connections - Fall 2015

connections FALL 2015

Volume 39, Issue 4

INTRODUCING

retroPROM

King & Queen Thank you, Athens.

ACCA’s new, spring fundraiser turns out lots of fun & success

A ppublication of the

Also Inside: What’s the Healthy LIving Program?

Center for Active Living Fall Classes and Trips GeorgiaCares Open Enrollment is Coming Soon

“ Thanks to my other team, I’m back on the field.”

–Aaron Murray

Aaron Murray had his knee surgically repaired and was able to fulfill his dream of playing in the NFL thanks to the physicians and surgical team at St. Mary’s.

The Official Health Care Provider for the Bulldogs since 1999.

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www.stmarysathens.org

©2015 St. Mary’s

Former UGA Quarterback Aaron Murray and his St. Mary’s surgical team.

FALL

table of contents

2015

at the station

on the cover

ACCA and the Athens Community had a blast on Saturday, May 16 at ACCA’s brand new signature fundraising event, the retroPROM. Anita Aubrey and Wes Zwirn won the envy of all of their friends when they were crowned the 2015 retroPROM king and queens.

5

AROUND THE BEND

8

IN DEVELOPMENT

44

ON THE SCENE

Thank you to Sally Gustofson for the picture used on our cover. Read more about the retroPROM on page 8.

features 10 14

20

HEALTHY LIVING PROGRAM

The who, what, when, and how of the ACCA’s brand new chronic disease management program.

STAYING TRUE TO HER PASSION

An inside look at Winder Adult Day Health Activities Coordinator and how she gets to use her passion for working with older adults to advance her career at ACCA.

in every issue 4 10 14 27

LETTER FROM THE CEO MAKING IT WORK AN INSIDE VIEW CAL PROGRAM CATALOG

ALL ABOARD

ACCA has played a part in keeping history alive at the old railroad but learn how you can get on board the Senior Corps program as a volunteer. spring fall f 2015 3

LETTER

from the CEO

50 YEARS OF MEDICARE

AND WHAT ARE THE NEEDS FOR THE FUTURE? The Medicare program was enacted July 30, 1965. In the 50 years since its birth there have been many milestones and changes to the original program.

Some of those changes have included funding for education of physicians, home health care, hospice, prescription medications, and important screenings for cancer, glaucoma and diabetes. The addition of a “Welcome to Medicare” physical and additional wellness screenings were just added in the Medicare Modernization Act of 2003.

Even though Medicare has made improvements, it must continue to progress to a healthcare system that improves health and supports a coordinated field of prevention to meet the needs of a growing aging population.

One of the largest concerns is the incidence and impact of chronic disease on this demographic. It has been determined that 87 percent of Medicare beneficiaries live with one or more chronic diseases, 65 percent have two or more and 20 percent have five or more. The group that accounts for 66 percent of Medicare costs are the 20 percent group. To address this concern there are a number of strategies that need to be implemented. It has been shown that implementing creative prevention programs reduces healthcare costs and helps individuals live longer in their own homes.

Providing a comprehensive clinical prevention program beginning at age 50 that includes vaccinations and screenings will help people reach age 65 in better health. Identification of any one chronic disease could prompt an early intervention thus preventing further health decline. Integrating systems with community programs such as the Healthy Living Program and other programs offered at the Center for Active Living at ACCA can eliminate silos and offer more tailored care. Accountable Care Organizations (ACO’s) that were created in the Affordable Care Act, need to partner with these existing community prevention programs to conduct clinical prevent outreach and services. Also, offering more education to medical and public health professionals is essential in helping them better understand and serve an aging population. More geriatricians in our medical and social fields is greatly needed. The goal of Medicare must be to implement creative solutions that include community based programs to help sustain the health of our society. Supporting new partnerships with proven track records will help at-risk older adults remain at home or offer less institutional choices such as adult day care for families and caregivers. These programs are currently underfunded. The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services needs to make the commitment for significant system changes with integration.

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Doing it in collaboration works!

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AROUND THE BEND



 You’re Invited CEO/President Jennie Deese

Please join us for our annual

Connections Editor KaDee Holt Board of Directors Mariah Pierce, Chair Shannon Wilder, Vice-Chair Joseph Frierson,III, Treasurer Julie Gaines, Secretary Charles Auslander, III Annette Barfield William Baxter (Honorary) Henry Brown Randy Christian Dr. Katheryn Davis Dawn Donovan Laurie Douglas Mary Erlanger (Honorary) Gary Franklin Robert Hardell Mary Ann Johnson Joyce Kitchens Tommie Mullis Paige Otwell Dr. Ram Reddy, MD Kathleen Smith Ross White Evelyn Wright (Honorary)

Holiday

tea party

135 Hoyt Street Athens, GA 30601 706-549-4850

www.accaging.org © 2015 ACCA Connections is a quarterly publication distributed by ACCA throughout Northeast Georgia. The information contained herein has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable. Reproduction, in whole or in part, without the expressed written permission from the publisher, is prohibited. Advertising in this publication does not imply a relationship with ACCA. ACCA is a contract agency of the Northeast Georgia Area Agency on Aging.

dec

6

Sunday

at

2:00 pm

Athens Community Council on Aging 135 Hoyt Street | Athens, GA 30601

adults: $25 | children $20 ticket proceeds benefit acca tickets on sale 11/1/2015

fall 2015 5

ADULT Day Health

Receives State License

By Cheryl Dean | ACCA Director of Nursing

The 2015 Georgia state budget included funding to enforce legislation passedd in i 2003 requiring i i allll Adult Ad lt Day D Health programs, operating in the state of Georgia, to be licensed by the Department of Community Health, the same department that regulates and licenses personal care homes and nursing homes. ACCA was part of the advocacy efforts to both pass the licensure requirement as well as the budget increase to enforce licensure and the standards required by it. Not all states require licensure of Adult Day Health programs.

Being a Licensed program is incredibly important to us as it shows that we operate within policies and procedures which protect the very vulnerable population that we serve. ACCA is proud of it’s Adult Day Health facilities in both Athens and Winder and the quality of care we provide. We recently went through State Licensing for both of our programs and are now officially licensed providers of Adult Day Services in the state of Georgia. “This is much needed and really sets the stage for regulating these types of businesses,” stated Eve Anthony, Chief Operating Officer at ACCA. Anthony went on to say, “Licensing holds everyone accountable for those services that they provide and really protects the members of the community utilizing the services as well as offering a sense of ease for caregivers knowing that the monitoring is going on. The state licensure process simply validates the quality of care that ACCA has been providing for years.”

Attending Adult Day Health centers allow caregivers the opportunity to work or have time to themselves for shopping, doctor’s appointments or visits with friends and other members of their family while having the comfort that their loved one is being cared for. Adult Day Health programs offer an opportunity for clients to spend time with others, enjoy planned activities, and receive health, nutritional and personal care needs all in one place.

This network of health services and social support allows the person to live at home, yet receive the assistance needed.

If6 you are interested in receiving more information about Adult Day Health, please give us a call at 706-549-7301. connections

ARE YOU LOOKING TO

VOLUNTEER?

GeorgiaCares has many opportunities to meet your skills and interests.

If you have Medicare, loved ones with Medicare or simply wish to help people, GeorgiaCares may be the volunteer opportunity for you.

Volunteers promote the program, educate the community on issues related to Medicare and provide counseling to beneficiaries.

This volunteer work is challenging and rewarding and the hours are flexible.

Call GeorgiaCares at 1-866-552-4464, Option 4 to learn more.

You Are Cordially Invited to Our Annual

HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE Tuesday, December 1, 2015 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m.

Heavy Hors d’oeuvres, Door Prizes and Tours Please Join Us in Celebrating the Season!

leaders in senior living

801 Riverhill Drive, Athens

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ININDDEVELOPMENT EVELOPMENT

retro

PROM 2015

SucCesS for ACCA

W

hat better way to kick off summertime in Athens than a great fundraiser for a local organization and crowning the first ever retroPROM king and queen?

Athens Community Council on Aging did just that on Saturday, May 16, 2015. The event raised nearly $14,000 for ACCA with almost $4,500 being raised by the participants in the retroPROM king and queen contest. For the contest, $1 equaled one vote.

Coming out on top and serving as your retroPROM queen and king the next year are Queen Anita 8 forconnections

By KaDee Holt | ACCA Chief Marketing Officer

Aubrey and King Wes Zwirn.

The Foundry in Downtown Athens was the site for the event with music from the the high energy, 80’s cover band, the Highballs with emcees Steve and Beth from the Magic 102.1 morning show. The full court for the retroPROM King and Queen was Kimberly Anderson, Chris Taylor, Anita Aubrey, Shannon Wilder, Michele Pearson, Wes Zwirn, Sarah Jackson, and Cora Keber.

The nominees raised money leading up to the event by hosting dance parties and various other

fundraising events. Voting closed at 9:45 pm with winners announced at 10:00 pm. Anita and Wes kicked off their reign to a very lively king and queen dance to “Dancing Queen.”

Anita, known by her friends as Awesome Anita, Anita Applebum, and Aneeda Snickers Blizzard is a sales ninja for the Flagpole of Athens and a Mom Extraordinaire for Aubrey Family, Inc. Anita wanted to become retroPROM queen so I can cross Prince Ave. with a wave of my hand, not an orange flag.

Plus, becoming Athens retroPROM

queen would be her first stepping stone to world domination. Athens has been Anita’s home since 1996 where she met her prom-date-forlife, Troy. When Anita’s not holding down 2nd base for the Automatic Pizza softball team, you can find her wrangling two munchkins Peyton and Kiernan. Other than that, you can find her visiting her BFFs in the Dairy Queen drive thru.

Wes, better known as Opey is the proud owner of Prodigies Child Care Management which operates Little Prodigies Child Development Center and University Childcare Center. Wes wanted to be retroPROM King because it will finally legitimize the thoughts he has about himself for a long time… He is a striking, long haired, olive skinned, King! Well, maybe he’s not those things but it is something that he will ALWAYS be able to tell his children!

When “Because I am your father” no longer scares them into doing the right thing, Wes can finally say, “Because I am a KING!!!” Wes has been married to Jennifer for 13 years. They have three children, Conner, Emerson and Everett. Wes and Jennifer have lived in Athens since 1998.

“We were thrilled with the turnout and success of this being a first time fundraising event for the agency. It was successful and everyone had a great time. In addition, it exposed ACCA to people in our community and the Northeast Georgia area to the services we provide and have already heard of people wanting to come out for it again next year,” stated Jennie Deese, Chief Executive Officer and President of ACCA. The money raised from this year’s event goes straight into providing services for ACCA programs such as Meals on Wheels, Adult Day Health, Grandparents Raising Grandchildren, ACCA Transportation, and the Center for Active Living.

Go ahead and save the date for the 2016 event which will be on Saturday, May 21 at the Georgia Theatre. We will have the Highballs again next year. See more pictures on page 44 and 45 of this issue.

fall 2015 9

MAKING IT WORK

Healthy Living is Easier than Ever

By Eve Anthony | ACCA Chief Operating Officer

ACCA is excited to announce the launch of a new program within our Center for Active Living. Healthy Living is a membership program for adults and caregivers, aged 55+, which gives you access to information and resources geared towards living and aging well. The Healthy Living program is designed to complement your doctor’s plan of care in managing a chronic disease such as diabetes, high blood pressure or COPD. It’s also a great program for all adults who want to live healthy and network with others who are doing the same. Healthy Living offers activities for both the mind and body and includes health and nutrition education and workshops, lectures by doctors and other area experts, exercise, technology classes, and social activities. ACCA’s Wellness Coordinator, Nurse and other professional staff are available to work with members and their physicians to develop a personalized action plan designed to meet your specific health goals.

ACCA piloted the program over the last few months with great results. Participants have enjoyed their experience and feel healthier. As one participant stated, “My health has changed. It’s better. The way I can move around and walk better. I’ve been noticing I’m not losing my balance.” Another commented on the education offerings, “I have learned that it’s all about what you eat, what you put in your body”.

Healthy Living memberships include: • Monthly peer group meetings • Bi-weekly walking groups • Free workshops on health and aging topics • Access to fitness equipment and exercise classes • Assistance with medication management • Personalized support from ACCA staff • A monthly email newsletter • Technology classes including computers and smart phones and other devices • A Healthy Living t-shirt and name badge

How Has It Worked?

To sign up, or learn more, please contact Nikaela Frederick, CAL Wellness Coordinator at 706-549-4850.

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“I have been receiving a healthy meal once a week that has been helping me make sure that I have fruit in my diet, which I had been having, a banana every day, and I didn’t have other types of fruit that much, maybe strawberries every once in a while. But with this meal, it has different types of fruit every time. I get the meal that has different types of fruit. And it has salad, and meat, and the starch, so it’s the whole thing that I need, and I can compare my dinner with what I’m getting. That helps me to see how it’s prepared it so that I can prepare it that way, so that I can change the way that I cook, and prepare my meals that way and try to get everything into it. The fruit, the meat, the starch. I have lost weight. And I’m keeping a check on myself trying to eat right.”

100+ Women Who Care about Grandparents Raising Grandchildren

By KaDee Holt | ACCA Chief Marketing Officer

“I had heard about this Grandparents program through one of the counselors at Pathways and so they put me in touch with ACCA and it has truly been a lifesaver for me and my family,” stated Ruby Mae Smith, a program member of the Grandparents Raising Grandchildren program at Athens Community Council on Aging (ACCA). Ms. Smith was excited to meet and personally thank the two representatives from the newly formed 100+ Women Who Care Athens when they presented a donation check to the program on Thursday, June 18, 2015. Smith went on to say, “I have three of my greatgrandchildren living with me and this program and the support that I have received from it is something else…

One of my biggest challenges comes in the summer months when I am having to buy food for all of us and this program supplements that through their summer food program. I don’t know what I would do without it.”

Sherry Clouser, organizer of the 100+ Women Who Care Athens and Kathleen (Katie) Smith, ACCA Board of Directors and member of 100+ Women Who Care Athens presented checks totaling $1,400 to Paige Powell, Program Director for the Grandparents Raising Grandchildren program. “We are so honored to receive such a substantial gift and it will greatly impact our program,” stated Powell.

ACCA’s Grandparents Raising Grandchildren program allows grandparents or relative caregivers to have the social support services needed while facing new challenges. The social network that is created while attending support groups, events, and other activities, allows the relative caregivers to vent frustrations, relieve stress, and gain support from fellow peers who understand the challenges and issues faced while raising a grandchild.

As noted by Ms. Smith, not only does Grandparents Raising Grandchildren offer supportive services, it also can offer supplemental food, case management, health screenings and counseling, parenting education, and support groups for both the relative caregivers and the grandchildren. 100+ Women Who Care Athens chose this program through their selection process and it is the second donation made through the Athens chapter.

100+ Women Who Care Athens is part of the 100 Women Who Care Alliance started in Jackson, Michigan in 2006 by a woman named Karen Dunigan.

The aim of her first meeting was to have 100 women give $100 each quarter for a local charity to have a large impact within their community. The idea has quickly spread and there are now over 275 chapters across the country. Sherry Clouser, the local organizer Continued on page 12

fall 2015 11

save the date

and run for a reason!

with your help and registration fee, we will be able to fill this plate for an area older adult.

Saturday 3.26.2016 What’s the reason? It is hard to believe that the United States has 9 million older adults facing the threat of being hungry. The March for Meals 5K and 12K represents the meals the Athens Community Council on Aging (ACCA) puts out 5 days a week, 12 months a year. Proceeds of this race benefit the local Meals on Wheels program which puts out about 300 meals per day. So bring awareness to this and show us your finish line next year in the sixth annual March for Meals 5K or 12K. We can’t wait to see you in March. #m4m2016 #MFMmoment #yourfinishline

proceeds benefit

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100+ Women, continued from page 11

heard about the alliance through a high school friend’s social media post. Clouser read up on the idea and decided this was a concept that could be beneficial to the Athens community. “I’m really involved in my church and giving here and there to different organizations, but this chapter of 100+ Women Who Care Athens really allows us to come together as a group and have a larger impact to organizations,” stated Clouser. Their first official meeting was in March of this year and their first gift was to the Girl Scouts of Northeast Georgia’s Be a Friend First program.

The group comes together to hear 3 “pitches” at each quarterly meeting and then vote on which organization they will support. Katie Smith “pitched” the Grandparents Raising Grandparents program at ACCA because “I love the idea that this program impacts multiple generations within one family. It can benefit the grandparents, parents, children, and relative caregivers… sometimes even the great-grandparents. This gift truly makes a wide range of impact across generations,” stated Smith.

If you have questions about Grandparents Raising Grandchildren, please give us a call at 706-549-4850 or visit our website at www.accaging.org.

For more information about the 100+ Women Who Care Athens, check out the website at www.100womenathens.org or email the local chapter at 100womenathens@gmail.com

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fall 2015 13

AN INSIDE VIEW

Staying True to

her passion a look at one employee’s journey to working at ACCA

By KaDee Holt | ACCA Chief Marketing Officer

O

riginally from Athens, Kimberly Stula entered religious life in 2005 and stayed in this sector until 2012. She was part of the Carmelite Sisters of the Aged and Infirm in Germantown, New York where she went through 2 years of training (2005-2007) to become a sister in religious life. The mission of the Carmelite Sisters of the Aged and Infirm is not only to staff and operate up-to-date homes for the aged, but as religious it is to bring Christ to every person under our care.

Bringing Christ means giving them His compassion, His interest, His loving care, His warmth morning, noon 14 connections

and night. It means inspiring the lay people who work with us, to give the same type of loving care.

Once trained, Kimberly went on three separate missions and worked with older adults. She completed missions in Massachusetts, Illinois, and Florida working as an activity aid in the assisted living facilities owned by the Carmelite Sisters. “The places I had the opportunity to work through my religious life were beautiful and the residents in these places were precious,” stated Kimberly. She went on to say “During this time, Mother Angeline and the sisters, really nurtured a haven type

atmosphere for the elderly and not just another home.

Ensuring their dignity was a top priority for us. I really grew a heart for working with older adults and making their quality of life better.”

In 2012 after her mission work in Florida, Kimberly relocated back to Athens and soon found herself interviewing for an activities aide at the Bentley Adult Day Health with Athens Community Council on Aging.

Cheryl Dean, Director of Nursing for ACCA, stated “Kimberly has a passion and talent for working with the members of our Adult Day Health. It is remarkable to see her interaction and their reaction to her work.”

Kimberly coordinated and worked alongside the Activities Coordinator for 3 years and really loved what she was doing. When the Activities Coordinator position was created at ACCA’s Winder Adult Day Health, Kimberly knew this is where she wanted to go next.

“We were so happy to be able to promote Kimberly to the Activities Coordinator for Winder,” stated Dean. “She immediately brought the same passion and creativity into the Winder environment that she had demonstrated as the assistant in Athens.” Trippe Ross, Winder Adult Day Health Program Director, can tell a huge difference since Kimberly arrived in July. “We have some participants who have never been that interested in engaging activities and they are asking us for activities now and wanting to sing with us and participate. It has been a remarkable transition in a short amount of time. Kimberly truly has a talent in this area creating a warm and welcoming environment for a wide spectrum of people.”

Kimberly says her time committed to religious life was all positive and she learned so much. She currently keeps in touch with the Carmelite Sisters and went to visit them recently. After her visit, she was so excited to get back to her work and knows this is what she was trained to be doing. She loves her work with the Athens Community Council on Aging. Kimberly really sums up her passion by saying, “It’s our responsibility to take these individuals and give them the utmost respect. They each have potential to help themselves and enjoy life wherever they are and in their own capacity. I can help facilitate that potential and their later in life experience and that is what I love to do. That is the reason I am here.”

fall 2015 15

we need you for

Garden

work days

Medical Marijuana New Topic for Parkinson’s Support Group

By KaDee Holt | ACCA Chief Marketing Officer

ACCA was excited to welcome State Representative (District 137, R) Allen Peake to their monthly Parkinson’s Support group. Representative Peake was a key legislator and advocate for the passing of the recent bill legalizing medical cannabis. The law allows patients to have up to 20 oz. of cannabis oil with no more than 5% of tetrahydrocannabinoil or THC, the chemical in marijuana that causes the high from marijuana use.

With this passing, Georgia became the 36th state in the United States plus the District of Columbia to legalize the extracts for medical use. 12 of those states only allow the oil to treat epilepsy. The law legally allows the use of cannabis oil to treat eight specific medical conditions including, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig’s disease), multiple sclerosis, cancer, Crohn’s disease, mitochondrial disease, seizure disorders, sickle cell anemia, and Parkinson’s disease.

At the support group, Representative Peake discussed the potential benefits for Parkinson’s disease with those in attendance and answered questions from them concerning the legalities of obtaining and being in possession of the extract since that is still illegal in the state of Georgia.

The Parkinson’s Support group at ACCA meets the 4th Monday of each month from 2-3:00 pm in the Center for Active Living. Representative Peake recently announced his candidacy for Lt. Governor in the upcoming election.

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Come join us this fall for ACCA’s Community Garden Workdays.

The garden grows organic fruits, veggies and herbs that go directly back to those participating in our programs. As we come to the end of a busy summer season, our ACCA master gardeners will need help transitioning the garden into the fall and winter seasons. The focus of each work day varies. Some will be Clean-up days, where the last crops are harvested and cleared.

Some days will focus on planting specific crops for the season. If you have an interest in learning more about fall gardens, this could be a great opportunity to learn from the experts. You can volunteer once or at every workday and children are welcome!

9/19 9/26 10/10 10/17 10/24 11/14 10/2 12/19

Summer Cleanup Early Fall Planting Root Crop Planting Mid-Fall Cleanup Above Ground Planting Late Fall Cleanup Late Fall Planting Winterizing

Please contact Leah McKellop at lmckellop@accaging.org or 706549-4850 ext. 2049 or BJ Revill at 706-540-9370 to confirm dates or to sign up to volunteer.

THE

D

OF MEALS ON WHEELS

By Morgan O’Kelley | Meals on Wheels Program Specialist

Volunteers deliver much more than a meal. They develop friendships, check up on the wellness and provide an outlet of regular socialization clients may not experience otherwise. ACCA’s Meals on Wheels volunteers come from all walks of life; some deliver meals on their lunch break, others are retired but want to remain active in their community. In addition to individuals in our community, ACCA has volunteer groups from Hope Haven of NEGA, Advantage Behavioral Health Services/Custom Industries, Lifetime Industries, YMCA of Georgia’s Piedmont, Coca-Cola, Ga Options and Designing Minds Enterprises. We have members of churches in the area who volunteer certain weeks out of the month like Covenant Presbyterian and First Presbyterian.

Meals on Wheels is always in need of volunteers in both Clarke and Barrow counties. Both programs are structured the same and need both regular and substitute volunteers. Regular volunteers adopt a specific route and commit to delivering that route one day a week. A substitute volunteer is one who is unable to commit to a regular schedule but interested in delivering meals when their schedule permits. For each new volunteer, an orientation is facilitated by the Meals on Wheels Program Coordinator and he/she will ride along with one of our program staff or another volunteer until they are confident to deliver the route on their own. Volunteers usually arrive at the Athens Community Council on Aging (ACCA) for meal pick up Monday through Friday at 10:30am and the typical meal routes ranges 30 minutes to 2 hours in time. If you or your group are interested in volunteering, please contact Jessica Craft at the ACCA by calling 706-549-4850.

fall 2015 17

ATTENTION! O

K

STOP

Do you have Medicare?

Do you pay more than $6.60 for prescriptions?

You may be eligible for the Medicare Savings Program. The Medicare Savings Programs help people with limited income and resources pay out of pocket Medicare expenses such as: Premiums, deductibles, and co-payments. You may be eligible for up to $4000 each year in savings. Let us help you FREE of charge.

Please Join Us for FREE Education Programs in Your County Soon

09/08/2015 6/9/2015 09/09/2015 6/10/2015 6/12/2015 09/11/2015 6/16/2015 09/15/2015 6/18/2015 09/17/2015 6/25/2015 09/24/2015 6/29/2015 09/28/2015 7/6/2015 10/15/2015 7/9/2015 10/09/2015 7/13/2015 10/12/2015 8/10/2015 11/09/2015

10:30am 9:00am 10:00am 11:00am 10:00am 10:30am 11:15am 10:00am 10:00am 10:00am 10:00am

Barrow County Senior Center Oconee County Senior Center Elbert County Senior Center Newton County Senior Center Greene County Senior Center Jasper County Senior Center Walton County Senior Center Center for Active Living at ACCA Madison County Senior Center Jackson County Senior Center Morgan County Senior Center

80 Lee St. in Winder 3500 Hog Mountain Rd. in Watkinsville 1041 Mobley Hill Rd. in Elberton 6183 Turner Lake Complex in Covington 1031 Silver Dr. in Greensboro 26 Mack Tillman Rd. in Monticello 1400 S. Madison Ave. in Monroe 135 Hoyt St. in Athens 1265 Hwy 98 West in Danielsville 151 General Jackson Dr. in Jefferson 991 South Main St. in Madison

GeorgiaCares is a FREE program at the Athens Community Council on Aging. It helps people understand their choices and enroll in a Medicare plan that meets their needs so they can get the most out of their KHDOWK FDUH EHQHÂżWV *HRUJLD&DUHV SURYLGHV LQGLYLGXDO RQH RQ RQH FRXQVHOLQJ FRPPXQLW\ HGXFDWLRQ DQG outreach throughout the Northeast Georgia area.

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For questions or to make an appointment with a counselor in person, call 1-866-552-4464 and choose option 4 or visit us online at www.accaging.org or www.mygeorgiacares.org

Frequently Asked Questions About

Open Enrollment October 15 - December 7 Byy Kristi Oltman | GeorggiaCares Proggram Director

Medicare Open Enrollment is every year from October 15 through December 7, 2015 and is an important time for beneficiaries to review coverage and benefits. Below are some helpful FAQ’s about Open Enrollment that may help you understand the importance of Open Enrollment and why it occurs.

FAQ: Why does Open Enrollment occur? Every year Medicare Part D and Medicare Advantage plans change, or even leave the area. It is important for all Medicare beneficiaries to go over benefits and premium information for their current plan in order to be prepared for the next year. Sometimes, co-payments may change as well as the plans formulary (which is a list of drugs that the plan may cover).

FAQ: When is Open Enrollment and how do I change plans if I want to? The Annual Change Period for Medicare Part D and Medicare Advantage Plans is October 15 - December 7 of every year.

During this time frame an individual can change, drop, or enroll in a Medicare drug plan (Part D), or a Medicare Advantage Plan (Part C). This is one of the few times that a Medicare beneficiary can change their plan unless they are granted a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) another time throughout the year.

FAQ: If I have a Medicare Part D plan, do I need to change the plan every year?

It depends. By September 30 of every year each beneficiary should have received from their current plan an ANOC (Annual Notice of Change) and/or an EOC (Evidence of Coverage) which outlines the 2015 plan formulary, benefit design, and/or premium changes. This information is very important as the beneficiary can then seek out an alternative plan if they wish, or stay with the current plan as long as they agree to the changes and the plan is not leaving the service area.

FAQ: What if I do not want to change my Part D or Medicare Advantage plan for next year? If you do not want to change your plan and the plan will continue to provide coverage in your area you do not need to do anything. Your plan will roll over for next year and you will start paying any new premiums, co-payments, or deductibles.

FAQ: Have questions about changes to your plan for next year? Call GeorgiaCares at 1-866-5524464; Option 4. We can speak with you over the telephone or schedule a time for you to meet with us in person to go over your current plan and offer alternatives for you to consider if needed.

Give us a call today! We are waiting to hear from you.

fall 2015 19

ALL ABOARD

By D B David id Lorren L | Senior S i Services S i Corps C Coordinator C di t

T

ucked behind the lights and the bustle of the downtown streets you will find the Athens Community Council on Aging. Housed in the former Southern Railway Passenger Station, the depot served as the epicenter of a bustling population’s transient and commercial needs until 1951. Today, old depot is thriving with the commotion of people coming and going, but now ACCA serves as the boarding station, and the programs within serve as passenger cars delivering education and support to senior citizens in the Athens metro area.

One such passenger car is the Senior Service Corps; three unique volunteer programs for people fifty-five and up, each intended to enrich the lives of 20 connections

the volunteer while also increasing the progress of the populations they serve. The Foster Grandparent, Senior Companion, and Helping Hands RSVP Programs allow older adults to use their skills and experiences to address vital community needs.

The Foster Grandparent Program places volunteers in elementary schools, headstart programs, and daycare centers where they mentor and tutor children who may be struggling academically. Volunteers help students with homework and classwork, and encourage the children to be engaged in their classrooms. Evidence shows that support provided by our Grandparents helps struggling students become strong contributing minds in the classroom. Not only is this beneficial to the

children, their teachers, and the class as a whole, but it also invigorates the Foster Grandparent volunteers. Gracie Cummings, a 15 year volunteer tells us, “My intentions for these children are the same as I had for my own children, to raise strong young men of character and prepare them for the world and the future ahead of them.“ The Senior Companion Program places volunteers with older adults in the community to provide socialization and assist with daily activities such as preparing lunch and helping with laundry. These companions providing respite for family caregivers, and allow their clients to remain living either independently or in their family home. Thelma Wheeler has been a Senior Companion volunteer for over 10 years now. Thelma tells us, “I know that my service means the world to my client, I see her excitement every time I open her door. It means the world to me too,” she says. “We go on luncheons out and about town and talk about days gone by and relate on the wonderful lives we’ve had.”

In the Helping Hands RSVP program volunteers put their unique skills and interests to use in many ways to benefit their community. This group of over 60 volunteers are working in and around town delivering meals, visiting with homebound older adults, providing transportation, and even working with community gardens. Mrs. Dorothy Newland, a Meals on Wheels and transportation volunteer, has served at ACCA for over 17 years and has been as relentless in her service to others in need. Of her service she tells us that “my passengers give me inspiration, and it allows me to meet a lot of great people that I might not otherwise encounter.”

The testimonies from these volunteers are just a few of the heartwarming stories from a network of over 100 volunteers who give their time to be the change that others only talk about. In doing so they take it upon themselves to ensure that no one will be left behind when the next train departs.

Are you giving back to the community that gave so much to you? Is there some way that you can contribute to others? No matter what your interests may be the Senior Service Corps and ACCA can find a meaningful outlet for you.

If you or someone you know is interested in serving, we strongly encourage active adults age 55 and older to stop by and see us at Athens Community Council on Aging to explore the many benefits of service. We are conveniently located in the heart of downtown Athens on Hoyt Street. Here you will find a friendly face to answer all of your questions and assist you in writing a new chapter in your life.

For more information contact David Lorren, Senior Service Corps Sen Coordinator by phone Co at (706) 549-4850 or email at dlorren@ e m accaging.org a cc c

fall 2015 21

top ten Advocacy Suggestions for Nursing Home Residents and Their Families

Submitted by Keith Adams | Long Term Care Ombudsman

1. Be familiar with staff members - their names, roles, and responsibilities in resident care. Know who is in charge of various areas of care and how grievances are addressed. Read the resident admission agreement carefully making note of what services are provided and under what circumstances the facility might discharge the resident. Ask to see a copy of the facility’s survey report to learn about past problems in the facility.

2. Educate the facility staff about your own or your loved one’s preferences, daily routine, activities, work, etc. when living independently and work with them to formulate an individualized care plan which will take these factors into account. The care plans should encourage and enable the resident to attain or maintain their highest practicable level of physical, mental, and psychosocial well-being.

3. Pay attention to the care provided and how it impacts on your own and your love ones condition: Hygiene, mood, energy level, weight, etc. Note changes and try to determine if they are due to any deficiencies in the care provided. Monitor whether staff are responsive to resident requests for assistance and are kind, patient, and respectful in their provision of care.

4. Report concerns and problems to staff members as soon as they arise so that they can be addressed immediately. First voice concerns to those directly involved. If this action yields no result, report your concerns to staff supervisors.

5. Document your concerns and actions taken to report them: The names of those involved, date, time, and details of the event, who the concern has been reported to and when, what steps are taken to remedy the problem, and the outcome.

6. Request a meeting with appropriate staff people to address concerns you may have. Focus the meeting on the outcomes that you would like to see and how it can be accomplished. The meeting should result in a concrete plan that addresses the problem and identifies who is responsible for implementing it.

7. Be assertive, persistent, and confident, but respectful in your interactions with staff. Clearly state your specific concern and the outcome you would like to see. Remember that, as consumers you and your loved one should expect high quality services, and acting respectfully will avoid creating ill will.

8. Organize a resident or family council with other concerned residents or family members. Resident and family councils can be effective and powerful tools for maintaining a consumer voice in the facility and for addressing facility – wide concerns.

9. Seek outside help if your concerns are not remedied by the facility or if you witness an instance of severe neglect or abuse.

10. Report complaints to your local Ombudsman or state survey agency so that they can investigate. You can reach the local Long-Term Care Ombudsman program at ACCA at 706-549-4850.

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People with disabilities may sometimes feel they no longer have the level of independence they once did. Getting around in the home becomes challenging. Travelling or driving is now more difficult, especially if you use a wheelchair or scooter. This makes getting to and from necessary doctor appointments extra laborious.

Non-emergency medical transportation can be a good option for many wheelchair users. It is a service for people who need to get to and from appointments and do not have their own accessible transportation, similar to calling a cab. Many transportation companies will accept medical insurance, including Medicare and Medicaid, if the reason for transportation is medically necessary.

If a wheelchair user needs or wants to travel for reasons other than medical necessity, insurance coverage is usually not an option. This means if someone who uses a powerchair needs to get to a wedding or family reunion, they may need to look at other options for transport.

Now, more and more wheelchair users are choosing to buy their own wheelchair accessible transportation.

Many vehicle manufacturers have models of vans, trucks, and SUVs that are able to be converted for wheelchair accessibility. In most cases the floor of the vehicle is lowered and some seating is removed. A lowered floor vehicle has the necessary headroom and entry clearance a wheelchair user needs to travel and stay in their chair.

Many find that it is much more convenient to be able to get to and from doctor appointments when they don’t have to wait for a transport vehicle. Wheelchair accessible vehicle owners are also able to go out to dinner, visit with friends and family, and engage in other recreational activities. Many people are regaining their independence and finding a new appreciation for the freedom to travel. fall 2015 23

THANK YOU • THANK YOU • THANK YOU • THANK YOU • THANK YOU • THANK YOU • THANK YOU • THANK YOU THANK YOU • THANK YOU • THANK YOU • THANK YOU • THANK YOU • THANK YOU • THANK YOU • THANK YOU THANK YOU • THANK YOU • THANK YOU • THANK YOU • THANK YOU • THANK YOU • THANK YOU • THANK YOU

St. Joseph’s Prep football program out of Philadelphia volunteered on the ACCA campus for several days in early June.

Athens Senior Resource Network presented a check to ACCA to First Presbyterian Church of Athens Youth Group (led by Kim sponsor several mobile food pantries throughout the next year. Ness) donated $767.94 raised by the Souper Bowl Sunday meal.

Brian Evans brings in schools supplies collected by employees from St. Marys Wellness Center for the Grandparent Raising Grandchildren program.

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Rance Wright presents Heather Sweaney a $2000 check for the Meals on Wheels program from the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks (BPOE).

Paige Powell and Sarah Kruse from the Grandparents Raising Grandchildren program give out bags of supplies donated by Athens Regional Hospital.

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Your HOME our help How do we make a difference?

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Formerly the Athens-Clarke County Senior Center, the Center for Active Living (CAL) is a multi-purpose center dedicated to offering a variety of opportunities for older adults to stay active while they age in Athens and surrounding areas. CAL provides learning opportunities to engage older adults (50+) by offering unique social, cultural, educational, and wellness-related classes and activities. Membership for Clarke County residents is $45 per year. These programs are designed for you and we want to see you here.

28 CENTER FOR ACTIVE LIVING | trips and off site adventures 33 CENTER FOR ACTIVE LIVING | ongoing fitness and wellness classes 35 CENTER FOR ACTIVE LIVING | ongoing social programs 39 CENTER FOR ACTIVE LIVING | columbia brookside programs 42 CENTER FOR ACTIVE LIVING | support groups and meetings 43 CENTER FOR ACTIVE LIVING |

educational classes and events

fall 2015 27

CENTER FOR ACTIVE LIVING |

educational classes and events

Class times subject to change or cancel, please check www.accaging.org or call 706-549-4850 for updates.

Proper Care Techniques for Caregivers, How to Care Carefully You can’t properly care for someone else if you don’t take proper care of yourself. The purpose of the session is to show those who care for others how to correctly lift and provide other types of assistance in a safe manner. Sometimes when we assume the role caring for loved ones, we lack the official training on how to help them safely and effectively. This session is to help loving caregivers learn more about proper caregiving techniques. For more information or to RSVP, please call the CAL office at 706-549-4850.

Where: ACCA Glass Dining Room When: Thursday, September 3 Time: 11:00am-11:30am Cost: Free for CAL Members Classical Music Appreciation The recent decades have been witness to the exclusion or disappearance of classical music from the collective American ear. Commercial interests have replaced public exposure of the enriched culture of good music stretching from the time of JS Bach to the 1960’s with the arrival of what is considered to be junk noise.

This class of classical music will expose the students who wish to appreciate, enjoy and acquire the benefit derived from hearing selections of great music from great classical Western music. It’s a musical journey from the classical great symphonic works to the ballads, Dixieland and movie scores of recent American history.

Interested attendees need only bring their desire to learn/appreciate, their interest and their ears—no other equipment is necessary. No reservation needed. The class is set up to enjoy as your schedule allows— attending each week is encouraged but not required.

Where: ACCA Harris Room When: Fridays Time: 2:30pm-4:00pm Cost: Free for CAL Members 28 connections

Fall Community Garden Tour and Talk – Led by Resident Master Gardner Patty Hopaluk-Gay Have you seen ACCA’s Community Garden? Just behind our Bentley Adult Day Health Center is a beautiful garden that produces veggies, fruit and herbs for local older adults in the community. The garden is run by a team of Master Gardeners and volunteers, committed to helping individual’s access healthy organic food. Join our garden tour to hear the full story while learning some fall gardening tips from an expert.

Patty will share with us “What to know for your Fall Vegetable Garden”.

Where: Meet in the CAL lobby at ACCA When: Monday, September 14 Time: 1:30pm-2:30pm Cost: Free for CAL Members Walk for Wellness Join your friends, or come and make new ones at the upcoming Walk for Wellness meeting. These bi-monthly meetings include: An informative health presentation, free blood pressure screenings, door prizes and breakfast provided by Chick-fil-A. The meetings are held in the perfect place, Georgia Square Mall! Our local mall is a great place to exercise and they offer us the privilege to start walking before the stores open! Get all of the benefits of walking in a flat, secure, climate-controlled environment. Walk for Wellness is sponsored by: ACCA’s Center for Active Living, Arbor Terrace, The Athens Regional Health System, St. Mary’s Health Care System, and Georgia Square Mall. For details, please call Mark Ralston at 706-389-3897 or the CAL office at 706-549-4850.

Where: Georgia Square Mall Food Court When: September 15 (third Tuesdays of odd-numbered months) Time: 8:15am Cost: Free and Open to the Community

CENTER FOR ACTIVE LIVING |

educational classes and events

We’re looking for instructors and suggestions. Call CAL (706-549-4850) to suggest a class or offer to teach.

Outsmart your Smartphone Is your smartphone giving you trouble? Is it time to upgrade to a new phone but you are intimidated by what exactly a smartphone is? Or are you interested in learning how to make your current phone work best for you? If so, than this is the class for you! We meet each month on the 3rd Tuesday and during our time together, we will be answering your individual questions to the best of our ability and walking you through the solutions. Don’t miss this chance to get the most out of your smartphone. Please call the CAL Picture courtesy of https://registration.shoreviewmn.com office for additional information at 706-549-4850. We Food Education Workshop cont. look forward to seeing you!

Where: Columbia Brookside When: Thursday, October 1 Where: The Round Room at ACCA Time: 1:00pm-1:45pm When: 3rd Tuesday, September 15, October 20, and Cost: Free for CAL Members November 17 Time: 2:00pm-3:00pm Cognitive/Memory Screening Cost: Free for CAL Members Losing one’s memory is a common fear connected with Food Education Workshop Older adults are one of the high risk groups for foodborne illness – making following general food safety guidelines extremely critical for one’s health. Come and take advantage of this food education workshop and take home some important tips on food safety as it applies to the Holidays as well as our normal day to day cooking routine. TaMara Myles, who has earned a Master’s in Foods and Nutrition, will be leading this workshop packed full of information about food safety during the holidays, refrigeration and freezer storage procedures and times as well as the top 10 food safety myths. Space is limited, please RSVP by calling the CAL office at 706-549-4850 by Tuesday, September 29th to reserve your spot!

Where: ACCA Hudson Room When: Wednesday, September 30 Time: 10:30am-11:15am Cost: Free for CAL Members

aging. UGA’s Speech and Hearing Clinic is coming to ACCA to offer Cognitive/Memory screenings for those interested. These screenings will give you a baseline for future reference and information that may encourage you to consider beginning memory exercises to prevent future memory loss. Please RSVP by calling the CAL office at 706-549-4850 by Tuesday, October 6th and Tuesday, October 13th for Columbia Brookside location.

Where: ACCA Bentley Conference Room When: Thursday, October 8 Time: 10:00am-12:00pm Cost: Free for CAL Members Where: Columbia Brookside When: Thursday, October 15 Time: 10:00am-12:00pm Cost: Free for CAL Members

fall 2015 29

CENTER FOR ACTIVE LIVING |

educational classes and events

Class times subject to change or cancel, please check www.accaging.org or call 706-549-4850 for updates.

Food Talk Food Talk is a six-week course that focuses on cutting food costs while still providing healthy meals and snacks. The UGA Cooperative Extension Office staff will facilitate the class and cover the following topics: Taking the stress out of mealtime, shopping tips to save money, knowing what to look for on food labels, using herbs and spices to cut down on salt, keeping food safe, choosing healthier fast foods, and much more! During each session, there will be a cooking demo followed by a delicious tasting. At the end of the program participants will receive a certificate from the University of Georgia’s Supplemental Nutrition Education Program. Please RSVP by calling the CAL office at 706-549-4850 by Monday, September 28th. This is an educational series you don’t want to miss!

Where: ACCA Hudson Room When: Thursdays, beginning October 1- November 5 Time: 10:00am-11:00am Cost: Free for CAL Members

BAND, ORCHESTRA, & PIANO CLASSES STARTING THIS FALL

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AARP Smart Driver Learn how to operate your vehicle more safely in today’s increasingly challenging driving environment.

You’ll learn adjustments to accommodate common age-related changes in vision, hearing, and reaction time. You will also learn the following: How to minimize the effects of dangerous blind spots, the safest ways to change lanes, make turns at busy intersections, the proper use of safety belts, air bags, anti-lock brakes, new technologies used in cars, the effects of medications on driving, and the importance of eliminating distractions, such as eating, smoking, and cell-phone use. Space is limited, call the Center for Active Living at 706-5494850 to reserve your spot!

Where: ACCA Hudson Room When: Thu. & Fri. October 22 and October 23 Time: 8:45am-12:00pm Thursday 9:00am-12:00pm Friday Cost: $15 AARP members, $20 non-AARP members Where: ACCA Hudson Room When: Thu. & Fri. November 19 and November 20 Time: 8:45am-12:00pm Thursday 9:00am-12:00pm Friday Cost: $15 AARP members, $20 non-AARP members Better Balance Perhaps you’ve fallen once and sense that your balance is not as good as it used to be. This might lead you to be more cautious and restrict your movement.

Unfortunately, limiting what you attempt to do can have a large, negative impact on lifestyle and activity.

But there’s good news. By focusing our attention on how we move, we can actually change the brain and learn new, more efficient ways to move. Better Balance, based on Getting Grounded Gracefully, is an evidenced-based program specifically designed to help older adults who may be at risk of falling, decrease their risk of falling and improve their balance. This gentle program explores how we can be more intelligent in

CENTER FOR ACTIVE LIVING |

educational classes and events

We’re looking for instructors and suggestions. Call CAL (706-549-4850) to suggest a class or offer to teach.

how we move. In 16 lessons over 8 weeks, we look at movement and balance in sitting, in the transition from sitting to standing, in standing, and then becomes an exploration of the possibility of walking with ease. Class participants need to be able to walk 15 feet without the aid of a cane and stand without support for 1 minute.

Where: ACCA Hudson Room When: Mondays and Thursdays (October 12th – December 10th) Time: 2:00pm-3:00pm Cost: For all 16 sessions- $80 Living Well— A Chronic Disease SelfManagement Program If you are living with a chronic disease or caring for someone who does, this 6 week class could be for you.

Living Well -- a Chronic Disease Management Program is a behavioral and social program designed to help people gain self-confidence in their ability to control their symptoms and how living with chronic disease affects their lives. These interactive workshops focus on building skills and sharing experiences for support.

The topics will include: Dealing with pain and fatigue, understanding better nutrition and exercise choices, understanding new treatments, and learning to talk to your doctor. For more information or to RSVP, please call the CAL office at 706-549-4850. RSVP deadline is Friday, October 2nd.

Where: ACCA Hudson Room When: Wednesdays, October 7-November 11 Time: 10:00am-12:30pm Cost: Free for CAL Members

Lunch with a Therapist FUNctional Movement Please join us for an energizing presentation by Hank Wright, Athens physical therapist and athletic trainer for 25 years. This past year he has embarked on an intensive 40 week fellowship in Applied Functional Science with the Gray Institute. He plans to share some of this journey that he’s taking with105 professionals from the movement industry from 19 different countries.

He is sharing experiences from movement specialists that include physical therapists, athletic trainers, chiropractors, osteopaths, physicians, and exercise physiologists. His presentation will also include strategies for individuals to incorporate functional movement into their lives. Developing new pathways of motion facilitates healing, effectiveness and efficiency which will prove to enhance the quality of an individual’s life. This presentation will be useful whether your goal is to return to a level of previous function or enhance your present fitness level. Applied Function Science has borrowed from the physical, biological and behavioral sciences for the concept of P-S-T. P-Principles from these sciences formulate S-Strategies which lead to T-Techniques. How can gravity, mass and momentum, ground reaction forces be coupled with the fear of falling or dire to get onto the floor to play with the grand kids, to facilitate the appropriate body responses? How can we utilize P-S-T so that we all can live a full and meaning life? Remember the root word of function is FUN. Join us and see if we can enhance both fun and function together. Please RSVP by calling the CAL office at 706-549-4850 by Monday, November 9th to reserve your spot! Lunch will be provided.

Where: ACCA Harris Room When: Wednesday, November 11th Time: 11:00am-12:30pm Cost: Free for CAL Members. Lunch is included.

fall 2015 31

CENTER FOR ACTIVE LIVING |

educational classes and events

Class times subject to change or cancel, please check www.accaging.org or call 706-549-4850 for updates.

Lessons with a Lawyer Join us as delightful Mark Franklin, Attorney at Law, educates us on the three documents that fall under the umbrella of Advanced Directives: The Durable Financial Power of Attorney, the Advanced Directive for Health Care, and the Last Will and Testament. He will also devote time for a discussion about birth certificates, scams, and other general information about long term care and Medicaid. He will allow time to answer any questions you may have that he is able to assist you with. Attorney Franklin works with the Law Offices of Sherry Jackson and is the Program Manager for the NE Georgia Elderly Legal Assistance Program. Space is limited, please RSVP by calling the CAL office at 706-549-4850 by Tuesday, November 10th to reserve your spot!

Where: ACCA Hudson Room When: Thursday, November 12th Time: 11:00am-11:45pm Cost: Free for CAL Members

Salsa Demonstration As with many dances, the creation of the dance followed the creation of the music. New Yorkers of Cuban and Puerto Rican ancestry are credited as the pioneers of Salsa music. Have you always been curious what exactly Salsa Dancing is? Do you feel like you have two left feet but you want to give dancing a try? Dancing is an excellent form of exercise and is fun at the same time! Join us for a fun and upbeat Salsa demonstration to gain a better understanding of the dance and perhaps pick up a new hobby!

Where: Columbia Brookside When: Wednesday, November 18th Time: 11:00am-11:30am Cost: Free for CAL Members

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Dysphagia Screening As we get older, many of us begin experiencing changes in appetite and ease in swallowing. Graduate students from The University of Georgia Speech and Hearing Clinic will be offering a free swallowing screening at ACCA! We will assess your ability to swallow foods and liquids and provide you with tips to ensure safety while eating. In addition, we will provide you with information about signs/symptoms of possible swallowing disorders. Please RSVP to the CAL office at 706-549-4850 by Wednesday, November 18th if you are interested in participating.

Where: ACCA Bentley Conference Room When: Thursday, November 19th Time: 10:00am-12:00pm Cost: Free for CAL Members

CENTER FOR ACTIVE LIVING |

trips and off-site adventures

We’re looking for instructors and suggestions. Call CAL (706-549-4850) to suggest a class or offer to teach.

CAL Members: To ensure we are able to offer and provide you the most enjoyable experience possible, preregistration and payment for trips will be required prior to the deadline noted with each trip offering. When possible, we strive to purchase tickets in advance and avoid additional wait time for on-site ticket purchase.

A full refund will be available until the deadline stated for each trip. For non-CAL Members, an additional $10.00 is added to the cost of the trip. If you have questions, please contact the CAL office at 706-549-4850.

UGA Opening Football Game Join us as we kick off the 2015 UGA Football season by watching the season opener here at ACCA without the hustle and bustle of large crowds and scarce parking— not to mention the extreme Georgia heat! UGA will be taking on the University of Louisiana Monroe Warhawks between the hedges and we hope that you will come and enjoy some football and refreshments among friends as we cheer the Bulldogs to their first victory of the season! To RSVP by Friday, September 4th or for more information, please call the CAL office at 706549-4850.

A Day in Helen Join us for a beautiful excursion through the nationalrenowned Bavarian town of Helen, GA. A shopper’s delight, this small town boasts unique arts and crafts and a quaint feel with stunning mountains and the vibrant colors of fall in the background. We will enjoy lunch together at Hayloft Tavern and Grill, Helen’s oldest pub with an upbeat atmosphere and then take to the streets for some shopping while we soak in the high energy of Octoberfest around us! Please RSVP by calling the CAL office at 706-549-4850 by Monday, October 12th. Lunch is included in the cost of the trip.

Where: ACCA When: Saturday, September 5th Time: Game starts at 12:00pm Cost: $10 for CAL Members

Where: Depart from ACCA When: Wednesday, October 14th Time: 10:00am-4:00pm Cost: $45 for CAL Members

Yellow Daisy Festival Come along as we visit the festival that has been consistently voted one of the top five arts and crafts shows in the nation by Sunshine Artist Magazine and is also a Southeast Tourism Society Top 20 Event. The Yellow Daisy Festival has grown from a small arts and crafts show to a full four day event with over 400 artists from all over the country. Come along and enjoy live music, demonstrations and get a head start on your holiday shopping! Lunch is not included, but there will be many options to choose from at the festival. Please RSVP by calling the CAL office at 706-549-4850 by Wednesday, September 9th.

High Museum of Art-African Art: Building the Collection This expansion is the result of a generous pledge from Fred and Rita Richman, longtime patrons of African art at the High Museum of Art and for whom the gallery was named in 2005. Featuring works from ancient to contemporary times and from disparate regions throughout the continent, the exhibition provides important insights into African cultural heritage from the past to the present day. You will have the option of grabbing a quick snack or lunch on your own at one of the cafes located within the Museum. Please RSVP by Friday, October 23rd by calling 706-549-4850.

Where: Depart from ACCA When: Friday, September 11th Time: 10:00am-4:00pm Cost: $35 for CAL Members

Where: Depart from ACCA When: Tuesday, October 27th Time: 10:00am-4:00pm Cost: $45 for CAL Members fall 2015 33

CENTER FOR ACTIVE LIVING |

trips and off-site adventures

Class times subject to change or cancel, please check www.accaging.org or call 706-549-4850 for updates.

Family Feud Taping Did you grow up watching all the television game shows?

Do you enjoy watching game shows while shouting out the answers before the contestants? Have you dreamed of getting your friends and families to audition for shows like The Family Feud? Well, here is your opportunity to trade in watching from the living room sofa to watching from the actual game show television set! Come along as we experience being an audience member for the television taping of an upcoming episode of the most popular games shows on TV. Dates and times have not been announced for November but we will be sure to let you know when we have the trip scheduled. For questions or additional information, please call the CAL office at 706-549-4850.

Fernbank Museum Winter Wonderland Exhibit Enjoy a season of celebrations during Fernbank’s 5th annual “Winter Wonderland.” This holiday-inspired exhibition features trees and other displays decorated by local cultural partners that recognize celebrations, including Christmas, Hanukkah and the Festival of Lights, as well as traditions and practices like origami, indigenous art and national symbols. The exhibition will twinkle with lights, glimmer with color, and shine with a variety of cultural ornaments and emblems that recognize the diversity of celebrations, holidays, traditions and events around the world. Please RSVP

by Friday, November 20th by calling the CAL office at 706-549-4850.

Where: Depart from ACCA to Atlanta When: November/Taping dates TBD Time: TBD Cost: $30.00

Where: Depart from ACCA to Atlanta When: Tuesday, November 24th Time: 10:00am-4:00pm Cost: $45.00 THE CLASSIC CENTER THEATRE’S 2015-16

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CENTER FOR ACTIVE LIVING |

ongoing fitness and wellness classes

We’re looking for instructors and suggestions. Call CAL (706-549-4850) to suggest a class or offer to teach.

Tai Chi - Smuggling Balance Tai chi is a Chinese exercise system that uses slow, smooth body movements to achieve a state of relaxation of both body and mind. Tai Chi - Smuggling Balance enhances balance activities into your daily routine.

Balance is critical to maintaining a healthy, independent life style. Fortunately, the good news about balance is that it can be taught and improved at any age. Using low impact, easy-to-learn movements from Tai Chi and yoga, this course will focus on the systems that interact and coordinate our sense of balance with a special emphasis on the musculoskeletal and neuromuscular systems. In addition to practicing a variety of activities, participants will learn how to incorporate these balance activities into their daily routine in an enjoyable and efficient manner.

Yoga Come find your inner peace and tranquility through a number of gentle yoga classes we offer here at ACCA! These classes will stretch and empower your mind, body and muscles. The instructor’s welcome new participants and will gladly give modifications you can do if the move is more advanced than you feel comfortable completing. Please bring your own mat and a blanket for the relaxation portion of the class. CAL will provide a mat for those that want to try a class for the first time or simply just left their mat at home!

Where: ACCA Harris Room When: Mondays w/Eleanor Time: 3:00pm-4:30pm Cost: Free for CAL Members

Where: ACCA Harris Room Where: ACCA Harris Room When: Mondays w/Michelle *start date of Monday, When: Tuesdays w/Chad September 21st* Time: 2:45pm-4:15pm Time: 1:00pm-2:00pm Cost: Free for CAL Members Cost: Free for CAL Members Where: ACCA Harris Room Tai Chi Easy® When: Wednesdays w/Edna Tai chi is a Chinese exercise system that uses slow, Time: 3:00pm-4:30pm smooth body movements to achieve a state of Cost: Free for CAL Members relaxation of both body and mind. Tai Chi Easy® is a straightforward and easy-to-learn set of movements Where: ACCA Harris Room that result in increased flexibility and reduced stress When: Fridays w/Anna levels. As a practice of “meditation in motion,” the slow Time: 10:00am-11:30am movements enhance immune function, improve sleep Cost: Free for CAL Members patterns, and reduce falls (and the fear of falling). It consists of four elements: Movement, meditation or relaxation, self-applied massage, and intentional breathing. No special clothing or equipment is required.

Where: ACCA Harris Room When: Fridays w/Tom Time: 1:00pm-2:00pm Cost: $5/class fall 2015 35

CENTER FOR ACTIVE LIVING |

ongoing fitness and wellness classes

Class times subject to change or cancel, please check www.accaging.org or call 706-549-4850 for updates.

Free Style Dance Groove to the music! This energetic class takes various different dance techniques and combines them into fun and easy-to-follow routines. The music ranges from Oldies but Goodies to today’s Latest Hits. Burn calories and reenergize your day in one fun filled class.

This class is designed to be enjoyed standing or from a seated position to best fit each participant. Jean, the instructor, does a wonderful job moving flawlessly between standing and sitting to keep everyone moving and engaged. Beginners are welcome!

Where: ACCA Harris Room with Jean When: Tuesdays and Thursdays Time: 11:00am-11:45am Cost: $2/class Line Dancing This is one of our most well attended classes here at the Center for Active Living. The class uses an eclectic mix of music to keep the class moving from beginning to end. Kathy, our dedicated instructor, will walk you step by step through the dances and there are tenured volunteers that will help keep you on track. Grab your dancing shoes and drop in for this excellent opportunity to exercise while having fun.

Where: ACCA Harris Room When: Tuesdays & Thursdays Time: 12:00pm-1:00pm Cost: Free for CAL Members

Smart Moves with Becky This all around fun class, mixes the use of elastic bands, free weights, medicine balls to work your entire body.

Similar to Silver Sneakers, it focuses on improved overall balance, flexibility, and strength while listening to music. Smart Moves is a low impact class that can be performed seated or standing and is appropriate for all fitness levels.

Where: ACCA Harris Room When: Mondays Time: 9:00am-10:00am Cost: Free for CAL Members Where: ACCA Harris Room When: Thursdays Time: 2:00pm-3:00pm Cost: Free for CAL Members On the Move with Kevin This class is a chair oriented class that includes: Aerobic, strength, and flexibility exercises. It is especially beneficial for those living with chronic conditions who require a low impact exercise program.

Kevin has many years of experience working with chronic conditions and makes individual adjustments to the routine to better serve each participant. This class is suitable for all fitness levels.

Where: ACCA Harris Room When: Thursdays Time: 10:00am-11:00am Cost: $5/class Healthy Living Program Walking Group Come out and join your Healthy Living Program (HLP) peers for the HLP walking group! Walking can help control weight and lower risk of complications with chronic diseases. Exercising can be more enjoyable when you participate with others. We will walk outside on the ACCA campus on Tuesday mornings when

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CENTER FOR ACTIVE LIVING |

ongoing fitness and wellness classes

We’re looking for instructors and suggestions. Call CAL (706-549-4850) to suggest a class or offer to teach.

weather permits and indoor on Friday afternoons at various locations. We meet in the ACCA lobby 5 minutes before we start walking. Walks will last approximately 30 minutes.

Where: Meet at ACCA front lobby When: Tuesdays at 9:00am and Fridays at 2:00pm Cost: Free for HLP Members

YWCO Water Exercise Water exercise provides general conditioning, flexibility, and cardiovascular workout done in the pool. Excellent for all ages. Present your CAL membership key card at the front desk of the YWCO to get the NEW discounted CAL rate below.

Where: YWCO Pool When: Mon., Wed., Fri. Time: 9:00am and 11:00am Cost: $5 with CAL Membership Card Where: YWCO Pool When: Monday and Wednesday Time: 7:00pm Cost: $5 with CAL Membership Card

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CENTER FOR ACTIVE LIVING |

ongoing fitness and wellness classes

Class times subject to change or cancel, please check www.accaging.org or call 706-549-4850 for updates.

YWCO Arthritis Water Exercise An Arthritis Foundation Certified program for individuals with arthritis. Increases range of motion and develops strength in a warm relaxing environment. Doctor’s permission is required. Present your CAL membership key card at the front desk of the YWCO to get the discounted rate below.

Where: YWCO Pool When: Monday thru Friday Time: 2:00pm-3:00pm Cost: $5 with CAL Membership Card

SilverSplash® SilverSplash is a universal, trademarked total body aqua conditioning class in a pool. SilverSplash focuses on increasing agility, range of movement and cardiovascular conditioning. Participants use the SilverSneakers kickboards to develop strength, balance and coordination in a safe, fun, and effective way. No swimming ability is required.

Where: YWCO Pool When: Fridays Time: 2:00pm-3:00pm Cost: $5 with CAL Membership Card

PROTECT: DETECT: Learn to detect and know how to act on it.

If you suspect that you have been a target type of abuse, report immediately to the REPORT: ofSMPanySenior Medicare Patrol.

Protect yourself from Medicare errors, fraud, and abuse.

CONTACT:

FUNDED IN PART BY THE U.S. ADMINISTRATION ON AGING

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CENTER FOR ACTIVE LIVING |

ongoing social programs

We’re looking for instructors and suggestions. Call CAL (706-549-4850) to suggest a class or offer to teach.

Birthday Celebration Come and celebrate all those that have a September, October or November birthdays! Each one of you are extremely important to us and we want to celebrate you!

We are excited about the opportunity to host monthly birthday celebrations open to all the community, CAL members and your friends. These celebrations are held on the last Thursday of each month. November celebration will be held the week prior due to the Thanksgiving Holiday. Hope you will drop by to say hello!

Mahjongg Join us to play Mahjongg, a Chinese Tile Game that is becoming more and more popular in the United States.

Similar to the Western card game rummy, mahjongg is a game of skill, strategy, calculation, and involves a degree of change. Some knowledge of the game and reservations are required. The game is played in tables of four, however, the group is always looking for substitutes.

Where: ACCA Bentley Conference Room When: Mondays Where: The Round Room at ACCA Time: 1:00pm-4:00pm When: Thursdays, September 24th, October 29th, Cost: Free for CAL Members November 19th Contact for Reservation or Information: Sharon at 706Time: 1:00pm-1:45pm 543-8524 Cost: Free Where: ACCA Glass Dining Room Member Meet and Greet When: Mondays Interested in meeting other CAL Members? Each Time: 1:30pm-4:30pm quarter, we offer the perfect opportunity for you to Cost: Free for CAL Members do so! Our Member Meet and Greet allows you to Contact for Reservation or Information: Fran at 706intermingle with CAL Staff and CAL Members while 353-6671 enjoying refreshments and pleasant conversation. We look forward to seeing you!

The Scribblers Welcome to an intimate writers group that gathers Where: The Round Room at ACCA weekly to share various kinds of writings. The writing When: Thursday, October 8th that one wishes to share can be fiction or non-fiction.

Time: 1:00pm-2:00pm We welcome memoirs, poetry, stories, or anything that Cost: Free the writer wishes to share among friends and those whom also enjoy writing. Feedback can be given, if Crocheting in the Round the writer wishes. This gathering is led by Sandie This small class is intended for beginners to learn the Nicholson. basics of how to crochet and at an intermediate level will learn more difficult projects. Beginning materials Where: ACCA Bentley Conference Room provided. Class is taught by Sandie Nicholson When: Tuesdays Time: 9:30am – 10:55am Where: ACCA Round Room Cost: Free for CAL Members When: Mondays Time: 10:00am-10:55am Cost: Free for CAL Members fall 2015 39

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ongoing social programs

Class times subject to change or cancel, please check www.accaging.org or call 706-549-4850 for updates.

Toastmasters This weekly meeting is a learn-by-doing workshop in which participants hone their speaking and leadership skills in a no-pressure atmosphere. Meeting participants also give impromptu talks on assigned topics, conduct meetings and develop skills related to timekeeping, grammar and parliamentary procedure. Members learn communication skills by working in the Competent Communication manual, which includes a series of 10 self-paced speaking assignments designed to instill a basic foundation in public speaking.

Grand Slammers Bridge Group This advanced bridge group meets on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays. No reservation needed.

Where: ACCA Glass Dining Room When: Wednesdays Time: 1:30pm Cost: Free for CAL Members Newcomers Card Group Join other CAL members to play the Hand and Foot card game on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday and play Mexican Train on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday!

Where: ACCA Hudson Conference Room When: Tuesdays Time: 11:30am-1:30pm Where: ACCA Bentley Conference Room Cost: $60/6 months; $20 New Toastmaster Member When: Wednesdays Fee Time: 12:30pm-3:30pm Cost: Yearly membership fee of $20 for CAL Members Intermediate Bridge Contact for more information: Nicki at 706-850-6615 Join us in an informal setting to play bridge and socialize with others that share common interest. No reservation Belle Hill Singers needed.

Join fellow members to sing traditional church music in a group setting and inspire individuals through Where: ACCA Glass Dining Room the power of song. Performances take place every When: Tuesdays Tuesday and Thursday at different community centers, Time: 1:30pm nursing homes, assisted living, senior centers, and Cost: Free for CAL Members adult health centers. Transportation is provided but is optional. New members are welcome regardless of Advanced Bridge singing ability. Call the CAL office at 706-549-4850 for This advanced bridge group meets on the 1st and 3rd more information or for current performance schedule.

Wednesdays. The group requires reservations; please call Mary at 706-549-3160 to reserve your spot today! Where: Meet at ACCA at 9:45am When: Tuesdays & Thursdays Where: ACCA Glass Dining Room Time: 10:00am-11:30am When: Wednesdays Cost: Free for CAL Members Time: 1:30pm Cost: Free for CAL Members

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ongoing social programs

We’re looking for instructors and suggestions. Call CAL (706-549-4850) to suggest a class or offer to teach.

UGArden Produce Stand The UGArden is a four-acre, student run garden on the University of Georgia’s property and host a Produce Stand here at the Athens Community Council on Aging and runs every Tuesday from 11am-2pm during the months of April-November. Fresh, organically grown vegetables are sold at below retail price and we offer them at half the cost for older adults at or below the poverty line, as well as those using SNAP benefits. We accept cash, check and credit/debit cards.

Profits from the produce stand support efforts to eliminate senior hunger in Athens, Georgia.

Where: Under the Pavilion at ACCA When: Tuesdays Time: 11:00am-2:00pm Cost: Prices Vary

buy local. eat fresh.

Community

135 hoyt street downtown athens Tuesdays 11am until 2pm open to everyone EBT, Cash, Card & Check Accepted For volunteer opportunities, contact SHvista@accaging.org Supported by UGArden and ACCA

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columbia brookside programs

Class times subject to change or cancel, please check www.accaging.org or call 706-549-4850 for updates.

Food Education Workshop Older adults are one of the high risk groups for foodborne illness – making following general food safety guidelines extremely critical for one’s health. Come and take advantage of this food education workshop and take home some important tips on food safety as it applies to the Holidays as well as our normal day to day cooking routine. TaMara Myles, who has earned a Master’s in Foods and Nutrition, will be leading this workshop packed full of information about food safety during the holidays, refrigeration and freezer storage procedures and times as well as the top 10 food safety myths. Space is limited, please RSVP by calling the CAL office at 706-549-4850 by Tuesday, September 29th to reserve your spot!

Salsa Demonstration As with many dances, the creation of the dance followed the creation of the music. New Yorkers of Cuban and Puerto Rican ancestry are credited as the pioneers of Salsa music. Have you always been curious what exactly Salsa Dancing is? Do you feel like you have two left feet but you want to give dancing a try? Dancing is an excellent form of exercise and is fun at the same time! Join us for a fun and upbeat Salsa demonstration to gain a better understanding of the dance and perhaps pick up a new hobby!

Where: Columbia Brookside When: Wednesday, November 18th Time: 11:00am-11:30am Cost: Free for CAL Members

Where: Columbia Brookside When: Thursday, October 1st Time: 1:00pm-1:45pm Cost: Free for CAL Members

Cognitive/Memory Screening Losing one’s memory is a common fear connected with aging. UGA’s Speech and Hearing Clinic is coming to ACCA to offer Cognitive/Memory screenings for those interested. These screenings will give you a baseline for future reference and information that may encourage you to consider beginning memory exercises to prevent future memory loss. Please RSVP by calling the CAL office at 706-549-4850 by Tuesday, October 6th and Tuesday, October 13th for Columbia Brookside location.

Where: Columbia Brookside When: Thursday, October 15th Time: 10:00am-12:00pm Cost: Free for CAL Members

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The Northeast Georgia Faith and Aging Alliance was created to educate faith communities about available resources for older adults. The Alliance will host its first community summit on October 15 at the Trinity Lutheran Church, 2535 Jefferson Road, Athens, GA 30607. Participants will have a unique opportunity to hear about aging in place, care giving, dementia and Alzheimer’s options for care, healthy aging classes and elder abuse. The Summit will be held from 9:00 am until 12 noon. There is no cost to attend.

CENTER FOR ACTIVE LIVING |

support groups and meetings

We’re looking for instructors and suggestions. Call CAL (706-549-4850) to suggest a class or offer to teach.

Caregiver Support Group - Athens Area For any caregiver or any caregivers caring for someone with Alzheimer’s Disease or related dementias to fellowship with other caregivers, participate in educational programs, and gain knowledge from health care professionals.

Where: ACCA Bentley ADH Center When: 3rd Tuesday each month Time: 12:00 pm-1:00 pm Cost: FREE Alzheimer’s Support Group - Winder Area For caregivers or anyone caring for someone with Alzheimer’s Disease or related dementias to fellowship with other caregivers, participate in educational programs, and gain knowledge from health care professionals.

Where: Winder Adult Day Care When: Last Friday of each month Time: 12:00 pm-1:00 pm Cost: FREE

Grandparents Raising Grandchildren A support group provided for grandparents raising the grandchildren. Group topics vary in discussion from month to month and occasionally include informational materials and guest speakers. For specific dates and times, please contact Paige Powell at 706-549-4850.

Where: ACCA’s Hudson Conference Room in Athens and Rivers of Mercy in Monroe.

When: TBD Time: 12:00 pm-1:30 pm Cost: FREE Parkinson’s Support Groups A group provided for persons with Parkinson’s Disease and their caregivers. Group topics vary in discussion from month to month and occasionally include informational materials, guest speakers, or trips.

Where: ACCA Glass Dining Room When: 4th Monday each month Time: 2:00 pm -3:00 pm Cost: FREE

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ON THE SCENE

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at the station

ON THE SCENE

at the station

fall 2015 45

ON THE SCENE

at the station

On June 6, 2015, members of the community came out to ACCA for a bench dedication in memory of Upshaw Bentley, Jr. Members of Mr. Bentley’s family as well as close friends, community members and colleagues from Fortson, Bentley, and Griffin were in attendance. Mr. Bentley was instrumental in raising the funds for ACCA’s Bentley Adult Day Health facility. This dedication wouldn’t have been possible without the generous donations of Mr. John McLanahan, Jr. of First American Bank and Mr. Joe Frierson, III of Merrill Lynch.

Community members gathered to hear about Mr. Bentley’s contributions to ACCA and the Athens community

Family members of Upshaw Bentley, Jr.

Doc Eldridge and Mayor Nancy Denson 46 connections

Representatives from Fortson, Bentley, & Griffin

Current ACCA CEO/President Jennie Deese and former CEO, Kathryn Fowler

Do You Hear But Not Understand?

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BONUS SAVINGS FREE Batteries with hearing aid purchase

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If you answered ‘Yes,” you may be AT RISK for HEALTH ISSUES related to untreated hearing loss.

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Medical research has linked an increased rate of DEMENTIA, diminished MENTAL HEALTH and a higher chance of FALLING to ignored symptoms.

Get a FREE Hearing Evaluation from our hearing professionals in the office of Dr. John R. Simpson and Winder Ear, Nose & Throat Center!

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Two Convenient Locations John R. Simpson, M.D., F.A.C.S.

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(706) 395-0997 fall 2015 47

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11th Annual

Several businesses in the area have joined forces to provide presents to seniors who otherwise might not receive a gift this holiday season. In partnership with Home Instead, ACCA, a local non-profit, will identify seniors in the community with this need.

The program runs November 2 through December 4, 2015.

How to Help 1. Select a Santa ornament from the tree or wreath (locations to be announced 11/1/2015) 2. Purchase item(s) listed 3. Put Santa ornament and gift(s) together 4. Deliver unwrapped gifts along with ornament to ACCA 5. Please make sure all presents are turned in by December 7, 2015

Then bring your wrapping paper and jolly attitude to the

GIFT WRAPPING PARTY

December 7, 4:00 pm at ACCA - 135 Hoyt Street, Athens 48 connections