What is The Legacy Link o Legacy Link

What is The Legacy Link? o Legacy Link was established in 1997 as a nonprofit, Area Agency on Aging for the Georgia Mountains Region. o The mission of the organization is to foster an environment which enhances and facilitates independence and quality of life for older individuals, persons with disabilities, and the community. o Legacy Link houses 15+ programs and offers countless resources to communities.

The Elderly and Disabled Waiver Program (EDWP) Services: CCSP & SOURCE Under EDWP, Both CCSP and SOURCE Offer: • Personal Support Services: Services contracted by non-skilled nursing agencies to assist with Basic and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (ie. Bathing, toileting, grooming, household chores, medication reminders, meal preparation). • Emergency Response Services (ERS): A call button service to summon for assistance in the event of an emergency. • Home Delivered Meals (HDM): Hot, frozen, or shelf-stable dietary appropriate meals. • Adult Day Health: Health, recreational, therapeutic, and social activities provided in a group setting. • Alternative Living Services: State licensed personal care homes provide 24 -hour supervision and health related support services persons unable to remain in their home. to

CCSP Specific Service CCSP offers: • Consumer-Directed Option: Client has the choice to play a more direct role in the selection of services and how those services are fulfilled. Client and/or families can hire their own PSS aide. However, there are very specific guidelines to access this option.

The Elderly and Disabled Waiver Program (EDWP) Eligibility Community Care Service Program Service Options Using Resources in Community Environments (SOURCE) (CCSP) • Supplemental Security Income recipient (SSI) • Income limit and potential cost share • Primary medical diagnosis cannot be a behavioral/mental health illness • A client with SSI Medicaid can opt to enroll in the CCSP program. • Primary medical diagnosis cannot be behavioral/mental health illness • Client must meet level of care for nursing home placement. • Subject to estate recovery. • • Client must meet the level of care for nursing home placement. Subject to estate recovery.

Steps for The Elderly and Disabled Waiver Program (EDWP) Enrollment Step 1: Assessment ü ü ü Intake Specialist completes a screening via telephone or face-toface visit in the nursing home. When there are barriers to communication, permission is obtained to speak with a family member or caregiver and occasionally home visits have to be made to complete the process. During the assessment, a level of impairment tool is used to score the individual based on their needs. If the client meets all eligibility criteria for the program requested, the client continues to step two. If there are no admissions available in the requested program, the client will go on a waiting list in order based on the severity of their score.

Steps for The Elderly and Disabled Waiver Program (EDWP) Enrollment continued… Step 2: Departmental referral from intake to appropriate program. A lead RN receives the referral and assigns to a nurse/care coordination team with a designated coverage area. The nurse then schedules a home visit to complete an additional screening and document/support the initial assessment. The nurse sends the information to the state upon completion and the state will then send back an approval notice that the client may be placed on the program. The nurse then sends the treating physician the level of care (LOC) documentation requesting approval of in-home or assisted living facility services. Once LOC is received, the client will receive a call from care coordinator to discuss service options and provider choices. Services can be arranged while awaiting Medicaid approval. Upon being placed on the program, our staffed Medicaid specialist arranges to meet with the client/family in the home to discuss any questions regarding and to assist with the Medicaid application.

Nursing Home Transition Programs Nursing Home Transition (NHT) and Money Follows the Person (MFP) Assists with transitioning individuals from nursing home care back into the community who have barriers that may make the transition process very difficult or impossible. Example: A client must have a ramp, grab bars, and doorways widened before safely returning to the community from the nursing home but cannot afford to modify the home. If eligible for these programs, a Transition Coordinator will meet with the individual and come up with an action plan to assist in overcoming these obstacles.

Nursing Home Transition Programs: Eligibility Nursing Home Transition (NHT) Money Follows the Person (MFP): 55+ No Age Requirement No Medicaid Required Must be in the Nursing Home for 30 days to be eligible Must have either two forms of Medicaid or have one form of Medicaid and sign up for a Medicaid Waivered Program (CCSP/SOURCE) Must be in the Nursing Home for 90 days to be eligible

Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) Ø Grant funded program with no Medicaid eligibility requirement. Ø Available for individuals age 60+ years. Ø Offers assistance with Basic and Instrumental ADLS on reduced fee for service basis, including HDM, personal support services, and respite. Ø Individuals are pulled from the waiting list and admitted to the program on the basis of scores from screenings during the intake process.

Community Based Program: Kinship Care Program: Provides information for grandparents and other relatives raising children. Help is available for the many issues of being a caregiver. Services offered, include: • Support Groups • Information and referral • Resource information • Social activities • Celebrations • Community Education

Community Based Program: Care Consultation What is Care Consultation? Ø A telephone-based, free service for non-paid personal support caregivers. Individuals are provided ongoing assistance to find practical solutions to health and care concerns. Impacts of the Program: § § § Improve Care Reduce Stress Delay Nursing Home Placement Decrease Emergency Room Visits Improve Quality of Life

Community Based Program: Senior Community Service and Employment Program (SCSEP): Persons aged 55+ interested in employment and training opportunities may apply for the program. Public and non-profit agencies provide part-time positions (20 hours per week) for minimum wage reimbursement for training hours to re-enter the workforce. *120 counties are covered by the SCSEP program through Legacy Link.

Community Based Program: Long-Term Care Ombudsman Long-term Care Ombudsman: . (770. 538. 2685) seeks to improve the quality of life for residents of long-term care facilities. These facilities include nursing homes, personal care homes, and community living arrangements. Long-Term Care Ombudsmen are advocates for residents. They work to ensure Residents’ Rights are being met by doing the following: Investigating and working to resolve complaints on behalf of residents. Visiting long-term care facilities routinely to speak with residents and monitor conditions (monthly visits to all nursing homes; at least quarterly visits to personal care homes). Providing information to residents, families, and the general public about long-term care. Promoting and participating with Resident and Family Councils. Educating facility staff about Residents’ Rights, abuse/abuse reporting, and other issues. Providing community education about the needs of long-term care residents. Coordinating efforts with other agencies concerned with long-term care. Identifying problem areas in long-term care and advocating for change. Long-Term Care Ombudsmen emphasize residents' wishes in assisting to resolve problems. Information and records of the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program related to individual residents and complainants are confidential and shall be disclosed only in limited circumstances specifically provided by applicable law.

Community Based Programs continued… Senior Centers: Multi-purpose senior centers receive funding from Legacy Link in 12 counties. These centers provide services to older citizens such as hot noon meals, home delivered meals, recreation, transportation, wellness and educational programs to assist older persons remain independent. Wellness Programs: addresses social, emotional, physical, mental, and intellectual well-being of adults 60 years or older, including but not limited to: nutrition and health education, fitness and physical activity, health screenings, art classes, computer classes, and other educational opportunities.

Community Based Programs continued… Retired & Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP): A national Senior Corps program, matching adults age 55+ with volunteer opportunities at public and nonprofit agencies in 10 counties. (770. 538. 2718) www. nationalservice. gov Georgia Legal Services: Provides legal counseling and assistance for people age 60+. (770. 535. 5717)

Help Loved Ones Stay Connected Through Assistive Technology What is Assistive Technology? Assistive Technology is any item or piece of equipment that is used to increase, maintain, or improve the functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities in all aspects of life, including at school, work, home and in the community. The Legacy Link has recently opened an Assistive Technology Lab available to the public. Over 100 items on display! Call Ginger Ragans at 770 -538 -2641 for additional information or to set up an appointment to visit the Assistive Technology Lab!

Assistive Technology can help with: Activities for Daily Living Mobility and Transportation Kitchen Tasks Recreation Activities Bedroom Tasks Medication Organization Health and Wellness Computer Products and Software Using the Telephone Home Security Hearing Vision Voice Control Systems with Appliances https: //youtu. be/f. S 01 kn 6 YJ 94 https: //youtu. be/VA_1 IUh. Vb. QY And so much more! Call Ginger Ragans at 770 -538 -2641 for additional information or to set up an appointment to visit the Assistive Technology Lab!

Georgia. Cares: Medicare Assistance Georgia. Cares provides free, unbiased and factual information and assistance regarding Medicare and other related health insurance for informed health care decisions. Ø Georgia. Cares provides one-on-one counseling, community education and outreach on the following topics: • Medicare Supplement Insurance • Medicare Advantage Plans • Medicare Prescription Drug Plans • Medicare Appeals and Grievances • Healthcare Rights and Protections • Financial Assistance Programs Call 1 -866 -552 -4464: Option 4 or Email: gacares@legacylink. org

Is Legacy Link in Your Community? ALL PROGRAMS: Banks, Dawson, Franklin, Forsyth, Habersham, Hall, Hart, Lumpkin, Stephens, Towns, Rabun, Union, White The Elderly and Disabled Waiver Program (EDWP): Banks, Barrow, Bartow, Catoosa, Chatooga, Cherokee, Clark, Dade, Dawson, Elbert, Fannin, Floyd, Forsyth, Franklin, Gilmer, Gordon, Gwinnett, Habersham, Hall, Haralson, Hart, Jackson, Lumpkin, Madison, Murray, Paulding, Pickens, Polk, Rabun, Stephens, Towns, Union, Walker, White, Whitfield Long-Term Care Ombudsman: Banks, Bartow, Catoosa, Chatooga, Cherokee, Dade, Dawson, Fannin, Floyd, Forsyth, Franklin, Gilmer, Gordon, Habersham, Hall, Haralson, Hart, Lumpkin, Murray, Paulding, Pickens, Polk, Rabun, Stephens, Towns, Union, Walker, White, Whitfield

Contacting The Legacy Link Trained Intake Specialists provide anonymous and/or confidential: Access to information and provide an optimal entry point for Legacy Link services. Assistance and referrals concerning services for seniors, persons with disabilities, and families in the community. A state of the art database constantly updated with current information to provide the most relevant content on available local, state and national resources/services. Provide customers with appropriate in-house program referrals. Anyone can make a referral to Legacy Link! Call 1 -855 -266 -4283 for more information or to make a referral.

Program Specific Contact Information Community-Based Programs Senior Employment & Training Kinship Care Senior Centers Volunteer Opportunities Call: (770)538 -2650 Medicare Counseling (Georgia Cares) Call: 866 -552 -4464 ext. 4 At-risk Adult Advocacy – Ombudsman Call: 770 -538 -2685 Senior Legal Services – 60 years + Call: 770 -535 -5717 Home-Based Programs CCSP Community Care Services HCBS Home Based Services Home Delivered Meals MFP Nursing Home Transition to Community Living SOURCE Service Options Using Resources in Community Environments Care Consultation Caregiver Support Call: 855 -266 -GATE (4283)

CONTACT US Information on these and additional resources are available on our website: www. legacylink. org OR Call: 770 -538 -2650 For current events and information For outreach and educational materials for your organization, group, or community event Contact Don Colombero ~ 770 -538 -2700 ~