for people with dementia and those who care for them. Don't miss the fun at Dancing on Peachtree, June 21, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Stay tuned for information on how to get involved and support the cause. For more information, visit www.alz.org/ abam and alz.org/thelongestday. inside this issue The Longest Day Dance Party [Page 2] Harmony Updates [Page 3] New Medicare cards coming to Ga. in June [Page 3] Have you noticed our new look? DAS gets a revamped website [Page 3] DAS helps law enforcement, legal and finance communities combat abuse [Page 4] DAS News In Brief [Page 4] Robyn A. Crittenden, DHS Commissioner | Abby Cox, DAS Director | Jean O'Callaghan, DAS Deputy Director | Katrina Fuller, DAS Deputy Director DAS Newsletter Page 2 SELFIE STATION! suggested donation DHS is teaming up with the Alzheimer's Association to observe The Longest Day and to help support individuals living with dementia and their caregivers. We will be honoring those who are living with Alzheimer's and related dementias -- those who live the longest day every day. Join us as we work to raise money for Alzheimer's research. Robyn A. Crittenden, DHS Commissioner | Abby Cox, DAS Director | Jean O'Callaghan, DAS Deputy Director | Katrina Fuller, DAS Deputy Director DAS Newsletter Page 3 harmony updates Harmony Work Session Demonstrations include how to: Harmony area plan functionality is live in our production site, and AAAs are on track to have their budgets complete by June 30. We continue to hold support calls twice weekly, and will host a face-to-face working session on June 12-13 to facilitate the AAA work. Mediware and state staff will be in attendance to address issues, and provide technical support for AAA representatives Streamline reporting to the National Adult Maltreatment Reporting System (NAMRS) with features like the Case Component Export Report, Key Indicators Report, and the new supporting fields Reduce the number of duplicate records added to their system with the People Search Simplify assessments with the new Screen Design New Medicare cards coming to GA in June Recorded APS Webinar In May, Mediware hosted a customer-only Webinar led by Mediware product manager Kathy Johnson, who showed users how to set up and use the newest features and enhancements in Harmony for APS. The Webinar recording is available here. Notify investigation supervisors faster with email notifications Merge data into documents easier with the redesigned Word Merge and Work more efficiently with enhancements to the Intakes, Investigations, Notes and Participants pages. Have you noticed our new look? If you haven't already, visit aging.ga.gov to check out our revamped website! Georgia's State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) and Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) offer these tips to help Georgians protect their newly issued Medicare cards. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) began mailing new cards in April, and Georgians will begin to receive theirs in June. The new cards will have a Medicare Beneficiary Identifier (MBI) instead of a social security number. This change helps SMP continue its efforts to combat fraudsters and guard seniors from identity theft. Protecting the Medicare program is a top priority. Here are three steps to make it harder for someone to steal a Medicare user's information and identity: 1. Destroy your old Medicare card right away. 2. Use your new card. Doctors, other health care providers, and plans approved by Medicare know that Medicare is replacing the old cards. They are ready to accept your new card when you need care. 3. Beware of people contacting you about your new Medicare card and asking you for your Medicare Number, personal information, or to pay a fee for your new card. Treat your Medicare Number like you treat your Social Security or credit card numbers. Remember, Medicare will never contact you uninvited to ask for your personal information. To get more help with recognizing and reporting Medicare fraud, errors, and abuse, contact GeorgiaCares SMP at 866-552-4464, Option (4). Teams can provide oneon-one help and provide community presentations upon request. Robyn A. Crittenden, DHS Commissioner | Abby Cox, DAS Director | Jean O'Callaghan, DAS Deputy Director | Katrina Fuller, DAS Deputy Director DAS Newsletter Page 4 DAS helps law enforcement, legal and finance communities combat abuse At-Risk Adult Crime Tactics (ACT) Specialist Certification is a groundbreaking training program which equips primary and secondary responders with knowledge and skills to address the needs of at-risk adult crime victims in Georgia. ACT specialists learn how to spot and report abuse, neglect and exploitation; understand Georgia criminal law as it relates to at-risk adults; and effectively investigate or prosecute this special class of crimes. Participants learn about mandated reporting, suspicious deaths, the risks behind joint accounts and legal documents, how to overcome challenges in investigations and prosecution, and new changes to Georgia law. The program is co-sponsored by the Prosecuting Attorney's Council of Georgia and is provided through the DAS Forensic Special Initiatives Unit in cooperation with: Administrative Offices of the Courts of Georgia; Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police; Georgia Bureau of Investigation; Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council.; Georgia Public Safety Training Center; Georgia Sheriff's Association; and the Institute of Continuing Judicial Education. Summer Act classes June 12-13 Cherokee Co. District Attorney's Office & Sheriff's Office (Acworth) July 11-12 Whitfield County Sheriff's Office (Dalton) August 15-16 Legacy Link Area Agency on Aging (Oakwood) in brief Help us bring awareness to elder abuse across the globe on June 15 On June 15th, Georgians can step up to make the state a safer place by observing World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. The DHS Division of Aging Services encourages individuals and community groups to learn the signs of elder abuse and neglect, tell others that the issue is critically important, and reach out to elders who may be at risk. Elder abuse can be physical, emotional, or financial in nature. Potential signs of abuse include unpaid bills, discussion of a "new friend," unexplained bruises or other injuries, or a change in personality or demeanor. Abuse can take place in any household or setting, even among family members and close friends. To report abuse, neglect or exploitation of an older person or a disabled adult in community or residential settings, call DHS Adult Protective Services Central Intake, toll-free, at 866-552-4464. In any emergency, dial 911. Georgia's State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Melanie McNeil, center, was elected to serve as president of the National Association of State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Programs (NASOP). Here, McNeil is seen with former NASOP presidents at the National Training Conference in Denver, Colorado, in April. Georgia's State Long-Term Care Ombudsman accepts national post Congratulations to Melanie McNeil, Georgia's State Long-Term Care Ombudsman, who was recently elected President of the National Association of State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Programs (NASOP) at the State LongTerm Care Ombudsman (SLTCO) National Training Conference in Denver, CO on April 23, 2018. Every state and the three US territories have a State Long-Term Care Ombudsman. Each oversees Ombudsman Representatives in their state or territory who advocate for residents of long-term care facilities. Emory Dentist Dr. Kevin Hendler, second from left, poses with staff from the Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman including Melanie McNeil, left; Lin Chao, right; and Jeff Taylor. Emory and LTCO launch oral hygiene care pilot program The Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman (OSLTCO) is partnering with the Emory University School of Medicine to apply for a Civil Money Penalty grant to implement the Dirty Mouth Initiative: Oral Hygiene Care Pilot Project for Metro Atlanta area nursing home residents. The pilot project details were presented at the Georgia Gerontology Society / Southern Gerontological Society conference in April. Robyn A. Crittenden, DHS Commissioner | Abby Cox, DAS Director | Jean O'Callaghan, DAS Deputy Director | Katrina Fuller, DAS Deputy Director