Over 60 and fabulous: 10 great resources for seniors in Cherokee County, GA
For senior citizens living in Cherokee County, Georgia, there are plenty of great resources available. As we get older, it’s important to stay active and involved in our community and Cherokee County has a lot of resources and services they for offer seniors. This blog post lists 10 that we consider to be the best, from recreational activities to health services. There’s something for everyone 60 and over. Whether you’re looking for ways to stay active and engaged or just need some help with day-to-day tasks, you’ll find what you need here. So check out these resources, get out there, and enjoy your golden years!
There are many more services available beyond these, but we picked these 10 because we feel they either provide the widest range of services to seniors, or the program is unique in some way and particularly helpful to the senior community. We’ve also added a link to each of the ten resources (you can just click on the name), as well as included some links in this post, and there are additional services that you can get to on those linked pages. As we provide in-home care within Cherokee County, we have a large list of resources and contacts we can draw from, so if you, or a loved one, has specific questions, please reach out to us, we would be more than happy to review your specific situation and recommend the best solution for your situation or challenge. With that said, here are 10 of the best resources for aging seniors (60 plus) in Cherokee County, GA:
- RUOK (Are You Okay)? – This service, offered for free by the Cherokee Sheriff’s Office, provides this free community service to senior citizens and residents with disabilities of Cherokee County by providing them with a daily check-in phone call. The “RUOK?” program is designed to check on elderly, handicapped and homebound people. This service is available to all seniors, handicapped, and homebound residents of Cherokee County (MUST be a resident of Cherokee County) with a telephone. If you’re wondering if you or a loved one may qualify or benefit from this service, here are a few questions provided on their website to help you determine whether or not it’s a good fit:
- Do you have physical limitations that require a walker, wheelchair, or artificial limb?
- Do you suffer from conditions that can cause blackouts or disorientation such as: diabetes, epilepsy/seizure disorder, dementia, asthma or emphysema?
- Do you have any sensory impairment such as speech, sight, or hearing? Once a resident subscribes to the service, an employee from the Cherokee Sheriff’s Office will make a phone call to each subscriber every day of the week at a time chosen by the subscriber. When the subscriber answers, the employee will simply verify their well-being. If the subscriber does not answer their phone after a few attempts, a sheriff’s deputy will be dispatched to the residence. The employee will provide complete background information on the individual, including their address, medical history and next of kin. For the disabled and elderly who live alone, a daily call to confirm their wellbeing is reassuring. This also eases the concern of family and friends who may find it difficult to maintain consistent and reliable contact.
- Project Lifesaver – Another free service provided by the Cherokee Sheriff’s Office, Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office Foundation, Cherokee Marshal’s Office, and Cherokee County Emergency Management Agency, Project Lifesaver is specifically geared towards helping victims and families suffering from Alzheimer’s Disease and related disorders such as Down’s Syndrome and Autism. Project Lifesaver is an innovative and rapidly growing program that uses state-of-the-art technology employing wristband transmitters to locate wandering and lost adults and children. The program goes far beyond just monitoring the whereabouts of the wearer of the bracelet, however, the team members are specially trained to work with people with Alzheimer’s Disease, Autism, Down Syndrome, Williams Syndrome, Soto Syndrome, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, traumatic brain injuries, or other conditions that cause wandering issues. To find out more, contact Renee Cornelison at 678-493-4033 or Vicki Benefield at 770-841-8530.
- Meals on Wheels – Not only does this service provide nutritious, well-balanced meals at no cost to qualifying seniors over the age of 60, but each delivery is also an opportunity to check in with the senior to ensure their wellbeing. Seniors must reside in Cherokee County to be eligible for the program. They accept donations to help cover program costs, but services will not be refused for inability to pay. As a side note, the Cherokee Animal Shelter also works with Meals on Wheels to provide seniors with free pet food to help keep their pets happy and healthy.
- North Georgia Community Action – Partnered with local, state, and federal government, the NGCA provides multiple services to help seniors who may be struggling financially, or may not have access to transportation. The county office is located in Canton, GA, and they provide services such as rent assistance, prescription medication assistance, food assistance, weatherization for homes, energy assistance, and M.A.T.S. transportation. Some of the services are limited to seniors, while others are provided to all ages of county residents. Contact them to find out more at (770) 345.6531, or click the name to take you to their website.
- The C.A.T.S. Transportation Services – Offering low cost transportation for just $1 per person (round trip), to Cherokee County seniors, age 60 and over, the CATS fleet is equipped to handle passengers with assistive devices such as wheelchairs. All residents of Cherokee County can utilize CATS; however, only adults sixty years of age or older are eligible for reduced fare service to the center for programs. A one dollar contribution for a round-trip is requested for current Cherokee County Senior Service clients. Higher fares apply to other destinations and for other passengers. You can contact CATS directly for more information at (770) 345-6238.
- Division of Aging Services – The Georgia State Department of Aging Services oversees a whole range of helpful services for seniors. Two of the available resources are listed below, but there are many more. Search their website or give them a call at (866) 552-4464 or (404) 463-3333.
- Elderly Legal Assistance Program – This program provided through federal funding to older Georgians, 60 years of age and older. They receive access to lawyers and paralegals who provide representation in non-criminal legal cases, information on many issues of interest to seniors, and community education to prevent harm that may potentially be caused by not having access to legal assistance. The program addresses issues regarding income; consumer protection; abuse, neglect and exploitation; healthcare; housing; long-term care and more. Services are provided in every county. The legal services only apply to civil matters, no cases that carry a criminal penalty, such as restitution, fines or imprisonment, are eligible for consideration. You can find your local branch by clicking here.
- Georgia SHIP (State Health Insurance Assistance Program) – Georgia SHIP provides free, unbiased information and assistance to Medicare beneficiaries and their caregivers with health and drug plans. Georgia SHIP helps people with Medicare understand their benefits and make informed decisions about health care options. Local assistance is available for health insurance related issues, including Medicare, prescription drug assistance, financial assistance programs and long-term care insurance.
- Adopt-A-Senior Program – Each December, Cherokee County Senior Services asks the community for holiday gift bags for the seniors throughout the county. A specific “main” item is requested, along with stamps, grocery gift cards and anything else the gift giver would like to add. The Meals on Wheels volunteers then deliver a gift bag to each of the seniors, which are well-received and appreciated by the seniors, and sometimes are the only holiday gift the senior receives. Look for more information on this program in the local media as the holidays approach or email aomicham@cherokeega.com.
- Silver Roamers – Silver Roamers is a low-cost membership club (just $24/year) that meets once per month to discuss upcoming events, plan trips, and just visit with one another. It takes place at the Senior Center located on Univeter Road in Canton, GA, Silver Roamers is perfect for Cherokee County residents over 50 years of age who love adventure and travel. Just Click Here to register for a meeting or to explore membership.
We hope you have found this post to be beneficial. Of course, of you have questions or concerns outside of what is listed, or you just want someone you can trust to discuss your specific situation, we are here to help. We offer free phone consultations with no pressure, and no obligation, and we are happy to offer any assistance or resources that can help. Give us a call today at (678) 494-8129 or email us at info@SilverCompanions.com..We know just the right people who can provide your loved ones with top-notch care and ensure they stay safe and comfortable all year long.
