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Important Information on COVID-19
It has been reported that the populations that are most at risk of getting very ill from COVID-19 are older adults and individuals with serious chronic medical conditions. As advocates for older adults, we want to make sure that we work to protect these populations by providing information on how to get ready for COVID-19 and how to reduce risk of exposure.
Please read the links below for information regarding COVID-19 and how to keep yourself and your loved ones safe.
Several stores in Georgia are adjusting their store hours to accommodate people over the age of 60, who are at higher risk of novel coronavirus infection according to the CDC. Click HERE to see what stores are participating and the special hours that have been designated to serve our older adult population.
If you are unable to leave your home, or are experiencing financial difficulties click HERE for
resources on where to get food help now.
Low income, elderly and disabled Georgians will receive assistance with cooling their homes beginning on April 1, 2020.
Click HERE for information on Georgia utility assistance.
As a community nonprofit pharmacy, Good Pill is launching a free medication program to provide
3 months of medications, at no cost,
to new patients who have been impacted by COVID-19.
Medications will be delivered to the patient’s door.
Click HERE for more information.
Senior Week 2020 was a Huge Success!!!
Over 600 people come to the Capitol during Senior Week to advocate on behalf of themselves and seniors across the state. We all wore our green scarves with pride and spread the word about the needs of elders in Georgia. Even though the legislature was not in session, seniors were able to connect with many legislators. We are thankful to the legislators who stopped by the Floyd Ballroom to speak with the seniors and to show their support for the CO-AGE priority issues.
GCOA and CO-AGE would also like to give a special thanks to our generous sponsors who helped to make the event possible.
Please enjoy the photo gallery from this year!
Advocates hail governor for helping elderly
Support services survive state budget cuts
Aging advocates are praising Gov. Brian Kemp for sparing Georgia’s seniors from deep budget cuts for support services.
Kemp on Thursday unveiled a proposed state budget for the current year and next year that retains new funding for Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) and Meals on Wheels, programs that allow older Georgians to maintain their independence and age in place.
“At a time when state departments are being asked to cut their budgets, we are so appreciative that Gov. Kemp is keeping support for seniors as a top priority,” Vicki Vaughn Johnson, chair of the Georgia Council on Aging, said. “Many seniors badly need these options, which have been shown to be far and away the most cost-effective way to help them age in place.”
Last year, the Governor and lawmakers added $2 million to address an HCBS waiting list of 7,000 and added $1.4 million to reduce a waiting list for the popular Meals-on-Wheels program. But over half of that money was on the chopping block because of state budget cuts.
Vicki V. Johnson - CO-AGE Chair
The Georgia Council on Aging and the 1,000-plus member Coalition of Advocates for Georgia's Elderly (CO-AGE) are making funding for HCBS and financing of a Behavior Health and Housing program to help prevent eviction of older adults from low-income housing their top budget priorities for the current legislative session.
Both budget priorities aim to keep adults from having to obtain more expensive levels of care unnecessarily as they age.
The costs to provide home and community-based care is about one-tenth of the state’s cost of nursing home care, Johnson said.
CO-AGE has other 2020 legislative priorities including:
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Support for House Bill 511, a transportation bill that would pull together resources to help rural Georgians with mobility needs, including seniors who no longer drive.
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Support for affordable Senior Living housing options.
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Support for increased fines and sanctions for Personal Care Home licensure and code violations, and also greater transparency by the state in reporting these violations.
October CO-AGE Meeting
The October CO-AGE meeting, held at the Lanier Charter Career Academy on October 24th in Gainesville, Georgia was a huge success. Sen. Butch Miller kicked off the meeting expressing his support for CO-AGE and our continued advocacy efforts.
Additional speakers included: Abby Cox (Director of the Division of Aging Services), Council Member Sharise Thurman (Heartis Suwanee Senior Living), Becky Kurtz (Atlanta Regional Commission), Melanie McNeil (State Long-Term Care Ombudsman), MaryLea Boatwright Quinn (Alzheimer's Association - Georgia Chapter), and Eve Anthony (Athens Community Council on Aging). The 2020 CO-AGE priorities were discussed along with how to get involved in advocating for Georgia seniors.
July CO-AGE Meeting
The Georgia Council on Aging held the July CO-AGE Meeting in Macon, GA on July 11 at the Methodist Home for Children and Youth. Over 120 advocates attended to hear presentations on nine potential CO-AGE issues for 2020. GCOA also honored their Legislator of the Year, Rep John LaHood (R-Valdosta). There were many familiar faces and plenty of new participants!
Events
Stay informed as we keep you up-to-date on important state government events and GCOA news.
Announcement of Potential CO-AGE Issues
June 9, 2020 @ 10am
GCOA in Action
Throughout the year, GCOA advocates to bring awareness to issues affecting older Georgians. GCOA established the Coalition of Advocates for Georgia's Elderly (CO-AGE) to be a forum through which the concerns of older Georgian's are identified and addressed. By joining CO-AGE, you can be a part of the vehicle for bringing broad-based input on aging issues from across the state.
In the News
Governor Kemp sends National Guard to elderly care homes
Atlanta Gas Light to hire 200 workers across Georgia
Georgia prioritizes coronavirus testing for vulnerable populations
March 19, 2020
How to stay mentally healthy amidst pandemic
March 19, 2020
Elder Abuse Watch
Cobb caregiver sentenced for stealing $20K from stroke patient
Man charged with elder exploitation of 84-year-old woman
March 11, 2020
Couple arrested for elder abuse
March 6, 2020
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