Georgia Cares program recognized

From left, Don Gay, Cong. Jack Kingston and Langga Gay are shown as the Gays are honored for their service to the people of the First Congressional District of Georgia. (Photo contributed)

U. S. Congressman Jack Kingston presented an award to the Heart of Georgia RDC Area Agency on Aging's Georgia Cares Program, Don and Evelyn Gay, "for outstanding service to the people of Georgia First Congressional District. January 6. This is an annual award which Congressman Kingston gives only to a select few "who go above and beyond the call of service to mankind." It consisted of six names and two of those were Don and Evelyn.

Congressman Kingston in a recent letter to the RDC stated "It continues to amaze me how diligently these two individuals work together with local communities and its' senior citizens to develop and implement services to fit the needs of seniors. My staff and I have worked with Don and Evelyn at numerous workshops to assist seniors with Medicare Part D decisions. My staff and I have also called them late at night and on weekends to pick-up the pieces and help seniors with quality of life decisions. They are always diligent in helping. The Area Agency on Aging is well represented through Don and Evelyn Gay and their work".

Don Gay is the Coordinator for the Georgia Cares program, serving the 17 counties of the Heart of Georgia Altamaha area. Georgia Cares is Georgia's State Health Insurance Program and Empowering Seniors to Prevent Healthcare Fraud. Trained Georgia Cares volunteer counselors are located in Senior Citizens Centers throughout the area to help Medicare beneficiaries with Medicare and related health insurance concerns. Georgia Cares is a private-public, non-profit partnership sponsored by the Department of Human Resources, Division of Aging Services and Area Agencies on Aging. The services are provided free of charge.

The annual enrollment period (November 15-December 31, 2006) has ended for this year; however, those that qualify for the Medicare Low Income Subsidy Program can enroll until December 31.

To qualify for the Medicare Low Income Subsidy Program, individuals who are single must have an income of no more than $14,700 per year and resources no more than $11,500 to qualify. For couples or the legal guardian, they can have an income of no more than $19,800 per year and resources no more than $23,000 to qualify.

Anyone who needs assistance may call the Senior Citizens Center in the particular county or call the Georgia Cares toll free number at 1-800-669-8387.

Evelyn "Langga" Gay is the Project Director of the Elder Rights Project. This project is a federally funded program that receives matching funds from the state and local government. Provided through this program is free legal information, education and representation to persons 60 years of age and older in non-criminal matters such as accessing health care, debt collection, housing, consumer fraud, Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, elder abuse, neglect and exploitation and advance directives such as: living wills, durable power of attorney for health care and other services. For assistance with the Elderly Legal Services Program, call 478-982-3421.