Aging services The Department of Human Services (DHS) Division of Aging Services (DAS) is the federally designated unit on aging for the State of Georgia. DAS is committed to assisting older individuals, at-risk adults, persons with disabilities, their families and caregivers so that they may achieve safe, healthy and independent lives. In fiscal year 2018, DAS continued to provide services in each of its program areas. A few of our results and accomplishments included: Helping 33,875 consumers achieve greater independence through Home and Community Based Services (HCBS). This was an increase of 9.9 percent over SFY17, when 30,832 consumers were served. Serving 2,497,845 home-delivered meals and 1,491,942 congregate (senior center) meals to older Georgians Addressing 50,159 reports of abuse, neglect and exploitation to Adult Protective Services (APS) Serving 952 individuals as Guardian of Last Resort Transitioning 175 individuals from nursing facilities back to the community using state Nursing Home Transition funds. This was an increase of 6 percent compared with SFY17, when there were 165 transitions. Additionally, we transitioned 264 individuals through the Money Follows the Person (MFP) Program. Saving older Georgians $9,083,926 through the Elderly Legal Service Program Saving Medicare beneficiaries $14,908,302 in out-of-pocket expenses through the GeorgiaCares program Providing 107,287 clients and family members with information regarding available resources and services through the Aging and Disability Resource Connection (ADRC) and Training 354 law enforcement officers, medical staff, prosecutors and other mandated reports on elder abuse, neglect and financial exploitation issues through the Forensic Special Initiatives Unit (FSIU). The percentage of clients retaining employment for six months or longer through the Senior Community Services Employment Program (SCSEP) is 45%. Dementia Initiatives DHS / DAS continues to advance the Georgia Alzheimer's and Related Dementias (GARD) State Plan through collaborations with stakeholders on initiatives in areas such as workforce development, service delivery and public safety. DHS / DAS partners with Emory University on Georgia Memory Net (GMN), which establishes Memory Assessment Clinics around the state to provide for early and accurate dementia diagnoses as well as linkages to community support. In SFY18, five Memory Assessment Clinics were established; a patient workflow was developed; Emory trained and educated clinicians, practitioners and community partners from across the state through a variety of forums; and the first annual GMN Summit was held at Lake Lanier. Senior Hunger In SFY18, DAS continued to make great strides in addressing senior hunger in Georgia. DAS hosted a second annual Senior Hunger Summit, and a Senior Hunger State Plan Coordinator was hired. Also, a multi-disciplinary committee was developed, which includes partners from Dollar General, the Georgia Farmers Market Association, the Georgia Grocers Association, the Food Policy Network, the Georgia Food Bank Association, Wholesome Wave and other state and local government agencies to plan ongoing senior hunger summits and identify policy and planning strategies to fill a variety of food systems needs across the state and What a Waste pilot sites were expanded. Assistive Technology Nine Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) have established 11 Assistive Technology Labs to cover the entire state. All 12 AAAs have Assistive Technology toolkits for public demonstrations. Georgia's Older Adults Cabinet First Lady Sandra Deal and then-Commissioner Robyn A. Crittenden serve as co-chairs of the Older Adults Cabinet. This group of leaders works to enhance the state's capacity to serve older adults. The Older Adults Cabinet works to identify ways for Georgia to improve the well-being of its older residents by bringing together state agency heads whose work supports older Georgians, as well as stakeholders in the business, philanthropic and education communities. In SFY18, the Older Adults Cabinet identified three priorities: combating abuse, neglect and exploitation of older adults and individuals with disabilities; improving access to resources; and developing the workforce. Gerlda B. Hines Department of Human Services Interim Commissioner Abby Cox Division of Aging Services Director Funding Division Budget Expenditures State Fiscal Year 2018 Older Americans Act $33,066,632.43 | 30% Social Services Block Grant $9,566,918.79 | 9% Other $8,874,747.55 | 6% [ Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act, State Health Insurance Plan, Money Follows the Person, Alzheimer's Disease Supportive Services Program, Brookdale Grant, etc.] Local $4,281,525.61 | 4% State $56,680,635.26 | 51% Georgia Fund for Children & Elderly The Georgia Department of Human Services Division of Aging Services co-administers the fund with the Department of Public Health's Maternal and Child Health Program Division. The Division of Aging Services receives 50% of the fund's donations each year, and those monies are distributed to Area Agencies on Aging for home-delivered meals and senior transportation. The remaining 50% is allotted to the Department of Public Health to provide grants for programs that serve children and youth with special needs. Donations received between calendar years / income tax years 2015 and 2017 are shown below. Total Amount DAS Portion $36,583 $73,166 Total Amount DAS Portion $44,938 $89,876 Total Amount DAS Portion $44,521 $89,041 Programs & Services Non-Medicaid Home & Community Services Non-Medicaid Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) include individual and group services to support and assist older Georgians in staying in their homes and communities. These services promote health, self-sufficiency and independence. Caregiver Programs and Services Georgia's aging network provides an array of services designed to support family caregivers. Services to caregivers include adult day care; respite care; case management and counseling; information and assistance; support groups; material aid; homemaker and personal care; as well as education and training for caregivers. Aging and Disability Resource Connection The Georgia Aging and Disability Resource Connection (ADRC) is a partnership between DHS/ DAS and multiple organizations, such as state agencies and other public or private organizations. Together, they offer a No Wrong Door system for resources and services for all populations and all payers. Elderly Legal Assistance Program The Georgia Elderly Legal Assistance Program (ELAP) serves people age 60 and older by providing legal representation, information and education in civil legal matters throughout the State of Georgia. Money Follows the Person The Money Follows the Person (MFP) Program transitions eligible individuals from long-term care facilities back into community settings. GeorgiaCares Program GeorgiaCares, Georgia's State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP), is a volunteer-based program that provides free, unbiased and accurate information about health and drug plans to Medicare beneficiaries and their caregivers. Adult Protective Services The Division of Aging Services administers the Adult Protective Services (APS) program, which investigates reports alleging abuse, neglect or exploitation of persons with disabilities age 18 and older and prevents recurrence through the provision of protective services interventions. The Public Guardianship Office The Department of Human Services is the appointed guardian of last resort when there is no willing or suitable person to act as the guardian for an adult whom the probate court has determined lacks enough capacity to make or communicate significant responsible decisions concerning health or safety. The Public Guardianship Office (PGO) of the Division of Aging Services is assigned oversight and delivery of guardianship case management services on behalf of the Department of Human Services. Forensic Special Initiatives Unit The Forensic Special Initiatives Unit (FSIU) increases awareness of elder abuse to statewide mandated reporters by identifying and addressing system gaps and developing process improvements to protect Georgia's at-risk adults from abuse, neglect and exploitation. Services provided by FSIU include training, outreach, technical assistance, and case consultation and review. The Senior Community Service Employment Program The Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) provides useful part-time community service assignments and training for unemployed, low-income older Georgians and helps them obtain unsubsidized paid employment. While participants develop job-related skills and earn minimum wage, the community directly benefits from the work they perform. Area Agencies on Aging Georgia Area Agencies on Aging Area Agencies on Aging (AAA) are part of a nationwide network of state and local programs designed to help older people plan and care for their lifelong needs. AAAs are created under the Older American's Act. The State of Georgia is divided into 12 Planning and Service Areas named below, with their corresponding counties highlighted. The AAAs are the primary service provider arm of DAS. 1 2 3 5 4 8 7 6 9 12 10 11 Demographic Snapshot 1. Northwest Georgia 9.94% | Percentage of Georgia's 65+ population 2. Georgia Mountains 8.27% | Percentage of Georgia's 65+ population 3. Atlanta Region 36.46% | Percentage of Georgia's 65+ population 4. Southern Crescent 5.54% | Percentage of Georgia's 65+ population 5. Northeast Georgia 6.28% | Percentage of Georgia's 65+ population 6. River Valley 4.03% | Percentage of Georgia's 65+ population 7. Middle Georgia 5.49% | Percentage of Georgia's 65+ population 8. Central Savannah River Area 5.18% | Percentage of Georgia's 65+ population 9. Heart of Georgia 3.52% | Percentage of Georgia's 65+ population 10. Southwest Georgia 4.11% | Percentage of Georgia's 65+ population 11. Southern Georgia 4.36% | Percentage of Georgia's 65+ population 12. Coastal Georgia 6.81% | Percentage of Georgia's 65+ population SFY 2018 Clients Served by Planning and Service Areas Region Atlanta Region Aging and Disability Resource Connection GeorgiaCares Home and Community Based Services Money Nursing Follows Home the Person Transitions Adult Protective Services 36,996 N/A 9,982 50 19 6,177 Central Savannah River Region 8,781 Coastal Georgia Region 5,030 Georgia Mountains Region 7,110 Heart of Georgia Region 3,539 Middle Georgia Region 7,624 Northeast Georgia Region 6,385 Northwest Georgia Region 6,744 River Valley Georgia Region 4,254 Southern Georgia Region 8,570 Southwest Georgia Region 6,340 N/A 291 1,837 243 1,214 1,174 968 1,054 1,712 2,005 2,349 17 11 2,334 9 10 2,837 8 4 1,333 19 11 1,755 16 12 2,533 13 13 3,136 20 11 1,455 17 8 1,709 18 14 2,141 8 11 1,152 1,203 1,329 664 1,102 1,194 1,970 779 951 750 Three Rivers Region 5,914 1,454 2,346 19 9 1,069 State DAS/CILS* 0 Georgia Legal Services Program* 82 0 2,224 50 44 0 *Centers for Independent Living, Concerted Services and Georgia Legal Services Program are specific to GeorgiaCares, Money Follows the Person and Nursing Home Transitions.