The Legacy Link, Inc. is designated by the Georgia Department of Human Resources as the Area Agency on Aging (AAA) for the 13 county region including Banks, Dawson, Forsyth, Franklin, Habersham, Hall, Hart, Lumpkin, Rabun, Stephens, Towns, Union and White Counties. The AAA is responsible for advocacy for seniors, planning, and administration of programs, coordination and monitoring services in the area. Federal funds authorized by a wide variety of federal and state laws and programs are utilized by this non-profit agency. The following programs are provided either through sub-contracts with local governments and agencies or offered directly by The Legacy Link, Inc.

Senior Centers: Multi-purpose senior centers are funded by Legacy in 10 counties. These centers provide services to older citizens such as hot noon meals, home delivered meals, recreation, transportation, outreach, intake for an employment and training program for older workers, educational opportunities and other services to help older persons remain independent in their homes. Legacy provides federal and state monies in sub-contracts with the following governments:
Banks County, Dawson County, Franklin County, Forsyth County, Lumpkin County and White County for services in those counties. Also with the City of Gainesville for services in Hall County. Legacy operates senior centers in Habersham, Towns and Union counties.

Gateway to Aging Services: Legacy Link's toll free number (1.800.845.LINK) accesses the Gateway to Aging Services. Trained Intake Specialists provide anonymous and/or confidential access to information, assistance and referral concerning services for seniors, family members and persons with disabilities. Callers are assisted in locating resources and services in the region, in Georgia and across the United States.

Elderly Legal Services: Legacy contracts with Georgia Legal assistance and counseling for persons aged 60+ in all 13 counties.

Long Term Care Ombudsman: Ombudsman staff provides advocacy services to nursing home and personal care home residents and family members in 13 counties.

Retired & Senior Volunteer Program: RSVP offers over 600 individuals aged 55+ opportunities for volunteer community service in public and non-profit agencies in 11 counties. Funding comes from National Senior Service corps.

Employment and Training for Mature Workers: Persons aged 55+ on the Senior Community Service & Employment Program are placed in part-time positions in public and non-profit agencies for training to enable them to enter the workforce. The National Council on Aging provides federal Department of Labor monies to Legacy. Assistance is provided to residents of the 13 counties listed above and also in Bartow, Catoosa, Chatooga, Cherokee, Fannin, Floyd, Gilmer, Murray, Walker and Whitfield, counties.

Community Care Services Program: (CCSP): This program serves low income, frail persons in 13 counties. Legacy nurses perform assessments and social workers arrange for services for persons of all ages to help them stay in their homes and communities and avoid premature nursing home placement.

SOURCE Program: Legacy operates this Medicaid-funded program for low income persons with chronic health problems in the 13 counties noted above and also in, Barrow, Cherokee, Clarke, Elbert, Gwinnett, Jackson and Madison counties. Legacy staff does assessments, arrange for services in home and work with primary care physicians and families of clients to prevent emergency room visits, hospitalization and nursing home placement. Legacy contracts with over 50 physicians who consult with staff about the clients.

Alzheimer's Programs: Legacy contracts monies for for adult day care and respite care Alzheimer's services to the Guest House, Inc. in Hall County. Funds are also contracted to the Dawson, White and Forsyth County governments for respite care for caregivers in those counties.

The Legacy Express Program: Support is provided for family caregivers of frail individuals and persons with Alzheimer's Disease. Caregivers use vouchers and make their own decisions regarding care and assistance needed by the families. This allows individuals to remain in the home rather than placement in a nursing home. Services are offered in Dawson, Forsyth, Habersham, Hall, Rabun, Towns, Union and White Counties through a sub-contract with PACE, Inc.

Georgia Cares Program: Staff and trained volunteers make presentations to groups and counsel individuals and families to assist in enrollment in the Medicare Part D Program to help with the cost of prescriptions. They also focus on fraud, abuse and scams related to Medicare and other health benefit programs.

Wellness Programs: Legacy provides monies for wellness services for seniors and some county governments supplement them in Dawson, Forsyth, Habersham, Hall, Towns, Union and White Counties. Routine educational sessions related to chronic disease management, routine foot care, and regular disease specific screening programs such as diabetes, osteoporosis, etc. are held in the counties.

Kinship Care Program: This program operated by Legacy Link, provides information and referrals regarding benefits available for children being raised by Grandparents, Aunts, or Uncles. Help is also available for organizing a Kinship Care Support Group for persons who are "parenting the second time around."

Legacy Shoppe At The Mall:  A shop located at Colonial Lakeshore Mall in Gainesville with staff and materials helpful for families needing information about resources available for older persons and those with disabilities. Medicare Part D enrollment is done here as well as workshops and seminars of interest to seniors.

Lifelong Planning: The Lifelong Planning program is designed to help consumers plan ahead for long term care needs and prepare for potential costs. We can explain services, options and tools to assist in the decision making process. We can provide one-on-one counseling or do seminar presentations to civic groups, church groups and at worksites.

Personal Care and Homemaker Services: Legacy contracts with Southern Home Care to provide homemaker and personal care services for eligible persons aged 60 and over. This services is to benefit frail individuals and allow them to remain in their homes.