LINKTHEJANUARY / FEBRUARY 2017

Your Aging and Disability Resource Connection

Visit us at Legacylink.orggeorgiaadrc.com

RABUN

LUMPKIN WHITE

STEPHENS

FRANKLIN

HABERSHAM

HART

UNION

TOWNS

HALLBANKS

FORSYTH

DAWSON

In this issue:

Nursing Home Volunteers NeededPage 3 Senior Day in ToccoaPage 4 Dementia WorkshopPage 4 Be Santa to a SeniorPage 5 RSVP Volunteer AppreciationPage 6

Older Driver SafetyPage 7

Senior Day at the capitol is an opportunity to talk about is-sues that affect seniors with our state senators and representa-tives, sit in the gallery of a legislative session and tour the Capi-tol building. Transportation will be aboard a luxury double bus. Megabus.com has graciously donated transportation to the At-lanta capitol for the 5th year in a row.

The trip is free of charge. Sign up at your senior center as space is limited.

Senior Day trip to the Capitol in Atlanta

Scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 15 th.

Photo above - Legacy Link employees: Sandy Coker, Dianne Curans and Pat Rylee are seen here packing the food in bags and coolers.Photo to left - Prepared bags and baskets await delivery.

The Brown Bag ChristmasFive Kinship Care Families were

received breakfast and dinner items for a special Christmas meals!

Legacy Link employees delivered to each family, a bag full of non-per-ishables such as sweets, dinner rolls, jelly and cereal, a cooler full of items like fresh green beans, breakfast meats, farm fresh eggs, a ham and a fresh fruit basket.

Julia Jessee directs our Kinship Care Program, for the current meet-ing schedule see page 5.

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ThE LiNk Published by Legacy Link Editor Don Colombero

Contributing EditorsDottie SuchkeLisa howard

Jennifer ChildersNancie DaughertyDianne Currans

Julia Jessee

Upcoming Events

by Pat FreemanChief Executive Officer

Subscriptions

To subscribe to E-editions: Send your e-mall address to dfcolombero@legacylink.org

For mailed copy send to:Subscriptions at

Legacy LinkP. O. Box 1480

Oakwood, ga. 30566

Living Well Class January 20

(first class starts)9:30 AM

hart County Senior Center

Senior Day Trip to the Capitol

February 15BUS DEPARTURES:

from Legacy Link office Oakwood: 8:30 a.m.and Forsyth County

Senior Center: 9:30 a.m.

Legacy Link is a part of the AmazonSmile Program. When you order anything from Amazon instead of going to Amazon.com go to smile.amazon.com. You will be able to select Legacy Link as the organization of choice and they will donate a percentage of your order to us. You will receive the same price for your purchase just as if you had used the regular Amazon site. Tell your family and friends about this new way to help Legacy Link for items that you buy for business or home.

The reason I asked that ques-tion is because of recent news about items that are considered “SMART”. This morning my hus-band declared he thought we were born 20 years too early!

The big annual Tech conven-tion had a “Smart Hairbrush” on display. Now, you ask, what does that mean? How on earth can a hairbrush be smart? The TV re-porter explained the hairbrush can hear what is happening to your hair when you brush and tell you to take it easy because you are breaking some hairs, etc.!!!

We already have been familiar with our Smart Phones. Mine re-ceives all my e-mails going to the desk top computer, tells me the breaking news (without asking) and can tell me when the rain will start in the neighborhood where we live. That helps me know when to walk my dogs. That helps.

I recently got a “Smart Watch”. This Garmin tells me a lot more than I asked for. It tells how many

steps during the day, how many stair steps, heart rate and a lot of things I don’t know how to inter-pret! All I wanted was time and steps.

Now, I have a Jeep that has a lot of “Smart Features” on it. It can even parallel park for me but I’ve never used that feature. (My 9 year old nephew really wants to see that trick.) It lets you know

if you are too close to the center line or the edge of the pavement. It beeps if you signal to turn and a vehicle is in the lane too close to safely turn. I like those features.

How many of you reading this newsletter remember when turn signals became the newest rage for cars? We bought one for our car and had it installed. Boy, were we uptown with that thing hang-ing on the steering column! You no longer were required to roll the window down and stick your arm out in the rain to signal what you were going to do at the inter-section. And, I mean you actu-ally had to roll the window down because there were no automatic windows that operated by the push of a button!

Happy New Year and here’s to all emerging “Smart” things com-ing into our lives.

We will learn their tricks, won’t we?

Do You Think You Were Born Too Early?

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Are You 55 or Older

and looking for

employment?

The Senior Community Service Employment

Program provides useful part-time community service

assignments for persons with low incomes who

are 55 years old or older, while promoting transition to permanent or full time

employment.

Call 770-538-2650

Put LIFE back into your life...register for a Wellness Class Today!

Living WellThis FREE 6‐week class is proven to help older adults be�er manage their health condi�ons, improve their quality of life, and lower health care costs. Upcoming Living Well classes: Mondays, January 23 ‐ February 27, 2017 9:30am‐Noon Good News Clinic 810 Pine Street, Gainesville, GA 30501 Call to Register: (770) 503‐1369 Ext 301 Fridays, January 20 ‐ February 24, 2017 9:00am‐11:30am Hart County Senior Center 139 Clay Street, Hartwell, GA 30643 Call to Register: (706) 376‐3975

A Ma�er of �alance: Managing Concerns About Falls! This FREE 8‐week class is designed to help people manage falls and increase ac�vity levels.

Upcoming � ���e� �� ��l�n�e classes: Wednesdays, February 1 ‐ March 22, 2017 10:00am‐Noon Community Service Center 430 Prior Street, Gainesville, GA 30501 Call to Register: (770) 538‐2711 Tuesdays, March 7 ‐ April 25, 2017 3:00pm‐5:00pm Sacred Heart Hospital 367 Clear Creek Pkwy, Lavonia, GA 30553 Call to Register: (770) 538‐2711

Want more informa�on about either of these fun� interac�ve classes? Contact Lisa Howard at Legacy Link: 770‐538‐2711 or Lshoward@legacylink.org

Our Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program is in need of volunteers. Long-Term Care Ombudsmen advocate for residents of long term care facilities such as nursing homes, personal care homes and assisted living communities. Volunteers with the program visit facilities on a

regular basis (generally once or twice a month), speak with residents about the services they receive, observe resident and staff interactions, provide information to residents about other services that might benefit them, and show these members of our community that they are very important. Candidates should have some key qualities to be considered for the program such as: a compassionate nature, respectful demeanor,

excellent communication skills, and most importantly a positive attitude. Candidates that are selected will be trained to visit with residents, recognize issues that require action, and provided with other skills depending on the length of training desired. Fingerprints and background

checks will be paid for by Legacy Link. if you are interested in learning more about this rewarding opportunity please call,

JENNIFER CHILDERS, ASSOCIATE COORDINATOR, LONG TERM CARE OMBUDSMAN PROGRAM (770) 531-2560

Volunteers Needed• Would you like to ensure that residents of nursing homes and

other long-term care facilities are receiving quality care?

• Are being treated with dignity and respect?

• Have access to someone that can advocate for them if needed?

If you answered YES to any of these questions, then volunteering with

THE LONG-TERM CARE OMBUDSMAN PROGRAM MIGHT BE FOR YOU!!!

Put LIFE back into your life... register for a Wellness Class Today!

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Senior Day at Belk in Toccoa

The event was sponsored by the Rosalyn Carter Institute and Lega-cy Link. Over a dozen caregivers attended the workshop held at the Loreley Resort. The course mate-rial included: Understanding De-mentia, Managing Problem Behav-iors, Handling Stress and finding time for the caregiver.

Dr. Jane Lenzen (Board Mem-ber) and Dianne Currans (ADRC Director) facilitated the workshop

and Krisitn Krantz and Bethany Towe, Legacy Link Care Consul-tants were a part of the discussion during the training.

This was the second workshop presented recently. Previously a workshop was held the Cherokee County Senior Center to 17 family caregivers.

If your caregiver group interest-ed in a workshop contact Dianne Currans at Legacy Link.

Dementia Workshop in Helen

The Senior Day at Belk in Toccoa Legacy Link offered Medicare Counseling and information on Senior employment. Belk offered 20% off to all seniors

Legacy Link and Belk recently sponsored Senior Day in Toccoa.GeorgiaCares Medicare Counsel-ors were onsite as well as Job De-velopers from our Senior Com-munity Service and Employment Program.

A tent was set up by the front door of the Belk Store to attract Seniors and 2 mobile offices pro-vided individual counseling to at-tendees

Senior Celebration enjoyed by manyLegacy Link was one of the sponsors of the

Senior Celebration held in December at the First Baptist Church in Gainesville. Over 100 seniors from Hall and surrounding counties attended the event.

The Enota Show Choir sang and Dr. Bill Coates presented the Christmas Story as over 100 seniors enjoyed brunch. A surprise visit from Santa included gifts for each senior. The Senior Celebration is an event that the North Georgia Senior Resources puts on each year.

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Senior Celebration enjoyed by many Be Santa to a SeniorEach year at

Christmas, the “Be a Santa to a Senior” program provides an opportunity to make a senior or se-verely disabled indi-vidual’s Christmas a little brighter. The trees are adorned with ornaments de-scribing individual wishes or needs of participants in the home and commu-nity based programs of Legacy Link.

Our partners at Chick Fil A collect the presents from their customers in boxes by their Christmas Tree. Home In-stead Senior Care, Gainesville and

Blairsville locations, Fresenius Kidney Care and St. Gabriel’s Episcopal Church collect and wrap any unwrapped packages for delivery.

Legacy Link em-ployees deliver the 100’s of gifts for par-ticipants across thir-teen counties. Many individuals served by the program are isolated and the holi-days can be an espe-cially lonely time of year. The visit of holi-

day joy with a gift from their per-sonal secret Santa lifts the spirits and blesses many including those involved in the process of gifting.

Lumpkin County Senior Center News

The exercise class at the Lumpkin County Senior Center was well attended on Tuesday December 20th

Are You a Grandparent or Relative Raising Children?The kinship Program provides a place to share experiences

with other grandparents and Relatives raising children and to find out about programs for which you and your children may

be eligible. Call to find a meeting near you.

Call 770-538-2650County Meeting Schedule

Lumpkin/Dawson: 2nd Wed/10amTowns: 2nd Thurs/11:30am

Forsyth: 3rd Tues/1pmUnion: 3rd Thurs/Noon

Habersham / Banks / White: 4th Mon/10amHall: 4th Wed/10amRabun: 4th Fri/Noon

Amy Roys, Ginger Ragans, Jean and Jim Waller loading gifts.

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RSVP Volunteers ViewMargie Weaver Senior Center

Volunteer AppreciationThe Margie Weaver Senior

Center in Dawsonville honored its dedicated volunteers at a re-ception on November 17th. Mi-chelle Crane, Meals on Wheels and Volunteer Coordinator, spoke eloquently about each vol-unteer’s efforts in providing sup-port and service to both senior center participants and the many county residents who receive ser-vices through the Center. Legacy Link and RSVP assisted in the presentations with certificates of merit, Presidential Volunteer Ser-

vice Awards and Pins, and RSVP tumblers.

The Dawson RSVP Volunteer of the Year Award was presented to Carole Kinzie for her much appreciated work teaching art at the Center. Carole says she enjoys seeing her students’ enjoyment at completing a painting, especially when they think they have no particular talent for art. Many of the completed pieces are sold for the benefit of the Center.

Georgia Cares staff and volunteers partici-pated in training last October in preparation for the busy Medicare open enrollment pe-riod. We are fortunate to have dedicated vol-unteers who are willing to give their time to learn and constantly update their knowledge to support the program and its beneficiaries. Many thanks to all the hard working Georgia-Cares personnel for helping Medicare benefi-ciaries analyze and understand their benefits and supplemental insurance options.

Operation Gratitude

Thanks You!Thanks to all who participated

in the RSVP collection drive for Operation Gratitude. Through their efforts we were able to send over 350 cards, letters, and small plush animals to be included in care packages for troops. Opera-tion Gratitude has been busy de-livering their holiday care packag-es to troops around the world. You can see some of their responses at www.operationgratitude.com/mail-call-troops-respond. Special Thanks to volunteers at the Senior Centers in White, Hall, Union, and Franklin for helping to make the holidays brighter for these service members!!

GeorgiaCares Volunteer & Staff Training

Just for LaughsGrandpa Jack was telling his young grand-

son what life was like when he was a boy.

“In the winter we’d ice skate on our pond. In the summer we could swim in the pond, and pick berries in the woods. We’d swing on an old tire my dad hung from a tree on a rope. And we had a pony we rode all over the farm.”

His grandson Davis was amazed, and sat silently for a minute. Finally he said, “Grampa I wish I’d gotten to know you a lot sooner!”

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Margie Weaver Senior CenterVolunteer Appreciation

Older Driver SafetyWe are a car-centric culture,

so anyone asking a senior driver to give up driving can expect to be met with resistance. It can be a very emotional topic! For most Americans, driving equals inde-pendence, and giving it up may seem like a serious blow to self-es-teem, even triggers for depression and grief. You can help. Here are seven things to think about before you start the conversation:1. Not all seniors are bad driv-

ers. Consider whether you are really reacting to things you’ve noticed about your loved one’s driving, versus stereotypes that older adults drive poorly. Stud-ies show that many drivers retain their skills well into their later years. How-ever, visual impairment, hearing loss, decreased manual dexterity, slower reac-tion time and memory loss all can make it harder to be safe on the road. Studies show many seniors self-limit their driving in response to these changing abilities, avoiding driving at night and sticking to familiar routes. But for many, it’s best to give up the car keys. The Cen-ters for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that the rate of crashes increases noticeably after a driver turns 70; more than 500 seniors are injured while driving each day.

2. Senior drivers can improve their skills and extend their safe driving years. Driver’s ed—it’s not just for teenagers! Driver safety classes for older adults are available through AARP, AAA and other orga-nizations. Your loved one also might benefit from an exercise program to increase flexibility and range of motion. The eye

doctor can recommend the best type of glasses for driving, including protection against glare. Seniors with hearing loss should wear their hearing aids while driving. And if the driving skills of a senior loved one seem to have taken a sud-den dip, medication side ef-fects might be to blame. Your loved one should ask for a

medication re-view, and report side effects, such as drowsiness and confu-sion.

3. The car might be part of the problem. Be sure the car is in good repair. Adding safety fea-tures like improved mirrors and new windshield wipers can make the car safer to oper-ate. And bottom line, the car just may not be a good fit any more. If it’s large and difficult to maneuver, check out smaller cars that are easier to drive and park. Newer cars have certain safety features that seem like they could have been designed for older adults, such as backup cameras and warning sensors.

4. You can call in experts to help. Many families find that their senior loved ones do not want to have the conversation about driving. Here’s where the opin-ion of an outsider may carry

more weight than yours. En-courage your loved one to seek an evaluation by their doctor or by the DMV. The Ameri-can Occupational Therapy As-sociation, sponsors of Older Driver Safety Awareness Week,

reminds us that occupa-

tional thera-pists have the skills

to evaluate a person’s overall ability to oper-

ate a vehicle safely. They can provide a good picture

of your loved one’s abilities, and suggest some of the appro-priate strategies as mentioned above. Aging life care profes-sionals (geriatric care manag-ers) can also offer resources and assessment.

5. Start the conversation before there’s a problem. In many families, the discussion of se-nior driving safety only begins when an elder loved one has had an accident. This isn’t ex-actly the ideal time to first be talking about the issue. Start talking about driving safety early on, while your loved one is still a capable driver. If it’s a possibility, assure your loved one that you will be one trans-portation resource—but that’s only the beginning. With your loved one, research the public transportation options, such

as the bus or subway, taxi cabs or ride sharing services (such as Uber or Lyft) and special transportation for seniors with disabilities. Once your loved one gets the hang of public transportation, they may enjoy being “subway-savvy” or sum-moning their Uber.

6. Create an “advance directive” for driving. In the same way that you plan with your loved one for future care and living options, make

driving safety part of the plan. The earlier you talk about it, the more likely your loved one will be to heed your concerns. A study from the University of Colorado showed that most older adults realize that they may not be the first to recog-nize a problem, and they would be willing to designate a family member, doctor or other trust-ed person to say when their driving was no longer safe.

7. Talk about the cost of owning a car. Many seniors balk at pay-ing for public transportation, without really thinking about how much it costs to have a car. Add it all up: car payment, gas, insurance, maintenance and repair costs and parking. That is most likely a pretty good chunk of change that would be available for alternative trans-portation costs. Remind your loved one that driving isn’t the ultimate goal—mobility and independence are! Staying ac-tive and engaged in their fa-vorite activities, volunteer jobs, faith community and whatever places they love to go is more important than what they rode to get there.

Source: IlluminAge AgeWise

GeorgiaCares Volunteer & Staff Training

LEGACY LINKArea Agency on Aging

4080 Mundy Mill Road, Oakwood, Ga 30566

NON PROFiT ORg.U.S. POSTAgE PAiDgAiNESViLLE, gAPERMiT NO. 82

Resource GuideHome Based ServicesIntake to Aging Services: Legacy Link’s toll free number (855-266-4283) accesses the Intake to Aging Services. Trained ADRC specialists provide confidential access to information, assistance and referral concerning services for seniors, family members and persons with disabilities. Callers are assisted in locating resources and services in the regions, in georgia and across the United States.

Community Care Services Program: (CCSP) serves low-income, frail persons of all ages in the 13 county service region. The program assists people who are elderly and/or functionally impaired to continue living in their homes and com-munities by offering personal support services, such as, adult day health, caregiver support, respite care, home delivered meals, emergency response systems, and basic personal care. The individual or family members along with the CCSP nurse and care coordinator will develop a care plan to prolong independence and avoid nursing home placement. (855-266-4283). Source Program: Serves individuals who meet nursing home level of care and are SSi Medicaid recipients. Personal support services are arranged with the individ-ual, physician and care management team to reduce emergency room visits, hospital-izations and improve quality of life while living in the community. in addition to the 13 county service region, Source is also offered by Legacy Link in Barrow, Cherokee, Clarke, Elbert, gwinnett, Jackson and Madison counties. (855-266-4283). Alzheimer’s Care Consultation Program: A free, telephone-based information and support service for adults with memory impairment, including Alzheimer’s and demention, and friends or family who care for them. Care Consulta-tion provides, particularly to caregivers, ongoing help to find practical solutions to concerns about health and care as well as coaching and support. Clients do not have to be enrolled in any other Legacy Link program to be eligible to participate in Care Consultations. (855-266-4283).

Employment and EducationEmployment and Training for Mature Workers (SCSEP): Persons aged 55+ on the Senior Community Service and Employment Program are placed in part-time positions in public and non-profit agencies for training to enable them to enter the workforce. Funded by the National Council, assistance is provided to residents of 23 North georgia counties. (770-538-2650)

Community Based ServicesWellness Programs: Addresses social, emotional, physical, mental, and intellec-tual well-being of adults 60 years or older, including but not limited to: nutrition and health education, fitness and physical activity, health screenings, art classes, computer classes, and other educational opportunities. For more information about what is available in your area, contact your local senior centers. (770-538-2650)Kinship Care Program: This program provides information and referrals re-garding benefits availble for children being raised by Grandparents, Aunts, or Uncles. kinship Care Support groups for persons who are “parenting the second time around” are available in the 13 counties of North goergia. (770-538-2650)Retired and Senior Volunteer Program: RSVP, a national Senior Corps program, matches adults age 55+ with volunteer service opportunities at public and non-profit agencies in 10 counties. Funding is provided by the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS), a federal agency. 770-538-2650 www.nationalservice.gov

Legal and AdvocacyLong-Term Care Ombudsman: Ombudsman staff provides advocacy services to nursing home and personal care home residents and family members in 13 coun-ties. (770-538-2685). Georgia Legal Services: for assistance and counsel-ing for persons aged 60 and above. (770-535-5717).

Medicare CounselingGeorgia Cares Program: Medicare Counseling - Staff and trained volun-teers make presentations to groups and counsel individual beneficiaries and assist in enrollment in all Medicare Programs. Eligibility screenings and assistance are provided for those qualifying for help paying Medicare and other health benefit programs. (770-538-2650)

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