AARP Georgia

By Novella Cross Holmes

Relationships gone wrong can result in more than hurt feelings. For victims of online dating scams, the cost could be financial as well.

AARP Georgia and Safe Kids Cobb County are collaborating during Earth Day to host this event to help community members protect their personal and financial assets. According to the Federal Trade Commission’s Consumer Sentinel Network, 3,083,379 total consumer complaints were collected in 2015. Florida, Georgia, and Michigan were the top three states for fraud and other complaints.

Know an extraordinary volunteer age 50 or older? Show your appreciation by nominating him or her for the 2017 AARP Georgia Andrus Award for Community Service. AARP’s most prestigious Georgia volunteer award recognizes individuals who are sharing their experience, talent and skills in ways that significantly enrich the lives of others.

The AARP Block Party experience will be among many exciting festivities at this year’s Atlanta Dogwood Festival beginning on Friday, April 7. The Dogwood Festival is an Atlanta staple and multi-generational outdoor affair showcasing fine arts, music, and much more.

By Ann Hardie

Governor Nathan Deal recently announced the creation of Georgia’s Older Adults Cabinet, a committee working to enhance the state’s capacity to serve older adults. The Older Adults Cabinet seeks to identify ways for Georgia to improve the well-being of its older residents by bringing together state agency heads whose work supports older Georgians, as well as stakeholders in the business, philanthropic, and education communities.

AARP Georgia State President Lee Baker along with State Director Debra Tyler-Horton and Advocacy Director, Melissa Sinden visited this week with Senator David Perdue’s office. Lee discussed how AARP is fighting for the interests of older Georgians.

The Georgia Power of Attorney statute currently lacks specific language as to the fiduciary duties of the agent. Recently, Georgia State Representative Chuck Efstration introduced HB 221, which provides clearer language on legal rights of the person being represented, and protections for banks and third parties who accept the representation that there is a valid Power of Attorney in good faith. This proposed legislation will allow law enforcement and prosecutors further clarity for when someone is being financially exploited, which would help protect vulnerable adults and provide their caregivers with the tools they need to make important financial decisions. On Thursday, February 16 at 7:05pm, join our live discussion about important work taking place which will impact Power of Attorney law in Georgia. State Representative Chuck Efstration and other policy experts will discuss efforts to update this important effort. Click here to register for the event (registration is required for participation). Click here to contact your elected officials and urge them to support this important effort.

In 2016, Georgia became the 43 rd state to pass the Uniform Adult Guardianship and Protective Proceedings Jurisdiction Act (UAGPPJA), which helps family caregivers who are legal guardians save time and court costs by making sure specific adult guardianship laws are consistent and honored from state to state. Adult guardianship is a complex web of widely varying practices of multiple stakeholders that are frequently disconnected. Oftentimes with guardianship advocacy, stakeholders work in “silos” – or convene in groups to advance legislation, and then disassemble soon after enactment. One way to improve adult guardianship and highlight other options in your state is to have stakeholders work together consistently and collaboratively. This growing initiative is known as “Working Interdisciplinary Networks of Guardianship Stakeholders” (WINGS).