ATHENS COMMUNITY COUNCIL ON AGING INC

The Athens Community Council on Aging’s Adult Day Health Programs provide quality supportive services for adults with functional impairments in a safe and secure environment. ADH is designed for individuals who do not require 24-hour institutional care but are not capable of full-time independent living due to a physical or mental disability. ADH’s respite program helps alleviate both the physical and emotional stress felt by many family members who care for a loved one on a day-to-day basis. Both the Athens and Winder programs offer medical monitoring, therapeutic activities, assistance with personal care needs, nutritious meals and snacks, as well as on-site physical, speech, and occupational therapy.

The Athens Community Council on Aging’s Adult Day Health Programs provide quality supportive services for adults with functional impairments in a safe and secure environment. ADH is designed for individuals who do not require 24-hour institutional care but are not capable of full-time independent living due to a physical or mental disability. ADH’s respite program helps alleviate both the physical and emotional stress felt by many family members who care for a loved one on a day-to-day basis. Both the Athens and Winder programs offer medical monitoring, therapeutic activities, assistance with personal care needs, nutritious meals and snacks, as well as on-site physical, speech, and occupational therapy.

The Center for Active Living (CAL) is a wellness center dedicated to keeping older adults active, independent, and thriving. CAL offers unique learning opportunities, exciting trips and a variety of social, cultural, recreational, and health-related classes tailored to adults over 50. CAL also houses our congregate meal program for members who wish to attend regularly and enjoy a delicious lunch, door-to-door transportation, and other supportive services.

The Benefits Counseling program provides free, unbiased information and enrollment assistance to help individuals and families identify and secure the assistance they need. Highly trained staff and volunteers provide counseling about Medicare, Medicaid, SNAP, and other benefit programs. The Benefits Counseling program also houses the Georgia SHIP (State Health Insurance Assistance Program) for the 12-county Northeast Georgia region.

Grandparents Raising Grandchildren (GRG) is a case management program that provides support to non-parent relatives who are the primary caregiver to a child or children under the age of 18. The program offers support groups for caregivers, Case Managers that provide personalized assistance, family activities, parenting education and workshops, and emergency assistance with utilities and groceries.
GRG services are available in Barrow, Clarke, Jackson, Madison, Oconee and Walton counties, and monthly support groups are held in Athens and Monroe.

The Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program Representatives, and volunteers, advocate for the rights of nursing home and personal care home residents, provide educational opportunities, and investigate and resolve complaints in long-term care facilities. Services provided by the LTCO Program include: advocating for residents’ rights, providing information and assistance to families seeking a facility and appropriate care, resolving problems stemming from residents’ complaints, providing staff education through in-services at residential facilities, promoting family and resident councils in long-term care facilities, and routinely monitoring nursing and personal care homes.
LTCO serves residents of Barrow, Burke, Clarke, Columbia, Elbert, Glascock, Greene, Gwinnett, Hancock, Jackson, Jefferson, Jenkins, Lincoln, Madison, McDuffie, Morgan, Oconee, Oglethorpe, Richmond, Screven, Taliaferro, Walton, Warren, Washington, and Wilkes counties.

The Senior Community Service Employment Program, or SCSEP, provides part-time community service assignments for older people with low incomes where they receive on-the-job training. Enrollees are also able to receive educational supports and other services that promote the transition to permanent, unsubsidized employment.

ACCA’s Transportation Program serves adults, age 60 and up, whose transportation needs are not met by traditional services. Drivers are trained to assist the rider at both the point of departure, in the transporting vehicle, and at the destination.
Transportation services are available for medical appointments, pharmacy visits, shopping, Adult Day Health services, community-based programs, and other social service activities and essential community resources. Specialized transportation for those using wheelchairs is available.

AmeriCorps Seniors is a national volunteer program administered by the Corporation for National and Community Service that engages people ages 55 and in national service to cost-effectively address vital community needs. ACCA hosts all three AmeriCorps Seniors programs: Foster Grandparents, Senior Companions, and RSVP. Foster Grandparent volunteers work in schools with children that need extra support. Senior Companion volunteers serve other older adults in need of assistance and companionship in their home. RSVP volunteers serve in a variety of roles, including delivering meals and providing benefits counseling. The program is based in Athens, GA and volunteers may serve across the Northeast Georgia 12-county region.