SOWEGA Council on Aging plans public hearings in Albany, Moultrie

ALBANY — Anyone with an interest in aging services, not just those old enough to take advantage of them, is encouraged to attend public hearings in Albany and Moultrie next month and give feedback on what more can be done for senior citizens and how current services are helping them.

The SOWEGA Council on Aging is conducting the first of two public hearings at 12:30 p.m. on Feb. 12 at the Kay H. Hind Senior Life Enrichment Center at 335 W. Society Ave.

“Part of what we do every year is provide public hearings,” Council on Aging Executive Director Izzie Sadler said. “(We invite people to) come and provide feedback and identify gaps in services.

“It is one of the ways we listen to the outside community to make sure their needs are met. If they are not met (we find a way to address them).”

Among the ways such gaps are addressed is advocating for funding. Sadler said an issue recently voiced by senior citizens in southwest Georgia in prior public hearings is a lack of transportation services to and from doctor’s appointments.

From that, additional resources were implemented to help fill the transportation gap.

“We opened up a new program effective in all of our counties (to help with transportation),” Sadler said. “We are trying to get in touch with the community (to let them know about it.)

“We would never have done that if it had not been for the public hearings.”

Sadler said there is often a good turnout from the elderly population at these meetings, but she said officials hope for a multitude of perspectives in the room to ensure that they are receiving feedback that is helpful.

“We encourage other community partners to come,” she said. “They are the ones delivering those programs; we partner with them to meet (the elderly’s) needs. The whole community needs to be involved.

“We hope to see people who have different experiences and needs not heard about.”

In addition to gaining insight on how to serve the community, the council also expects to use the hearings as opportunities to educate people on what it already offers, what will be happening as the council moves forward and equips people with the resources to advocate for the needs of the aging population.

“There is always a shortage of funds,” Sadler said. “We try to encourage people to get involved in how to advocate for senior funding. If we don’t continually show there is a need, without funding, we can’t provide programs.”

Sadler said the hearings are also a good way to learn about volunteer opportunities with the council.

“Even administrative volunteers are important,” she said.

The second council public hearing is set for 10:30 a.m. on Feb. 26 at the senior center located at 17 First Ave. in Moultrie. Suggestions coming from these meetings will be taken under consideration when pulling together the council’s next strategic plan.

There is no need to register in advance for either meeting. For more information, call (229) 432-1124.