LATEST NEWS

Fiscal Year 2010 GCOA Annual Report (PDF)

2013 CALL FOR ISSUES
135 advocates joined us in Newnan on 4/26 for the Spring CO-AGE Meeting.  They learned how the 2012 CO-AGE Priorities & other aging issues fared at the Capitol; welcomed distinguished guests such as representatives from Congressman Lynn Westmoreland's office, Senator Mike Crane, and Representative John Yates; and celebrated the 2012 Martha Eaves Advocating for Positve Change Honorees.  The official "Call for Issues" is now open to anyone interested in submitting an issue to be considered as a 2013 CO-AGE Priority.  You have until MAY 15th to return this form to the Council office. Learn More

State Seeks Georgians 100 Years and Older
The Georgia Department of Human Services (DHS) is searching for Georgians who will turn 100 or older in 2012. On their birthdays, DHS’ Division of Aging Services will honor these centenarians -- people who have lived for 100 or more years -- with a certificate of recognition and a thank you for their contributions to Georgia’s families and communities.     Relatives and friends of centenarians may request a certificate by clicking “Honor a Centenarian” at http://aging.ga.gov ( http://aging.ga.gov/ ). The Division of Aging Services must receive requests at least 45 days in advance of the honoree’s birthday to ensure timely delivery.   “We want to congratulate and honor a group of special Georgians whose contributions are immeasurable and will benefit generations for years to come,” said Clyde L. Reese, DHS Commissioner. “In gratitude, we celebrate their gifts of wisdom, work, and care in building Georgia’s communities.”    Georgia’s aging network offers dozens of ways for people to say “thank you” to older adults in their communities. Volunteers may deliver meals, provide rides to doctors and grocery stores, help with senior center activities, get trained to educate people about Medicare, organize service days and public awareness events in their workplaces and faith-based organizations, and much more.     “Georgia’s centenarians have contributed to the community and culture throughout most of their lives,” said Dr. James Bulot, Director of DHS Division of Aging Services. “I encourage communities to recognize older adults as life mentors and to further develop those informal relationships that enrich both the young and old.”   To learn about volunteer opportunities, services for older adults, and support for caregivers, call the Division of Aging Services toll-free at (866) 55-AGING (552-4464) or visit online at http://www.aging.ga.gov ( http://www.aging.ga.gov/ ). Learn More

Medicaid Redesign
The Department of Community Health (DCH) released the much anticipated "Medicaid & CHIP Redesign" report.  DCH contracted with the Navigant Consulting Firm to reassess how Medicaid services are organized.  After considering the state's goals and strategic requirements, potential services and populations to carve in or out and Georgia specific needs, they recommended three delivery systems.   This report is the first in a seies of steps DCH will take to select an approach to Medicaid redesign.  After gathering further stakeholder input and further considering the redesign options, DCH will select a redesign model.  The goal is to roll out implementation in 2014. Learn More

Check out the latest edition of the Senior Issues Newsletter
Click here to view the Senior Issues Newsletter.Learn More

Sine Die!
Moments after adjourning the year’s General Assembly with the Latin proclamation “sine die,” Speaker of the House David Ralston walks out of the House chambers Thursday night in Atlanta. Now, the politicians will turn their attention to their campaigns.Sine Die!
picture credit:  Atlanta Journal Constitution

The Georgia General Assembly's 2012 session ended at midnight on Thursday, March 29th.  Many pieces of legislation that affect older Georgians passed.  Click here for the Senior Issues Newsletter Wrap Up Edition.     

Aging in Place:  A State Survey of Livability Policies and Practices
A research report by the National Conferece of State Legislatures and the AARP Public Policy Institute

The great majority of older adults have a strong desire to live in their own homes and comunities.  However, unsupportive community design, unaffordable and inaccessible housing, and a lack of access to needed services can thwart this desire.  Starting in 2011, growth of the older American population will accelerate, in part becuase of the leading edge of the baby boomer generation will reach age 65.  This report examines state policies that can help older adults age in place.  State policies such as land use, transportation and housing are examined.