Advocacy
Currently, there are 632 Area Agencies on Aging across the United States and 12 in Georgia. These agencies monitor, advocate for and facilitate programs and services for older adults. Although advocacy may be the least visible part of the workings of the AAA, the outcomes of advocacy efforts form the foundation for many aspects of services and programs available to seniors.
Older Americans Month: May 2011
Calling All Aging Advocates!
Contact your legislators about CO-AGE Budget and Legislative Priorities. Nothing means more to them than hearing from you, their constituents.
On Monday, January 9th, the Georgia General Assembly convenes the second half of the two-year 2011 - 2012 legislative term.
The Senior Issues Newsletter will keep you informed about what is occurring under Georgia’s Gold Dome every week that the Legislature meets, bringing you current and concise information on the legislative and budgetary issues affecting older adults.
ADRC Advisory Council Member Alan Carter Succeeds with TBI Inclusion on Licenses
Alan Carter, a member of the Southern Georgia AAA’s Aging and Disability Resource Connection (ADRC) Advisory Council has been an advocate for victims of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) since his wife Mary was injured in a car accident in 1989.
After years of navigating through red tape and levels of bureaucracy, Carter and his wife have realized a long sought-after dream – the inclusion of traumatic brain injury (TBI) as a medical condition on Georgia driver’s licenses.
Martha Eaves Advocating for Positive Change Award
The
2011 Southern Georgia AAA's nominee for the Martha Eaves Advocating
for Positive Change Award is Mr. Austin Hickox. Mr. Hickox is the
Chairman of the Southern Georgia Area Agency on Aging’s Advisory
Council and has never missed a meeting.
His Mother is 92 years old and still lives alone on a 180-acre farm. He adjusts his daily schedule so that he has a minimum of a couple of hours (or more) per day to visit and/or assist her. He plants a garden for her, tends her garden, tends and feeds her livestock, ensures she has taken all prescribed medication, and takes care of any other needs she may have.
Quite often, he sits with her for hours at night just to keep her company. He sacrifices his personal time to take care of, and spend quality time, with his mother.
He also serves as the Mayor of Homeland, Georgia, and every Christmas, he assembles goodie bags of fruit, cookies, crackers and candy and delivers a bag to each senior citizen (65 and above) in his community.
The first Saturday of each November, he hosts a community picnic called “Founder’s Day” at which he recognizes every attending person 65 years and above and honors the oldest male and female with a homemade cake.
Mr. Hickox is also very mindful of citizens in need in his community, especially those who are elderly. He frequently checks on friends and neighbors who are ill or who may be exposed to adverse weather conditions or have special needs.
Mr. Hickox was honored at the CO-AGE meeting held in Americus on April 28.
Aging Advocacy Groups
Two of the leading aging advocacy groups in the country are the Georgia Council on Aging (GCoA) and the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (n4a).
The Southern Georgia AAA works closely with both of these organizations, along with regional agencies like the Southern Association of Area Agencies on Aging (SE4A), to assist with advocacy efforts that benefits the lives of older adults in Southern Georgia.
Age Discrimination
The Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (ADEA) protects individuals who are 40 years or age or older from employment discrimination based on age. The ADEA's protections apply to both employees and job applicants. Under the ADEA, it is unlawful to discriminate against a person because of his/her age with respect to any term, condition, or privilege of employment including hiring, firing, promotion, layoff, compensation, benefits, job assignments and training.
The number of Americans 60 and older is growing, but society still
doesn't seem to be embracing the aging population. Whether battling
"old geezer" stereotypes or trying to obtain equal standing in the
workplace, those who are 60 or older may all too often find
themselves the victims of
ageism.
Budget Priority:
The restoration of $1,045,000 in
State funding for elderly nutrition programs
Legislative Issue #1:
The establishment of a
Legislative Issue #2: The creation of levels of
long-term care to provide additional options between assisted living
centers and nursing homes
CO-AGE Sets 2011 Budget & Legislative Priorities
On July 8,
2011, the
Coalition of Advocates for Georgia's Elderly (CO-AGE)
met to finalize priorities for the upcoming year. Many important issues were considered, but after much discussion, the following
priorities were agreed upon:
Department of Aging (separate from the Department of Human Services)
