2021 Annual Report: Northwest Georgia Area Agency on Aging

2021 ANNUAL REPORT

AAA ADVISORY COUNCIL MEMBERS

Shelia Callaway Advisory Council Chair

Jane Addison CCSP Case Management Services

Miriam Fife CCSP Case Management Services

Kimberly Oney HCBS Contractor

Morgan Alexander Adult Protective Services

Jean-Claire Hester CCSP Case Management Services

LaRay Ramey Alzheimer’s Association

Amber Allen Adult Protective Services

Stacey Holbrook HCBS Contractor

Willa Rickett Senior Citizen

Vonna Artemis Bartow County Social Services

Christina Holtzclaw NW GA Center for Independent Living

Bobbie Rushing Adult Protective Services

Kathy Baker NWGA Center for Independent Living Jessi Barton Cameron Hall of Ellijay December Bell Adult Protective Services Kathryn Bennett ELAP Contractor Bob Birky Regional Commission Representative Linda Blackwell Department of Behavioral Health & Developmental Disabilities Redonna Branton Transitions Hospice Mary Clark Senior Citizen Tanya Debick HCBS Contractor

Rachael Hunton HCBS Contractor Georgia Jennings Senior Citizen Kimberly Lai CCSP Case Management Services Lewis Preston Lafayette Senior Center Menta Knight Adult Protective Services Diane McKinnon HCBS Contractor Elizabeth Molina HCBS Contractor Marcy Muller ELAP Contractor Carlene Mutter HCBS Contractor

Maia Santamaria NWGA Center for Independent Living Kandice Spivey CCSP Case Management Services Sherry Thompson Adult Protective Services Angeline Vaquera-Link ELAP Contractor Nichole Varnell Allatoona Resource Center Taesha Ward CCSP Case Management Services Donna Wilson National Church Homes Dakota Wright Adult Protective Services Pam Youngblood Chickamauga Senior Center

I want you to know how much I appreciate your transportation services. I am with cancer and deal with respiratory and cardiac problems. Such conditions many imperative doctor visits. Due to lack 3 transportation, I had a te4ible tim keeping my doctor appointments and my condition was in decline.

One night, while browsing online, I came acrofi your website. Now I use your transportation services and see my doctors regularly. Each transportation afi is pleasant and accommodating. 5( show great patience in afiisting me in and out 3 the vehicle. 5( even handle my wheelchair and oxygen properly.

Without your afiistance, I wouldn’t have much 3 a future. I sincerely thank you for changing my life.

FROM THE DIRECTOR

AREA AGENCY ON AGING

STAFF

Lynne Reeves Director

What a year this has been for the Northwest Georgia Area Agency on Aging (AAA)! We proudly announce that our team accomplished the vision to serve older Georgians despite the ongoing public health emergency. Flexibility proved vital as we pursued our mission to assist the aging population.

The AAA was successful in achieving our goals.

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• • •

• •

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T he Aging and Disability Resource Connection continued to provide information and referrals to an increasing number of individuals, including those for the Elderly and Disabled Medicaid Waiver Program. ase managers began “porch visits” to continue providing impactful face-to-face C visits with our clients.

The Nursing Home Transitions team safely visited clients in nursing facilities and successfully transitioned individuals back into the community.

Wellness and caregiver programs such as Chronic Disease Self-Management, Matter of Balance, and Dementia Friends transitioned to a virtual format which enabled the forward momentum of these programs to continue.

The AAA received additional funding that allowed us to address an increased number of seniors.

Lindsay Wilson

Assistant Director Melanie Bailey

ADRC Program Manager

Drew Brandon

ADRC Resource Specialist/ Transition Assistant

Brooke Brown

MDSQ-Options Counselor

Amanda Capes ADRC Counselor

Rhonda Davis

Money Follows the Person/Support Options Fiscal Management Services

Ann Dixon

ADRC Support Staff

Claudia Freeman Fiscal Officer

Denise Freeman

Nursing Home/Money Follows the Person Transition Coordinator

Leah Gentry

Case Manager

Michelle Green

Our continued success is built on a system of committed contractors and strengthening partnerships, including our relationships with transportation and public health.

Office Coordinator

The Department of Human Services awarded AAA the Impact Award for making great strides in assisting to vaccinate seniors against the COVID-19 virus—a fine example of our partnership with public health.

Program Coordinator

Our agency is eager to see senior centers and adult day health centers reopen at pre-pandemic attendance levels. The value of these gathering places, and the importance of these services, is more vital than ever as we continue to witness the negative impact of social isolation on older adults.

We are excited to share our work with you and look forward to the coming year.

Thank you for being so supportive!

Lynne Reeves Lynne Reeves MBA, RDN, LD Director, Area Agency on Aging Northwest Georgia Regional Commission

Carrie Hobbs

ADRC Counselor

Tiffani Holbrook Robyn Kerr

Case Manager

Eileen Medrano ADRC Counselor

Schervone Mosley ADRC Counselor

Amy Rast

Transportation Specialist

Rotricia Small

ADRC Counselor

Rogena Walden

Wellness Coordinator

Sonia Wiggins

Lead ADRC Counselor

Jenny Williams Case Manager

Charity Williams ADRC Counselor

Jamie Youngblood

CCSP Program Coordinator

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CATOOSA

WALKER

CHATTOOGA

FLOYD

WH IT

DADE

FIEL D

WHO WE ARE

MURRAY

GORDON

FANNIN

GILMER

PICKENS

Designated by the Georgia Department of Human Resources, the Area Agency on Aging coordinates programs and services designed to assist older Georgians in their desire to live in the community instead of a long-term facility. ​ At your Area Agency on Aging, our number one concern is the health and well-being of seniors and elderly citizens of Georgia.

BARTOW

POLK PAULDING HARALSON

2021 ANNUAL REPORT GEORGIA

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VISION

MISSION

To be our community Aging and Disability Resource Connection (ADRC) and provide a coordinated system of services and long-term care that promotes independence and well-being for older Georgians and families.

To create an atmosphere that promotes health, independence, dignity, and quality of life for its senior and disabled populations through the administration of a comprehensive coordinated system of programs.

NORTHWEST GEORGIA REGIONAL COMMISSION (NWGRC) COUNCIL as of September 9, 2021 BARTOW COUNTY Steve Taylor, Commissioner Jayce Stepp, Cartersville City Council Member Karl Lutjens, Nonpublic

FLOYD COUNTY Wright Bagby, Commission Chair Bill Collins, Commissioner for the City of Rome Chris Butler, Nonpublic

CATOOSA COUNTY Steven Henry, Commission Chair Rhonda James, Fort Oglethorpe City Council Member Vacancy, Nonpublic

GILMER COUNTY Charlie Paris, Commission Chair Al Hoyle, Mayor of Ellijay Kent W. Sanford, Nonpublic

CHATTOOGA COUNTY Blake Elsberry, Commissioner Harry Harvey, Mayor of Summerville James H. Henry, Nonpublic DADE COUNTY Ted M. Rumley, County Executive/ Commission Chairman Alex Case, Mayor of Trenton Peter Cervelli, Nonpublic FANNIN COUNTY Jamie Hensley, Commission Chair Donna Whitener, Mayor of Blue Ridge Vacancy, Nonpublic

GORDON COUNTY M. L. “Bud” Owens, Commissioner George Crowley, Mayor Pro Tem of Calhoun Dewayne Bowen, Nonpublic HARALSON COUNTY Ronnie Ridley, Commission Chair Vacancy, Bremen Bob Birky, Nonpublic MURRAY COUNTY Greg Hogan, Commissioner K. W. Gong, Mayor of Chatsworth Steve Noland, Nonpublic

PAULDING COUNTY David Carmichael, Commission Chair James Kelly, Mayor of Dallas David Austin, Nonpublic PICKENS COUNTY Kris Stancil, Commission Chair Steve Lawrence, Mayor of Jasper Gary Reece, Nonpublic POLK COUNTY Linda Liles, Commissioner Vacancy, Cedartown Alan Dean, Nonpublic WALKER COUNTY Shannon Whitfield, Commission Chair Andy Arnold, Mayor of LaFayette Chip Catlett, Nonpublic WHITFIELD COUNTY Jevin Jensen, Commission Chair Ken Gowin, Mayor of Tunnel Hill Mike Babb, Nonpublic

I want to thank your case managers that helped me with paperwork to become a U.S. Citizen. ff3 provided me with good feedback to move forward mentally and physically. ffe home-delivered meals are balanced and 4esh.

You continue to be a great help to me.

5

NORTHWEST GEORGIA AREA AGENCY ON AGING

SCENT PRESERVATION KITS Scent Preservation Kits are designed for individuals living with Alzheimer’s or dementia and may have the tendency to wander.

The kit provides K9 trailing responders with scent articles from missing persons that increase the chance of locating the individual.

AAA partnered with the North Georgia Elder Abuse Task Force to distribute the kits.

PROJECT LIFESAVER AAA partnered with the Paulding County Sheriff’s Department to provide Project Lifesaver to aging clients with cognitive conditions.

This search and rescue program is designed for “at risk” individuals who are prone to the life-threatening behavior of wandering. The primary mission of Project Lifesaver is to provide timely response to save lives and reduce potential injury.

VIRTUAL DEMENTIA TOURS AAA is certified by Second Wind Dreams to conduct Virtual Dementia Tours. This tour is an individual experience through simulated dementia created for families, organizations, and companies seeking to better understand the physical and mental challenges of those with dementia. AAA conducted a tour with local law enforcement at the Assistive Technology Lab in Rome.

Recently AAA helped me, a 74-year-old widow, obtain items for my home effential to ca3y on daily living.

I very much appreciated their help when I was in need.

2021 PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

NUTRITION AND WELLNESS •

562,000+ meals provided to older adults—a 10% increase from 2020

•

Senior Hunger Grants awarded in 3 Northwest Georgia counties (Dade, Gilmer, Polk)

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Senior Farmers Market program served 900 individuals in 15 counties

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34 consumers participated in virtual and in-person evidence-based wellness programs such as Tai Chi, Chronic Disease Self-Management, and Matter of Balance

562,000+ MEALS PROVIDED TO OLDER ADULTS

563

PEOPLE SERVED

CASE MANAGEMENT •

563 served by Home and Community Based Case Managers

•

$190,000+ in material aid was distributed—served 393 clients—an increase of 391% from 2020 (material aid includes groceries, incontinence supplies, utility payments, durable medical equipment, masks, cleaning products, assistive technology, and more)

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4,068 transportation trips were coordinated through local transit systems and the in-home service provider for quality-of-life visits

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“Porch visits” were implemented to ensure quality assessments continued to be performed.

TELEPHONE REASSURANCE PROGRAM •

The Telephone Reassurance Program was launched to provide emotional support and decrease social isolation for seniors.

BY CASE MANAGERS

$190,000+

MATERIAL AID DISTRIBUTED 391% INCREASE FROM 2020

4,068

TRANSPORTATION TRIPS COORDINATED

CAREGIVER PROGRAMS •

120 served through programs such as Dementia Friends, Powerful Tools for Caregivers, and Dealing with Dementia

•

Served as the regional coordinator for the Rosalyn Carter Institute’s (RCI) CARE-NET program (hosted quarterly regional caregiver meetings)

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Camille Adams, a caregiver in Polk County, accepted the RCI 2021 Caregiver of the Year Award.

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Became certified to conduct official Virtual Dementia Tours by Second Wind Dreams

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Provided Project Lifesaver to aging clients with cognitive conditions (a partnership with the Paulding County Sheriff’s Department)

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Distributed Scent Preservation Kits to individuals living with Alzheimer’s or dementia (a partnership with North Georgia Elder Abuse Task Force)

AGING AND DISABILITY RESOURCE CONNECTION (ADRC) •

6,502 new clients—an increase from 2020

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23,890 total contact assists—an increase from 2020

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26,000 resources accessible through the Atlanta Regional Commission’s EmpowerlinePRO

6,502

NEW ADRC CLIENTS AN INCREASE FROM 2020

23,890

CONTACT ASSISTS THROUGH ADRC

26,000

RESOURCES ACCESSIBLE ARC EmpowerlinePRO

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COVID-19 RESPONSE

CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES

Beep! Beep! Bingo!

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the aging network in Northwest Georgia presented AAA with both challenges and opportunities. Our agency successfully kept service delivery modifications to a minimum while providing outstanding responsiveness to individuals who contacted the AAA/Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) in need of information and referral for services.

Excellence in communication was paramount during the pandemic, especially between the state aging network, providers, and our internal AAA staff. Daily guidance was imperative as the pandemic parameters were uncertain and ever-changing. Although face-to-face meetings had become less frequent, and in-person meetings were sorely missed, the ability to communicate quickly and openly increased significantly.

Rockmart Stays Apart

Innovation was our lifeline! Senior center managers and adult day health providers pivoted to offer programming virtually, at outdoor community locations, parks, parking lots, and through activity kits and other technology-based communication.

In March 2020, nutrition centers began to close, requiring a significant transition of service. For example, the hot meal program shifted to a frozen and shelf-stable meal program. The change required our team to forge partnerships with local grocers to assist in storing frozen and shelf foods for individual clients and centers.

Chattooga Masks Up

We are pleased to announce that COVID relief funding allowed us to expand and add various necessary services. AAA reached more clients through home meal deliveries, added a meal provider to meet the increased demand, provided more in-home services, and improved coordination with local transit providers for medical and grocery shopping trips.

Tallapoosa’s Crazy Hair Day

Safe Crafting in Paulding

Staff Delivering PPE

Pickens Walking Group

8 Dade Digs Gardening

ADVOCACY

PARTNERSHIPS

The AAA serves as an advocate and focal point for older individuals in cooperation with various agencies and organizations across the Northwest Georgia service area. Some of our partnerships include: •

Center for Independent Living

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Community Service Boards

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Adult Protective Services

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Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities

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Various home health agencies

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Our AAA staff members are also actively involved in the following organizations: •

Georgia Council on Aging

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National Association of Area Agency on Aging

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Southeastern Association of Area Agency on Aging

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Georgia Gerontology Society

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Georgia Alzheimer’s and Related Dementia (GARD) Advisory Council

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American Society on Aging

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Alliance of Information and Referral Systems

949

SURVEYS

COMPLETED

PUBLIC HEARINGS & SURVEYS The AAA conducts public hearings throughout the region and engages each community through a needs assessment survey. As we identify specific service gaps, AAA designs and implements programs to address those needs in the appropriate area when possible.

Our agency conducted public hearings in the following counties:

DADE HARALSON PICKENS

CONTRACTED PROVIDERS All Ways Caring Home Care City of Bremen

ffe transportation services are so helpful!

My family works, so this service relieves some 3 their stre4. All your services help maintain my independence at home.

City of Rossville Coosa Valley Regional Services and Development Cooperation Georgia Legal Services, Inc. Mercy Care, Rome North Georgia Community Action, Inc. Trio Community Meals

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BY THE NUMBERS

4.9 MILLION DIRECT SERVICES FUNDED

903,016

4,354

PROVIDED TO OLDER ADULTS

CUSTOMERS SERVED

23,890

4,069

UNITS OF SERVICE

UNIQUE

CONTACTS MADE TO THE AGING & DISABILITY

QUALITY OF LIFE TRIPS COORDINATED

RESOURCE CONNECTION (ADRC)

WITH TRANSPORTATION PROVIDERS

562,968

1,155

MEALS DISTRIBUTED

OLDER ADULTS ADDED TO THE

HOME & COMMUNITY BASED SERVICES WAIT LIST COMMUNITY REACH

IMPROVED SERVICE BROCHURE

The AAA rewrote, redesigned, and reintroduced the agency brochure to the Northwest Georgia community. Contents include, •

Comprehensive Service Offerings

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Directory of Helpful Contacts (including AAA, DAS, GeorgiaCares, GA VA, SSA, and GADRC)

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Eligibility Requirements

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Available Programs

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MDSQ Options Counseling Information

•

Accompanying Direct Mailed Postcards & Flyer

Did You Kno w?

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Area Agen cy on Aging 1 Jackson Hill Dr. P.O. Box 1798 Rome, GA 30162-179 8

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1-800-75

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h and Spa 노스웨스트 조지아 지역 노화 사무국 nis

알고 계셨습니까?

h.

노스웨스트 조지아 지역 노화 사무국(Northwest Georgia Area Agency on Aging, AAA)은 사람들이 나이들 준비를 하도록 그리고 더 행복한, 더 건강한 삶을 그들이 있는 곳에서 살도록 도움을 주는 프로그램과 서비스를 제공하는 원천입니다.

This uniquely designed, sixteen-page brochure contains a full translation in Spanish.

귀하, 또는 귀하가 아는 누군가가, 도움이 필요하면, 오늘 AAA에 연락하십시오!

우리의 서비스에는 다음과 같은 것이 포함됩니다. ◗

영양 프로그램

◗

증례 관리

주부 서비스

◗

가정 배달 식사

◗

정보 및 서비스 의뢰

◗

커뮤니티 돌봄 서비스 프로그램

◗ ◗ ◗

노인 주간 건강 복지

건강 및 안녕 프로그램

Print-on-demand flyer in Korean is also included.

FINANCIAL SNAPSHOT

EXPENDITURES

46% HOME DELIVERED

MEALS

9%

17%

SENIOR CENTER CONGREGATE

MEALS

5%

9%

7%

AGING & DISABILITY RESOURCE CONNECTION 1.2%

CAREGIVER SERVICES

2.6%

OTHER HOME & ADMINISTRATION COMMUNITY

.078%

LOCAL

FUNDING

OTHER

35.91%

TRANSITIONS

REVENUES

1.69%

IN-KIND

OFFERINGS

CASE

MANAGEMENT

NURSING HOME

BASED SERVICES

0.08%

2.5% IN-HOME SERVICES

62.24%

STATE FUNDING

FEDERAL FUNDING 11

1 Jackson Hill Drive | P.O. Box 1798 | Rome, GA 30162-1798 | 800-759-2963 | 706-802-5508

www.AreaAgencyOnAgingInNWGA.com