Getting Started

Adult Day Care Centers are designed to provide care and companionship for seniors who need assistance or supervision during the day.  The program offers relief to family members or caregivers and allows them the freedom to go to work, handle personal business or just relax while knowing their relative is well cared for and safe. Adult Day Care Services are available in all counties. 

The goals of the programs are to delay or prevent institutionalization by providing alternative care, to enhance self-esteem and to encourage socialization.  There are two types of adult day care: adult day care and mobile adult day care. 

Services offered in conjunction with adult day care typically include social and therapeutic activities, training, and counseling.

Mobile Day Care services may be provided by staff who travel from a central location on a daily basis to various sites, primarily, but not limited to, rural areas.

The Georgia Department of Human Services (DHS), Division of Aging Services, Adult Protective Services (APS) investigates all reports of abuse, neglect, and/or exploitation of disabled adults (18-64) or elder persons (65+) who do not reside in long-term care facilities (community living arrangements, personal care homes, intermediate care or skilled nursing facilities) pursuant to the Disabled Adults and Elder Persons Protection Act, O.C.G.A. §§ 30-5-1, et seq.

The APS Program receives reports of abuse, neglect and/or exploitation through its Central Intake Unit. Seasoned APS field staff handles calls through a statewide toll-free number to determine if the referrals meet the critieria for APS to investigate a case. If the critieria are not met, referrals are made to community resources including those in the aging network.

APS Staff also provide public education, information and referral and outreach services to identify and prevent abuse, neglect and exploitation of older individuals.

For more information or to print a referral form to fax, go to the Georgia Department of Human Services website or call 1-866-55-AGING (24464) Press Option #3 for assistance.

Link to the website

The Area Agency on Aging advocates for the elderly in the Northeast Georgia region by monitoring, evaluating and commenting on all policies, programs, hearings, levies, and community actions which affect older persons. 1(800) 474-7540

Also the long term care ombudsman strives to improve the quality of life of residents in long term care facilities by serving as a mediator and problem solver for residents and their families.

 Call 1-866-55-AGING (24464) Press Option #1 for assistance.

The Aging & Disability Resource Connection (ADRC) streamlines access to long-term care by serving as a one-stop for consumers’ aging and disability-related information, counseling, referral, and planning needs.  With one phone call, anyone can be linked to programs and resources available in the region and/or the state. 

 Call 706-583-2546 or 1-800-474-7540

or

1-866-55-AGING (24464) Press Option #2 for assistance

Provides out-of-home day care and in-home respite care to assist Alzheimer’s Disease clients and their families.

The Care Transition Program is currently being provided in all counties in the NEGA region. The program provides individual options, benefits counseling and coaching techniques to targeted patients at risk for institutionalization and/or re-admission to the hospital/nursing facility in addition to providing information and assistance related to community living options rather than prematurely applying for nursing home Medicaid benefits.

This program provides assistance to caregivers that are providing care in the home to care receivers who require care and supervision on an ongoing basis.  Services available include: respite care (in-and-out-of home), information and assistance; support groups, and adult day care.  Services are also provided for grandparents raising grandchildren through the Kinship care Program.

A service designed to provide consumers and their caregivers access to community resources.

The Community Care Services (CCSP) helps people who are elderly and/or functionally impaired to live in theirhomes and communities.  CCSP offers community-based care as an alternative to nursing home placement. 

Community Care Services included:

1.  Adult Day Health

2.  Alternative Living Services

3.  Care Management

4.  Emergency Response System

5.  Community Care Health Services

6. Home Delivered Services

7.  Personal Support Services

 For information on becoming a CCSP or Medicaid Provider, call 1 (800) 474-7540 for assistance.

Community Transitions (Formerly known as “Money Follows the Person” (MFP) allows people in nursing homes or other long-term care institutions who are elderly or have physical or developmental disabilities to move out and receive services and supports to live in their own homes and communities. Money follows the individual by allowing the state to pay for long-term care in a home and community-based setting rather than an institutional setting by providing in-home services and supports. Care Transitions are available in all counties. 

In order to be eligible for Community Transitions, you must:

–Live in a nursing home or other institution for at least 60 days (with some exceptions), receiving long-term care

–Be a Medicaid recipient and Medicaid has paid for at least one day of care in the facility. 

–Meet institutional level of care

Meals provided in a group setting, such as a senior center.

Legal assistance, information, and community education on issues related to general legal concerns, public benefits, housing, and consumers claims, non-criminal cases, etc.

GeorgiaCares is designed to educate and help seniors apply for all available benefits and advocate on behalf of the beneficiary.  Included in GeorgiaCares are Georgia’s State Health Insurance Assistance Program(SHIP) and Senior Medicare Patrol(SMP).  Trained volunteers help Medicare beneficiaries sort through the complexities of Medicare and related health insurance concerns.

Call 1-866-55-AGING (24464) Press Option #4 for assistance.

Meals provided to temporarily or permanently homebound citizens.

Assistance such as light housekeeping, shopping for personal items, money management, and preparation of meals for persons who are homebound.

The long term care ombudsman strives to improve the quality of life of residents in long term care facilities by serving as a mediator and problem solver for residents and their families.

 Call (706) 549-4850 or 1-866-55-AGING (24464) Press Option #1 for assistance.

Provides training and part-time subsidized employment and assistance to locate unsubsidized employment or low income persons age 55 years or older.

Personal assistance, stand-by assistance, supervision or cues are given to persons unable to perfom routine grooming and personal care tasks.

Many communities have local housing codes. These codes are local ordinances or laws that require owners of real property, including landlords, to maintain the property and make any necessary repairs. These codes typically require that residential property meet the minimum standards established in the code. The landlord’s responsibility is not only to deliver the rental property to the tenant in compliance with the housing codes but also to maintain compliance with the housing codes throughout the lease term. Tenants who are interested in filing a complaint can contact their local code enforcement agency to learn about the enforcement process. Please visit the Georgia Department of Community Affairs website to view a list of local counties and city code offices. A Landlord-Tenant Handbook is also available on this website.

Link to the website

In-home respite and out-of-home respite is offered to provide a brief period of relief or rest for caregivers.  It is provided by trained respite care aides for persons with a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s or other debilitating related illness.

A senior center is a community facility where persons aged 60 or older meet to pursue mutual interests, receive services, and take part in activities that will enhance their dignity and quality of life, support their independence, and encourage their continued involvement in and with the community.

A multi-purpose senior center is defined as a community facility for the organization and provision of a broad spectrum of services, which shall include, but not be limited to, provision of  health and wellness services (including mental health services), social, nutritional, educational services, volunteer opportunities,employment and financial assistance, and the provision of facilities for recreational activities for older individuals.

Additional Info

NEGA Senior Centers:

Do you have life experiences, gifts and skills you would like to use to help tackle problems in your own community? Get involved today! Be active and engaged in your community.

The Northeast Georgia Regional Commission, Area Agency on Aging, offers volunteer opportunities in many diverse programs.

Other volunteer opportunities in the region:

–Assistance with activities in local senior centers

–Assistance delivering and serving meals in local senior centers

Contact the Senior Center in the county you would like to volunteer in.

–GeorgiaCares volunteers

Contact the GeorgiaCares Program at 1-800-669-8387.

–Long Term Care Ombudsman Volunteers

Contact the LTCO Program at 706-549-4850 or 770-567-5961 (for Newton and Jasper Counties only).

Athens Community Council on Aging is also the sponsor of the NEGA RSVP program which provides civic engagement opportunities for adults 55 and older.

This program focuses primarily on improving the health and quality of life of seniors; preventing/delaying disability and premature death from chronic disease; assisting individuals in making better lifestyles choices and taking a more active role in their own well being through nutrition, exercise, and medication management.