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Published quarterly by Georgia’s Area Agencies on Aging
GeorgiaGenerationsTMWinter 2010
Also in This Issue: n Caregiving News & Notesn A Look at Georgia’s AAAs
How to ensure a successful transition
Hospital Hometo
G o i n G F r o m
�� Georgia Generations
Area Agencies on Aging – Gateways to Community Resources
Northwest GeorgiaLegacy Link Atlanta Regional
CommissionSouthern CrescentNortheast GeorgiaRiver ValleyMiddle GeorgiaCentral Savannah RiverHeart of Georgia
AltamahaSouthwest GeorgiaSouthern GeorgiaCoastal Georgia
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54
78
6
9
12
1011
Georgia is divided into 12 AAAs, each serving a different part of the state. They are:
1
10
2
35
4
7
8
69
12
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WINTER 2010 Published quarterly through a cooperative effort of Georgia’s Area Agencies on Aging.
For information contact:Atlanta Regional CommissionAging Services Division40 Courtland St., NE, Atlanta, GA [email protected]
Editorial Project Development:JAM Communications, Atlanta, GA
Design and Production:Wells-Smith Partners, Lilburn, GA
Georgia Generations is a:
On the Cover:Discharge planning is a critical part of your loved one’s transition home, following a hospital stay. It can mean the difference between continued recovery and rehospitalization. Here’s everything you need to know about this important process. See story, page 4.
GenerationsGeorgia
Winter 2010, Volume 9, #2 © 2010 by the Atlanta Regional Commission. The information contained herein has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable. However, the Atlanta Regional Commission and JAM Communications make no warranty to the accuracy or reliability of this information. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without written permission. All rights reserved.
Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) were established under the Older Americans Act in 1973 to respond to the needs of older adults age 60 and over in every community. To read more about each of Georgia’s AAAs and the services available, turn to a statewide map and news from each agency, beginning on page 9.
2009
Surfing the NetEach issue of Georgia Generations offers several Web sites devoted to caregiving information and resources:
www.naipc.org offers education and guidance to keep your loved ones safe and in their homes.
www.reversehelpline.us gives facts about reverse mortgages and helps you connect to a HUD-approved mortgage lender in your area.
CAREGIVINGNEWS&NOTES
Protect Medicare andMedicaid Benefits
Report suspected fraud and errors.Call your Fraud Project for details
and to request a presentation.
GeorgiaCares 1-800-669-8387
If you or an elderly loved one carries a cell phone, this tip is
important to follow: When paramedics are called to the scene of an ill or injured person, they often have no idea whom to call. There are many numbers stored in the phone, but which one is the contact person in case of an emergency?
Hence, the ICE (In Case of Emergency) Campaign — a method of contact during emergency situations.
Simply make sure that the seniors in your family store the numbers of a contact person or persons who should be called in case of emergency under the name “ICE.” Emergency service personnel and hospital staff know to quickly check to see if you have stored an “ICE” number. For more than one contact name, simply enter ICE1, ICE2, ICE3, etc.
Stroke
In Case of Emergency
Despite the common occurrence of strokes, many caregivers are still uncertain of the warning signs that
might signal a possible “brain attack,” which cuts off vital blood flow and oxygen to the brain.
Memorize this list of warning signs: Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body. Sudden confusion; trouble speaking or understanding.Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes. Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination.Sudden severe headache with no known cause.
If you observe any of these signs, call 911 immediately or get your relative to the nearest stroke center or hospital.
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Do you find that the seniors in your life complain about sleeping less at night? Instead of insomnia, they may
simply have less capacity to sleep. A recent sleep-lab study compared sleep habits of people ages 65 to 72 with a group of people ages 18 to 32. It showed that older people often take longer to fall asleep and spend less time asleep. In the study, the older group slept an average of 90 fewer minutes.
Researchers point out that some seniors who are concerned by this change may start using sleep medica-tions needlessly. If the senior in your life shows significant sleep changes, try to determine if he or she seems rested and active during the day. If they are tired during the day, then they should be evaluated for a sleep disorder. Otherwise, the shorter sleep may be part of normal aging.
Sleeping Less at Night?
W ant your loved one to live longer and stay healthier as they age? Get them out of the house and mingling with
other people. The reason: Seniors who are socially active are more likely to retain mobility as they age. Sociable seniors even walk faster than those who don’t get out much.
According to the Tufts University Health & Nutrition Letter, seniors who are below average in their social activity actually function as if they were several years older. While exercise is critical to staying healthy and mobile, being socially active is a key ingredient as well. Activities such as attending church or sporting events, eating out at restaurants, volunteering, playing bingo and traveling were all found to help protect against the loss of motor abilities.
Thumbs-Up forSocial Seniors
ICE
WARNiNg SigNS
Do you want to know more about the prescription drugs you or your family members are taking? Go
to www.CRBestBuyDrugs.org, Consumer Reports’ new Web site, to learn more about the cost, effectiveness and safety of prescription drugs. This Web site is available at no cost to the consumer.
� Georgia Generations
How to ensure a successful transitionBy Martha Nolan McKenzie
Hospital Hometo
John is hospitalized following a stroke. Once his condition is stabilized, the hospitalist okays his discharge. His daughter picks him up from the hospital, receives hurried instruc-tions for care from the nurse, and takes John to his home. Neither John nor his daughter
notify his primary care physician of his hospitalization or new diagnosis, assuming the hospital has taken care of that. A few days later, the daughter flies back to her own home in another state. John is left with no plan for follow-up care, no in-home help and no under-standing of how to care for his condition. Soon his condition worsens and John is rehospitalized.
The above scenario is fictitious but alarmingly common. Having a loved one hospitalized is an unfa-miliar, stressful situation. Many times you and your loved one are so focused on getting better and get-ting out of the hospital that you don’t pause to consider what comes next. Yet, discharge from a hos-pital does not mean the patient is fully recovered — it just means he no longer needs hospital-level care.
A thoughtful, well-crafted discharge plan may mean the difference between continued recovery and rehospitalization. How will the patient’s condition be monitored once he is home? Does he understand how to take his medications, including new ones that were introduced in the hospital? Does he or his care-giver know the red flags that would indicate his condition is worsening? Has the necessary in-home care and equipment been put in place? Who can his caregiver call with questions or concerns?
Knowing the answers to these questions and more is critical for a smooth transition from hospital to home. However, in these days of shorter hospital
stays and understaffed facilities, discharge planning is often minimal at best. That means it’s up to the caregiver to be proactive, ask the right questions and insist on answers.
What is discharge planning?Medicare says discharge planning is “a process
used to decide what a patient needs for a smooth move from one level of care to another.” Only a phy-sician can authorize a discharge. The official discharge planner is often a nurse or social worker. However, it takes a multidisciplinary team to work out all the details of an effective discharge plan, according to Joyce Reid, director of Community Health Connections for the Georgia Hospital Associa-tion. Nurses, social workers, pharmacists, physical therapists, home health agencies and, perhaps most importantly, the caregiver can all play a role in craft-ing an effective plan of care.
“Discharge planning done in isolation is not effective,” says Andrea Stevenson, director of clini-cal development for Visiting Nurse/Hospice Atlanta. “You need to get all parties together as early in the process as possible. And you must look not only at the patient’s physical needs, but at his psychosocial needs as well. Does he have an adequate support system at home? Does he have the means to get to the doctor’s office for follow-up visits? Will he be iso-lated at home or will he have companionship? All these needs must be met or we’ll likely see him back in the hospital.”
G o i n G F r o m
Winter 2010 �
And all too often that’s just what happens. A full 20% of Medicare patients are readmitted to the hospital within 30 days of discharge, usually within just 7 to 8 days. Half of these patients have not seen their primary care physician for a follow-up visit before they are readmitted. About 42% of discharged patients have test results pending at the time of discharge, and 61% of physicians are unaware of the results of tests performed in the hospital.
In short, hospitals have lots of room for improvement when it comes to discharge planning.
Role of the caregiver in discharge planningIn discharge planning, as in most areas of health care,
the patient must assume more and more responsibility for his own care. Since elderly hospitalized patients are gener-ally not in the best position to shoulder this burden, it frequently falls to the caregiver.
Indeed, the caregiver can often give a more reasoned assessment of the patient’s situation than the patient him-self. “Many times, the patient just wants to get out, and he also can be afraid of losing his independence, so he tends to paint a rosier picture,” says Shirley Vazquez, director of
case management at Doctors Hospital in Columbus. “The caregiver, on the other hand, has a more realistic view of the patient’s capabilities. The patient might say, ‘I’ve been doing fine at home until this happened,’ but then the care-giver might say, ‘No, Mom. Remember, you were falling a lot and you hadn’t been eating.’”
Just as the caregiver needs to give a realistic assess-ment of the patient’s capabilities, she needs to be clear on what she can and cannot do for the patient. Chances are you have other responsibilities — a job, children or health problems of your own. If you are not going to be able to be available 24/7, let the discharge planner know that. You may not feel comfortable bathing your loved one. You may lack the physical strength to help with transfers. The discharge team needs to know what tasks you can and cannot do, so they can plan for any needed help.
“A discharge planner needs to be really clear about what expectations of the caregiver are realistic,” says Tim Young, coordinator of the Care Transitions program at Piedmont Hospital in Atlanta. “I handled a case where the man was hos-pitalized and he insisted his wife would be able to care for him at home. It turns out his wife had advanced dementia. It could have been a disaster if we had not discovered that.”
The caregiver also needs to make sure what is sup-posed to happen with a discharge plan does, in fact, happen.
� Georgia Generations
Discharge planning is supposed to begin on the day the patient is admitted to the hospital, but too often that is not the case. “Often post-discharge instructions are given quickly to the person picking the patient up as he is ushered out the door,” says Young. “That person may not even be the care-giver, and even if it is, remembering everything that is said in that rush is impossible.”
Instead, if the discharge planner does not introduce him-self early in the hospital stay, you need to go seek him out. Ask questions about your loved one’s condition, treatment and prognosis. Start watching how the nurses administer his care so you’ll be more prepared to take it over. Ask for train-ing on care techniques. The longer you have to prepare, the easier the transition will be.
Key elements of a discharge planWhile discharge plans are as unique as individual
patients, certain basic elements are necessary for any plan to ensure a safe transition from hospital to home:
Medication reconciliation. “When you look at why patients are readmitted to the hospital, many times it’s due to a problem with medication,” says Young. “Either they didn’t go and get new medications that were prescribed while they were in the hospital or they don’t take them correctly. Or a medica-
tion they were put on while in the hospital reacts adversely with a medication they were already taking. Medication recon-ciliation is a critical component of any discharge plan.”
This includes answering such questions as: If the patient was put on new medications in the hospital, how long should he take them? Does the medication have side effects? Should it be taken at meals or at certain times each day? Can it safely be taken with other medications the patient is using? Will low-cost generics work just as well?
Turn to page 15 of this issue for a Medication Manage-ment Form that can help you organize your loved one’s medication information.
Physician visit. Ideally, a patient should see his pri-mary care physician within five to seven days of discharge. “Studies have shown that visiting their physician within seven days of leaving the hospital helps the patient and care-giver understand and manage the condition and results in improved outcomes,” says Reid.
In fact, a post-discharge doctor’s visit is so important that
Piedmont Hospital is participating in a pilot study, BOOST (Better Outcomes for Older Adults Through Safe Transitions), in which a hospital staff member will actually make the doctor’s appointment before the patient is discharged. “They make sure everyone knows about the appointment — the patient and the caregiver,” says Stevenson. “Then we, as the home health pro-vider, also follow up to make sure that the patient was able to get to the appointment. I think we will see over time that this is an effective way to prevent hospital readmissions.”
Even before that doctor’s visit, however, the caregiver should notify the patient’s primary care physician about the hospitalization. Many people assume the hospital keeps the physicians apprised, but that’s not necessarily the case. “Although hospitals have a mechanism in place where infor-mation goes to a primary care physician, oftentimes the primary care physician is not aware that the patient has been in the hospital,” says Reid. “And even if information is sent to a primary care physician, it may not get to any of the special-ists the patient sees.”
Once again, caregivers should be proactive, alerting physi-cians about the hospitalization, keeping them updated and making sure they get the results of any hospital tests.
red flags. The patient and/or caregiver need to under-stand the red flags that would indicate the patient’s condition is worsening and what to do in that event. The caregiver should get a written copy of these red flags upon discharge.
contact nuMber. “Everyone discharged from a hospi-tal should be sent home with a phone number they can call 24/7,” says Nancy Morrison, director of the Sixty-Plus Older Adult Services at Piedmont Hospital. “Caregivers need to make sure they know who they can call when they have questions or concerns — because they will have questions and concerns.”
Personal health record. This is a tool the patient manages that captures key health care information (all with phone numbers), such as their primary care physician, spe-cialists, pharmacy, home health agency, community services (like Meals on Wheels), advanced directives, medical history, immunizations, red flags (see above) and medication list, including dose, reason and start date. “The patient should take this record to every doctor appointment,” says Steven-son. “Ideally, the doctor would already have all this information, but with patients seeing multiple physicians, you can’t take that for granted.”
Going home or to a facilityIf the patient will be going back to his home once he is
discharged, he may need additional equipment or services to support him. He may need help with personal care (bathing, eating, dressing, toileting), household care (cooking, clean-ing, laundry, shopping), health care (medication management, physical therapy, injections, medical equip-ment and techniques) and/or emotional care (companionship, conversation).
The discharge planner can help you identify which ser-vices the patient will need and identify community resources
“ When…patients are readmitted to the hospital, many times it’s due to a problem with medication.”
Winter 2010 �
that can meet those needs. It is best to have the services and equipment in place before the patient comes home, but all these decisions involve evaluating the choices — if you are going to use a home health aide, do you want to hire an indi-vidual directly or go through an agency? If you need to modify the bath, what options are available? If you need a ramp, who will install it? The more time you have to weigh these choices, the more informed your decisions can be, which is another reason to start the discharge planning pro-cess as early as possible.
Once you are home, if there are any snags, let the discharge planner know. “Sometimes we set things up in advance, but then they don’t show up like they are supposed to,” says Vazquez. “The equipment might not arrive in time or the thera-pist might not show up. If that happens, it’s important to call us and let us know. It’s much easier to call and get help than it is to go back to the ER and get treatment.”
If the patient is being discharged into rehab or a nursing home, the planning process is a bit different. For one thing, you have to decide on a facility, which can be stressful in the best of times and overwhelming if done in a rush. You may simply be given a list of nearby facilities, but you’ll want to evaluate the quality of care they offer. Ask if a social worker can help you sort through the options. You can also consult with a geriatric care manager. These managers charge an hourly fee, but they keep up with the quality of local facilities, which ones have waiting lists or which ones have problems. (To find a geriatric care manager, contact the National Association of Geriatric Care Managers at 520-881-8008 or www.caremanager.org.)
As a caregiver, you still need to be involved to ensure continuity of care. Make sure the facility receives the cur-rent list of medications, test results, condition update, etc. And keep asking questions. “You need to understand what
Patients and family caregivers should take this list along when meeting with hospital staff to review discharge instructions. Understanding
those instructions and knowing what to expect are essential to your loved one’s recovery.
Follow-up care:
Ask where you will get care after you go home. Ask your care providers to explain options and be sure they understand your wishes.
Make a list of doctors with contact information to call with questions or problems.
Make all follow-up medical appointments prior to leaving the hospital.
Schedule any tests.
Your health condition:
What are the “red flags” (signs and symptoms) of the illness? What should you do if you have these symptoms? When should you seek emergency care? When should you seek urgent care? When should you seek routine care?
Medication instructions:
Have you informed your care provider about every medicine, including over-the-counter, that was taken before, during and after your hospital stay?
Do you understand why you are taking each medicine? Are you aware of the possible side effects? Do you know how to take your medicines? Do you know who to call with questions? Do you know where you will fill and whether or not you can pay for
your prescriptions?
Medical equipment for your home:
Do you know what medical equipment you may need? Who will deliver the equipment? When will it be delivered? Will the equipment require training, and if so, who will provide it? Who should you call if you have problems with the equipment?
For family members or other caregivers:
Do you understand what help the patient will need from you and others?
Have the discharge instructions been explained to you? Do you understand them?
Are you able to provide the help needed by the patient? If you are not available, what are the other options? Do you know about resources for you — the caregiver? If not, ask. Have you received the necessary instructions for any of the tasks
you will need to carry out? If not, is there a plan in place for you to receive this instruction?
Written discharge instructions:
Have the written discharge instructions been explained to you, including: Red flag signs and symptoms of the condition (what to look out for)? Who to contact with questions/concerns? When and where to follow up? The medicines you will take following discharge? Instructions for medical equipment? Contact information for home health care or other aftercare
services? When you should seek emergency care? Where you will keep your discharge information? Bring written discharge information to any follow-up medical visit.
Discharge Checklist for Patients and Caregivers
type of care the patient is going to receive at the facility,” says Reid. “Who is going to be in charge of his care in the facility? Who can you contact with questions? How long will he likely need to stay?”
There is often a lot of pressure to discharge the patient as soon as possible — the hospital needs to free the bed and the patient wants to go home. However, if you feel your loved one is not well enough to be discharged, or you feel you are not ready to take care of him, you can appeal the decision. By law, the hospital must let you know how to appeal and explain what will happen. Make sure the hospital provides you with contact information for the local Quality Improvement Organi-zation (QIO) that reviews such appeals.
Who pays for care after discharge?Unless you have a specific long-term care policy (which
very few people do), insurance may not pay for services and items that are needed at home unless they are deemed “medically necessary.” The discharge planner or social worker can help you decipher what things will and will not be covered.
“We try to keep up with the laws and stay current on what
Medicare and Medicaid will cover,” says Vazquez. “And we try to give people affordable options. For example, insurance may not cover an elevated toilet seat, but you can buy one at Walmart for $14.99. On the other hand, if you want to get a hospital bed but the patient does not have a diagnosis that will justify it, we’ll warn you that this expense will not be covered.”
Even if someone tells you that Medicare or other insur-ance won’t pay, check it out yourself through your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (the Georgia SHIP is GeorgiaCares at 1-800-669-8387) or the Medicare Rights Center (212-869-3850 or www.medicarerights.org).
You may have to deal with different agencies and insur-ance companies in your quest to have services covered. It’s a good idea to keep a notebook and jot down the date, time, name of the person with whom you spoke and what was dis-cussed each time you have a conversation.
Improving the systemEfforts are underway nationwide to improve the fractured,
inconsistent nature of discharge planning. In Georgia, the Georgia Medical Care Foundation — the Medicare Quality Improvement Organization for the state — is piloting several Care Transitions programs in an effort to improve care transi-tions and reduce rehospitalizations.
Piedmont Hospital received funding for an 18-month dem-onstration project in partnership with Visiting Nurse/Hospice Atlanta. “We are investing in electronic medical records to help with medication reconciliation,” says Young. “We realized discharge planners often underutilized home health agencies as a resource, so we had an educational push to make them aware of the appropriateness of those referrals. We developed red flags around many different health conditions — conges-tive heart failure, diabetes, stroke, etc. We divide them into yellow (call your physician) and red (go to the ER).”
Piedmont is partnering with the Atlanta Regional Com-mission on the final phase of its demonstration project, which focuses on community education. “We need to educate the older adult about how to negotiate the health care system of today, which is so different than the health care system of the past,” says Morrison.
In another pilot project, the Northeast Georgia Aging and Disability Resource Connection (ADRC) in Athens is sending an ADRC specialist to Newton Medical Center weekly to counsel targeted patients and families who are getting ready to leave the hospital. “We talk to them about what kind of options are available to help them,” says Cheryl Harris, ADRC program coordinator for Georgia DHR Division of Aging Ser-vices. “Then we’ll make a follow-up call or visit at 30 to 60 days to find out what the impact of that counseling was. We are very excited about this project and our hope is to repli-cate this statewide.”
In the meantime, you as caregiver need to take an active role in the discharge process. “You have to speak up and make sure you and your loved one don’t fall through the cracks,” says Vazquez. GG
What You Should Know About Rehab
Your family member may have been referred to rehab after being in a hospital due to illness, injury or surgery. Rehabilitation (or simply
“rehab”) is treatment to help patients regain all or some of the movement and function lost because of current health problems.
Patients often work with two or more rehab services. These include physical therapy (PT), occupational therapy (OT), speech therapy and psychological counseling (or simply “counseling”).
You will find that things are done differently in rehab than in a hospital. In general, you will find rehab a “workout” atmosphere rather than a place for sick people.
Here are five important points to remember: The goal of rehab is to help patients be independent — doing as
much for themselves as they can. Rehab is done with a patient, not to a patient. Your family
member must be willing and able to work with rehab services during active treatment and, later, with caregivers or by themselves at home.
The patient’s chronic (long-term) health conditions, such as high blood pressure or cholesterol, are treated during rehab, but they are not the reason the patient is in rehab.
Most rehab services last weeks, not months. Most insurance policies cover rehab when ordered by a doctor,
but there will probably be extra costs. Excerpted from www.nextstepincare.org
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4.5.
� Georgia Generations
As the holiday season ends, family members may have been
together more than usual. Often at this time, adult children become aware of changes in their senior loved ones. This is a good opportu-nity to take inventory. What can you do? First, communicate. Sit down with the family and learn what the elders’ desires and plans are for the future. If they become very frail, where will they live? What kind of resources or finances do they have? Do they have proper end-of-life documents in order? Who will be the responsible party if they become incapacitated?
In many cases, the elderly are not very aware of their needs because they have
developed gradually. Check their pantry and refrigerator. Are they drinking enough liquid? Do they know what medications
they take, and what they are for? Are they steady on their feet? Are their bills being paid on time? Watch especially for malnourishment and depression.
It is very important to plan ahead. Most nursing home placements occur because a crisis has arisen and decisions are made quickly and by different individu-als. Begin the new year by checking with your elderly loved ones. There is a lot of help available. Call your AAA to find resources.
For other information, call the AAA of Northwest Georgia at 706-802-5506 or toll-free 1-800-759-2963.
NORThWeST GeORGiA eNCOMPASSeS TheSe COuNTieS: Bartow, Catoosa, Chattooga, Dade, Fannin, Floyd, Gilmer, Gordon, Haralson, Murray, Paulding, Pickens, Polk, Walker, Whitfield
Northwest�Georgia
Winter 2010 �
Planning with your older loved ones
A Look at Area Agencieson Aging Around GeorgiaIn communities across the country, Area
Agencies on Aging (AAAs) serve as gateways to
local resources, planning efforts and services
that help older adults remain independent.
On the following pages are the programs and
services offered by Georgia’s AAAs.
NorthwestGeorgia
AtlantaRegionalCommission
SouthernCrescent
legacylink
NortheastGeorgia
CentralSavannahRiver
MiddleGeorgia
SouthwestGeorgia Southeast
Georgia
heart ofGeorgiaAltamaha Coastal
Georgia
lowerChattahoochee
NorthwestGeorgia
AtlantaRegionalCommission
SouthernCrescent
legacylink
NortheastGeorgia
CentralSavannahRiver
MiddleGeorgia
lowerChattahoochee
SouthwestGeorgia Southeast
Georgia
heart ofGeorgiaAltamaha Coastal
Georgia
Covers a 15-county area surrounding Rome, Dallas, Dalton, Cartersville
Emily McCoy Wilson is delighted to visit her 90-year-old aunt, Laverne Dyer of Knoxville, Tennessee, and find her living independently and in good health.
For years, family members have been on their own to navigate the “unchart-
ed” caregiver role, providing care to a loved one at home. The isolation some caregivers experience frequently goes unnoticed by friends and neighbors, who are busy with their own lives. Until recently, most caregivers accepted this lonely role as a burden to bear in silence.
In October 2007, the Georgia Depart-ment of Human Services Division of Aging Services and the UGA Cooperative Extension Service teamed up to offer family members an evidence-based program called “Powerful Tools for Caregivers.” This program delivers on its title, giving family caregivers “tools” that empower them and restore their ability to be in control rather than controlled by their situation. The more than 30 “tools” provided in the program assist caregivers in making tough decisions, improving communication skills, expressing their feelings, asking for help and taking care of themselves.
In addition, the classes bring caregivers together in an accepting environment, reminding them that they are not alone in the task of caregiving. They can thrive and not just survive. Help is available to those
who are living the marathon of 24/7 caregiving. The six-week program, developed by Legacy Health Systems, has now been taught in over 30 states with statistically significant results. Satisfied caregivers in Georgia have commented: “The most important thing I gained from participating in ‘Powerful Tools’ was:
affirmation about taking care of myself,
that I am not alone; there are things
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I can change and my emotions are normal;
a caregiver must not lose his or her identity;
learning to express myself without feeling overwhelmed and intimi-dated by
the medical commu-nity and my own lack of knowledge.”
Since the introduction of “Powerful Tools” in Georgia two years ago, new partners include the Georgia Area Agencies on Aging (G4A) and the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregiving.
The “Powerful Tools” program has been hosted by assisted-living facilities, human resource departments, community groups, hospitals, faith-based organizations and caregiver support groups — to name a few. Most sessions are held for a nominal cost, which covers the cost of a resource guide, The Caregiver Helpbook, materials and light refreshments. Class sessions can be taught in 2½ hours or a 90-minute condensed version. Each class contains a maximum of 15 participants and is led by two trained class leaders. To date, over 200 caregivers have benefited from this program.
The “Powerful Tools” program is now being offered in every region of Georgia. For additional information about locating a class, scheduling a class or becoming a class leader, contact your Area Agency on Aging (AAA) or Mary Lou Vergara, care-giver program coordinator for the Atlanta Regional Commission, at 404-463-3524 or [email protected].
ATlANTA ReGiONAl COMMiSSiON eNCOMPASSeS TheSe COuNTieS: Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry, Rockdale
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10 Georgia Generations
Atlanta�Regional�CommissionCovers a 10-county area surrounding Atlanta
“Powerful Tools” given to Georgia caregivers
Cherokee County Cherokee County Senior Services, 770-345-5312
Clayton County Clayton County Aging Program, 770-603-4050
Cobb County Cobb Senior Services, 770-528-5364
DeKalb County Office of Senior Affairs, 770-322-2950
Douglas County Douglas Senior Services, 770-489-3100
Fayette County Fayette Senior Services, 770-461-0813
Fulton County Fulton County Aging Program, 404-730-6000
Gwinnett County Gwinnett County Senior Services, 678-377-4150
henry County Henry County Senior Services, 770-288-7001
Rockdale County Rockdale County Senior Services, 770-278-7230
™
if you need caregiving information, contact an AgeWise Connection partner:
Atlanta Regional Commission, 404-463-3333 www.agewiseconnection.com
Powerful Tools for Caregivers
n Class Leadersn Master Trainers
The Kinship Care Program in Stewart and Muscogee counties enjoyed a
great field trip to PAWS Humane in Columbus. PAWS Humane is a nonprofit organization that focuses on bringing people and animals together through adoption and fostering programs for our cuddly friends. The River Valley Regional Commission Area Agency on Aging had approximately 25 grandparents and grandchildren in attendance for this fun-filled day. Transportation was provided so that all of the members could attend.
While at PAWS, the group learned how to approach a dog they’ve never met before. The presenter, along with a very large but sweet Great Dane named Ramsey, provided hands-on (or paws-on) demonstrations. The children took turns
testing their new skills on Ramsey, and then they took a tour of the facility to see all the animals that were available for adoption in the shelter. After all the morning excitement, it was lunchtime — so the group loaded up the bus and
headed for Cooper Creek Park to enjoy a picnic-style lunch, located conveniently next to the play-ground for the kids.
The grandparents had a wonderful time with their fellow Kinship Care friends. We are hoping to make this outing an annual affair. Even though state funding for Kinship Care has been eliminated, it remains a priority service for the River Valley AAA. We are grooming participants to take a leadership role, which comes naturally for these special caregivers.
For more information regarding our services and programs, please call
River Valley AAA at 1-866-55-AGING.
RiVeR VAlleY eNCOMPASSeS TheSe COuNTieS: Chattahoochee, Clay, Crisp, Dooly, Harris, Macon, Marion, Muscogee, Quitman, Randolph, Schley, Stewart, Sumter, Talbot, Taylor, Webster
River�ValleyCovers a 16-county area surrounding Columbus, Americus, Butler, Montezuma, Cuthbert
Kinship field trip
Winter 2010 11
Northeast�GeorgiaCovers a 12-county area surrounding Athens, Winder, Monroe, Covington, Madison
Seniors involved in the Greene County Senior Center’s Kinship Care Program
participated in an introductory computer class conducted by Athens Technical College in June–July 2009. The program director worked diligently with Brenda Moody, director of corporate customer relations, and Jerry Barrow, vice president of economic development at Athens Technical College, to secure the training. Using Family Caregiver Support Funds provided through the Northeast Georgia Area Agency on Aging, the director was able to pay for five grandparents to participate in three computer sessions at the Greene County campus of Athens Technical College.
Seniors learned how to look up information on the Internet and create
emails as well as Word documents. So that seniors could practice what they learned, the Greene County Senior Center had a computer available for use while at the center. Upon completing the class, each grandparent received a certificate of completion.
In addition to the computer class, the grandparents also had the opportu-nity to work with some children from the Greensboro Elementary School in a recipe swap and food-tasting project conducted at the Greene County campus of Athens Technical College.
The Greene County Kinship Care Program continues to improve the health and well-being of the grandparents in the county. They offer educational sessions and
a monthly support group that allows grandparents to discuss problems and issues they are having with their grandchildren.
For further information, contact the Northeast Georgia AAA, 305 Research Drive, Athens, GA 30605; 706-583-2546 or 1-800-474-7540.
NORTheAST GeORGiA eNCOMPASSeS TheSe COuNTieS: Barrow, Clarke, Elbert, Greene, Jackson, Jasper, Madison, Morgan, Newton, Oconee, Oglethorpe, Walton
Grandparents learn how to use computers
Grandparents in front row: Rosa Willis (left), Jessie Lawrence (center), Martha Moody (right) and Brenda Moody (teacher standing up). Grandparents in back row: Bridie Reid (left) and Grace Cummings (right).
Grandparents and grandchildren learn how to approach dogs during a trip to PAWS Humane in Columbus.
Southern�GeorgiaCovers an 18-county area surrounding Waycross, Valdosta, Tifton, Douglas, Folkston
1� Georgia Generations
In these difficult economic times, many agencies are coordinating fundraisers to
guarantee the continuation of essential services. The Bacon County Senior Center, located in Alma, recently had the same idea.
The seniors, led by director Chris Williams, coordinated the sale of dinner plates to raise money for meals. The fundraiser was the first of its kind at the Bacon County facility and was such a big success that it has inspired other centers to plan their own events.
According to Williams, “A total of $1,300 was raised through the sale of dinners, $800 from spaghetti plates and $500 from ham plates. The senior center activity fund received $300, and the remaining $1,000 will be donated to the
Southern Georgia Area Agency on Aging to purchase meals for seniors.”
Southern Georgia AAA staff members were so impressed by the efforts of the Bacon County group that they decided to place new emphasis on AAA fundraising activities. “When we saw what the Bacon County Senior Center had accomplished, we felt motivated to do our part,” says Wanda Taft, director of aging services. “Because of the recent downturn in the economy, funding has become uncertain. We must all do what we can to ensure
that older adults receive the vital services they need and deserve.”
For more information, call the Southern Georgia AAA at 1725 South Georgia Parkway West, Waycross, GA 31503; 912-285-6097 or toll-free 1-888-732-4464.
SOuTheRN GeORGiA eNCOMPASSeS TheSe COuNTieS: Atkinson, Bacon, Ben Hill, Berrien, Brantley, Brooks, Charlton, Clinch, Coffee, Cook, Echols, Irwin, Lanier, Lowndes, Pierce, Tift, Turner, Ware
Seniors raise money for meals
Heart�of�Georgia�Altamaha
Martha Price Thompson of Vidalia was
recognized at the Annual Georgia Older Worker Network Luncheon, part of the Georgia Gerontology Society Conference, as the Heart of Georgia Altamaha Older Worker of the Year and Employer of the Year. She then received the honor of being selected as Georgia’s Older Worker of the Year. This is her 61st anniversary as a professional florist and accomplished organist.
In May 2008, the Vidalia Advance recognized Thompson’s 60th career anniversary by writing, “Martha, 82,
recently celebrated her 60th career anniversary as owner and operator of Pearl Price Florist in Vidalia. The florist shop, founded in 1948 and named after her mother, is where Martha continues to work more than full-time, supervising a staff, planning wed-dings, and ordering
flowers and floral supplies. Five members of her staff range in age from 52 to 87, and have been with her for 40 years each.”
Martha worked her way through Bessie Tift College in the 1940s as a concert
organist. She played for USO shows on the “Mighty Mo” pipe organ at Atlanta’s Fox Theatre. She has played for weddings and special events at Savannah’s Christ Church, Bull Street Baptist, St. John the Baptist and Washington’s National Cathedral. Martha worked on the Fox Foundation, which raised money to save the Fox Theatre in Atlanta. Since 1942, Martha has graciously sent a monthly USO or Red Cross package to a serviceman or servicewoman abroad.
Congratulations, Ms. Thompson — you have served your community well!
For information about other programs, contact Heart of Georgia Altamaha RC, 331 W. Parker St., Baxley, GA 31513; 912-367-3648 or toll-free 1-888-367-9913.
heART OF GeORGiA eNCOMPASSeS TheSe COuNTieS: Appling, Bleckley, Candler, Dodge, Emanuel, Evans, Jeff Davis, Johnson, Laurens, Montgomery, Tattnall, Telfair, Toombs, Treutlen, Wayne, Wheeler, Wilcox
Thompson named Georgia’s Older Worker of the Year
Covers a 17-county area surrounding Baxley, Dublin, Vidalia, Jesup, Swainsboro
Andy Thompson and his mother, Martha Price Thompson, Georgia’s Older Worker of the Year.
Participants at the Bacon County Senior Center in Alma hold hearts as part of a promotion to encourage Georgia legislators to restore senior meal programs impacted by state budget cuts.
Southern�CrescentCovers a 10-county area surrounding Franklin, Newnan, laGrange, Griffin, Carrollton
The “Live Healthy Georgia” summit sponsored by the Division of Aging
held its 12th annual conference June 2–4 in Augusta, and Susan Burdett, the director of the Grantville Senior Center, received the State Outstanding Senior Center Director Award. This was the second year that the award was given, and Burdett was also nominated for the award last year.
In Burdett’s accept-ance speech, she thanked her seniors, saying, “We are a small town located in southern Coweta County, and resources
aren’t always easy to come by — however, the seniors pull together to make their program the best it can be.” The region
has a very diverse group of seniors, but every single one of them plays a very impor-tant role to the point where it truly feels like a family.
Burdett was nominated for her innovation and “go-getter” attitude. She has continued to advocate for her seniors both at the local level and at the State Capitol in Atlanta. When financial resources were cut, there were major fundraisers
to assist the program. The senior center acquired a van for transportation, with no funding to sustain it — so the seniors have
raised money to pay the insurance, gas and upkeep on the vehicle. Numerous other fundraisers, such as the “Womanless Wedding,” yard sales, spaghetti dinners, quilt raffles, bingo, fish fries and various crafts sales, have been held by the Grantville Senior Center. The craft group makes dolls for the police department, which are used to calm children in cases of domestic issues. The seniors also grow and maintain produce and flowers on the senior center property.
For additional information, contact the Southern Crescent AAA, P.O. Box 1600, Franklin, GA 30217-1600; 706-675-6721, 770-854-6026 or toll-free 1-866-854-5652.
SOuTheRN CReSCeNT eNCOMPASSeS TheSe COuNTieS: Butts, Carroll, Coweta, Heard, Lamar, Meriwether, Pike, Spalding, Troup, Upson
Burdett receives State Outstanding Senior Center Director Award
Winter 2010 13
Legacy�LinkCovers a 13-county area surrounding Gainesville, Cumming, Clarkesville, Toccoa, hiawassee
The Legacy Link Senior Community Service Employment Program recently
sponsored a “Clothes Closet” and in-service training day in Rome for over 85 trainees. Clothes suitable for job inter-views and the workplace were donated by businesses and individuals and put on display as would be shown in a retail store. All trainees were able to “shop” (at no cost) from the inventory, and a style show was a part of the program.
The Senior Community Service & Employment Program (SCSEP) is funded by federal Department of Labor monies and designed to give mature workers age 55-plus on-the-job training and help with re-entry into the workplace. Trainees are assigned to local public and private nonprofit agencies in Georgia,
including court systems, libraries, schools, Humane Societies, Habitat for Humanity and senior centers.
Participants are of great help to local governments and agencies while receiving training at those worksites.
Legacy Link receives training funds from the National Council on Aging to operate the program in 23 counties across northern Georgia.
Victoria Norman of the National Council on Aging in Washington, DC, visited the event in Rome. She discussed the goals of the SCSEP and answered many questions about the program.
In addition to the “Clothes Closet” shopping, a talent show was held with trainees displaying all manner of talent. Job skills are not their only talents!
For information about possible enrollment and participation in the Legacy Link Senior Community Service & Employment Program, call 770-538-2650 or toll-free 1-800-845-LINK.
leGACY liNK eNCOMPASSeS TheSe COuNTieS: Banks, Dawson, Forsyth, Franklin, Habersham, Hall, Hart, Lumpkin, Rabun, Stephens, Towns, Union, White
“Clothes Closet” event a big success
Attendees look through business-style clothes at a recent “Clothes Closet” and in-service training day.
Susan Burdett, Grantville Senior Center director, and Joy Shirley, SCAAA director.
1� Georgia Generations
Central�Savannah�RiverCovers a 14-county area surrounding Augusta, Thomson, Martinez/evans, Waynesboro, Sandersville
I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream…! There was lots of scream-
ing about ice cream at the Sylvania Senior Center when they learned that they were selected as one of 1,500 nationwide winners in the Edy’s Ice Cream Neighbor-hood Salute. The winning essay was written and submitted by center director Cathy Forehand on behalf of her senior participants. Cathy wrote that the seniors in Sylvania are “slow-churned” and aged to perfection just like the ice cream but that, like the younger crowd, they still enjoy a cold treat on a hot summer day.
As a winning entry, the Sylvania Senior Center received enough ice cream and supplies to feed over 100 people. To help them celebrate, the center participants invited members of the community, including
neighboring personal care homes, volunteers and businesses that support their wellness programs. Because the seniors recognize
that no ice cream party is complete without kids, they also invited their grandchildren. It was a day of intergenerational celebration as they all ate from a wide variety of flavors, such as Edy’s newest “Red, White & No More Blues.” It’s good to know that the wellness message was not lost in all the fun, as the featured treat was also calcium-rich!
If you would like to learn more about this annual contest, please log on to http://edys.neighborhoodsalute.com.
For more information, contact the CSRA AAA at 706-210-2018, 1-888-922-4464, or www.areaagencyonaging.com.
CeNTRAl SAVANNAh RiVeR eNCOMPASSeS TheSe COuNTieS: Burke, Columbia, Glascock, Hancock, Jefferson, Jenkins, Lincoln, McDuffie, Richmond, Screven, Taliaferro, Warren, Washington, Wilkes
Senior center wins ice cream treat
Sally Holloway, Sylvania Senior Center employee, proudly displays the delicious and generous assortment of Edy’s ice cream.
Southwest�GeorgiaCovers a 14-county area surrounding Albany, Bainbridge, Moultrie, Thomasville
People who live in long-term care facilities like personal care homes or
nursing homes can be vulnerable because of their medical conditions or diminished mental abilities. While some people in such homes have no family to look out for them, many have family caregivers or friends who are trying to make sure they receive the best possible care.
At times, problems or issues with the facility’s staff or policies can arise, having a detrimental effect on the resident. Family members may want to act on their loved one’s behalf but have uncertainty about what to do or how to proceed. There may be a concern about the consequences of talking to someone about the problem.
Talking to an ombudsman can bring a satisfactory resolution to the situation. The
word “ombudsman” is a Swedish word meaning “representative.” An ombudsman listens to the problem and represents the interests of the person making the complaint to investigate the situation and find a solution.
In Southwest Georgia, the ombudsmen are trained and certified, and may be contacted through the SOWEGA Council on Aging at 229-432-1131. They treat all reports in a confidential manner, and they are the go-to people when caregivers or residents have concerns about care in a licensed facility. Please don’t hesitate to call!
For further information, contact the Southwest Georgia Area Agency on Aging at 229-432-1124 or toll-free 1-800-282-6612.
SOuThWeST GeORGiA eNCOMPASSeS TheSe COuNTieS: Baker, Calhoun, Colquitt, Decatur, Dougherty, Early, Grady, Lee, Miller, Mitchell, Seminole, Terrell, Thomas, Worth
Ombudsmen — a resource for caregivers
Ombudsmen are the go-to people when caregivers or residents have concerns about their facility.
Coastal�GeorgiaCovers a 9-county area surrounding Brunswick and Savannah
Coastal Regional Coaches will now provide affordable and economical
on-demand, advance-reservation public transportation for anyone, for any purpose, and to any destination within the rural areas of Coastal Georgia. Those in the Coastal region can just call 1-866-543-6744, 24 hours in advance, to schedule a ride. (Unfortunately, the service is not yet available in Bulloch County.) For many people in the region’s rural communi-ties, this new service will increase access to health care, shopping, education, employ-ment, public services and even recreation.
“We are excited to be able to kick off this program,” says Barbara Hurst, transportation director at the Coastal Regional Commission. “Lack of transpor-tation services has always been identified
as an issue, especially for our seniors.”
A one-way fare on the rural public transit system within the rider’s county of residence is $3 (or $6 round-trip). If a rider travels outside their county of residence, the cost is an additional $3 for each county boundary crossed. (For example, a rider from McIntosh County traveling to Liberty County will pay $6 one-way, $12 round-trip.) Brand-new, ADA-compliant shuttle vans have been purchased to comprise the fleet.
For more information about the Regional Rural Public Transit Program, contact Barbara at [email protected] or 912-262-2830.
For further information, contact the Coastal Georgia Area Agency on Aging at 1-800-580-6860.
COASTAl GeORGiA eNCOMPASSeS TheSe COuNTieS: Bryan, Bulloch, Camden, Chatham, Effingham, Glynn, Liberty, Long, McIntosh
Coastal Regional Coaches rolls out in style
Individuals needing public transportation within most rural areas of Coastal Georgia will ride on Coastal Regional Coaches’ new shuttle vans, pictured above.
Medication Management Form
This form allows you to keep track of all important information about your loved one’s medications. Update the form anytime a doctor prescribes new medications, removes a drug or changes a dosage. Always have it with you when you meet with your family member’s doctors or nurses.
Patient Name: ____________________________ Date of Birth: ____________ Pharmacy Name/Phone: _____________________________________
Name of Medication Dosage What time to take Why take it? Prescribed by
Over-the-Counter Medications Allergy relief, antihistamines Antacids Aspirin / other relief for pain, headache or fever Cold / cough medicines
Herbals, dietary supplements Laxatives Sleeping pills Vitamins, minerals
Other (list medications) _________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Excerpted from www.nextstepincare.org
SponsorsThanks to these Georgia companies and organizations for their generous support
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management organization serving aging, vulnerable and chronically ill people. Please visit our Web site at www.evercarehealthplans.com or call 1-800-634-0127 for more information.
GeorgiaCaresGeorgiaCares is a private public partnership that assists Medicare beneficiaries with health insurance
questions and Medicare problems. GeorgiaCares also seeks to enroll all eligible Medicare beneficiaries in all low-cost prescription assistance programs. For assistance please call 1-800-669-8387.
Georgia Council on AgingThe Georgia Council on Aging advocates on behalf of older Georgians and their families. For more information, please visit
the Web site at www.gcoa.org
Good Measure Meals
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Less than $20 daily for 3 meals. See the 5-week menu at www.goodmeasuremeals.com or call 404-815-7695.
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respite, professional nursing and more in the home, hospital, or residence. Call 1-800-558-2797 or visit www.ResCareHomeCare.com
SecureHorizons®
SecureHorizons® by United Healthcare is
dedicated to providing quality health care coverage to people with Medicare. As an innovative leader in the health and well-being industry, we pair outstand-ing clinical insight with consumer-friendly services and advanced technology to help seniors achieve optimal health. Please call 1-800-555-5757 for more information.
1� Georgia Generations
The Thanks Mom and Dad Fund® honors those who inspired our lives by supporting aging programs and services for older adults.
Grants are made to aging programs throughout Georgia such as home-delivered meals, adult day care, transportation and other vital services.
To make a gift and honor someone special, call 1-800-676-2433 for more information.
How can I help?
Georgia Generations is published and supported by Georgia’s Area Agencies on Aging.
Additional circulation support is provided by the generous sponsors listed here. For more information on becoming a sponsor of Georgia Generations, please call 404-463-3222.
