SOWEGA COA Services

Advocacy

The Council on Aging provides service through such means as contacting local, state, and federal elected officials on issues affecting older people; speaking engagements with churches, AARP chapters, civic clubs volunteer and professional organizations etc...; publishing an area wide monthly newsletter; working with a AAA Board of Directors and Advisory Council; holding public hearings and forums; and commenting on proposed legislation affecting the elderly.

Albany Alzheimer's Caregivers Time Out (ACTO)

This program offers a chance for the Alzheimer participant to engage in simple social and recreational activities led by trained staff and volunteers.  At the same time, it offers the caregiver some leisure time. The ACTO program is available five days a week, five hours a day.  In-home respite care is also provided through the ACTO program.

Community Care Services (CCSP)

This program provides services for persons who are elderly and/or functionally impaired.  Participants must have Medicaid or be Medicaid eligible under CCSP guidelines. Although the majority of clients served are 65+, this program has no age-eligibility requirements. Brochure

Elder Abuse Prevention

This program provides community education and outreach services to identify and prevent abuse, neglect, and exploitation of older people by promoting public awareness and sensitivity to the subject and by working with agencies already established for this purpose.

Elder Legal Assistance Program

A full time coordinator on legal concerns of the elderly provides information and community education. Sixty three volunteer attorneys, along with one supervising attorney, provide pro-bono or reduced fee services upon referral from the coordinator. This service is provided to all people 60 and older in the 14-county area.

Emergency Response

Emergency response equipment is available to at-risk older people who live alone. This service uses an in-home electronic support system which provides 24-hour-a-day monitoring.

Family Caregiver Program

This program supports Caregivers caring for a relative 60+ in the home to reduce the burden and stress of caregiving. It also provides assistance with some costs of care, education, emotional support, and information and referral.

Homemaker Services

In order for senior citizens who wish to stay in their homes to do so, some services essential to their daily needs are provided in a client's home by a trained homemaker. This service may include personal care, some housework, and meal preparation for people 60+..

Gateway (Information and Referral) This service provides information, referral, and assistance concerning community resources available. GATEWAY serves as a single point of entry for our 14 county area. Although senior centers throughout the 14-county area serve as the focal point for information and assistance in their respective area, the AAA main office also serves as an I&R center.  In Albany (229) 432-1124; in Georgia 1-800-282-6612. Brochure

GeorgiaCares

This program provides staff, & trained volunteer counselors to help older citizens understand the complexities of Medicare, Medicaid, Medigap, long term care insurance, and related health insurance concerns and to help seniors to make informed decisions regarding their health insurance needs. Assistance is provided for seniors to obtain free & reduced prescription drugs.

Health Fairs

Health Fairs are scheduled annually in each of our 14 county senior centers.  Participants age 60+ have access to free health screenings; including, blood pressure, bone mineral density, foot care, blood glucose, body fat, vision and hearing.  Community collaboration is key to the success of these programs.  Informational booths, nutritional recipes, taste testing, and physical activities are also a big part of these Senior Health Days.

Kinship Care Program

The Kinship Care Program serves Grandparents raising Grandchildren and other relative caregivers who are raising children whose parents cannot or will not take care of them due to a variety of circumstances.  The program provides education, advocacy, resource identification and development and emotional support to participants.

Lifelong Planning Program

The GeorgiaCares Lifelong Planning Program, a statewide collaborative, can help you and your family prepare for a range of long-term care needs – from staying independently at home to living in assisted living facilities or nursing homes. 

Live Healthy Georgia - Senior Taking Charge: Community Intervention Study

Among the major challenges related to aging and  chronic diseases are controlling health care costs and maintaining independence and quality of life.  To address some of these challenges, a community intervention called "Seniors Taking Charge!' that supports the Live Healthy Georgia campaign was undertaken in our local senior centers.  The goal is to improve physical activity, nutrition, and to prevent and/or manage many of the chronic diseases we often see as we age.  The program includes pre-tests, intervention lessons, and post-tests designed to measure improvements in lifestyle and self-management skills.  There are currently 70 participants from southwest Georgia signed up for the program, however, several others are benefitting from the program.

Mall Walkers

We have an informational booth set up at the entrance of "Belk" along with blood pressure checks for the mall walkers from 9:00 am - 11:00 am.  The first Tuesday of each month is Senior Day at "Belk" department store in the Albany Mall.

Meals on Wheels

Volunteers deliver a hot noon meal each weekday to the elderly 60+ years old, in need and confined to their homes. This meal provides 1/3 of the Recommended Daily Allowance for the Nutritional needs of the elderly. Shelf Staple and frozen food may be provided in emergency situations.

Ombudsman Program

The Council on Aging has community ombudsmen, certified by the State of Georgia under Federal mandate, to represent residents of long-term care facilities. The ombudsmen routinely visit nursing homes and personal care homes to investigate and resolve complaints made by or on behalf of individuals who are residents of long-term care facilities.

Senior Centers/Nutritional

Senior Centers provide safe and pleasant places for numerous planned activities including congregate meals. These good, nutritious meals are provided 5 days a week for those 60 and over and for their spouses. At the centers, participants may enjoy classes in nutrition, arts and crafts, go on outings, participate in projects, and enjoy the opportunity to visit with one another. Transportation is provided and information and referral service is available at each center.

Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP)

RSVP is a program through which people 55 and older share their time and talents with non-profit organizations through the community. Besides providing a real benefit to the community, the RSVP volunteer keeps his or her interests, talents, and vitality alive and growing.

The Ramp Crew

The RSVP-Ramp Crew and Ramp America are a group of senior volunteers over the age of 55, who work together every Tuesday and Thursday to build wheelchair ramps for homes with disabled clients in Dougherty County.

Rural Senior Wellness Program

The Wellness Program promotes optimum nutrition and healthy lifestyle management for positive outcomes throughout life.  Education programs addressing diet, exercise, health, and chronic disease prevention are offered through the Wellness Program.

Title V Employment Program

This service is contracted through Experience Works at 10140 Ford Avenue, Savannah, Georgia, 912-756-7708,  the local phone number in Albany, Georgia is 229-435-9124. It provides job opportunities for people 55 and older who meet certain income requirements.

Telephone Reassurance To someone who is homebound, it is reassuring to have a daily telephone call. Telephone Reassurance helps to reduce social isolation and ensures the health and safety of the elderly person with regular contacts.

For more information concerning any of these services, please call 800-282-6612.