Volume 29, No. 16, October 31, 2008
page two 

·        More People - Exploding demographics in almost every county in Georgia show that the older adult population far exceeded the total population growth between 2000 and 2007.

·        Less Money - Budget cuts are shredding lifelines to older Georgians including meals, respite care and adult day care.

·        Skyrocketing Costs - The rising costs of fuel, food and basic energy needs are limiting services to the elderly, particularly the homebound. 

·        Text Box: The Senior Issues Newsletter is a publication of the Senior Citizens Advocacy Project, the Georgia Council on Aging, and the Georgia Gerontology Society. Volume 29, No. 16, October 31, 2008 Overwhelmed Caregivers – Limiting support for family caregivers overburdens families who then turn to the State for care.

Advocacy training is being planned throughout the state by the AAAs to enlist older adults in the effort.  AARP has scheduled three weeks in late February and early March this year when they plan to have a heightened presence at the State Capitol.  And, of course, you need to put Senior Days at the Capitol on your calendars for February 24, 25, and 26. The theme will be “Be There 4 Seniors.”  We hope you will be.

The Governor’s Health and Human Services Task Force held a public hearing on October 1 to hear from invited guests and the public on the proposed reorganization of the Department of Human Resources.  There were 11 invited guests who were asked to speak for 5 minutes.  Kathryn Fowler, Executive Director of the Georgia Council on Aging, spoke on behalf of the Council and CO-AGE to ask the task force to support creating a separate Department of Aging because Georgia is the fastest growing state in the southeast and the time is now to serve seniors in the best way possible so they will “know us before they need us.”  The new Department of Aging would only cost $450,000 to establish and the DHR Fiscal Year 2007 audit report confirms the existing Division of Aging Services has done an excellent job serving those who truly need assistance.  Other invited guests included the Mental Health Association, GA Association of Health and Services for Children, Association of Public Health, GSU Public Policy Center, Council on Developmental Disabilities, GA Association of Community Service Boards, Mental Health Association and NAMI.  The organizations unanimously advocated that the restructuring not pare down already low budgets.  Over 18 individuals signed up for public comment and were allowed 2 minutes to speak.  Ann Williams and Karen Bachelor, legislative co-chairs for the Georgia Council on Aging, and Kim Raymond were the aging advocates who spoke in favor of creating a separate Department of Aging.  

Department of Community Health Board Meeting 10/9/08

The Board met briefly. Commissioner Rhonda Medows introduced Dr. Jerry Dubberly as the new state director of Medicaid and stated the Department was working on administrative efficiencies and reductions regarding the budget. A resolution regarding no increase to the employees’ high deductible plan under the State Health Benefit Plan was approved and two public notices (no provider reimbursements rate increase for CCSP and changing the effective date of rates for services from 7/1/08 to 7/1/09) were approved by the Board.   

Department of Human Resources Board Meeting 10/15/08

During committee reports, Maria Greene, Director of the Division of Aging Services, reported to the Board about Georgia’s Aging and Disability Resource Connection and how the current 6 models build consumer trust by using existing entry points to enhance individual choice and support informed decision making and better access to services.  Maria said the payoff is great for families with more than one disabled person.  Commissioner B.J. Walker stated the DHR restructuring process as proposed by the Governor’s Task Force was proceeding along with different teams in place and meeting.  She said they were working on first transitioning the Office of Regulatory Services to the Department of Community Health and then would move to the separation of Developmental Disability from Mental Health and Addictive Disease, which will form the new Department of Behavioral Health.  All of the current

        

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- Georgia Council on Aging
Two Peachtree Street, N.W., Ste. 32-270
Atlanta, Georgia 30303-3142

The Senior Issues Newsletter is a publication of the Senior Citizens Advocacy Project, the Georgia Council on Aging, and the Georgia Gerontology Society.