September 2024 Newsletter

GCOA's Senior Issues Newsletter

Senior Issues Newsletter September 2024

CO-AGE Priorities

Presenting the 2025 CO-AGE Priorities!

CO-AGE members have set the issues for the 2025 legislative session!

A slate of four issues were presented at the July CO-AGE meeting and were ranked by CO-AGE members in order of priority. All ballots have been counted and the new CO-AGE priority rankings are:

Multidisciplinary Team Coordinators for Elder Abuse and Exploitation
Study of Medicaid in Assisted Living Facilities
Supportive Decision-Making Documents as an Alternative to Adult Guardianship
Study on Medical Aid in Dying

In this Issue:

2025 CO-AGE Priorities

CO-AGE Announcements

GGS Conference

Share Your Stories

September is Healthy Aging Month

News You Can Use

These issues join the GCOA perennial budget issue: $2.5 million increase in funding for Home and Community-Based Services to reduce the Tier 1 waiting list. GCOA would like to thank everyone who submitted an issue along with those who voted. If you would like to have an issue considered for the 2026 legislative session, we encourage you to start planning early. The next call for issues will go out in April 2025.

One of the greatest benefits of being a member of CO-AGE is the opportunity to participate in issue work groups. Now that the 2025 CO-AGE priorities have been selected, a monthly work group has been created for each issue to flesh them out, collect all the facts and information, and determine the best strategies for advocacy. Meetings are held via Zoom and last for an hour. CO-AGE issue work groups are critical to the success of our advocacy efforts as we prepare for the upcoming legislative session. If you would like to sign up for a work group, contact Patrice Parker at patrice.parker@gcoa.ga.gov.

CO-AGE Announcements

Want to get involved with us this fall? Join us at the November CO-AGE meeting. We will be providing valuable insight on advocacy best practices as well as updates on our legislative priority work groups. Be on the lookout for more information and registration details coming soon!

Anyone interested in advocating with or on behalf of older adults can join CO-AGE. Individual Membership is only $10! Paid members have the distinctive ability to submit and vote on the issues that GCOA and CO-AGE take to the Capitol and they receive reduced rates for CO-AGE events. Join HERE!

If you are already a member, make sure that your individual information is up-to-date. To report changes or updates to your membership, please contact patrice.parker1@gcoa.ga.gov.

GGS Conference

GCOA staff hosted the GCOA exhibitor table throughout the conference

GCOA Executive Director, Debra Stokes and Alzheimer's Association Director of Gov. Affairs, Nancy Pitra introducing David Levine Legislative Award

Rep. Sharon Cooper accepting David Levine Legislative Award announced by Debra Stokes

Council Legislative Chair, Maureen Kelly presenting on CO-AGE legislative priority MAID

L to R: GCOA Deputy Director, Ashley Burton, and Communications Specialist, Patrice Parker

President's Reception - Decades Expression Contest

Debra Stokes playing chair volleyball at Senior Showcase and Art Market

The Georgia Council on Aging had a wonderful time at the 69th Annual Georgia Gerontology Society (GGS) Conference with CO-AGE members, community partners, fellow exhibitors, and the like. Held at the Great Wolf Lodge in LaGrange, Georgia, this year's theme was "Aging Better Together", kicking off with keynote speaker, Laura Humble, Assistant Director of Creative Aging and Lifelong Learning at the High Museum of Art.

GCOA Executive Director, Debra Stokes, along with Alzheimer's Association Director of Government Affairs, Nancy Pitra, presented the David Levine Legislative Award to Representative Sharon Cooper. Council Legislative Chair, Maureen Kelly, presented during two breakout sessions, one titled "A CO-AGE Priority for End-of-Life Choices: What MAID Laws Are, and What They Are Not", and the other titled "Another Plan? Why a Master Plan on Aging Would Benefit All Georgians" along with Division of Aging Services Assistant Deputy Commissioner, MaryLea Boatwright Quinn. Additionally, CO-AGE Advocacy partner and GGS Advocacy Chair, Nancy Pitra, shared CO-AGE updates with attendees. See more pictures below.

Stories

Share Your Personal Stories

Budget funding and legislation are greatly influenced by the personal experiences of older Georgians. Legislators want to hear about how you are affected by the budget and current laws of the state. GCOA can't succeed without YOU!!

Please click HERE to see how to submit a good personal story.

Holidays/Observances

September is Healthy Aging Month!

Healthy Aging Month is a month long observance dedicated to raising awareness on the physical and mental health of older adults while promoting a healthy lifestyle to help manage changes as you age. Click here to view an article by the National Institute on Aging to learn about practices such as healthy eating, exercising and more that promote healthy aging and help reduce common aging-related issues.

News