Author: Wendy Reeves

TARCOG Launches Healthy Living Campaign

Written on July 10, 2024. Posted in News, Senior Center Facilities.

TARCOG has some ideas on healthy living to share in a new community awareness campaign it will launch at a 10 a.m. news conference on Thursday, July 11, at the Madison Senior Center, 1282 Hughes Road.

TARCOG’s Director of Aging Programs Sheila Dessau-Ivey said the information in this campaign applies to anyone but it is focused on the aging population.

“To my understanding, we haven’t done anything like this in a long time, if ever,” Dessau-Ivey said. “We are excited to bring this information to everyone in the community in an easy-to-use format and we believe it will be useful on many levels.”

In the coming months, TARCOG case managers will present the information to clients, now totaling more than 1,000. The program information will be presented to each Council on Aging in the region, and educational material will be provided at outreach events throughout the region attended by TARCOG staff.

As part of the program, a short video is featured thanks to several of the City of Madison’s Senior Center participants and its manager Levoneia “Bonnie” Ayers. The video highlights aspects of the campaign such as staying active, socialization and eating healthy meals. TARCOG appreciates the center’s help to create a visual message for everyone in DeKalb, Jackson, Limestone, Madison and Marshall counties — and beyond.

“This is useful information, and we encourage people to use it so that we may all live and live well,” Dessau-Ivey added.

It’s also easy to access on the TARCOG website at www.tarcog.us. Just look for the Live and Live Well button on the top left of the site, under the agency logo — or under the Serving People tab.

More information is available by contacting 256-830-0818.

Scam Summit Set for August 8

Written on July 8, 2024. Posted in Elder Care Facilities, News, Senior Center Facilities.

Plan to spend three hours learning about ways to protect yourself from fraudsters at the upcoming TARCOG Scam Summit 2024.

The event is scheduled on Thursday, Aug. 8, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Bob Harrison Wellness and Advocacy Center, 6156 Pulaski Pike, in Huntsville.

The Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) at TARCOG empowers and assists Medicare beneficiaries their families and caregivers to prevent, detect, and report health care fraud, errors and abuse. The Scam Summit will also provide an overview of scams and fraud in Alabama and cover topics like:

· Cyber security

· Financial scams

· Consumer fraud

· Legal implications

In addition, exhibitors from state programs, community partners, nonprofit and community organizations and area businesses in the TARCOG region from DeKalb, Jackson, Limestone, Madison and Marshall counties will be there to share educational information and valuable resources to attendees. For more information contact 256-830-0818 or email Teresa Hazzard at teresa.hazzard@tarcog.us

58 Qualify for Masters Games of Alabama

Written on July 3, 2024. Posted in News.

While world athletes are gearing up for the start of the Summer Olympics in Paris later this month, 58 seniors from the TARCOG and NARCOG regions have qualified at the district level to compete in the Masters Games of Alabama in September.

Masters Games of Alabama is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting healthy lifestyles for active adults ages 50 and older through social, mental, and physical activities. The games are similar to the Olympics structure.

North Alabama seniors from District 2 — comprised of Cullman, DeKalb, Jackson, Lawrence, Limestone, Madison, Marshall, and Morgan counties — earned 107 medals during the 2023 competition with 39 participants.

To compete at the state games, participants must qualify at a district games competition. Those games were held during June at different venues in Athens, Decatur and Huntsville. The state competition will be held in Valley, near Auburn, September 23 – 26.

Click for photos

Those who qualified for the 2024 Alabama Masters Games include:

DeKalb County

Bobbie Lingerfelt, 3^rd Softball Throw
Brenda Womack, 1^st Cornhole
Carmie Pettry, Qualified Bowling
Charles Simmons, Qualified Bowling
Christine Ashley, 2^nd Shuffleboard, Table Tennis
Connie Green, 1^st Frisbee Throw, 2^nd Domino Doubles, Shuffleboard, 3^rd, Cornhole, Table Tennis
Debbie Daniel, 1^st Basketball Free Throw, Frisbee Throw, Nerf Throw, 2^nd, Shuffleboard, Table Tennis, 3^rd Cornhole and Softball Throw
Debbie Busby, 1^st Basketball Free Throw, Domino Doubles, Domino Singles, 2^nd Rook
Dee Vaughn, Qualified Basketball Free Throw, Billiards, Bowling, Cornhole, Shuffleboard, Softball Throw
Denise Harris, 1^st Nerf Throw, Rook, Shuffleboard, Table Tennis, 2^nd Basketball Free Throw, Bowling, Cornhole, Frisbee Throw, Softball Throw, Qualified Billiards
Dianne Manning, 1^st Cornhole, Shuffleboard, 2^nd Bowling Frisbee Throw, 3^rd Nerf Throw
Dot Twilley, 2^nd Throw, Rook, Qualified Domino Doubles
James Manning, 2^nd Cornhole, Frisbee Throw, Nerf Throw, Shuffleboard, Softball Throw, Qualified Bowling
Janine Sims, 1^st Domino Doubles, Shuffleboard, Table Tennis, 2^nd Basketball Free Throw, Cornhole, Rook, Softball Throw
Joann Carter, Qualified Basketball Free Throw, Cornhole, Domino Doubles, Domino Singles, Frisbee Throw, Nerf Throw, Shuffleboard, Softball Throw
Patsy Griggs, 1^st Basketball Free Throw, Nerf Throw, Table Tennis, 2^nd Domino Doubles, Domino Singles, Rook, Softball Throw, 3^rd Frisbee Throw
Wanda Henderson, 1^st Cornhole, Rook, Softball Throw, 2^nd Table Tennis, 3^rd Basketball Free Throw, Frisbee Throw, Nerf Throw, Shuffleboard

Jackson County

Roxie Wright, 1^st Cornhole, Frisbee Throw, Nerf Throw, Shuffleboard, Softball Throw, 2^nd Basketball Free Throw, Qualified Domino Singles, Rook.
Wilma Shortt, 1^st Basketball Free Throw, 2^nd Cornhole, Frisbee Throw, Nerf Throw, Shuffleboard, Softball Throw, Qualified Rook

Limestone County

Amy Golden, 1^st Domino Singles, 2^nd Cornhole, Domino Doubles, Softball Throw, 3^rd Basketball Free Throw, Qualified Frisbee Throw, Nerf Throw, Rook, Shuffleboard
Ann McLemore, 1^st Rook, 2^nd Cornhole, Domino Singles, Qualified Domino Doubles
Barbara Randolph, 2^nd Basketball Free Throw, 3^rd Cornhole
Betty Bolton, Qualified Rook
Claude Marks, Qualified Rook
Debra Collins, 1^st Cornhole, Softball Throw, 2^nd Basketball Free Throw
Dwight Hill, 1^st Rook, 2^nd Cornhole
Eugene Smith, 1^st Basketball Free Throw, 2^nd Rook, Shuffleboard, Qualified Domino Doubles, Domino Singles
Johnnie Rogers, 2^nd Bowling, Domino Singles, Nerf Throw
Johnny Smith, 2^nd Shuffleboard, Qualified Domino Singles
Lillian Adell, 2^nd Basketball Free Throw, Rook, Softball Throw, Qualified Domino Doubles
Linda Black, 1^st Billiards, Domino Singles, Frisbee Throw, Rook, 2^nd Table Tennis, 3^rd Softball Throw, Qualified Domino Doubles
Michelle Roberson, Qualified Basketball Free Throw, Cornhole, Softball Throw
Patricia Southard, 1^st Domino Doubles, 2^nd Billiards, Domino Singles, Rook, 3^rd Frisbee Throw, Nerf Throw, Shuffleboard, Qualified Softball Throw
Paul Irons, 1^st Domino Doubles, 2^nd Domino Singles
Regina Emerson, 1^st Billiards, Cornhole, Domino Singles, Rook, Softball Throw, 2^nd Domino Doubles, Frisbee Throw, Nerf Throw, 3^rd Basketball Free Throw
Roger Bedingfield, 1^st Cornhole, Shuffleboard, 2^nd Domino Doubles, 3^rd Billiards, Qualified Basketball Free Throw, Table Tennis
Tony Thornock, 1^st Nerf Throw, 2^nd Basketball Free Throw, Domino Doubles, Frisbee Throw, Softball Throw, 3^rd Cornhole, Qualified Billiards, Domino Singles, Rook, Shuffleboard
Willie Mae Baker, 1^st Domino Doubles, Softball Throw, Table Tennis, 2^nd Billiards, Cornhole, Rook, 3^rdShuffleboard

Madison County

Annette Jiles, 1^st Bowling
Austin Baker, 2^nd Billiards
Donna Hill, 1^st Basketball, Domino Doubles, 2^nd Domino Singles, 3^rd Cornhole, Qualified Bowling
Donnie Higgins, 2^nd Cornhole, 3^rd Softball Throw, Qualified Bowling
Ernest Atwood, 1^st Billiards
Gene Ross, 1^st Shuffleboard, 2^nd Basketball Free Throw, Qualified Billiards, Cornhole, Frisbee Throw, Nerf Throw, Softball Throw
Huey Anderson, 3^rd Billiards
Norm Hill, Qualified Bowling
Stephen Woodall, 1^st Billiards
Wanda Higgins, 1^st Bowling, 3^rd Basketball Free Throw

Marshall County

No participants

Cullman County

Cecil Miller, 1^st Rook
Rick White, 1^st Basketball, Cornhole and Softball Throw
Fred Ponder, 2^nd Billiards
James Hartness, 1^st in Frisbee Throw, 2^nd in Nerf Throw and Qualified for shuffleboard competition
Mary Ellen Hartness, 1^st in Softball Throw, 3^rd in Cornhole, and Qualified for Frisbee Throw, Nerf Throw and Shuffleboard
Sue Miller, 1^st Rook
Winfred Seay, 2^nd Billiards

Lawrence County

No participants

Morgan County

Earnest Lee, 1^st Billiards, Cornhole, Domino Singles, Frisbee. Throw, Nerf Throw, Shuffleboard, Softball Throw, Qualified Basketball Free Throw, Domino Doubles, Table Tennis
Jean Porter, 1^st Basketball Free Throw, Domino Singles
Alice Miller, Qualified Basketball Free Throw, Billiards, Cornhole, Domino Doubles, Domino Singles, Frisbee Throw, Nerf Throw, Shuffleboard, Softball Throw, Table Tennis

TARCOG Offers New Drone Technology

Written on July 3, 2024. Posted in Economic Development & Planning, News.

There’s a new drone and pilot available for TARCOG members in search and rescue situations, as a mapping and surveying assistant, to conduct agricultural monitoring, and even photography.

“If someone requires an eye in the sky, I’m always happy to help in any way I can, said James King, associate planner and geospatial technician.

The other part of James’ job, as a colorblind map maker, is being sensitive to making maps as user-friendly and accessible as possible.

“These are both tremendous skills on our team,” said Lee Terry, director of Economic Development and Planning.

Getting the job

James talked about the innovative ways drone technology can be used in economic development and planning during his job interview at TARCOG. That he has experience using one sealed the deal.

“I was trained on drone piloting in college and had done so recreationally from time to time, so the mention of it during my interview and eventual hiring certainly opened up possibilities for TARCOG,” he said. “I had flown drones that ranged in size from smaller than your palm to the size of a go-cart and enjoyed every moment.”

Getting the drone

James said a few months after he was hire, TARCOG acquired its current drone, the Parrot Anafi AI.

“It’s a wonderful machine. It’s basically a big grasshopper with propellers and has a whole host of features that allow it to be used as a multi-mission platform,” James said. “The day after we got it, I took and passed the FAA’s Part 107 license test, which is the industry standard for commercial drone pilots.”

FAA certified

He calls it a fairly simple test but added it requires due diligence and plenty of attention to detail. It tests your knowledge of FAA regulations, understanding airspace restrictions, and piloting basics.

“Since then, I’ve used the drone mainly for event photography and location scouting. But this only scratches the surface of what the drone can do,” James said.

Available for TARCOG members

Michelle Jordan, TARCOG’s executive director, said she’s excited to share the drone with TARCOG members in DeKalb, Jackson, Limestone, Madison and Marshall counties when it’s needed.

“This is an additional service we can provide for those unique situations in which a drone may be a helpful or even easier solution,” she said. “This is our way to let all of our communities know that TARCOG has this technology and a licensed pilot to help when needed.”

How to request the drone

To request the service, contact James at james.king@tarcog.us

“I’m always happy to get the drone in the air,” James said. “It’s one of the coolest things I do here at TARCOG and the part of my job I enjoy the most, I’m always excited when someone asks me to put the drone that I call the “Rising Hopper” in the air.

When he’s not flying the drone, James works on accessible maps as part of plans for various member projects.

Maps can be hard to read

Accessible maps are important to James. He explains in graduate school he went through his master’s program as part of a cohort of five geospatial scientists.

“Of the five of us, two had either dyslexia/dyscalculia which is issues with words/processing numeric-related things, and two of us were colorblind. I’m one of the colorblind ones.”

In addition, as a teacher while in college, he had students with the same type of challenges as he and his cohort.

“From my students and my cohort, we learned that maps needed to be more accessible to account for people with our challenges,” James said.

Simple changes, big difference

What he learned is that people with Dyslexia have trouble with crowded typefaces, or fonts with extra flare that adds clutter to the letters.

“Simply changing a font doesn’t cure the issues people with dyslexia have in processing words, but using fonts that are simple, clear tends to remove some strain,” he said. “I also do my best not to clutter the maps with too many numbers, or if I do, be sure that they are simple and direct in expressing their data, and also follow the same simplified typeface conventions that I use for Dyslexia.”

As a colorblind mapmaker, he overcame this challenge by using color palates that can easily be distinguished.

This can be as a simple as using colors that will easily contrast from one another, to adding textures like hatch marks or dots to various features, to even utilizing less color overall.

Trying to make it easier

“There is no simple answer to making maps for everyone,” James said. “Mapmaking is a visual art like any other, and making sure that they can be understood by our clients, my coworkers, and as many people as possible is of paramount importance to me.”

July — Celebrating more than Independence Day

Written on July 2, 2024. Posted in Elder Care Facilities, News, Senior Center Facilities, Uncategorized.

Celebrating the impact of Independence Day, Older Americans Act, Americans with Disabilities Act, Medicare and Medicaid & How TARCOG Helps

The Fourth of July may be one of the oldest celebrations for the entire country, but there have been other significant actions that are also important to recognize because of the impact on the nation’s older people and those with disabilities.

These laws and programs are among the reasons TARCOG exists to provide services to help the communities of DeKalb, Jackson, Limestone, Madison and Marshall counties.

59^th Anniversary of the Older Americans Act

On July 14, 1965, the Older Americans Act (OAA) was signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson. The Act authorizes a wide array of service programs through a nationwide network of Area Agencies on Aging (like Aging and Disability Services) and is a major source of federal funding.

The OAA, last amended and reauthorized on March 25, 2020, helps millions of our most vulnerable elders rely on the OAA for their health, economic security, and independence every year. Services include home-delivered and congregate meals; information and referral, counseling, and respite care for family caregivers; preventive health services; personal and home care services; transportation; legal assistance; elder abuse prevention; and other programs that help people grow old in their own homes. That’s where the majority of people want to live as they age.

The OAA is currently being discussed in Congress for reauthorization. With so many older adults in our population today and forecast in the next decade, more funding is needed.

34^th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act

On July 26, 1990, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was signed into law by President George H. W. Bush. The ADA is an important civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in employment, transportation, public accommodations, communications, and access to state and local government programs and services, and has led to greater societal understanding of disability, though there is still more to do to ensure all people with disabilities have equal access to everything enjoyed by people without disabilities.

Ever since July 1990, July has been known as Disability Pride Month. It is an opportunity to honor the history, achievements, experiences, and struggles of the disability community.

59^th Anniversary of Medicare and Medicaid

On July 30, 1965, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed into law legislation that established the Medicare and Medicaid programs, which protect the health and wellbeing of millions of families throughout our country and improve the economic security of our nation.

Medicare

Medicare is a health insurance program for people aged 65 or older as well as some who are younger who have permanent kidney failure requiring dialysis or a transplant, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. To sign up, go to ssa.gov/benefits/medicare and select “Apply for Medicare Only.”

For those with a disability, you have to sign up for Social Security Disability (SSD). Social Security has to approve you for a disability. Then once approved for SSD and after two years of being on disability you automatically will receive a Medicare card.

Medicaid

Medicaid is a joint federal and state program that provides low- or no-cost health insurance benefits for low-income people of all ages. Medicaid is solely based on a person’s income and assets.

The Alabama Medicaid Agency began operations on Jan. 1, 1970. It is a state and federal program that pays for medical and long-term care services for low-income pregnant women, children, certain people on Medicare, disabled individuals and nursing home residents. The individuals must meet certain income and other requirements. Many of the programs have transformed over the years, but the state’s vision and values have remained the same.

TARCOG

TARCOG was created in 1968. A year later when the Alabama State Legislature authorized creation of substate regional planing and development communions, the TARCOG area was already formed and functioning. In 1970, TARCOG became the sixth of 12 regional councils to have an Area Agency on Aging.

TARCOG can help you! How? Apply for Medicaid Waiver Services by calling TARCOG at 256-830-0818.

TARCOG Employee of the Month – July 2024

Written on July 1, 2024. Posted in News, Staff.

Name: Carlie Morrison

Title: Medicaid Waiver Supervisor

How long have you been at TARCOG and what do you do? I’ve been here three years. I supervise Case Managers and Personal Choice Counselors. I also assist with the Social Committee in making sure that there are engaging activities planned for each month.

What did you want to be when you grew up? A nurse.

What do you hope to accomplish within the next year? Within the next year, I would want to travel more, grow in my career and finish my master’s degree!

Who is your hero and why? My parents. They always support me and keep me focused and well-rounded.

If you could choose to do anything for a day, what would it be? Sit at the beach and do all my favorite things

What is the best piece of advice someone has given you? The best piece of advice that someone has given me is that the word “no” is a complete sentence.

What’s the most daring thing you’ve ever done? The most daring thing that I have done is moving to Huntsville for work and did not know anyone.

Who knows you the best? My best friend in Idaho and my parents.

What would you do if you won the lottery? I would pay off all my debt, my parents’ house, donate to a local charity, hire a financial advisor, and not tell anyone.

Elkmont Cuts Ribbon on New Town Hall

Written on June 27, 2024. Posted in Economic Development & Planning, News.

Congratulations to the Town of Elkmont on the Ribbon Cutting on its brand-new Town Hall building on June 27. It took two and half years to complete the project and the town’s operations are expected to move into the new facility in July. Helping cut the ribbon were, from left, Bethany Shockney, president and chief executive officer of the Limestone Economic Development Association, Tonya Bryant, Elkmont town clerk and treasurer, Elkmont Councilman Chris Christopher, Elkmont Mayor Tracy Compton, holding his grandson, Collier Bushey, Elkmont Council members Jack Gilbert, Bernice Lockett, Dustin Clark, and Ronald Crist, Jr., and Pammie Jimmar, president of the Greater Limestone County Chamber of Commerce.

TARCOG was happy to be in attendance and see the new building.

TARCOG Board Picnic 2024

Written on June 25, 2024. Posted in News.

Thank you to Athens Mayor Ronnie Marks, guest speaker at TARCOG’s Summer Board Meeting Picnic, held this year on June 25, in Limestone County at Jimmy Gill Park in Athens.

The annual picnic meeting is an opportunity for board and TARCOG staff interaction. This year’s location was also special, allowing for the remembrance of the late Jimmy Gill, who was a longtime TARCOG Board member. Each year the picnic meeting location rotates through the TARCOG region’s counties.

ANNOUNCEMENT: FY 2025 Local Roads Safety Initiative (LRSI) funding

Written on June 14, 2024. Posted in Uncategorized.

ALDOT has released the application call for FY 2025 Local Roads Safety Initiative (LRSI) funding. This funding is available to cities and counties for both rural and urban non-state-maintained roadways with significant safety risks in the state of Alabama. More information, along with the guidelines and application, is available on the ALDOT website

Applicants are recommended to review the FHWA Office of Safety Proven Safety Countermeasures which are applicable to rural roadways. More information can be found on the Proven Safety Countermeasures at the following link:

Applicants are also encouraged to research “Every Day Counts- 5 Initiative: Focus on Reducing Rural Roadway Departures (FoRRRwD)”. More information can be found on this program at the following link:

All applications must be submitted electronically no later than 5:00 pm on July 26, 2024.

New this year, applications should be sent in through https://aldot.submittable.com/submit. Applicant will need to create a free account to submit.

Feel free to contact TARCOG if we can be of further assistance at 256-830-0818.

Acumen DCI Training Opportunity

Written on June 13, 2024. Posted in Elder Care Facilities, News, Senior Center Facilities.

If you are a Personal Choices Program participant, TARCOG is offering in-person, one-on-one, training sessions on the Acumen DCI Time Entry Training for Employers and Employees.

Each training session covers time entry and management options in the mobile app, web portal, mobile web, and phone (IVR).

If you would like to participate in the training, no reservations are required. Stop by the TARCOG office any time between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Monday, June 17. A Personal Choices Counselor will conduct the training on a first-come, first-served basis.

The TARCOG office is located in the Research Park Office Center, 7037 Old Madison Pike, Suite 450, Huntsville. The trainings will take place in the Large Conference Room at the office entrance.