Public Service Announcement, 11 / 2008
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Irene Collins, Commissioner
Dear Friends,
We have just completed the 2008 Fiscal Year and are diving into 2009! We had a tremendously successful year in 2008. This year we served a record number of people through our 13 Area Agencies on Aging and will have final numbers to share with you in a couple of weeks.
Our REACH Intervention Project was extremely successful and we are now moving to Outreach Beyond REACH. Virtual Dementia Tours, a primary component of REACH caregiver training has been utilized across the state for caregivers and others who provide care for Alzheimer’s patients, including police and fire departments. In only six months, approximately 4,000 caregivers in Alabama have experienced the Virtual Dementia Tour.
We have continued to work to promote Engaging Aging, a program promoting the hiring of seniors in the workplace. By 2020, it is estimated that 24.6% our population will be 65 years or older – more than the 18 and under age group. With this population swing, our economy will depend on older adults to fill the gaps in the workforce that the younger generations will be unable to fill.
The online Aging and Disability Resource Center, www.alabamaconnect.gov, is available 24 hours a day for your convenience and can help answer questions you may have regarding Medicare, Medicaid and long-term care. The Aging and Disability Resource Centers allow individuals to make informed choices through a single point of entry access to long-term care support programs and services. By streamlining the eligibility process and providing better management of resources, Alabama agencies are able to collaboratively serve more seniors and persons with disabilities through the resource centers than they would individually.
Medicare Open Enrollment will begin November 15. We will have SHIP Representatives around the state to assist in choosing the best plan for your situation. Stay tuned to our website for dates and locations where SHIP will be. In the meantime, you can download the Medicare Protection Toolkit to make sure you protect yourself against fraud.
I also want to remind you that the switch from analog to digital television will take affect on February 17, 2009. While the switch to digital television will provide a clearer picture, higher quality sound and a greater number of free channels, many people will have to get a converter box to keep their service from being interrupted. For more information on the switch and how to obtain a coupon, visit www.DTVanswers.com or call 1-888-DTV-2009.
As the holiday season approaches and the New Year draws closer, please call your local Area Agency on Aging at 1-800-243-5463 if you need assistance from any of our programs. We are here to assist you in any way we can and look forward to working with you as we begin another fiscal year.
 Sincerely,
Irene B. Collins
Commissioner
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