November 2022 Newsletter

GCOA's Senior Issues Newsletter

Senior Issues Newsletter November 2022

Nominate a D.O.G.

Nominate a Distinguished Older Georgian

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In this Issue:

GCOA in the Community

Happy Holidays from GCOA

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News You Can Use

The Georgia Council on Aging is accepting nominations for the

2023 Distinguished Older Georgian!

In order to be eligible for nomination, one must:

be 70 or older. Please include age or birth date to be considered for qualification
have rendered service to seniors on a community, state or federal level, and
be recognized as a role model for positive aging, and
have demonstrated a life of work acknowledged by general consensus as being of great benefit to a large number of people, or have made some significant contribution to society through occupational or volunteer efforts

Download the application HERE. Send completed applications to nikaela.frederick@gcoa.ga.gov.

The deadline is December 1, 2022. The winner will be announced at Senior Week 2023.

October CO-AGE Meeting Highlights

October CO-AGE Mtg

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The October CO-AGE meeting was a success! Participants had a refresher on the 2023 CO-AGE priorities, reviewed GCOA's 10 steps of advocacy and were given access to our new advocacy toolkit. The goal was to make sure that all who attended felt empowered to personalize their advocacy and plan their own outreach events.

We look forward to hearing about your legislative breakfasts and other advocacy events. Be sure to tag us in your social media posts!

For those who weren't able to join us for the live airing of the October CO-AGE meeting, the video will be available for viewing soon.

Work Group

Join a Work Group

It's not too late to join a work group! One of the greatest benefits of being a CO-AGE member is the opportunity to participate in issue work groups.

CO-AGE Issue work groups are critical to the success of our advocacy efforts as we prepare for the upcoming legislative session. It is easy to join a work group and for safety and convenience, the meetings will be held virtually.

The upcoming meeting schedule for each work group is as follows:

Improvements to Assisted Living Communities: 11/1 at 10 am

Work & Save Program: 11/1 at 11am

Funding for Home and Community Based Services: 11/16 at 10am

Teledentistry: 11/28 at 2pm

Email Nikaela Frederick at nikaela.frederick@gcoa.ga.gov to participate!

DAS Corner

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COVID-19 continues to impact older adults and people with disabilities through isolation.

Light Up the Holidays originated in 2016 with the goal of connecting DAS clients with gift sponsors so everyone receives something during the holiday season.

How can you help?

Sponsor a client! Clients are adults under guardianship, many of whom are residents of long-term care communities, have low incomes and no family or friends.

What is the next step?

Click HERE for instructions on next steps.

For those in regions outside of metro Atlanta, check with your local county Department of Aging Services, Senior Centers, Nursing Homes and other service providers for holiday initiatives in your local community.

GCOA in the Com

GCOA in the Community

GCOA Vice Chair, Dr. Adrienne Mims, recently represented GCOA while attending the Medical Association of Georgia 2022 House of Delegates meeting, where she was able to speak to several legislators about the 2023 CO-AGE priorities.

GCOA Chair, Patti Lyons, and Executive Director, Debra Stokes, recently attended “Seize the Moment: Keeping Caregivers Visible.” This day-long event engaged stakeholders across sectors in a conversation about the future of caregiving and how it intersects with policy, the workforce, pop culture, and the media.

Pictured from left to right: Debra Stokes, Sharise Byrd, Tony Marshall, Vicki Johnson, Ken Brooks, Nikaela Frederick, Patti Lyons, Eve Anthony, Lena Richardson, Adrienne Mims, Ashton Windham

Members and staff of the Georgia Council on Aging met at the Athens Community Council on Aging to prepare for the October CO-AGE meeting and strategize for the upcoming year.

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