The population of the United States is living longer and those people want to live their fullest, happiest lives.
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the average American male lives to 74.8 while women average 80.2 years.
The National Library of Medicine defines healthy aging as being free of chronic diseases, being able to accomplish daily activities without assistance, having a good quality of life, maintaining a high level of social engagement, having only mild cognitive impairment, and having little or no disability.
In order to achieve healthy aging, the National Institute on Aging recommends at least 150 minutes per week of moderate to vigorous exercise, not smoking, not drinking heavily, a high-quality diet, adequate sleep and staying mentally stimulated. This could include socializing, doing puzzles, reading, or playing games. However, there may come a time when you or your loved one needs help.
The Southern Georgia Regional Commission (SGRC) Area Agency on Aging (AAA), located in Waycross, offers a myriad of services and resources. The agency serves Atkinson, Bacon, Ben Hill, Berrien, Brantley, Brooks, Charlton, Clinch, Coffee, Cook, Echols, Irwin, Lanier, Lowndes, Pierce, Tift, Turner and Ware Counties.
The mission of the organization is to “develop, provide, coordinate, and advocate for services to assist older individuals, atrisk adults, persons with disabilities, their families and caregivers.” SGRC AAA strives to “assist these individuals in living longer, living safely, and living well.”
“I tell people, if you have elderly parents, y’all have a conversation about what your future may look like,” said SGRC’s Dementia Care Specialist Christy Joyner. “Those are hard conversations, so what usually happens is no one has the conversation. Then mama has a stroke and they’re all at the hospital and no one’s sure what they’re going to do.”
Joyner recommends families with aging people call well before the AAA services are needed so they know ahead of time what their options are.
“Call ahead of the crisis and ask questions,” said Joyner. “Find out about these programs so you can have a plan about what it would be like like if mama or daddy has a medical crisis. Its hard, but I promise, it’s harder during the crisis than it is ahead of the crisis.
“There is one toll free number for AAA and always a live counselor who answers. There’s no obligation. If you want to move forward, they will schedule you. You can call and get information and not do anything for a year if you choose, but go ahead and get the information.”
The toll free number for the Area Agency on Aging is 1-888-732-4464. For more information, visit www.sgrc.us/aaa.html.
