Annual report 2008 [2008]

2008 Georgia Council on Aging (GCoA) Annual Report
I. Introduction
The experience of aging includes learning new concepts, making new friends, prioritizing demands and heading in new directions. The Georgia Council on Aging embraces these processes just as we do as individuals. During state fiscal year 2008, the Council conceived a new direction with an initiative known as Georgia for a Lifetime. The Georgia General Assembly passed legislation to facilitate the activities connected with Georgia for a Lifetime. The Council is now engaged in bringing that commission to life.
Our Executive Director for the last eight years, Melanie McNeil, will be leaving the Council and Kathryn Fowler has accepted the position of Executive Director. Our Aging Services coordinator for the last six years, Matthew Malok retired. Abby Griffis has taken his place and will work closely with our Council member, Melba Paulk-Veazey, to lead the Coalition of Advocates for Georgia's Elderly (CO-AGE) as we promote legislative and budget priorities to benefit older Georgians.
The economy is not as robust as we would like it to be. The Council and CO-AGE will continue our tradition of advocating with public policy makers to educate them about the need for programs and services for older Georgians especially in a time of rising consumer prices, falling state revenues and state budget cuts. The Council's mission is to advocate with and on behalf of older Georgians and their families by establishing and influencing aging policies for Georgia. Our goal is to promote healthy and satisfying long life for all Georgians. With change comes new ways to fulfill our mission and to meet our goals.

Cheryll Schramm, Chair

Melanie McNeil, Executive Director

II. 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.
III. GCoA Activities
Participating with State Agencies
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. Council members 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: developing a grant request to assist institutionalized individuals to move back to the community, promoting coordination among the aging network and the developmental disability network for the benefit of both, encouraging quality improvements in nursing homes, improving the mental health system, and advancing healthy aging, among others.

Committee Activities Legislative Committee
Passing legislation to create a Department of Aging was a key priority for CO-AGE and the Council's Legislative Committee. Two members of the Council who serve as Legislative Co-Chairs attended the 2008 General Assembly session daily and were joined by other Council members and volunteers to monitor issues, testify at committee meetings and advocate for our priorities as well as to support and encourage CO-AGE participants in their advocacy efforts. Once again grandparents raising grandchildren advocated for a bill that would help grand families. Funding for home and community based services is a perennial priority. Legislation to improve patient safety was among our priorities. The Council secured a sponsor and passage of an initiative, known as Georgia for a Lifetime, to help local communities as well as state government prepare for the growing number of older adults.
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 CO-AGE participants to advocate for our priorities during the General Assembly session. Council members provided input to legislative committees meeting between General Assembly sessions.
Education Committee
The Council sponsored several advocacy trainings around the state cosponsored by the local Area Agencies on Aging to share ideas and strategies for aging advocacy success.
The Education Committee worked with the staff to invite speakers to our Council meetings to provide education to our Council members on specific issues including Adult Protective Services, elder abuse training for law enforcement, trends in state taxing policies and new trends in long-term care.
CO-AGE Committee
The CO-AGE committee convened four successful quarterly meetings to choose legislative and budget priorities, develop those priorities into action

and evaluate the success of our efforts. CO-AGE advocates had a high profile at the capitol this year. From advocating every day of the session for our priorities, to testifying at committee meetings, to collaborating with special interest groups, advocates were in action.
CO-AGE will meet in 2009 on January 8, April 23, July 9 & October 8.
Georgia for a Lifetime Committee
This Ad Hoc committee was created and members appointed at the Council's annual planning meeting in April 2007 to develop ways to help governments, businesses and other segments of our communities better understand the economic implications and prepare for the opportunities and challenges of the expanding number of older Georgians. These activities may include partnering with universities to research trends and new ideas, promoting more collaboration among government, businesses, service providers and communities for innovations, and developing other options.
Passing legislation to charge the Council with creating the Georgia for a Lifetime project was a priority and was achieved in April with some funding support from the General Assembly. Ensuing months were spent in developing the full concept of the project to include research, technical assistance, education, and statewide and local implementation. With the fundraising counsel and support of Coxe Curry and Associates, a campaign cabinet and steering committee were recruited and efforts were begun to raise the $1.2 million needed for full funding. The Area Agencies on Aging provided solid initial support for technical assistance at the local level.
Senior Week Committee
This committee is responsible for coordinating the annual Senior Week at the Capitol. Senior Week is possible because of our volunteers. The Council thanks the many individuals and organizations that make Senior Week a success every year.
Senior Week at the Capitol 2008
The Georgia Council on Aging and advocates celebrated Senior Week at the Georgia State Capitol. Senator Renee Unterman (45th) sponsored Senate

Resolution 1046, which acknowledged the contributions of senior Georgians and established February 26 through 28, 2008 as "Senior Days" at the Capitol. The 3-day event was a huge success with approximately 700 seniors coming from all over Georgia to speak to their legislators. Seniors took part in the legislative updates on the CO-AGE priorities as well as taking photos with their legislators and Governor Perdue. Various aging organizations displayed information and the Georgia Council on Aging provided refreshments for the seniors. Each senior wore a sticker supporting the Department of Aging bills as well as a pin to advocate for SB 88, the grandchildren in the care of grandparents bill. On Wednesday, February 27, grandparents held a rally at the capitol and encouraged all to support SB 88, which includes a power of attorney and a subsidy for the care of grandchildren.
Also on February 27, Senator Ross Tolleson (20th) and the Senate recognized Ms. Bertie Mae Garrett as the annual Georgia Council on Aging Distinguished Senior Georgian. Representative Jimmy Pruett (144th) introduced a companion resolution in the House. Ms. Garrett was recognized because of her service as a member of her local Hospital Auxiliary, management of the Lifeline Assistance Program for the Eastman Pilot Club, and her volunteerism with the long-term care ombudsman program. Ms. Garrett has also published two books, Chug Chug Lady from Georgia and Gathering Jewels, chronicling her adventures around the world in 990 days as a 48 year old Peace Corps volunteer and her subsequent 34 years as a summer missionary to 37 countries. She has lived her lifelong motto, "Service is the rent we pay for the space we occupy."
Senior Week at the Capitol 2009 will be held February 24, 25 and 26.

Senior Week at the Capitol 2008
Senior advocates enjoying a photo taken with Governor Perdue at Senior Week
Partnering with Educational Institutions Intern Opportunities 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. The GCoA has developed relationships with educational institutions and hosted an intern from the Rollins School of Public Health at Emory University:
Will Bours, Master of Public Health In addition, GCoA hosted the following students from Georgia State University College of Law as externs:
Kathryn Darden Caroline Freeman Prospective interns should call 404/657-5348 for further information.

Communications
Senior Issues Newsletter
The Senior Issues Newsletter is a publication of the Georgia Council on Aging, Senior Citizens Advocacy project and 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.
Awards
2008 Advocating for Positive Change Award
Eleven of twelve older Georgians aged 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 recognized by the Council with the 2008 Martha Eaves Advocating for Positive Change Award at the April 17 COAGE meeting held at the Methodist Home for Children and Youth in Macon, Georgia. Each of the twelve Area Agencies on Aging were asked to submit nominees from his or her respective area. The award winners are Mr. Richard Andersen, nominated by the Northeast Georgia AAA; Mr. Webster Chandler, nominated by the Southern Crescent AAA; Ms. Robin Eschman, nominated by the Atlanta Regional Commission AAA; Ms. Betty Frank, nominated by the Central Savannah River AAA; Mr. Frank Murtha, nominated by the Lower Chattahoochee AAA; Ms. Sadie Ryals, nominated by the Coastal Georgia AAA; Ms. Jualice Simmons, nominated by the Heart of Georgia Altamaha AAA; Ms. Sue Tibbets, nominated by the Georgia Mountains AAA; Ms. Jo Veal, nominated by the Middle Georgia AAA; Mr.

Jay Williams, nominated by the Southeast Georgia AAA and Ms. Elaine Wilson, nominated by the SOWEGA AAA.
2008 Advocating for Positive Change Award Recipients
Legislative Award recipients for 2008
Special Legislator: Representative Ben Harbin, Evans, 118th District received the Special Legislator award for continued exemplary leadership, personal commitment and extraordinary contributions on behalf of Georgia's elderly. Representative Harbin chairs the House Appropriations Committee and has been the key to funding for aging budget priorities. Chairman Harbin championed increasing the personal needs allowance for nursing home residents, increased funding for the long-term care ombudsman, and this session found state funds for meals on wheels, congregate meals programs and Adult Protective Services budgets to offset the loss of federal moneys. Special Legislator: Senator Don Balfour, Snellville, 9th District was also presented with the Special Legislator award. His leadership in the Senate as Chairman of the Rules Committee has made it possible for aging legislation to reach the Senate floor for a vote including the Grandparents bills that passed the Senate in 2006 and 2007, revision of guardianship law, approval of the use of public guardians, implementation of adult day center licensing fees, combining the living will and health care power of attorney into a new

advance directive, authorizing the Georgia Council on Aging's initiative known as "Georgia for a Lifetime" and more.
Outstanding Legislator: Representative Mark Butler, Carrollton, 18th District was recognized with the Outstanding Legislator award for professional leadership and exemplary contributions on behalf of Georgia's elderly. As vice chairman of appropriations for Human Resources he has been instrumental in recommending aging budget items. Especially this year when the budget first looked optimistic and then took a downward turn, Representative Butler was the first stop for aging advocates to plead for funding to replace lost federal dollars for meals and for Adult Protective Services. Representative Butler pushed forward the implementation of Adult Day Care Licensure.
The Council also recognized former House Budget Director Charlie Walker for his interest in and concern for aging priorities. Over all of the years that Charlie has been in the budget office he has been a steadfast friend to aging. Especially during budget conference committee time at the General Assembly, when tracking documents for the budget are scarce, Charlie made sure that aging advocates had access to them. And as the budget conferees, budget office staffs and advocates were working around the clock to finish the budget, Charlie would always be gracious when aging advocates were worrying and questioning the outcome.
All of these individuals were also recognized for their accessibility and responsiveness to aging advocates.
IV. Conclusion
The Council continues to strive to identify the concerns of older Georgians, to advocate to address those concerns and to participate fully in the development of public policy as it relates to older adults.
Georgia Council on Aging
Officers
Cheryll L. Schramm, Chair Kay H. Hind, Vice Chair Melba Paulk-Veazey, CO-AGE Chair

Karen Bacheller, Education Chair Ann G. Williams, Legislative Chair Rachel Hilliard, Senior Week Chair Carleen Cumberbatch, Policies and Procedures Chair Kathryn Fowler, Georgia for a Lifetime Chair

Other Appointees
Joe Harris, Ph. D. Gwen Knight David L. Levine, Ph. D. Stelling Nelson

Leland Bruce Nance Jeffrey L. Riddle Edison McDonald

GCoA Staff

Melanie McNeil, Executive Director

Matthew Malok, Aging Services Coordinator

Eric Ryan, Public Relations Specialist