Annual report 2006 [2006]

2006 Georgia Council on Aging (GCoA) Annual Report
Introduction
Hurricanes and floods, Medicare Part D plan selection and the once every decade White House Conference on Aging were just a few of the topics of Council concern during the last fiscal year. Council members were among the many volunteers who assisted older evacuees fleeing Hurricanes Katrina and Rita access services through the aging network. Council members as well as countless other volunteers assisted older Georgians review the Medicare Part D options and enroll in a plan before the May 15, 2006 deadline.
Council members Melba Paulk-Veazey, Carleen Cumberbatch and Kay Hind were privileged to be selected as delegates to the historic White House Conference on Aging in December 2005. In preparation for the event, the Council convened five separate "independent aging agenda events" around the state over the last two years to gather input from advocates to share with the delegates to the conference. Crafting a national vision for public policies focused on older Americans for the next ten years was an exciting and challenging task.
The fiscal year July 2005 to June 2006 provided many opportunities for advocacy with legislators and other public policy makers concerning programs and services for older Georgians. The Council continues to be the driving force behind the Coalition of Advocates for Georgia's Elderly (COAGE). Our July 2005 CO-AGE priorities setting meeting included funding for aging programs as well as legislative issues.
The Council's mission is to advocate on behalf of older Georgians and their families by establishing aging policies for Georgia and influencing aging policy nationally. The Council's goal is to promote healthy and satisfying long life for all Georgians.

Kay Hind, Chair

Melanie McNeil, Executive Director

GCoA Mission
The Georgia Council on Aging was created by the Georgia General Assembly in 1977 to advise state government concerning issues of concern to older Georgians, to educate, advise, inform and make recommendations concerning programs for the elderly in Georgia and to advocate with and on behalf of older Georgians and their families.
GCoA Activities
In furtherance of the Council's mission, members of the Council attended board meetings for the Department of Human Resources (DHR) and the Department of Community Health (DCH) to monitor the activities of the departments relative to older Georgians. The Council provided testimony to DHR regarding the state budget for aging programs and coordinated with other aging advocates to testify about the needs of older adults. Council members served on committees to: (a) pilot peer supports for the elderly wanting to transition from nursing homes back to the community, (b) develop ways for the aging network to interact with the developmental disability network for the benefit of both, and (c) ensure quality improvements in nursing homes, the mental health system, and the management of aging programs, among others. Many of the Council's activities are carried out through its four committees: Legislative, CO-AGE, Education and Senior.

Highlights of these committee activities in 2005 include:
Legislative Committee
The Council provided testimony to various committees of the Georgia legislature during the 2006 General Assembly session. Topics included: (1) the special needs of grandparents raising grandchildren, (2) increasing the personal needs allowance for nursing home residents, (3) funding for home and community based services, (4) assisting incapacitated adults apply for the new Medicare Part D prescription plans, (5) intervening to stop the neglect of older dependent adults and (6) addressing ways to improve patient safety. Council members were a constant presence at the Capitol during the session working on the CO-AGE priorities as well as responding to issues that arose during the session. Between July and October, the Council members, CO-AGE participants and other interested parties met to develop the legislative and budgetary priorities. Between October and January, the legislative committee worked with the CO-AGE committee in preparing advocates to speak in favor of our priorities during the General Assembly session. Council members also provided input to legislative committees meeting between General Assembly sessions.
CO-AGE Committee
The CO-AGE committee convened four successful quarterly meetings to choose legislative and budget priorities, to develop those priorities into action and to evaluate the success of our efforts. CO-AGE advocates had a high profile at the capitol this year. From attending nearly every day of the session to speak on behalf of grandparents raising grandchildren, to eloquent testimony of two nursing home residents at the budget hearing to ask for an increase in the personal needs allowance, advocates were in action.
Education Committee
The Council, in collaboration with other partners, held a forum in May targeting pre-retirees to inform them about the importance of planning for retirement. Specific attention was given to the security of pensions, Social Security and health care. In preparation for the White House Conference on Aging held in December 2005, the Council held several Administration on

Aging designated "independent aging agenda events" during the last fiscal year and this fiscal year. The Council co-sponsored with the University of Georgia, the Division of Aging Services, Georgia Association of Homes and Services for the Aging and others a follow up meeting in May to bring back to Georgia the recommendations of the conference and to plan to continue the momentum.
The Education Committee worked with the staff to invite speakers to our Council meetings to provide education to our Council members on specific issues. Abel Ortiz, Governor Perdue's Health Policy Advisor, addressed the Council about Medicaid reforms at our August meeting. The October meeting included a presentation about the GeorgiaCares program that helps older Georgians evaluate and choose one of the new Medicare Part D plans. Our January 2006 meeting was held at the capitol during the first week of the General Assembly session and included a reception for all of the legislators. In April the Council met in Macon and heard a brief presentation about the Middle Georgia Area Agency on Aging. At the Council meeting held in June, the director of the Naturally Occurring Retirement Communities (NORC) program of the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta, provided detailed information on NORCs and the efforts to replicate the success of the pilots.
Senior Week Committee
Senior Week at the Capitol 2006 saw a record number of older adults at the capitol to speak in favor of our CO-AGE priorities. The late Martha Eaves was recognized as our distinguished older Georgian. Volunteers spent hours putting together the gold beaded necklaces that were given to legislators as a reminder of Martha's dedication to citizen advocacy.
Intern Opportunities with the GCoA
The Governor's Intern Program places interns with the GCoA. Interns assist with researching issues; preparing fact sheets, brochures and other training materials; coordinating meetings and training sessions; attending legislative meetings and monitoring legislation; participating in staff, coalition and council meetings; and updating and maintaining databases.

2006 Governor's Intern Program Placements:
Aslean Zachary, Clark Atlanta University, Political Science Rachel Hettinger, University of Georgia, International Affairs
Georgia State University College of Law Extern Placements:
Clifford Williams CJ Spraggins
Prospective interns should call 404/657-5348 for further information.
Senior Issues Newsletter
The Senior Issues Newsletter is a publication of the Georgia Council on Aging, the Senior Citizens Advocacy project and the Georgia Gerontology Society. It is published weekly during the Georgia General Assembly, except during recesses, and monthly during the rest of the year. The newsletter informs subscribers of the activities of the General Assembly focusing each week on legislation and budget activities as well as other news of interest to older adults.
Speakers Bureau
The Georgia Council on Aging sponsors the CO-AGE Speakers Bureau to provide year round dialogue on the needs of Georgia's older population. There is no charge to schedule a speaker for your group. Contact 404/6575344 for additional information.
Senior Week at the Capitol 2006
February 28-March 2, 2006, was "Senior Week" at the Capitol. The theme was--"Our Legacy of Advocacy Continues!" More than 600 people attended the event. Senior Week was a huge success with many senior groups advocating on behalf of the CO-AGE priorities as well as meeting and taking pictures with their legislators and the Governor. Various aging organizations including the American Association of Retired Persons, (AARP), the Clayton County Alliance for Grandparents Raising Grandchildren, the Georgia Alliance of Retired Americans, the Georgia Association of Homes and Services for the Aging, GeorgiaCares, the

Georgia Council on Aging, the Georgia Gerontology Society, Georgia State University's Project Healthy Grandparents, the Senior Adult Victims Advocate, and the State Long Term Care Ombudsman Program supported the activities with exhibits and refreshments. The late Martha Eaves was honored in both chambers as the 2006 Distinguished Senior Georgian for her work on behalf of Georgia's seniors. Her daughter, Kacy Eaves, was able to speak to the Senate members and echoed that Martha would want them to support aging issues. Beaded necklaces were distributed during Senior Week to be worn in honor of Ms. Eaves. Thanks to all of the individuals and organizations that assisted with assembling the necklaces honoring Ms. Eaves.
We also extend thanks to the many volunteers who contributed their time and expertise during Senior Week. Senior Week 2006 was made possible by the generous support of: Allstate Insurance of North Augusta, Ameris Bank, the Atlanta Community Food Bank, Bank of America, The Beaded Lizard of Brunswick, Citizens Bank of Cochran, Citizens Bank & Trust of Eastman, Ford Motor Company, Georgia AgCredit, Irwin County Electric Membership, J & J Printing/Office Supplies, Planters First Bank, Senior Citizen Services of Metropolitan Atlanta, Visiting Nurse Hospice Atlanta, Coastal Georgia RDC, Heart of Georgia Altamaha RDC, Legacy Link Incorporated, Lower Chattahoochee AAA, Middle Georgia RDC, Richard Law of Brunswick, and Attorney Rita Llop of Eastman. Senior Week is held every year to encourage seniors to advocate with their state elected officials at the Capitol.
Senior Week at the Capitol 2007 will be held February 27-March 1.

Governor Perdue with some of the senior advocates during Senior Week at the Capitol
What is CO-AGE (Coalition of Advocates for Georgia's Elderly)?
CO-AGE provides a forum for advocates to identify and address the concerns of older Georgians and is convened by the Georgia Council on Aging. CO-AGE is a diverse coalition, consisting of over 600 consumers, providers, associations, organizations and other entities from throughout the state.
CO-AGE holds its quarterly meetings at local faith-based facilities, colleges, universities, state parks and other venues around the state to maximize the opportunity for advocates from across the state to participate.

CO-AGE meets in July to set both legislative and budget priorities, in October to train advocates on the priorities that were chosen, in January to refine and review strategies for the legislative session, and in April to assess the progress of the legislative and budget priorities.
During the year, CO-AGE participants are informed of developments regarding the budget and legislative priorities through periodic mailings, the Senior Issues Newsletter, the CO-AGE Advocacy Alert Tree and the GCoA website (www.gcoa.org). CO-AGE also sponsors a year-round Speakers Bureau.
In the Georgia legislature, CO-AGE has become a prominent symbol of the unified interests of older consumers and service providers. Since its inception in 1987, CO-AGE has been instrumental in achieving many legislative advances. Unfortunately, none of the CO-AGE legislative priorities passed in 2006. However, one of our priorities, the Grand Care Subsidy bill (SB 420), sponsored by Senator Renee Unterman, passed the Senate but died in the House on the last night. SB 420 would have provided a power of attorney and a subsidy for low-income grandparents raising grandchildren. Consumer Right to Participate--HB 799 Patient Safety and HB 1419 requiring notice and opportunity to participate in physician discipline; Cause of Death Reporting Requirements--SB 181; and Criminal Neglect--SB 665 did not pass both chambers. Our CO-AGE budgetary priorities fared better. Personal Needs Allowance for Nursing Home Residents was increased to $50 for all Medicaid-eligible nursing home residents and funding for 1,000 new slots for the Community Care Services Program was provided.
CO-AGE will meet in 2007 on January 4, April 19, July 12, and October 4. Please check the Council's website at www.gcoa.org or call the Council office at (404) 657-5344, for meeting time and location.
Advocating for Positive Change Award
Older adult advocates (60 and above) from across the state who have devoted time and energy advocating for positive change at the local, state or federal level, were presented with the Advocating for Positive Change Award at the CO-AGE meeting held in Macon, Georgia on April 20, 2006. The Georgia Council on Aging created this award to recognize role models

for local involvement in hopes that others will be encouraged to become advocates for issues concerning older adults in their own communities. The Area Agencies on Aging were asked to submit the name of one individual worthy of recognition. Each individual was presented with a certificate, treated to lunch at the meeting and received a warm round of applause as thanks for their devotion to advocating for positive change.
2006 Advocating for Positive Change Award Recipients
Legislative Award Recipients for 2006
Representative Jeff Brown, LaGrange, 69th District, was selected for the Special Legislator Award for his long-standing support for aging issues as well as his "continued exemplary leadership, personal commitment and extraordinary contributions on behalf of Georgia's elderly." When serving on the Human Relations and Aging Committee for the House of Representatives, Representative Brown chaired a month's long subcommittee studying ways to help older Georgians access prescription

drugs. He has been a strong supporter of the GeorgiaCares program and is well known at his Area Agency on Aging.
Representative Brown chaired the Health Subcommittee of Appropriations for the last two years. He was open to requests and helped aging advocates to be realistic about those funding requests. Aging advocates trust Representative Brown to give honest feedback and advice on issues and count on his willingness to talk with advocates. We will miss his leadership at the capitol as he leaves the Georgia General Assembly at the end of his term this year.
Representative Donna Sheldon, Dacula, 105th District, was selected as the Outstanding Legislator for her leadership on aging public policy as well as for her "professional leadership and exemplary contributions on behalf of Georgia's elderly." She is Vice Chair of the Human Relations and Aging Committee of the House of Representatives. Working with colleagues such as Human Relations and Aging Chairman Len Walker, Health Subcommittee of Appropriations Chairman Jeff Brown, Rules Committee Chairman Earl Ehrhart and others, Representative Sheldon is helping to lead the legislature on key aging issues.
She introduced legislation to make the purchase of long-term care insurance more appealing for consumers, sponsored the bill to assist unbefriended elders applying for Medicare Part D and served as a conferee in the 2006 session on Senate Bill 572 that softened some of the harshest provisions of estate recovery. We look forward to Representative Sheldon's continuing leadership on aging issues.
We are grateful to all of the representatives and senators who have supported aging issues.

Rep. Jeff Brown

Rep. Donna Sheldon

Georgia Council on Aging
Officers Kay H. Hind, Chair Melba Wilkes Paulk-Veazey, Vice Chair and CO-AGE Chair R. Val Archer, Secretary/Treasurer and Policies and Procedures Chair Cheryll L. Schramm, Education Chair Ann G. Williams, Legislative Chair Rachel Hilliard, Senior Week Chair

Newly Elected Officers Cheryll L. Schramm, Chair Kay H. Hind, Vice Chair Melba Paulk-Veazey, CO-AGE Chair Lithangia S. Robinson, Secretary/Treasurer R. Val Archer, Policies and Procedures Chair Catherine Ivy, Education Chair Ann G. Williams, Legislative Chair Rachel Hilliard, Senior Week Chair

Other Appointees Carleen Cumberbatch David L. Levine, Ph.D Pamela Matheson Edison McDonald Leland Bruce Nance

Jeffrey L. Riddle Sonya P. Smith Mary L. Wiley George B. Williams, Jr.

GCoA Staff
From left to right: Matthew Malok, Aging Services Coordinator; Melanie McNeil, Executive Director; Eric Ryan, Public Relations Specialist