September - October 2016 - SOWEGA Council on Aging

S E N I O R S
I N
LIVING STRONGER
ACTION
LIVING SAFER
LIVING LONGER
September / October 2016
Dear Friends,
I can’t start telling about new events until I talk about our wonderful fundraiser. On August 4,
2016 we held an event here in our Senior Life Enrichment Center featuring Comedian / Magician
Mark Robinson. He was great. The evening included dinner, a silent auction and a gathering of
beautiful people supporting a great cause.
A special thanks to our sponsors, volunteers, staff and the 228 people who bought tickets. This
is going to be hard to top.
I had the opportunity to talk to three of our case managers with the Community Care Services
Program today. We talked about lots of things but one thing stuck with me. These ladies care for
their clients and they expressed the need for adult diapers, diabetic stockings and Ensure. This
is not part of their responsibility but they see a need. Why am I telling you this? Many of you
have some of these items hanging around the house. You no longer need them but you don’t
know what to do with them. Give them to the Council on Aging. I promise we will give them to
someone who really needs them. If you can’t get them here, call (229) 432-1124 and I will send
someone to pick them up. I love it when we can do something special for our clients.
Is there any interest in ceramics? We have a kiln that was donated along with other items necessary
to do ceramics. What we don’t have is someone to run the program. Oh yes, we also have a
building that would be ideal. Also, we don’t have someone to help us set it up and to operate it.
If you have any interest, please let me know. Call Sandra here at the center and tell her what you
can do. The number is (229) 435-6789.
I am grateful every day for the people who are enjoying the center and all of
the programs.
Kay Hind
Executive Director
335 West Society Avenue, Albany, GA.
229-432-1124
800-282-6612
www.sowegacoa.org
Mark Your Calendars!
The following programs take place at the
Kay H. Hind Senior Life Enrichment Center
335 W. Society Avenue, Albany
Call (229) 435-6789 to register
ART CLASS
Mondays at 1:00 pm
Class is on break for the summer and will resume
September 12, 2016
Carole Gum, Instructor / Bring your own supplies
LINE DANCING
- FREE Mondays 11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Wednesdays 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Learn the basics of line dancing, have fun and stay active!
(Beverly Shippey)
CHAIR FITNESS
- FREE Mondays & Wednesdays 10:00 am
(Martha McKnight)
Tuesdays & Thursdays 11:00 am
(Shirley Brown)
BASIC COMPUTER
$10 per person
October 5 - 28
Meets Wednesdays & Fridays
10:00 am - 12:00 pm
ADVANCED COMPUTER
$10 per person
November 2 - December 1
Meets Wednesdays & Fridays
10:00 am - 12:00 pm
No classes the week of Thanksgiving
DRUMMING
- FREE Fridays 10:15 am
TAI CHI FOR ARTHRITIS
- FREE October 5 - November 23
Wednesdays (8 classes)
11:00am - 12:00pm
A MATTER OF BALANCE
Arlington Senior Center
Call (229) 207-2505 to Register
Tuesdays and Thursdays
September 13 - October 6
10:00am - 12:00pm
$10.00
AARP DRIVER SAFETY PROGRAM
September 8 & 9 (Must attend both days)
Active Aging Week
Explore the Possibilities!
September 25 – October 1, 2016
Contact your local senior center for scheduled activities
RiverWalk
AARP Members $15
Friday, September 30, 2016
Albany Riverfront Park
9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Call (229) 435-6789 for details or to register
Upcoming Quarterly AARP Driver Safety Classes:
1/2 Mile and 1 Mile “Fun Walk”
Blood Pressure Checks - Stretching - Exercise
9:00am - 12:00pm
Non-Members $20
December 8 & 9, 2016
Senior Life Enrichment
Center Activities
For complete information on programs, services
and activities in your area, contact the Senior Life
Enrichment Center of your choice:
•
ALBANY 22 9 .43 5 .67 89
•
AR L I N GTON 22 9 .20 7 .25 05
•
BA I NBRI DGE
22 9 .24 6 .86 72
•
BL AKE LY
229.207.2506
•
CA I RO
2 2 9 .37 9 .30 61
•
CO L Q UI T T
22 9 .75 8 .38 36
•
DAW S ON
229.518.9567
•
DONAL S ONVILLE
2 2 9 .20 7 .25 00
•
L E E SBURG
229.759.0909
•
M O ULT RI E
2 2 9 .98 5 .80 06
•
NEWTON
229.734.4350
•
PEL H AM
2 2 9 .29 4 .84 60
•
SYLVE S T E R
22 9 .46 3 .31 40
•
T HOM ASVI LLE
2 2 9 .22 6 .94 70
Volunteers Needed!
Volunteers are needed year-round to assist with
various agency projects and programs such as
the community garden, basic sewing, crochet,
knitting classes, basic and advanced computer
classes, GeorgiaCares Medicare Counseling,
Retired Senior Volunteer Program, Meals on
Wheels and more!
Call Marilyn Westbrook at 229-435-6789
for more information.
MONTHLY CAREGIVER SUPPORT GROUP:
Monthly Caregiver Support group meetings help members cope and feel less isolated as they make connections
with others facing similar challenges. Members often share experiences and advice and find it helpful to talk
with other people in the same situation.
SUPPORT GROUP MEETING DATES:
2nd Thursday of Each Month
All classes meet 11:00am - 12:30pm
at Greater Cutliff Grove Baptist Church, Albany
Call: 229-432-1124 for more information.
DID YOU KNOW?
Helpful Tips from your
Aging & Disability Resource Connection
Your Best Friend
for the mental health,
physical health and
- Cristina Sapp, ADRC Program Manager
emotional well-being of
Have you ever heard the quote by J.W. Stephens, seniors.
“Be the person your dog thinks you are”?
Pawsforpeople.org
states that pet therapy can
lower blood pressure,
release endorphins that
have a calming effect, Lady Sasha Jackson and ADRC
Counselor Cherlyn Jackson
lift spirits and lessen
depression, encourage communication, reduce
loneliness, and provide motivation to become
According
to
www.alzheimersproject.org, more active.
animals, by their very “nature” are nonjudgmental, making them the perfect therapists Check your local newspaper for adoption events.
and companions. They can provide a tremendous You might just find your next best friend!
source of social support and unconditional love.
For aging and disability information and
After reading this quote, you might picture the
automatic, playful reaction from a pet when a
human arrives home after being away for 10
minutes (more or less). Whether you have had a
good or bad day, the animal will more than likely
react in the same positive manner.
Also, pet therapy has many beneficial effects
resources, contact the ADRC program at
1-800-282-6612
MEDICARE OPEN ENROLLMENT
is Approaching!
Each year, Medicare beneficiaries have the opportunity to evaluate their Medicare insurance options.
This is referred to as the open enrollment period. The open enrollment period can be confusing, we
want you to rest assured that GeorgiaCares will be here to assist you every step of the way.
Here are a few important facts for your consideration:
When is the Medicare Open Enrollment Period?
Medicare’s open enrollment period is October 15 - December 7 annually.
What is the Medicare Open Enrollment Period?
Medicare health and drug plans can make changes each year—things like cost, coverage, and what
providers and pharmacies are in their networks. October 15 to December 7 is when all people with
Medicare can change their Medicare health plans and prescription drug coverage for the following
year to better meet their needs.
How do you know if they need to change plans?
Individuals with a Medicare health or prescription drug plan should always review the materials
their plans send them, like the “Evidence of Coverage” (EOC) and “Annual Notice of Change”
(ANOC). If your plan is changing, the insurance company will send an annual notice of change
around the end of September. You will want to review this letter carefully and maintain a copy for
your records. After your review, if you wish to remain in the plan, there is nothing more for you
to do. Your policy will “rollover” to the next year. If you want to make a change or consider other
plans, call GeorgiaCares.
We are coming to your area!
While GeorgiaCares can assist you with Medicare questions by phone, a face-to-face counseling
session will be made available to you in your area! For a full schedule, visit our website at
www.sowegacoa.org and click on the EVENTS tab.
For more information, contact Candy Ferguson, GeorgiaCares Program Manager:
[email protected] or call 1-866-552-4464
Comedy Night
11th Annual
The 11th Annual Comedy Night, held on August
4th, was a great success! Thank you to our
sponsors and the community for your support.
This event helps raise funds necessary for
delivering warm nutritious meals to homebound
seniors. Over 186,000 meals are delivered
annually.
GOLD SPONSORS
FLINT
Gardner, Willis, Sweat & Handelman
Jim Boyd Construction
Keystone Foods
Pfizer
Southern Ag Carriers, Inc.
The Loretta Haley McKnight Foundation
This years’ event
was held in the
Kay H. Hind Senior
Life Enrichment
Center Ballroom.
SILVER SPONSORS
Moulton & Hardin, Inc.
Middle Flint Area Agency on Aging
MillerCoors
Over 228
individuals attended
the dinner and
show.
Procter & Gamble
Publix Super Markets Charities
ANGEL SPONSORS
Albany Honda
Bishop Clean Care
Central Monitoring
Consolidated Pipe & Supply Co.
Dennis Hester, CPA
Kimbrell Stern Funeral Home
AB&T Bank
Atlas Fence
“Be Still” - Anonymous
BJ’s Country Buffet
Doherty, Duggan, Hart & Tiernan
Draffin and Tucker
Bronze Sponsors
CareMaster
Dougherty County Kiwanis Club
Engineering & Equipment
Flint Community Bank
Fleming & Riles Insurance
Gillionville Baptist Church
Lem and Linda Griffin
LRA Constructors, Inc.
Mrs. Louie A. Moore Marshall
Southwest Georgia Farm Credit
John Haire, Financial Strategies
Oxford Construction
Renasant Bank
The Jenkins Group
Walden & Kirkland
Dr. Walter Judge
Tri - County Ready Mix Concrete Co.
U-Save-It Pharmacy
Westover Lawn & Garden
Wild Flour Cafe
Woodall’s Gas-Up
Active Shooter Training
Active shooter situations are becoming more
prevalent, so the SOWEGA Council on Aging
partnered with the Alzheimer’s Outreach
Center and The Dougherty County Sheriff’s
Department to offer “Active Shooter” training
on July 19.
Lt. Lance Montgerard with the Dougherty
County Sheriff’s Department led the training at
the Kay H. Hind Senior Life Enrichment Center
in Albany. The event was free and open to the
community.
Pictured left to right: Florence Donnan, Marilyn Ellis, Leroy James
Advanced Computer Class Presentations
The Advanced Computer Class, instructed by Marilyn Ellis,
made Power Point presentations as part of their program.
Florence Donnan presented an informative session on quilting,
she also brought samples of her beautiful quilts to share with
the class. Leroy James, a retired U.S. Army Chaplain, shared
information from his memoire; “Servant of God and Country”.
The book, which is in the editing phase, is a compilation of his
life experiences.
Tai Chi Training
Dr. Paul Lam and a team of researchers developed
this evidence-based exercise program to introduce
persons with arthritis or those with a fear of falling
to Tai Chi. Participants meet once or twice a week
for up to one hour. This eight week program is found
to relieve pain caused by arthritis, reduce falls, and
improve quality of life.
Bill Pickett (pictured in center of group) from
Knoxville, TN led the training program held at
the Kay H. Hind Senior Life Enrichment Center
on August 2-5. Level I and II certification and
recertification courses were held for instructors
from the region.
Bill is a Master Trainer with the Tai Chi for Health
Institute; he works with the Arthritis Foundation, the
Agency on Aging, the Center for Disease Control,
and other organizations to help certify instructors
in their Tai Chi for health programs. He has been
teaching for 16 years.
non-profit org.
us postage
paid
Colson Printing
31601
P.O. Box 88
Albany, Georgia 31702
229-432-1124 800-282-6612
www.sowegacoa.org
Meals on Wheels and RSVP programs are supported in part by the United Way of SWGA and of Colquitt County
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To coordinate a system of services that promote the wellbeing and independence of older and disabled Georgians,
helping them achieve healthy and self-sufficient lives.
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SOWEGA Council on Aging /
Area Agency on Aging
1-800-282-6612