Need to Know
What do you need to age well?
The Athens Community Council on Aging (ACCA) wants to know what specific services and programs local older adults want or need to age well. To that end, they have developed a short online survey that will take about 15 minutes to complete.
“This survey empowers us to tailor our services today and years ahead to the unique needs and aspirations of our community,” said Eve Anthony, President/CEO at ACCA.
The survey will be available online at www.accaging.org and in print at various local businesses, senior living facilities, publications, and ACCA locations. The questionnaire mostly covers topics related to recreational and wellness offerings but also includes questions related to general support needed to age well. All responses will remain confidential, and participants have the option to remain anonymous.
Older adults, their families, and caregivers are encouraged to participate, as their insights will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of aging services in Athens. The survey will remain open until February 15th, and results will be analyzed by a dedicated team of professionals to inform future programs and resource development with ACCA. For further information about the survey or to access the questionnaire, please visit www.accaging.org or contact Jenna Kopp at jkopp@accaging.org or 706-549-4850.
2024 legislation
CO-AGE, the Georgia Council on Aging (GCOA) advocacy, arm is requesting the following legislation for the February session:
- $10 million in funding for Home and Community Based Services, which provide support for older Georgians to remain at home as long as possible by providing home modifications, personal assistance, meals, transportation, and other services.
- All judicial districts be required to create multidisciplinary teams for coordination of local resources and response for adult abuse, neglect and exploitation.
- A Medical Aid in Dying law that would allow older Georgians with a terminal diagnosis to choose a path that enables them to die with dignity.
In addition, GCOA has filed a public comment in opposition to proposed Department of Community Health rules that would, it says, undermine the current staffing standards by decreasing the requirement that there be two workers always on duty in a Memory Care Center.
Medicare fraud
Scammers are posing as Medicare representatives, calling beneficiaries, and offering to send new, plastic Medicare cards. Remember, Medicare will never call you to ask for your Medicare number; if someone does, hang up and call your local Senior Medicare Patrol at 877-272-8720 or stopmedicarefraud.org.
Good to Know
A guide for solo seniors
The National Council on Aging (NCOA) has published a comprehensive guide to Resources and Support for Older Adults Living Alone. It includes a wide variety of practical tips and recommendations such as:
- Suggestions for living independently and thriving without becoming lonely
- Examples of how to age in place using in-home assistance and technology
- Little-known resources like the NCOA’s own BenefitsCheckUp tool that helps older adults identify their potential eligibility for benefits and programs.
- Actionable home modification ideas to ensure safety
Reading materials in an accessible format
The Georgia Library Service for the blind and print disabled has over 100,00 accessible books and magazines. This is a free braille and talking book library service for those who are blind or have other visual or physical impairments. For more information, call 800-248-6701 or go to gls.georgialibraries.org.
Fun to Do
OCAF fundraiser
Novel Art, Chapter 2 – a “fusion” of literary and visual art – will be on display at the Oconee Cultural Arts Foundation in Watkinsville Jan. 12 – Feb. 10. This is an art exhibit that celebrates a new cozy mystery, “Skeleton in the Art Closet,” by local author Gail Karwoski. She will give a talk at the opening reception on Jan. 12 from 5 to 7 p.m. The characters in the book are loosely inspired by painters in her watercolor group. Paintings, books, and prints will be on sale, with proceeds from the book to benefit OCAF.
Athens Wine Weekend
Athens Wine Weekend returns to The Classic Center Feb. 2 – 4. The three-day event includes food and wine tastings, seminars, a gourmet dinner, and a wine brunch. This is the largest fundraiser of the year for The Classic Center Cultural Foundation, which awards over $60,000 in grants and educational scholarships. For ticket information, go to classiccenter.com.
Outpace Parkinson’s
The 2024 5K to benefit Parkinson’s research—Outpace Parkinson’s 9– is scheduled to take place on April 6, at Sandy Creek Park, reports Jack Armistead, race chair. This year’s event will also honor Jane Armistead, who died last August after her long struggle with Parkinson’s. The Armistead’s started the race to raise money for Team Fox, a collaborative involving thousands of people around the world.
Donors of $250 to $3,000 are recognized as sponsors and all donations go to the Michael J. Fox Foundation’s research to find a cure and improve the lives of those living with Parkinson’s today. For more information, go to pdathens.com.
Mark your calendar
The 31st annual Piedmont Gardeners’ Tour is scheduled for April 20. The tour will feature six Oconee County gardens, with proceeds to fund scholarships for UGA and Athens Tech horticultural students. For a listing and photos of the gardens as well as ticket information, go to piedmontgardeners.org.
Project Linus
If you enjoy knitting, quilting, or crocheting, two groups in the area meet once a month to work on creating blankets for children in foster care, children’s homes, shelters, etc., or who are in hospitals or other health-related situations. Project Linus is a national organization whose slogan is “Providing Security Through Blankets.” If you want more information, reach out to area leader, Lilian Yeatts at lilliany14@gmail.com.
