April 16, 2012 - ATLANTA - The Georgia Department of Human Services (DHS) is searching for Georgians who will turn 100 or older in 2012. On their birthdays, DHS’ Division of Aging Services will honor these centenarians -- people who have lived for 100 or more years -- with a certificate of recognition and a thank you for their contributions to Georgia’s families and communiti
April 5, 2012 - ATLANTA – On April 24, the National Nonprofit Risk Management Center will headline a free, full-day workshop titled “Safer Senior Ministry Projects: Risk Management for Faith-Based Volunteers.” The Georgia Department of Human Services’ (DHS), Division of Aging Services will host the statewide event at the Methodist Home for Children and Youth in Macon, 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. The first 100 people to register will receive a complimentary volunteer management book.
January 12, 2012 - ATLANTA – Alka Aneja, M.D., a board certified adult and adolescent psychiatrist, has been named Medical Director of the Georgia Department of Human Services (DHS). In this role she will be responsible for providing medical direction and clinical oversight of reviews for cases handled by the Department. She most recently served as an Assistant Professor at John Hopkins University School of Medicine for the Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.
September 27, 2011 - ATLANTA –The Georgia Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) program recently received three awards for exceptional performance by the U.S. Administration on Aging (AoA) at a ceremony in Washington, D.C. The Georgia SMP earned the Complex Issues Award: Highest Dollar Amount Referred for Further Action, Innovation in Collaboration and Partnership Activities and the Expansion of SMP Program Capacity awards.
August 15, 2011 - Most Georgians think that flashlights, duct tape, batteries, and canned goods will get them through an emergency, but these items alone are not enough especially for older adults and people with disabilities who may require additional supplies. Seventy-eight percent of Georgians believe they are adequately prepared to get through 72 hours following an emergency, but studies show that most people have not taken the necessary steps to fully prepare themselves for a large-scale disaster.
June 13, 2011 - ATLANTA – The Georgia Department of Human Services (DHS) is supporting the fight against elder abuse by encouraging Georgians to wear purple on World Elder Abuse Awareness Day on June 15. A proclamation marking June as Elder Abuse Awareness Month in Georgia was recently signed by Governor Nathan Deal to educate and raise awareness of the warning signs associated with elder abuse.
June 2, 2011- ATLANTA – Elder abuse is one of the most unrecognized and under-reported crimes. In recognition of Elder Abuse Awareness Month, the Georgia Department of Human Services, Division of Aging Services is alerting the aging community and Medicare recipients of potential elder abuse through Medicare scams.
February 25, 2011 - ATLANTA – The U.S. Administration on Aging announced that Georgia has won the 2011 Excellence in Action award for Outstanding Achievement in Changing Systems by a State. The honor recognizes the Georgia Department of Human Services (DHS) Division of Aging Services for developing programs that improve services and support for older adults and people with disabilities.
April 6, 2011 - ATLANTA (GA) – Crimes against older adults and people with disabilities frequently go unrecognized, unreported and unprosecuted, but a new group of statewide agencies aims to change that. The Department of Human Services (DHS) Division of Aging Services has joined with eight organizations to create the At-Risk Adult Crime Tactics (ACT) Specialist Certification – a credential for professionals who are mandated by state law to report suspected abuse, neglect and exploitation. The first certification courses will be available statewide in early 2011.
March 2011 - ATLANTA (GA) – The U.S. Administration on Aging announced that Georgia has won the 2011 Excellence in Action award for Outstanding Achievement in Changing Systems by a State. The honor recognizes the Georgia Department of Human Services (DHS) Division of Aging Services for developing programs that improve services and support for older adults and people with disabilities.
November 2010 - ATLANTA (GA) – The Department of Human Services urges older adults to be on the alert for misleading post cards titled “Important: Projected Medicare Changes.” The cards are sent on behalf of insurance salespeople and are not endorsed by Medicare.
November 2010 - ATLANTA, (GA) – As the colder months approach, the Georgia Department of Human Services (DHS) will once again help Georgians struggling to keep up with the cost of heating their homes. DHS’s Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) has received approximately $41.1 million dollars in federal funds to assist low-income, elderly and disabled Georgians with their heating bills.
October 13, 2010 - ATLANTA (GA) – The GeorgiaCares State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) is helping Medicare recipients make informed decisions about which prescription drug and Advantage plan options are best for them. Beginning on October 15, consumers can compare available plans by visiting www.Medicare.gov. They may also call GeorgiaCares toll-free at 1-800-669-8387 for personalized assistance.
October 13, 2010 - ATLANTA (GA) – Public hearings to get consumer input for the Division of Aging Services (DAS) 2011 State Plan renewal will be held statewide from October 6 to November 18.
September 20, 2010 - ATLANTA (GA) – The Department of Human Services invites community service agencies to apply now to host a wage-subsidized older worker through the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP).
July 21, 2010 - ATLANTA (GA) – The Georgia Department of Human Services (DHS) announces the selection of attorney Melanie S. McNeil to serve as Georgia’s new Long-Term Care Ombudsman. She will lead a statewide group of local ombudsmen who partner with trained volunteers to help resolve residents’ quality-of-life concerns in long-term care settings such as skilled nursing facilities, personal care homes, and intermediate care facilities.
July 8, 2010 - ATLANTA (GA) The Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) will save taxpayers’ money in more ways than one this summer as Georgia and Tennessee team up on the nation’s first Federally funded, double-state Medicare outreach initiative. The program educates people to prevent and report healthcare fraud, error, and abuse.
June 18, 2010 - ATLANTA (GA) – People who receive Medicare should be on the alert for scam artists, warns the Georgia Department of Human Services Division of Aging Services.
June 11, 2010 - ATLANTA (GA) – One out of every nine Americans experiences elder abuse, yet few know how to recognize an epidemic that may affect an estimated 176,000 older Georgians per year. On June 15th, the Department of Human Services Division of Aging Services urges Georgians to observe World Elder Abuse Awareness Day by learning to spot and report abuse.
May 10, 2010 - ATLANTA (GA) – The Georgia Department of Human Services (DHS) will recognize Older Americans Month with free health screenings, printed materials, and give-away items at a senior information fair on May 12 in downtown Atlanta. The event will be held 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., in the DHS lobby at 2 Peachtree Street, NW, near the Five Points Marta station.
February 16, 2010 - ATLANTA (GA) –The Department of Human Services Division of Aging Services is urging older adults to be vigilant over the next few months to avoid criminals who are masquerading as legitimate Census Bureau workers. Cyber-criminals and scam artists are looking for any available opportunity to steal money and personal information. With the 2010 U.S. Census process beginning, these criminals are taking advantage of the census-taking event to separate older adults from personal information that thieves can use to empty bank accounts.
February 8, 2010 - ATLANTA (GA) – It takes just five seconds for taxpayers to deliver a hot meal, give a ride, or nurture a child by donating to the Georgia Fund for Children and Elderly on 2009 tax forms. Donations are tax-deductable, and every dollar supports meal deliveries for homebound elders, transportation to senior centers and doctors’ appointments, and grant programs to serve children with special health, educational, and emotional needs.
October 30, 2009 - ATLANTA (GA) – There are nearly 120,000 Georgians suffering from Alzheimer’s disease, and that number is expected to rise to 160,000 by the year 2025. November is National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month and the Georgia Department of Human Services (DHS) Division of Aging Services (DAS) encourages Georgians to know the warning signs of Alzheimer’s so they can get treatment as soon as possible.
September 11, 2009 - ATLANTA (GA) – The Georgia Department of Human Services (DHS) Division of Aging Services (DAS) is only one step away from winning Georgia’s highest award for organizational performance excellence.
August 14, 2009 - ATLANTA (GA) – Results from a study on the impact of a Georgia Department of Human Services (DHS) Division of Aging Services (DAS) nutritional wellness program reveals older Georgians are staying in their own homes longer before having to enter a nursing home.
June 4, 2009 - The Georgia Department of Human Resources (DHR) Division of Aging Services (DAS) encourages Georgians to wear purple on World Elder Abuse Awareness Day on June 15. People worldwide will be wearing purple to show that elder abuse is a global problem. The annual observation recognizes, honors and raises awareness of disabled adults and persons 65 and older who suffer in silence because of abuse, neglect or exploitation.
May 11, 2009 – There is a growing population of older adults in Georgia and throughout the nation who have a wealth of experience and knowledge who deserve our recognition and respect. A good time to show these individuals how much we care is during National Older Americans Month in May. This year’s theme is “Living Today for a Better Tomorrow.”
Don’t miss the 12th Annual Healthy Aging Summit: “Creating a Culture of Wellness with Food, Fun & Fitness.” This popular, information-packed event will be held June 2-4 in sunny Augusta, Georgia. For more information, contact Sudha Reddy at 404-657-5316. (Adobe Acrobat format, 123 KB)
February 13, 2009 – As the economy continues to decline and more people struggle financially, scams are on the rise again – including the resurfacing of the “Grandma Scam.” The Georgia Department of Human Resources (DHR) wants older adults across the state to be aware, as many scam artists often target seniors.
August 15, 2008 – The Georgia Department of Human Resources, Division of Aging Services’ GeorgiaCares SMP program is providing tips to Medicare beneficiaries on protecting themselves against identity theft and Medicare fraud. GeorgiaCares SMP provides health insurance counseling, as well as assistance with reporting and following up on Medicare fraud, abuse and error. GeorgiaCares toll-free number is 1-800-669-8387.