Fact sheet: Division of Aging Services [No. 25 (Feb. 2008)]

fact sheet

Division of Aging Services
The Division of Aging Services administers a statewide system of services for older Georgians and adults with disabilities. These programs offer maximum independence and dignity for participants, especially the most vulnerable. The division provides inhome services to maintain independence; public education and outreach services; health promotion services; senior employment services and an ombudsman program for Georgians in long-term care. The division is responsible for investigation and protective services for vulnerable adults through Adult Protective Services (APS).
The division's SFY 2007 budget is $139.5 million, including $80.4 million in state funds.
The Community Care Services Program (CCSP) assists older and disabled Medicaid-eligible consumers, their families and caregivers. Those who cannot perform activities of daily living may retain the choice to continue living in their homes and communities and avoid or delay more costly placement in a nursing facility. In SFY 2007, Georgia's CCSP served 13,711 people. The average Medicaid service benefits cost per CCSP consumer for the same period was $7,748. CCSP benefits costs do not include care coordination or administrative costs. The average cost of a nursing home placement was $26,077.
In SFY 2007: 773 eligible Georgians utilized adult day health services. This includes nursing care, personal care, occupational, speech and physical therapy, dietary services, and social work services in a community based group day program. 2,299 utilized alternative living services. These services are provided in statelicensed personal care homes with 24-hour supervision, medically-oriented personal care, and health related support services for those who cannot remain in their homes. 6,610 consumers utilized emergency response services. These services provide an in-home electronic support system for two-way communication between a monitoring service and an isolated consumer. 4,925 consumers utilized home-delivered meals. 505 consumers utilized Medicaid home health home delivered services, including skilled nursing, physical speech and occupational therapy, and medical social services. 10,728 consumers utilized personal support services such as light housekeeping, basic personal care support, and caregiver respite.

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The Home and Community-Based Services Program (HCBS) is available to elderly people age 60 and older. It provides support to older Georgians so that they may remain independent and self-sufficient.
In SFY 2007, 36,277 seniors received HCBS services. This includes:
Congregate and home-delivered meals are provided to groups in settings such as senior centers, and to individuals who are temporarily or permanently homebound. The meals meet at least one-third of a person's recommended daily nutritional requirement. The group meals also provide opportunities for adult education, socializing and recreation. In SFY 2007, a total of 14,646 individuals received home delivered meals and 14,225 were served in senior centers.
In-Home Services helped 4,940 people stay in their homes by providing helpers who performed routine household tasks, personal care, emergency response, home modification, or chore services.
The National Family Caregiver Support Program (NFCSP) supports family caregivers as its targeted client group rather than care receivers. This program is available to family caregivers, age 18 and older, of persons with Alzheimer's and other dementias as well as persons caring for frail, older adults with chronic health conditions. In SFY 2007, this program supported caregivers with multiple programs and services. Examples of the caregiver services include: 735 family caregivers received adult day care services, 551 caregivers received case management assistance, and 1,668 family caregivers received temporary relief from their care giving responsibilities through respite services provided by Georgia's aging network.
The Wellness Program is aimed at increasing the ability of older adults to perform everyday activities and remain living in their own homes. Activities are focused on health promotion and disease prevention. Services are designed to improve health status, increase functional abilities, avoid or delay problems caused by chronic diseases and enhance quality of life. In SFY 2007, the Wellness Program served a duplicative total of 25,513 clients in group activities.
Adult Protective Services serves persons over age 65 and disabled persons over age 18 who do not reside in a long-term care facility. Services are provided in all 159 counties. The program investigates reports of abuse, neglect and exploitation and provides intervention to reduce the risk of further maltreatment. Program staff find another residence for the abused person; arrange for medical assistance; educate caregivers as to proper care; find a senior center to provide day services; and, if necessary get law enforcement to intervene. In SFY 2007, a monthly average of 3,135 adults received APS services.

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The Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program seeks resolution of problems and advocates for the rights of residents of long-term care facilities with the goal of enhancing the quality of life and care of residents. In SFY 2007, the Ombudsman program visited residents in nursing homes and personal care homes and provided them with information and education. The program worked to resolve 5,947 complaints. It resolved 95% of complaints to the complainant's satisfaction.
The Elderly Legal Assistance Program (ELAP) promotes prevention of costly legal problems through the provision of legal information and education to seniors 60 and over in a variety of areas of civil law. Representation is provided when necessary. ELAP served 31,275 seniors in SFY 2007. Seniors also received brief legal assistance from the division's partner, the Georgia Senior Legal Hotline.
The GeorgiaCares Program is a private-public partnership that consists of: Georgia's State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP), the Senior Medicare Patrol and a special initiative to provide Medicare beneficiaries with access to all available low-cost prescription medication programs. About 333 trained volunteer counselors provide information on Medicare, Medicare-approved drug discount programs, long-term care insurance, Medicare Supplemental Insurance (Medigap), Medicare savings programs and low cost prescription assistance programs. They also help Medicare beneficiaries sort through complicated Medicare issues and educate them on Medicare fraud, error and abuse. Over the last three years, GeorgiaCares has enabled clients to save more than $67 million in health insurance and related expenses.
The Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) provides part-time community service assignments for low-income people 55 and older and helps them obtain employment. In SFY 2007, 93% of participants had incomes below the federal poverty level; 55% were over age 60.
Looking to the future The aging of Georgia's population is one of the most significant trends affecting our state today. Georgia has the ninth fastest growing 60+ population and the 18th fastest growing 85+ population in the Untied States. Georgia's population aged 60 and older is expected to increase 62.5 percent between 1990 and 2010. Those 85 and older are by far the fastest growing age group; they will increase by 114.6 percent by 2010.
This growth in the elderly population is placing greater demands on state government. To meet these challenges, the Division of Aging Services continues to strengthen its publicprivate partnerships with an array of community-based service agencies. By focusing on the outcomes of these services and streamlining program operations, the division makes sure that the services are cost-effective and that they respond to the needs of elderly and disabled Georgians.
________________________________________________________________________ Georgia Department of Human Resources Office of Communications www.dhr.georgia.gov February 2008