Nov 2024 Newsletter

GCOA's Senior Issues Newsletter

Senior Issues Newsletter November 2024

CO-AGE Mtg

Nominate a Distinguished Older Georgian

In this Issue:

GCOA in the Community

Happy Holidays from GCOA

Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month

News You Can Use

The Georgia Council on Aging is accepting nominations for the

2025 Distinguished Older Georgian!

We hope to receive at least one nomination from each Area Agency on Aging across the state to make sure that each region of Georgia is represented.

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 by clicking "Nominate the 2025 Distinguished Older Georgian". You may send completed applications to gcoastaff23@gmail.com.

The deadline is December 1, 2024. The winner will be announced during Senior Week 2025.

CO-AGE Announcements

Join CO-AGE

Nov 2024 CO-AGE Meeting Cancellation .png

Dear CO-AGE Members and Supporters,

We regret to inform you that, after careful consideration, the planned CO-AGE membership meeting scheduled for Wednesday, November 13th in Athens has been canceled.

Because Georgia has suffered three devastating storms within three months, many of our citizens are still deeply affected by the damages. While recovery can be slow and tedious, we are resilient. Fellow Georgians from all parts of the state have pitched in to help those in need. We want to honor and respect the efforts of those who are still recovering as well as the many volunteers who have committed to help.

CO-AGE members and guests who have already paid their registration fee will have the option of having the amount credited toward one of our upcoming meetings or being issued a refund. Just let us know what you’d like to do by emailing gcoastaff23@gmail.com.

As our numbers grow, so do our efforts to provide valuable information on how best to help advocate for our aging adults. The purpose of the November meeting was to help encourage each of you in using your voices to advocate for policies and funding that are so necessary to address the needs of our seniors. So, to that end, we’re planning a special virtual “Capitol Ready Campaign” designed to prepare you for the upcoming Legislative Session and our most popular CO-AGE event of the year – Senior Day at the Capitol 2025, Tuesday, February 11th beginning at 9:30a.m.

Save the date for Senior Day at the Capitol and keep a lookout for messages, emails, social media posts and more during our “Capitol Ready Campaign” which kicks off January 1st, 2025!

We regret any inconvenience this may have caused. However, the safety and well-being of our members are of greatest importance to all of us.

Stay tuned for more about the “Capitol Ready Campaign”!

Warm Regards,

Patti Lyons, Chair

Georgia Council on Aging

Join CO-AGE Today!

Budget funding and legislation are greatly influenced by the personal experiences of older Georgians. Legislators want to

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 reduced rates for CO-AGE events. Join HERE!

If you are already a member, make sure that your list of CO-AGE organizational members is up-to-date. To report changes or updates to your membership, please contact gcoastaff23@gmail.com

hear about how you are affected by the budget and current laws of the state. GCOA can't succeed without YOU!!

Stories

GA Division of Aging Services Updates

Medicare Open Enrollment takes place from October 15th - December 7th. Anyone eligible for Medicare can join, switch, or drop a Medicare health plan or prescription drug coverage to better meet their needs during this time. Georgia’s State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) – administered through the Georgia Department of Human Services’ (DHS) Division of Aging Services – can help eligible Georgians choose a Medicare plan that meets their budget and health needs. Through SHIP you can receive guidance for Medicare Open Enrollment until December 7th. Read more on how to contact SHIP HERE.

Help us make this season brighter for older adults and people with disabilities! This year is the 10th anniversary of the Department of Human Services’ Division of Aging Services’ (DAS) Light Up the Holidays gift drive.

Through this gift drive, you can help older Georgians and adults with disabilities living under public guardianship experience the joy of the season. The goal of Light Up the Holidays is to connect DAS clients with gift sponsors who can make their holiday brighter. Your support would help support over 430 Georgians served by DAS who otherwise may not receive any gifts this holiday season. Click the flyer for more information.

DAS Updates

GCOA in the Community

Thanks Mom and Dad Fund

Maureen Kelly and Dr. Mims

Thanks Mom and Dad Fund

Provider Panel

Georgia Watch Event

Thanks Mom and Dad Fund

Maureen Kelly and Dr. Mims

1/9

October 2024 was an exciting month for GCOA!

GCOA Council Member and President of Thanks Mom and Dad Fund, Maureen Kelly, hosted a "Healthcare and Social Services Forum" through Thanks Mom and Dad Fund. For this event a panel was assembled to discuss the importance of healthcare services and social services connecting and collaborating for the benefit of seniors. The panel was comprised of both service providers and healthcare providers. GCOA Council Member, Dr. Adrienne Mims participated as a keynote speaker addressing the new social determinants of health. GCOA staff members attended in support.

GCOA Executive Director, Debra Stokes and Deputy Director, Ashley Burton attended Georgia Watch's "Celebrating Ten Years of Champions" event honoring their champions' outstanding efforts to protect and empower consumers in Georgia. Georgia Watch has continued to be a great partner to GCOA while advocating for the needs of older adults, especially when it comes to healthcare. GCOA Council Member Vicki Johnson, received an award at this very event in 2015 for her efforts in civil justice.

GCOA's Ashley Burton was the keynote speaker at the Central Savannah River Area (CSRA) Coalition of Advocates for the Aging's (CCOAA) Legislative Breakfast in Augusta, Georgia. While presenting, Ashley spoke about CO-AGE priorities and efforts from the 2024 and upcoming 2025 Legislative Session, as well as what it means to be an advocate while highlighting upcoming events. CSRA CCOAA used this time to present legislative priorities to attending legislators and recognize them for their support. Legislators in attendance included Congressman Rick Allen, State Representative Brian Prince, and State Representative Karlton Howard.

GCOA in the Com

Happy Holidays

Happy Holidays from GCOA

Save the Dates

November is Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month

November is Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month. According to the National Library of Medicine, Pancreatic Cancer disproportionately affects seniors, accounting for over 60 percent of new cancer cases. It remains one of the most difficult cancers to diagnose and treat. Click HERE to learn more about early detection, understanding the risks and being an advocate for your health.

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