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Dr. Rita Chaiken, originally from Florida, went to Syracuse University (she wanted to experience the north and see snow) where she earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Speech Pathology and Audiology.  She continued her education in the field and earned a Master of Medical Science from Emory University and a Doctor of Audiology from Pennsylvania College of Optometry (now Salus University).

Early in  Dr. Chaiken’s career she was an audiologist with Fulton County Schools and a regional manager for a hearing aid manufacturer.  She joined Atlanta Hearing Associates because of their passion “for connecting patients with people and places that they love through education”.  Atlanta Hearing Associates serve the community through four offices; Dunwoody/Sandy Springs; Toco Hills/Emory; Greensboro; Milledgeville GA.

Dr. Chaiken and her associates begin each consultation with the belief that “an educated patient is a satisfied patient”.  “There are so many health related conditions that are either affected or prevented by poor or total hearing loss; cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cognitive memory disorders, depression and learning disorders are just a few.  After age 65 hearing loss is the third highest chronic condition diagnosed.  That is why it’s so important to protect your hearing and have regular hearing screenings”.

To learn more about Atlanta Hearing Associates visit their award winning web site at www.hearingatlanta.com.

We want to thank Griswold Home Care for sponsoring today’s show. Griswold Home Care has been a preferred provider of high quality, affordable in-home senior care in Atlanta for more than 20 years.

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Georgia Gunter is a rare Georgia native.  After graduating from Chamblee High School she attended Furman University, earning a degree in Psychology.  Having already developed an interest in seniors, she returned to Atlanta and continued her education at Georgia State, where she earned a Masters in Counseling and a Certificate in Gerontology.  After graduation, she got her first practical experience with seniors as an intern at Piedmont Hospital’s Sixty Plus program.  Upon completion of the internship, she was introduced to the Weinstein Center’s adult day program.  When the Weinstein Center announced it would be closing its doors, Prasant Desai and his partner, Chris Burd, suggested that they would like to stand in that gap, and asked Georgia if she would be interested in starting a new Adult Day Center.  After extensive planning and countless hours of preparation, Adult Day of Dunwoody opened last July with Georgia serving as the Executive Director.  One of the unique aspects of Adult Day of Dunwoody is that they provide services for a wide variety of individuals, with a wide variety of needs.  They operate their center with a health model, meaning there are RN’s on staff to assist with issues that might prevent an individual from participating at other day centers.

Joining Georgia today is Jackie Kanfer.  Jackie is a volunteer with Adult Day of Dunwoody.  But more than that, she is an advocate for seniors, their families and their caregivers.  A caregiver herself, Jackie realized her love for this work goes all the way back to caring for her great grandmother when she was young.  Today, Jackie is the primary caregiver for her husband, who suffers from Alzheimer’s.  She is well-familiar with the challenges of providing care to an individual with a progressive, incurable disease.  This makes her the perfect advocate for others like her.

Jackie runs a support group for caregivers at Shallowford Road Presbyterian Church.  If you are interested in contacting Jackie directly, she may be reached at (770) 559-9141.  In addition, Adult Day of Dunwoody is sponsoring an educational Virtual Dementia Tour at their facility on February 25, from 1pm to 6pm in conjunction with Second Wind Dreams.  Adult Day of Dunwoody is located at One Dunwoody Park, #123, in Dunwoody.  To make a reservation for this tour, call them at (770) 551-2722 or visit www.adultdayofdunwoody.com.

We want to thank Griswold Home Care for sponsoring today’s show. Griswold Home Care has been a preferred provider of high quality, affordable in-home senior care in Atlanta for more than 20 years.

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Jamie Cramer relocated to Georgia in 1990 after graduating from Cumberland College in Kentucky and began her career with the Clayton County Aging Services.  Later Jamie took a position with the State of Georgia as the Manager for Livable Communities.  Today she serves as Manager of Senior Services for the Gwinnett County Department of Community Services.

Gwinnett County Senior Services (GCSS) provides a variety of programs and services to help its seniors thrive while maintaining their “independence and aging in place”.  These programs and services include Care Management; In-Home Services; Home-Delivered Meals; Handy Man Services and social functions.  Of the many services offered, the number one need for seniors remains transportation.

Maria Beabout, a Gwinnett County native and graduate from the University of West Georgia, is currently the Transportation Volunteer Specialist for GCSS and oversees its transportation program. There are several initiatives within the GCSS transportation program that meet a variety of seniors’ transportation needs. The Demand Response Transportation Initiative assists seniors in getting to the grocery store, the pharmacy and general shopping. Volunteers meet this need by driving seniors in their private vehicles. Because this is the most highly demanded service, GCSS is always looking for volunteers.  This is a great opportunity to give back to our greatest national treasure, our seniors.  If you’re interested in volunteering as a driver, please contact Maria directly (see below for contact information).

Another highly successful GCSS transportation initiative. Get in Gear, fills in the gap of existing transportation services for the disabled and seniors providing transportation to medical appointments and other essential destinations.  The transportation is provided by approved transportation venders who accept vouchers from the transported. Vouchers are reimbursed by Gwinnett County.

GCSS is a resource and referral organization specializing in reaching out and assisting the seniors in their community.  To contact Gwinnett County Senior Services call 678-377-4150 or you can visit their web site at www.gwinnettseniorservices.com.

We want to thank Griswold Home Care for sponsoring today’s show. Griswold Home Care has been a preferred provider of high quality, affordable in-home senior care in Atlanta for more than 20 years.

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Growing up in Southwest Florida, Julie Gruen studied English at Western Carolina University, then went on to earn a Masters in Hospitality at the University of Central Florida. After graduating, she moved to South Carolina to start her career.  When her family moved to Cumming, Georgia, she started visiting, and fell in love with the area.  She left her job, and moved to Georgia with no other agenda that to build her life in Forsyth County.  As she began looking for a new career opportunity, she knew that she wanted to have an impact on people’s lives.  Forsyth County Senior Services was a perfect fit.  Today, she is the Senior Services Team Leader in charge of Special Events.

Forsyth County Senior Services is a focal point for seniors in Forsyth County that is designed to enhance their independence and develop community.  In addition to 3 senior centers, Forsyth County Senior Service provides home delivered meals for more than 200 people each day.  For more active seniors, a wide variety of trips and events are available at low, or no, cost.

The next big event is the 13th Annual Senior Expo scheduled on February 21, from 10a to 1p at the Forsyth Conference Center.  Admission is free.  Last year more than 1500 people attended this event.  There will be free health screenings, free food, and more than 90 organizations that serve the Forsyth County senior community.  Don’t miss this terrific event!

For more information, call Julie at 770-781-2178, or visit their website here:  http://www.forsythco.com/DeptPage.asp?DeptID=19&PageID=1520

We want to thank Griswold Home Care for sponsoring today’s show.  Griswold Home Care has been a preferred provider of high quality, affordable in-home senior care in Atlanta for more than 20 years.