Aging

What is an Area Agency on Aging?
In 1965, the Older Americans Act became the framework for a national network dedicated to working together to serve the nations elderly population. Amendments added in 1978 resulted in the formation of 667 Area Agency on Aging programs nationwide. As part of this network, the Southern Crescent Area Agency on Aging plans, coordinates, and advocates for the development of a comprehensive service delivery system to meet the needs of older persons in the ten county Southern Crescent region located in West Central Georgia.

Working with the Area Agency on Aging are federal, state and local officials, elderly and disability community constituents, non-profit agencies, service providers, and the private voluntary sector into the coordination of existing services and the development of new services.

The Southern Crescent Area Agency on Aging plans, coordinates, and administers programs for seniors, caregivers, persons with disabilities, and grandparents raising grandchildren as well as provides a vital Gateway to Information and Assistance for programs and services available in the area. With one phone call you can learn about our programs and the resources available to you, our Gateway Specialists are available to provide screening for potential clients to determine eligibility for services available in your community. It is our mission to promote independence and well being for older persons in the region by providing quality programs and services.

Brief description of programs and services:
Adult Protective Services (APS) Professional staff are in place to accept and handle reports of abuse, neglect or exploitation of disabled adults or elder persons who are not residents of nursing homes or personal care homes.

Aging and Disabilities Resource Connection (ADRC) The ADRC program provides information and assistance to individuals needing public or private resources, coordination with professionals seeking assistance on behalf of clients, and assistance to individuals planning for their future long-term care needs.

Alzheimer's Adult Day Care Assists Alzheimer's victims and their families by providing specialized adult day care activities, along with an opportunity to participate in peer-based support groups.

Alzheimer's Respite Care Assists caregivers of Alzheimer's victims by providing temporary substitute supports in order to provide a brief period of rest or relief for family members or other caregivers.

Community Care Services Program (CCSP)  Frail older persons receive services through a network of home based service providers. Services available include alternative living placements, emergency response systems, home delivered meals, personal support services, respite care, and care coordination as an alternative to nursing home placement.

Congregate Meals Senior centers provide a nutritious lunch that meets one third of the FDA Recommended Daily Intake (RDI). Meals are prepared on site daily, Monday through Friday.

Elder Abuse Prevention Community education and training sessions designed to help prevent elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation.

Elder Legal Assistance Program Provides legal assistance, information, education, and counseling services to older persons.

Gateway The Area Agency on Aging is "Your Gateway to Community Resources." Information and Referral services, as well as Intake and Screening services, are provided through the Gateway.

GeorgiaCares Trained staff and volunteers provide counseling, education, and referral services to qualified Medicare beneficiaries on insurance issues.

Homemaker Services Provides assistance to frail, older persons in performing light housekeeping and home-related activities that keep the living area clean and neat and keep walking areas free of items or furniture that could cause the client to trip or fall.

Home Delivered Meals Homebound older persons receive a nutritious hot midday meal delivered to their home.

Information and Referral Provides assistance in accessing community resources and services available.

Intake and Screening Provided by the AAA, the intake and screening process helps determine services needed and eligibility.

Kinship Care Provided by the AAA, the Kinship Care Program assists grandparents raising grandchildren.

Long Term Care Ombudsman Provides assistance to residents of nursing homes and personal care homes to resolve complaints; assure quality of care; maintain residents' rights; and provide education, information and advocacy on long term care issues.

Personal Care Services Provides personal assistance, stand-by assistance, supervision or cues for persons with the inability to perform one or more of the following Activities of Daily Living (ADLs): eating, dressing, bathing, toileting, transferring in/out of bed/chair or walking.

Respite Care Provision of temporary substitute supports for older persons in order to provide a brief period of rest or relief for family members or other caregivers.

Senior Centers Serve as community focal points. Provision of nutritious meals and promotion of socialization of older persons by arranging for and encouraging their participation, either directly or as spectators, in activities such as sports, games, arts and crafts, etc.

Senior Employment Host agencies provide temporary subsidized employment for adults 55 and older. Enrollees are trained and prepared for permanent employment opportunities.

Transportation Transports older adults to and from senior centers, medical facilities, shopping excursions, recreational activities, or in the event of a disaster.

Wellness Program Involves promotion of healthy living, healthy eating and exercise. Provides nutrition screening, education and counseling, as well as medications management services and the annual Farmers Market Program.

For additional details on any program listed contact the Southern Crescent Gateway, we Are "Your Gateway To Community Resources".

The Southern Crescent Gateway Team services the ten county region including Butts, Carroll, Coweta, Heard, Lamar, Meriwether, Pike, Spalding, Troup and Upson and "Gateway" is the term used by the Georgia Aging Network to describe a service that provides information on, and access to, home and community based services for elderly Georgians, their families, other caregivers and the disability community. The Gateway System seeks to remove barriers to information about and access to services, which support older or disabled Georgians remaining in their homes and communities.

The Southern Crescent Area Agency on Aging is staffed with professionals assigned to receive inquiries, primarily by phone, regarding services and resources. In many cases, the caller's needs can be easily addressed by providing a referral to a community resource or allied agency. In other instances, the staff will perform a thorough assessment of needs through a guided interview process, which allows staff to better assist callers in finding appropriate services.

With information about home and community based services, Georgian’s can make informed decisions about how best to manage their future.

SCAAA Contact Information
Southern Crescent Area Agency on Aging
Post Office Box 1600, 13273 Highway 34 East, Franklin, Georgia 30217
Phone: 678-552-2838, 706-407-0033 or 1-866-854-5652
Fax: 706-675-9210 or 770-854-5402
Email: scaaa@scaaa.net