Area Agency on Aging, Northwest Georgia

AreaAgencyOnAgingInNWGA.com

Serving: Bartow Catoosa Chattooga Dade Fannin Floyd Gilmer Gordon Haralson Murray Paulding Pickens Polk Walker Whitfield Catoosa

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T. 1-800-759-2963 I F. 706-802-5508 I NWGRC.org

Pickens

Helpful Numbers ◗ Area Agency on Aging

Area Agency on Aging 1 Jackson Hill Dr., P.O. Box 1798 Rome, GA 30162-1798 Phone: 1-800-759-2963 Fax: 706-802-5508 AreaAgencyOnAgingInNWGA.com

(AAA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-800-759-2963

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Division of Aging Services (DAS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 404-657-5258

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GeorgiaCares . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-800-552-4464, (opt. 4)

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Georgia Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) . . . 1-800-827-1000

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Georgia Social Security Administration (SSA) . . . 1-800-772-1213

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Georgia’s Aging and Disability Resource Connection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-866-552-4464 ◗ (opt. 1) Food Stamps, TANF, Medicaid, DFCS, Child Support Services ◗ (opt. 2) Aging and Disability Resource Connection (ADRC) ◗ (opt. 3) Adult Protective Services (opt. 4) GeorgiaCares, Medicare, Fraud, SHIP, SMP ◗ (opt. 5) Long-Term Care Ombudsman (LTCO) ◗ (opt. 7) Georgia Senior Legal Services ◗

Northwest Georgia Regional Commission 1 Jackson Hill Drive, P.O. Box 1798 Rome, GA 30161 NWGRC.org

Home & Community-Based Services Home & Community-Based Services (HCBS) are helpful services offered under the Older Americans Act. These services are administered by Area Agencies on Aging throughout the nation.

Services include: Home delivered meals to the temporarily or permanently home bound ◗ Congregate meals in a group setting ◗ Health promotion/wellness ◗ Homemaker services and home modifications ◗ Respite and adult day health service ◗ HCBS case management ◗ Georgia legal services ◗ Alzheimer’s services and dementia services (any age) ◗ Consumer Directed Services ◗

Aging & Disability Resource Connection 2 Peachtree Street N.W. 33rd Floor Atlanta, GA 30303 (866) 552-4464 GeorgiaADRC.com

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For more information visit AreaAgencyOnAgingInNWGA.com or call 1-800-759-2963

WHO is eligible?

Individuals aged sixty and over are eligible. ◗ There are no income limits. ◗ Greatest emphasis is placed on those most in need of the services—beginning with the frail elderly. ◗ Additional eligibility criteria may apply for each individual program or service. ◗ A cost-share may apply and is determined at the provider level. ◗

HCBS Case Management HCBS Case Management is a service offered to individuals who may be at risk of nursing home placement, long-term placement, or are at high risk for re-hospitalization. Individual needs are linked to community resources that provide assistance with activities of daily living allowing individuals to remain in their homes longer.

How does HCBS Case Management work? ◗ An

HCBS case manager will schedule a visit with the client and their family to assess individual needs.

What can I expect to receive?

Information about available community resources ◗ Information about the client’s primary diagnosis and medications ◗ A personal care plan ◗ Home visits (or telephone visits when appropriate) ◗

NOTE: Waiting lists may apply; private-pay options available immediately.

For more information visit AreaAgencyOnAgingInNWGA.com or call 1-800-759-2963

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Community Care Services Program Community Care Services Program (CCSP*) is a Medicaid Waiver Program (The Elder & Disabled Waiver Program – EDWP) that assists eligible individuals to remain in their homes and communities as they age—an alternative to nursing home or long-term care placement. Through a detailed one-on-one evaluation, a care consultant identifies and establishes a personal plan of action. Based on individual needs, qualified individuals may benefit from one or more of the following community care services.

◗ Adult Day Health

Adult day care services are available especially for older adults who cannot be home alone during the day due to a physical, social, or mental impairment.

The service offers an ideal alternative by providing daytime care by trained professionals who nurture, stimulate, and care for individuals while providing respite for caregivers—especially those who are employed outside the home.

◗ Alternative Living

Aging adults who are unable to live independently in their own home may find an alternative residence, such as a Personal Care Home, to be a good option for residence. Here clients receive twenty-four-hour supervision, medically oriented personal care, periodic nursing supervision, and health related support services in a state licensed residential setting.

◗ Emergency Response

For older adults with documented health issues, safety needs, and mobility limitations, a twenty-four-hour emergency communication link is available to connect with assistance outside of the home.

◗ Personal Support

This program provides assistance with household tasks such as cleaning, laundry, shopping, running errands, and planning and preparing meals. Home health aides also assist with personal care tasks such as dressing, bathing, grooming, and following special diets.

◗ Out-of-Home Respite

When it’s time for the primary caregiver to have some alone time at home, there are approved twenty-four-hour supervision facilities that will gladly help.

◗ Home Delivered Meals

Delicious and nutritionally balanced meals delivered straight to the home.

Frozen, hot, or shelf stable, these meals will be appreciated by those temporarily or permanently home bound.

◗ Home Delivered Services

Those that are home bound will appreciate skilled services delivered right to their living room. Services may include skilled nursing, medical social services, home health aide assistance, personal care, assistance with meals, as well as physical, speech, and occupational therapies.

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For more information visit AreaAgencyOnAgingInNWGA.com or call 1-800-759-2963

GeorgiaCares

◗ Case Management

Through a detailed one-on-one evaluation, a care manager will identify and establish a plan of action—a process which includes assessing, implementing, coordinating, monitoring, and evaluating options and services required. Referrals will be made as needed.

Other services may be available as determined in coordination with a care manager and doctor.

CCSP qualifying individuals must:

M eet nursing home level of care for both physical limitations and functional impairment ◗ Have an unmet need for care ◗ Meet income and resource requirements (cost-share may apply) ◗

NOTE: Additional criteria may be considered.

◗ How to be considered for CCSP?

Contact the Area Agency on Aging at 1-800-759-2963. ◗ If eligible, a CCSP registered nurse will meet with you face-to-face to develop an individualized care plan. ◗ A cost-share may apply and is determined by the Department of Family & Children Services based on income. An estimated cost-share will be provided during the initial screening. ◗ Due to the popularity of the CCSP, a waiting list may apply.

However, private-pay options are available immediately. ◗

GeorgiaCares is a free program providing unbiased information and assistance to Medicare beneficiaries so they can make informed decisions about their healthcare coverage options.

GeorgiaCares is administered by the Department of Human Services and the Division of Aging Services and is listed on the back of the official Medicare & You Handbook.

GeorgiaCares helps you understand:

Medicare overview ◗ Part D ◗ Prescription plans ◗ Enrollment ◗ Medicare Advantage plans ◗ Medicaid and other financial assistance ◗ Billing issues ◗

Contact GeorgiaCares TODAY for a personalized consultation that tailors services to your unique needs.

1-866-552-4464, (opt. 4) MyGeorgiaCares.org

*CCSP is subject to Georgia’s Estate Recovery mandate and is administered by the Department of Community Health.

For more information visit AreaAgencyOnAgingInNWGA.com or call 1-800-759-2963

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Nutrition, Wellness, and Caregiver Programs NUTRITION PROGRAM ◗ Home Delivered Meals

Home delivered meals are available to the temporarily or permanently home bound.

◗ Congregate Meals

To ensure proper nutrition and a good dose of social interaction, meals are offered in group settings at more than seventeen locations throughout the region. In most cases, transportation is provided to the nutrition center by the county of residence.

◗ Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program

Eligible participants receive vouchers to purchase fresh produce from local farmers.

◗ Nutrition Education Programs

Individual nutrition counseling is provided by a registered dietitian and a variety of nutritional presentations are provided throughout the year.

WELLNESS PROGRAMS ◗ Chronic Disease Self-Management Program

This program is designed to increase the self-confidence of each participant by actively maintaining their health and managing their chronic health conditions.

Chronic health conditions may include hypertension, arthritis, heart disease, stroke, lung disease, diabetes, depression, anxiety, pain, and more.

◗ Diabetes Self-Management Program

Diabetics learn how to better manage their health and maintain or increase life activities while staying laser focused on controlling their diabetes.

◗ Matter of Balance

Designed to reduce the risk and fear of falling, this program improves the participants self-management of balance and promotes positive physical activity.

◗ Tai Chi for Arthritis/Fall Prevention

Participants are guided in practicing slow, gentle movements and breathing techniques to improve balance, strengthen muscles, and increase awareness of surroundings.

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For more information visit AreaAgencyOnAgingInNWGA.com or call 1-800-759-2963

CAREGIVER PROGRAMS ◗ Powerful Tools for Caregivers

This program provides caregivers the ability to access and use community resources, improve personal coping skills, and strengthening individual self-care behaviors.

◗ Dealing with Dementia

This workshop provides insights into dementia, the caregivers journey, developing a dementia-friendly environment, behavior management, caregiver self-care, and selecting the best services and resources for the patient and family.

OTHER SENIOR SERVICE PROGRAMS ◗ Local Senior Centers

You might be surprised at how abundant and accessible social, recreational, physical, and other wellness programs are at your local senior center(s). The Area Agency on Aging can help put you in contact with your local centers.

For more information visit AreaAgencyOnAgingInNWGA.com or call 1-800-759-2963

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MDSQ Options Counseling Minimum Data Set Section Q (MDSQ) Options Counseling

◗ What is MDSQ Options Counseling?

Options Counseling is an important service whereby options counselors provide information to help nursing home residents and their families make informed decisions regarding services in the community that support quality of life.

◗ What do Options Counselors do?

The role of the options counselor is to ◗ Visit the nursing home to speak with residents and their support system ◗ Assist in facilitating a transition back into the community (if feasible) ◗ Work in a person-centered manner to gather and share information ◗ Support the decision-making ◗ Process, and assist residents with choosing services ◗ Make referrals to appropriate community programs

◗ Who can make the referral?

Nursing home staff members ◗ Family members ◗ Community members ◗ Other professionals ◗

How do I make a referral?

Call 1-800-759-2963 and ask for an options counselor.

Nursing Home Transitions This program assists individuals who are returning to the community from a nursing home, inpatient facility, hospital, or an immediate care facility for people with developmental disabilities. ​Our expert case managers help families and clients make informed decisions based on capabilities and accommodations.

MONEY FOLLOWS THE PERSON ◗

Must be in a nursing home/nursing facility for at least sixty consecutive days.

Must apply and receive at least one day of nursing home Medicaid. ◗ Must have community Medicaid.

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Must enroll in Medicaid Waiver.

NURSING HOME TRANSITIONS ◗ Must

be in nursing home or short-term rehabilitation for at least 20 days.

◗ Must

be 55 or over.

◗ Must

be a U.S. citizen or have legal status (documentation is required).

◗ Income

must be below $6,175 per month.

Transitional services that may be available are peer support, household furnishings, household goods and supplies, moving expenses, utility deposits, security rent deposits, transportation, equipment and supplies, environmental modifications, etc.

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For more information visit AreaAgencyOnAgingInNWGA.com or call 1-800-759-2963