There are 35 million Americans who are 65 years or older. As many as 17 million of them have undiagnosed diabetes or pre-diabetes.

That’s why government, professional and private sector organizations, co-chaired by the American Diabetes Association, Healthcare Leadership Council, and Novo Nordisk Inc., are joining forces to create awareness of the screening benefits for diabetes and pre-diabetes available under Medicare.

Millions of seniors are not getting the treatment they need to prevent heart disease, stroke, blindness, kidney disease and amputations. And millions more may be missing a chance to prevent or delay the onset of diabetes.

ALBANY, Ga. -- Albany Herald

Jennifer Maddox Parks

While progress continues on the SOWEGA Council on Aging Senior Life Enrichment Center on West Society Avenue, fundraising activities necessary to help pay off the cost for the center's construction are ongoing.

"The building is just going great," said SOWEGA Executive Director Kay Hind. "We did a walk-through this week, and it is unbelievable. I can't imagine this is going to happen."

The center is on track for completion at the end of November. The goal is to have it occupied around Christmas, which will follow with a grand opening in early 2014, Hind said.

"We have talked about having a class on how to use a cell phone. I'll be taking that class," Hind quipped. "... We've already been contacted by groups who want to have their state meetings there."

In addition to a walk-through conducted by the staff earlier in the week, a tour was conducted for area officials at the site Thursday afternoon.

"When we go out and speak to folks about what we will offer, they say, 'That's great,'" said Izzie Sadler, development director for the agency. "But once they see it ..."

Sadler added that its location in the historical district of Albany has been taken into account in the architecture of the 45,000-square-foot building. With the assistance of grants and fundraising events that are upcoming, officials hope to have the center -- worth a total of $8 million -- paid off in the coming months.

One of the fundraisers officials hope will help with that is the Kentucky Derby event "Juleps, Jockeys & Jazz" set for 5 p.m.-8 p.m. May 4 at Stonebridge Golf & Country Club.

Last year's event, the first one SOWEGA conducted, was attended by 350 people.

"We hope to have the same number or more this year," Sadler said.

A hat parade, betting games on the horses, a live jazz band and a silent auction will be among the festivities taking place as the race is streamed live from the country club, officials say.

"We will do everything we did (at the event) last year," Hind said.

A Buster Posey bat is among the items expected to be up for auction at the event. Tickets are $60 a person, and can be purchased online at www.sowegacoa.org on the "Events" page, by visiting the office at 1105 Palmyra Road or by calling (229) 432-1124.

Tickets can be bought at the door, but it is preferred that attendees register in advance.

With the center being funded through private donations, special-purpose, local-option sales tax and grants, the monetary support for the building differs from the funds SOWEGA is anticipating cuts from -- which will consist solely of money used for programs the agency offers.

Recent census data indicated that SOWEGA would be receiving a 13.2 percent cut, the biggest for a council on aging in Georgia. Officials on the state level, however, are attempting to work it out so that no region receives more than a 5 percent cut, Hind said.

"That is what we were told last week," she said.

As far as the sequester is concerned, Hind said officials are not sure when those cuts would take effect or how much they would be.

The center, which has been in development for seven years, is anticipated to help close the gap expected to result from the impending cuts.#"The building will be a means to generate income," Sadler said. "It will be an important part of generating income so we will not be so reliant on state and federal funding."

In the meantime, officials say programing is going full force at the agency with 25 new clients added every month. New educational programs are coming on board, including those catered toward caregiver training, chronic disease self-management and fall prevention, officials say.

ALBANY, GA (WALB) -

The Albany Exchange Club gave one of their highest awards Friday evening by naming their Golden Deeds award recipient of the year.

89- year-old Charlie Phillips was named this year's Golden Deed award winner.

The winner of the award must improve the community throughout the year without seeking recognition.

Phillips is with the SOWEGA Council on aging and helps builds ramps for the disabled in the community.

"He is somebody that has gone out in the community and taken his own time out. This is not a paid thing, it's a volunteer thing for him and he really puts his heart and soul into making sure good ramps are built," said Golden Deeds Chairman Chuck Knight.

This is the 65th year the Golden Deeds award has been handed out.

ALBANY, GA (WALB) -

The SOWEGA Council on Aging wants to help you file your taxes.

The group is offering free tax counseling and preparation with E-filing to moderate and low-income taxpayers with special attention to people over 60.

The program started Monday and runs through April 15th

Volunteers encourage people to take advantage of the opportunity.

"If you go to a paid preparer, it's going to cost you money and if you're in the low income bracket then you don't need to be spending it. That's the benefit we see," said volunteer Laura McKinney.

Returns will be prepared on Mondays and Tuesdays.

You need an appointment. To setup an appointment, call (229) 432-113

ALBANY, GA (WALB) -

Programs for Southwest Georgia senior citizens face big budget cuts. The SOWEGA Council on Aging has been notified their state funding will be cut by $351,000. Because of Sequester the federal money the agency gets could be cut another 5%.

Despite the poverty in this part of the state, The SOWEGA Council on Aging received the biggest cut of the 12 areas in Georgia in the Agency on Aging.

Now leaders are having to talk about rationing services and cutting meals except for the most in need.

Geneva Bond says she thinks many of her friends at the Pine Avenue Senior Citizen Center are being unfairly targeted by budget cuts. "I believe so. They just seem like they don't care about seniors anymore," she said.

85-year-old Colleen Chappell drives from Mitchell County to the senior center every day to volunteer, because she believes the food and programs for seniors are badly needed. "I think they just don't care about us anymore. I don't know why they target us all the time," she said.

The SOWEGA Council on Aging budget was cut one million dollars in the last fiscal year, to five and a half million dollars to serve the 14 county area. Now because of 2010 Census statistics, SOWEGA faces the biggest cut of the state's 12 area agencies, more than 13%.

Now word to be prepared in July for sequestration federal cuts that could be another 5%. SOWEGA Council On Aging Executive Director Kay Hind said, "All these years that I've been here we have never had anything like this before."

Hind hopes to avoid cutting jobs. The SOWEGA Council on Aging has 140 employees in their 14 counties, and Hind says they will not be hiring anyone to replace people who leave. If the budget cuts go through, she worries it could mean cutting more than 200 meals a day.

"I hate to say it, possibly ration things. Like somebody coming three days a week to eat, and the other ones come in two. Whatever we have to do to serve as many people as you can, and not cut anybody off that needs it."

Bond said "A lot of people come here, because it's the only hot meal they get during the day."

Hind says they are working on across the board budget cuts, hitting every program from meals on wheels to homemakers.

Chappell worries about the seniors at her center, who depend on it.  "I thought it was just very unfair for the seniors, because they live on a fixed income. With everything else going higher and them still cutting, it's just bad."

Bad for senior citizens, being told to get by with less again.

Kay Hind said the cuts will not affect their new senior center that's currently under construction. Once it opens, the agency will reduce expenses by centralizing programs and earn income by renting out facilities.

Hind said she's glad that state legislators returned money for senior caregiver and protective services that was cut earlier. Now she hopes more money can be found to lessen the impact of proposed cuts.

ALBANY, GA -- WFXL

During a Monday morning Community Benefits Committee meeting, Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital officials donated close to $85,000 to Southwest Georgia organizations that are making a difference in the community.

Ten groups were given grants ranging from $1,000 to $20,000.

100 Black Men of Albany received $10,000 for the "Youth Mental Health Alliance" project while the SOWEGA Council on Aging was granted $11,804 for the "Matter of Balance" fall management program.

Representatives with the Council on Aging say the funds will be used to purchase equipment to help prevent the elderly from falling.

Phoebe officials say the money is set aside for community partners who are aligned with the priorities of the hospital.

“The funds that we have are reaching a vast group of different needs within the community; areas such as poverty, health education, and folks with disability. So partnering with all of those non-profits really helps us to broaden our reach,” said Ron Wallace, Chairman of the Phoebe Community Benefits Committee.

(WFXL) ALBANY, GA --

The SOWEGA Council on Aging is trying to educate elders on the fast-approaching March 1st Go Direct deadline that will require all people to switch to electronic payments from the United States Treasury Department.

The department gave people that will be affected a year to make the switch but now the deadline is almost here and Georgia Cares Coordinator with the SOWEGA Council on Aging Brian Ramey says he wants to make sure everyone knows what to expect.

Those who receive checks from the treasury department like social security, retirement, or military benefits will no longer receive them in paper format. People have the option to set up a direct deposit with their bank account or accept future payments on a prepaid debit card.

Ramey says the office has tried to educate elders, who are sometimes not computer savvy, of how to make the change but there are always people who slip through the cracks.

If a person does not call, go online or go to their bank to set up direct deposit, they will automatically receive the prepaid card instead.

Ramey says if you somehow miss the deadline, don't worry you will still get your check, it just won't be as quick.

The department is making the switch to try and save money used on all of the paper and prevent lost or stolen checks.

WALB NEWS

NEWTON, GA --
Shane Kelley, a farmer in Newton, was selected as a winner in America's Farmers Grow Communities, sponsored by the Monsanto Fund.

The contest gives the winner $2,500 to donate to their favorite nonprofit organization. If the county is designated as a disaster area, which Newton was, the farmer gets to donate an extra $2,500 to another organization.

Kelley chose to donate the money to the Baker County Senior Center and a local volunteer fire station.

The check was presented to the senior center Thursday morning.

Kay Hind, president of the Southwest Georgia Council on Aging, said with recent budget cuts, the senior center is even more excited to be receiving this donation. She also said the first thing they plan to do with the money is throw a Valentine's Day party for the senior citizens.

ALBANY, GA (WALB) -

In recognition of Black History Month, Dr. Jacqueline H. Grant, District Health Director for the Southwest Georgia Health District, is addressing seniors at the Albany Senior Center 309 Pine Avenue.  The event is free and open to the community.

Dr. Grant is responsible for managing all public health programs within a 6,000-square-mile, 14-county health district that abuts Alabama to the west and Florida to the south. An Atlanta native, she began her tenure as the top public health official in Southwest Georgia in 2005.

She is a former medical director of the department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Missouri in Columbia, where she received national recognition in Best Doctors of America, 2003-2004.

Dr. Grant served on the faculty at Emory University and Morehouse School of Medicine prior to working full-time in the private sector from 1994-1997.

She received a master of public administration degree from Harvard University, a master of public health degree from the University of Alabama in Birmingham, Alabama and a doctor of medicine degree from the Morehouse School of Medicine.

Since coming to the Southwest Health District, Dr. Grant has implemented an innovative interactive worksite wellness program; presided over district restructuring to improve efficiency; overseen creation of the nonprofit Friends of Southwest Georgia Public Health; and provided guidance during emergencies such as devastating floods, tornadoes and outbreaks of disease and foodborne illnesses.

Public Hearings offer an opportunity for the public to learn about and discuss programs and services offered by the SOWEGA Council on Aging (COA).  The COA offers programs and services for individuals age 60+ in 14 counties of southwest Georgia.

January 15 - Decatur Senior Center - 402 W. Water Street, Bainbridge @ 1:30pm

January 23 - Albany Site #1 Senior Center - 311 Pine Avenue, Albany    @ 1:30pm

Jennifer Maddox Parks - Albany Herald

ALBANY, Ga. — With much to look forward to in the future, the SOWEGA Council on Aging is continuing to provide services to the region's elderly.

The organization held its annual meeting at First United Methodist Church in downtown Albany on Tuesday afternoon.

At the meeting, Council Executive Director Kay Hind discussed the 2012 annual report, as well as the future of the organization with the construction of the new Senior Life Enrichment Center on West Society Avenue that officials held a groundbreaking for last month.

The 45,000-square-foot center, scheduled to be completed in December 2013, will serve as the hub for all of the agency's offices, programs and services. The total value of the project, once complete, is expected to be more than $8 million.

The report showed that the agency provided $10.3 million in community-based care services over the year, which are provided to individuals who are eligible for Medicaid as an alternative to nursing home placement. Of that $10.3 million, more than $7.8 million went toward personal support services.

In Fiscal Year 2012, 758 people were served through the organization's Community Care Services Program, the report shows. At the same time, there were a total of 14,464 incoming calls to the Gateway/Aging and Disability Resource Connection, 8,095 hours of in-home respite care provided, 5,626 routine visits to nursing homes conducted through the ombudsmen program and 186,144 meals delivered as part of "Meals on Wheels."

The COA also welcomed at the meeting its 2013 Board of Directors, which included the addition of one member — Ragan Fretwell — while Ladd Jordan, who had been serving as the board's vice president, is stepping down.

In addition, several clients were able to speak about what the more than 20 programs and services delivered through the agency have meant to them.

Among them was Alice Merritt, who spoke of her experience with the caregiver program that she utilized while caring for her husband, who passed away earlier this year.

She recalled being angry and frustrated, since caring for her spouse in that capacity was not the life she would have chosen for herself. The program allowed her to have respite time she would not have had otherwise.

"It gave me a chance to go to the movies, get a pedicure — and it afforded me the time to do nothing," Merritt said. "Most importantly, it gave me a platform to (express) my feelings ... and they listened to me.

"I'm thankful they stuck with me and gave me what I needed."

The council was established in 1966 and works to coordinate a system of services that promotes the well-being and independence of older and disabled residents, helping them to achieve healthy and self-sufficient lives. The organization covers a 14-county area in Southwest Georgia.

Register now!

FREE Lunch & Learn Seminar (229) 432-1124 (Space is limited)

Learn how to protect your Medicaid/Medicare benefits by detecting and reporting fraud and financial exploitation.  This event is open to anyone interested in this subject. (beneficiaries, professionals, caregivers)

Topics presented by:  Long Term Care Ombudsman, Law Enforcement, Senior Medicaid Patrol, and Adult Protective Services.

ALBANY, Ga. -- At 6-foot-2, it was Jeanne Robertson's height that first drew lots of attention to the then-Miss North Carolina at the 1963 Miss America Pageant.

But it was the beauty queen's wit and composure when making subsequent speeches that turned what seemed an offshoot of her moment in the spotlight into a 49-years-and-counting career that's heralded Robertson as one of the nation's most in-demand humorists.

"The week after I crowned the new Miss North Carolina (in 1964) at the end of my reign, I was asked to do three speeches," Robertson said. "I just took to it like a duck to water.

"And what started out as something cool to do for a short while has turned into a career that's been going on now for 49 years."

Southwest Georgians became familiar with Robertson's unique brand of humor two years ago when she entertained at a fundraiser for the SOWEGA Council on Aging. She was such a hit, in fact, at the sold-out show, when it came time to plan this year's seventh annual Comedy Night, a committee of Council on Aging supporters immediately insisted on a second helping.

"Jeanne's coming back to Albany by popular demand," council Development Director Izzie Sadler said. "When I met with a committee to start planning (Comedy Night) several months ago, all of the members started talking about how great Jeanne was. We decided to look into bringing her back.

"The first thing I did was call and see if she had new material she hadn't used her first time here. When I was assured she had all new stuff, I said 'Let's do it.' Before we'd even put tickets on sale, I had a list of people who'd asked me to reserve tickets for them because they'd heard through the grapevine that Jeanne was coming back."

Robertson will headline the Council on Aging's Comedy Night Aug. 7 at the Albany Municipal Auditorium. A limited number of dinner/performance tickets will be available for the 7 p.m. show. Proceeds from the performance will benefit the council's Meals on Wheels program.

The humorist's career as what she calls a "non-celebrity speaker" began innocently enough when meeting planners got wind of her talent as a convention speaker. It exploded five or so years ago when Sirius/XM radio's comedy channel sought and received permission to showcase her material.

A short while later, after Robertson posted clips from her speaking engagements on YouTube, she became something of a phenomenon.

"One of my neighbors' kids told me, 'Ms. Jeanne, you need to stay away from us. Mama says you've gone viral'," Robertson jokes. "We put those clips out there on YouTube, and all of a sudden we were getting millions of views.

"This was all amazing to me. I tell people when I started out, audiocassettes hadn't even been invented yet. I've just slowly figured out what would work for me."

In addition to garnering millions of views on YouTube and being featured 15 or so times a day on Sirius/XM, Robertson has also released seven increasingly popular DVDs.

"I'm not a comedian," she said. "I doubt that I could even tell a joke. I prefer to call myself a humorist. A humorist might be called on to make two or three specific points during a speech, while a comedian is simply out to get a major laugh at anyone's expense.

"People in Nashville have told me I should give up the convention business, that I have what it takes to sell tickets (on the comedy circuit). But I tell them 'Oh, no, that's my day job.' The convention business has been too good to me."

Tickets for Robertson's Comedy Night performance are on sale now at www.sowegacoa.org or at the Council on Aging's 1105 Palmyra Road offices. Information is available by calling (229) 432-1124.

General admission tickets are $30 apiece, while the dinner/performance combo tickets, which include a pre-show Italian feast at downtown Albany's Cafe 230, are $50.

"(Restaurant owner) B.J. Fletcher is giving part of the proceeds from the dinner to the Meals on Wheels program," Sadler said. "Tickets with dinner will be limited to the first 200 to purchase them."

Information about Robertson or clips of her humor are available at www.jeannerobertson.com.

ALBANY, Ga. — Sixteen area seniors displayed their paintings and some of them took home ribbons Thursday at the 19th annual Shades of Gold Senior Art Show at The Albany Museum of Art.

The event marks the “climax” of the year, said Kay Hind, executive director of the SOWEGA Council on Aging, which sponsors the painters group.

“The Bible tells us we all have talents, and I hope that what I do glorifies the Lord,” said Carole Gum, who teaches painting to the group once each week. Gum insists she’s not an “art teacher,” in the strictest sense, but only volunteers her knowledge and experience to those who may be less advanced.

In 1987 she “discovered she could paint,” Gum said. She’d seen it done on television and thought it would be fun. Eventually she was asked to teach a COA seniors group. She’s done that now for 19 years and also serves as education workshop coordinator for the Georgia Artists Guild of Albany.

“The nice part about art is that it’s available to everybody,” Hind said. “This a real creative outlet for the members.”

According to Hind, even though the classes are repeated each year, many of the participants elect to re-enroll.

The Best of Show ribbon was awarded to Julia King for her entry, Bells Are Ringing; with Lenora Andre receiving first place for Colonel James G. Hampton. Lorene Gaughf took both second place and the People’s Choice Award for her painting, The Old Oaken Bucket, while Carol Stark was won third place for Don’t Even Think About It. The Merit Award was given to Juanita Chevallier for Working Late.

The competition was judged by Eric Brooks, Danny Singleton and Deborah Sanders, all of Camilla. All the judges are involved in creative professions which qualify them, Gum said.

The collection of more than 40 paintings by the Shades of Gold seniors art group is available for viewing during normal hours of the Albany Museum of Art at 311 Meadowlark Drive. The show is free to the public and will be displayed until June 28. For more information call the Albany Senior Center at (229) 435-6789.

Lorie has always promoted positive change in everything in which she has been involved.  She has a special place in her heart for older adults and knows the struggles that many seniors face.  Lorie takes her advocacy from the workplace to assisting the SOWEGA Council on Aging, Area Agency on Aging with its fundraising activities.  She has the unique ability to create such a vivid picture of the desperate plight many seniors face in struggling to buy medicines, food, and the other basic necessities of life.  Lorie has been writing Sowega Council on Aging’s annual holiday campaign letters for over 10 years generating thousands of dollars for services.

In addition to her letter-writing talent, Lorie was instrumental in beginning SOWEGA Council on Aging’s signature fundraising event in Dougherty County – “Comedy Night”.  Through her foresight and involvement, SOWEGA Council on Aging has raised over $158,00  allowing them to provide needed services and continuing advocacy for the aging and disability population.

Lorie has served on SOWEGA Council on Aging citizenry board for over 12 years and has been involved in many activities that improve the quality of life for the aging population. She has been president of the board of directors for the past 2 years.   Lorie has a saying that she uses frequently when speaking and advocating for positive change.  “Old Age is something everyone, no matter how rich or poor, will experience, and that everyone deserves “dignity and quality of life”.

The  1st annual Juleps, Jockeys and Jazz event will be on May 5, 2012 at Stonebridge Golf & Country Club from 5:00-8:00 PM.

Tickets are on sale now.  $75.00 per person (Includes a complimentary memory photo, hors d'oeuvres, entertainment and more!)

ONLINE: check out the EVENT page on this website, click the "BUY TICKETS NOW" button to purchase securely online, or pay cash or check at 1105 Palmyra Road (229) 432-1124.

This is a "Kentucky Derby Event" with "Derby" themed activities, hors d'oeuvres, cash bar, Jazz music performed by Dr. T. Marshall Jones Jazz Quartet, "betting" games, and more...a FUN night benefiting a great cause!

Click here to view event details

Click here to read article

In its July/August 2010 edition, Profile Magazine chronicles the growth of the SOWEGA Council on Aging from its beginnings as as fledgling organization with an annual budget of $8,000 to an organization that now employs 145 full- and part-time employees and operates on a $6.5 million annual budget.



Read the entire article (click here)

Employer of the Year
J.R.’s Loving Care Services provides quality and reliable home care services to the elderly and frail individuals who desire to maintain his/her independence while continuing to live in their own homes. J. R.’s Loving Care has been a repeat employer with Experience Works for over 6 years. They target the older worker for new hires because the older employees relate to the clientele, appreciate their job and are dependable and honest. The average length of employment for these mature workers is 4 years and 30% of employees are over the age of 55. J.R.’s Loving Care offers employees service training 3-4 times per year, gift certificates, flexible scheduling and insurance.

Older Worker of the Year
Lucille Crouch, from Albany, Ga, was named the Older Worker of the Year. Mrs. Crouch has been employed as the Meals on Wheels Coordinator for the SOWEGA Council on Aging for 37 years. She is the epitome of what all employees, young and old, should strive to be. Lucille is responsible for the entire process involved with the home delivered meals program. She sets up meals for packaging, takes and records food temperatures, and packages the meals. The Meals on Wheels program is dependant on volunteers to get the meals to the client’s homes in a timely basis and many times there are new volunteers who do not know the route. She greets and trains volunteers and is always ready with a map and detailed directions and phone numbers because she knows just how valuable that the volunteers’ time is. She is on time every day, organized, enthusiastic and is always willing to give assistance when needed. She is responsible for over 150 home delivered meals per day, while also caring for her husband who has been ill for many years and must have 24-hour care.