Resources for Older Adults

The Clinical Social Work Association of Savannah and the Southeast Ga. NASW have compiled a list of community resources for older adults. If you know of specific resources that should be added, please e-mail webmaster@socialworksavannah.freeyellow.com. You may also contact Larry Dane-Kellogg by phone at 355-8111.

Area Agency on Aging

Based at the Coastal Georgia Regional Development Center in Brunswick, this agency provides information and referrals to caregivers, including information on support groups. The center receives funds from the state and federal governments. Services are provided in nine coastal areas, from Bulloch to Camden counties. The center also provides information to seniors directly and to family members and private agencies.

Area Agency on Aging
127 F Street
Brunswick, GA 31520
(912) 264-7363 ext. 225
InfoLink: 800-580-6860

Care65

This free seniors program is offered by St. Joseph's/Candler Health System. Referrals are provided.

Care65
Menzanna Blakley
#8 Medical Arts Center
Savannah, GA 31405
(912) 352-4405

Center for Successful Aging

Senior Care and Research. Overseen by Dr. Ali Rahimi, this center for geriatric patients works to maintain or improve their cognitive and physical abilities. Caregiver counseling is provided. Center for Successful Aging

Center for Successful Aging
5002 Waters Ave.
Savannah, Ga. 31404
(912) 350-7450

Community Care Services

This state Medicaid program provides community-based services as an alternative to nursing home placement. Eligibility must be determined. There are no fees if client is SSI eligible. Other situations may require cost sharing. The office serves Bryan, Bulloch, Chatham, Effingham, Long, Liberty, Glynn, McIntosh and Camden counties. Services include health care at home, the emergency response system program, personal care homes, help with light household chores, home delivered meals and respite for caregivers.

Community Care Services
7 Mall Court
Savannah, Ga. 31406
(912) 353-5001
(888) 698-2984

Cooperative Extension Services

Extension programs in each county provides gerontology information such as retirement planning, food, human development and housing.

Dr. Don Bower
Cooperative Extension Service
University of Georgia
Athens, GA 30602
(706) 542-7566

http://www.fcs.uga.edu

Greater Savannah Coalition on Aging

The coalition is an organization of long-term care providers in Chatham, Bryan and Effingham counties. It includes representatives from nursing homes, personal care homes, home health agencies and other senior agencies. The organization helps develop programs to improve the quality of life for area senior citizens. It sponsors outings called ''Senior Safari.'' It also has begun studying the health of seniors in the Savannah area.

Greater Savannah Coalition on Aging
c/o Nancy Neff, president
104 Biltmore Rd.
Savannah, GA 31410

(912) 354-3680
Nneff@rescare.com

Home Instead

Home Instead Senior Care is a non-medical resource for persons capable of managing their personal needs, however require companionship or assistance with home care in order to remain at home. Services include medication reminders, light housekeeping, meal preparation, laundry, errands/shopping and incidental transportation. Although established to assist seniors, we also assist other adults who may require short or long term assistance, such as women with high-risk pregnancies, persons recuperating from surgery or illness, and respite care. Caregivers are trained, bonded, insured and selected for utmost compatibility with the client they serve. More information is available through our web site at www.homeinstead.com or by calling 355-0099.

Memorial 55 Plus

The free seniors program at Memorial Health University Medical Center incorporates activities, referrals and education for people 55 and older. It also works with caregivers.

Memorial 55 Plus
Ann Daniel
5002 Waters Ave.
Savannah, GA 31404
(912) 350-7587

Senior Citizens Inc.

This non-profit service enables seniors to live in their homes for a longer period of time. The agency offers such services as laundry, cleaning, bathing, yard and home maintenance, errand transportation, meals on wheels, companions and sitting services. They also provide activities at their Bull Street building and at neighborhood centers throughout Chatham County. The agency has a support group for caregivers and operates an all-day adult day care center.

Senior Citizens Inc.
3025 Bull St.
Savannah, GA 31405
(912) 236-0363

Senior Adult Abuse

Adult Protective Services (Non-institutional reporting): (912) 651-2381 (Centralized intake)

Long Term Care Ombudsman Program (Institutional reporting): (912) 236-6747

3025 Bull St.
Savannah, GA 31405

Gateway Aging Services

Services include a twice-monthly support group for caregivers, family members and friends of people with Alzheimer's Disease and other dementia. The agency welcomes calls from caregivers who are caring for elderly people with other ailments.

Gateway Aging Services
No. 3 Oglethorpe Professional Blvd.
Savannah, GA 31406
(912) 351-3590

Georgia Division of Aging Services

(404) 657-5258

Aerobics and Fitness Foundation of America

(800) 233-4886
Includes information on aerobics, weight loss and exercises for seniors.

Agency for Health Care and Policy and Research

(800) 358-9295

Offers free catalog of free health care publications.

American Association of Retired Persons (AARP)

(800) 424-3410
A national membership group for those 50 and older which offers information for seniors.

Elderhostel

(617) 426-8056
Provides information and programs for active seniors who enjoy traveling and learning. Publishes an international catalog of events.

Elders Share the Arts

(212) 780-1928
Community arts organization dedicated to validating personal histories,
honoring diverse traditions and connecting generations and cultures through living history arts with older artists. Also provides intergenerational programs at senior centers, schools and hospitals.

League of American Bicyclists

(202) 822-1333
Offers seniors a discount membership fee. Sponsors rides and bicycle events, instruction on "effective cycling" and road safety information through 450 clubs around the country.

Volunteers of America

(800) 899-0089
Social service organization with a wide variety of programs including assisted living programs for seniors.

Senior Fitness Resources

The National Institute on Aging offers a free resource book on physical fitness for older adults. "Exercise: A Guide from the National Institute on Aging" is a 100-page booklet with illustrations on exercises that seniors can perform at home. To order the book, call (800) 222-2225 or E-mail the NIA at niainfo@access.digex.net. The booklet also appears in its entirety on the Internet at http://weboflife.arc.nasa.gov/exerciseandaging/.

The American College of Sports Medicine has published a brochure called "Fit Over 40" The pamphlet offers suggestions for getting into and staying in shape. For a free copy, send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to ACSM, Fit over 40, P.O. Box 1440, Indianapolis, Ind., 46206.

Health Issues Phone Numbers

Division of Aging Services: 404-657-5258
The Hospice Helpline: 800-658-8898
The Hospice Association of America: 202-546-4759
The Cancer Information Service: 800-422-6237

Safe Return Bracelet

Safe Return is a program in which people with Alzheimer's disease and related disorders wear a "Safe Return Bracelet" that helps to identify and return them to safety if they become disoriented and wonder or get lost. For more information on the Safe Return program call 1 (800) 272-3900.

Alzheimer's Support Group

The support group for caretakers and family members of people with Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders (ADRD) is held the 2nd Wednesday, every month at 10:30 A.M. at the JEA. The group lasts about one-hour and focuses on support, community resources and education. The meetings are free and the public is invited to attend. For more information call 355-8111 or 233-9786.

Medicare Outreach Project

There is an existing program that can save people money on Medicare! HCFA research has found that older women on fixed incomes who are living alone are often eligible for these programs (However the program is open to all Medicare recipients who qualify).

Georgia Residents who are on Medicare and have fixed incomes can save hundreds of dollars a year through programs that will help pay their monthly premiums and other out of pocket health care costs. The payment of $45.50 a month for the Medicare Part B premium is included in the program. Program eligibility requires a monthly income of less than $960 for an individual and $1286 for a couple. Those who qualify can save $546 or MORE per year.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL (TOLL FREE) 1-888-257-9519. For other assistance with Medicare or health insurance issues, Georgians may also call the HICARE program at 1-800-669-8387.