Legacy Link 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 Legacy Link.
Senior Centers: Multi-purpose senior centers receive funding from Legacy Link in 12 counties. These centers provide services to older citizens such as hot noon meals, home delivered meals, recreation, transportation, outreach, educational opportunities and other services to help older persons remain independent in their homes.
Legacy Link provides federal and state monies for services to the following county governments: Banks, Dawson, Franklin, Forsyth, Lumpkin, Hart, Rabun, and White Counties and to the city of Gainesville, for services in Hall County. Legacy Link fully 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.
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 (SCSEP): 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 Link. Assistance is provided to residents of these 23 North Georgia counties: Banks, Bartow, Catoosa, Chattooga, Cherokee, Dawson, Fannin, Floyd, Forsyth, Franklin, Gilmer, Habersham, Hall, Hart, Lumpkin, Murray, Rabun, Stephens, Towns, Union, White, Walker and Whitfield Counties.
Community Care Services Program: (CCSP): This program serves low income, frail persons in 13 counties. Legacy Link 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. Services include: Adult Day Health, Alternative Living Services, Caregiver Support, Emergency Response System, Home Delivered Meals, Home Health Services, Personal Support Services, and Respite Care.
SOURCE Program: Legacy Link 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 Link staff does assessments, arranges for services in homes and works with primary care physicians and families of clients to prevent emergency room visits, hospitalization and nursing home placement. Legacy Link contracts with over 50 physicians who consult with staff about the clients.
Alzheimer’s Care Consultation Program: A free, telephone-based information and support service for adults with memory impairment, including Alzheimer’s and dementia, and friends or family who care for them. Care Consultation provides, particularly to caregivers, ongoing help to find practical solutions to concerns about health and care as well as coaching and support. Clients do not have to be enrolled in any other Legacy Link programs to be eligible to participate in Care Consultation.
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 Link 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. Kinship Care Support Groups for persons who are “parenting the second time around” are in the region.
Legacy Shoppe At The Mall: A shop located at Lakeshore Mall in Gainesville has 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.
Home and Community Based Services (HCBS): Homemakers provide assistance with activities of daily living such as personal care, light housekeeping, laundry, meal preparation, errands, transportation and companionship. The HCBS program helps older adults to maintain their lifestyle at home.
Nursing Home Transition to Community Living (Money follows the Person): Money Follows the Person is a national program designed to help transition Medicaid eligible individuals from the nursing home back into the community. Transition Counselors meet with residents and families in the nursing home to assess their Medicaid eligibility outside the nursing home and what personal needs they may have to be able to live outside the nursing home.
Legal Services and Links
Senior Legal Services 770-535-5717 : Legacy Link contracts with Georgia Legal Services for assistance and counseling for persons aged 60 and above.
Link to free legal documents that you can download. (Power of Attorney,Wills etc.)
Kinship Caregiver Legal Hotline 888-257-9519 : This service is for Grandparents & Relatives Raising Children seeking legal advice.