The Rockdale County Department Recreation and Maintenance oversees the Senior Services division. The division provides basic support services to older residents of Rockdale County. Rockdale residents 60 years and over and their families can obtain information and access to helpful agencies and resources by contacting the Senior Services Center. Personal assistance is provided by professional staff who assess the needs of individual clients and arrange needed services to maintain their maximum independence.
In addition to Rockdale County government, the following federal, state, and local sources provide Senior Services budget funding: Title III of the Older Americans Act; Social Services Block Grant (SSBG); Community Based Services (CBS); NSIP; and Income Tax Check off. Many of the grants require a cash match, and these funds, as well as other services and programs, are made possible by the support and donations from the Rockdale County Board of Commissioners, local churches, civic organizations, businesses and individuals, and Senior Services fundraisers.
Overview of Services Provided by Rockdale County Senior Services
Helpful Links:
Visit http://www.agewiseconnection.com/health-insurance-benefits/discounts for information on how to save money on utility costs, property taxes and Medicare.
Click here for Social Security Info
Location:
Olivia Haydel Senior Center
1240 Dogwood Drive
Conyers, GA 30012
Hours:
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday
7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Thursday
7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Telephone: 770-278-7230
Fax: 770-785-2492
Make a donation, click here
Who is Eligible and How to Apply
Who is Eligible?
Services at the Center are available to persons 60 years of age or above or the spouse of a participant 60 years of age or above. Senior residents of Rockdale County who meet certain requirements are eligible for a variety of services. Outreach services are also provided to elderly persons who lack mobility.
How to Apply:
Applications for services are taken Monday through Friday by appointment. Call or stop in at the front desk to make an appointment for a tour, visit or with any questions.
Membership Fee: $25 annually
Location:
Olivia Haydel Senior Center
1240 Dogwood Drive
Conyers, Georgia 30012
Telephone: 770-278-7230
Alzheimer's Respite Care
The Respite Home Care Specialist provides support and relief for the primary caregiver of those clients with Alzheimer’s disease or related dementia. Services include light housekeeping, meal preparation, supervision and companionship.
For assistance, contact Inam Withers, Information & Referral Specialist, at 770-278-7230 or inam.withers@rockdalecountyga.gov.
Emission Testing Exemption for Seniors
Did you know . . .
When the time comes for your annual vehicle emission test, you may qualify for the Senior Exemption if:
- The registered vehicle owner is 65 years of age or older, AND
- The vehicle is driven less than 5,000 miles per year, AND
- The vehicle is 10 model years old or older.A proxy may submit the necessary paperwork for the Senior Exemption.Senior Exemption applications can be obtained at any Georgia Clean Air Force Waiver Center or your local Tag Office. For assistance with a Senior Exemption, contact one of the Waiver Centers:
- Norcross: 770-447-6111
- Stone Mountain: 404-768-5523
- Lakewood: 404-761-1677
- College Park: 404-768-5523
- Marietta: 770-850-0028
For additional information, or to receive/print the Senior Exemption Application, call 1-800-449-2471, or visit www.cleanairforce.com.
Fire Safety Program
The Rockdale County Fire Department offers a free home inspection program for citizens age 60 +. To schedule the Fire Department to visit your home for a free home inspection and smoke detection, complete and return the attached form.
For further information on fire safety tips, contact Fire Safety Educator at Fire Headquarters
Homemaker Services
Trained and supervised homemakers provide assistance to homebound elderly persons aged 60+ in their homes. Services provided include:
- Routine housekeeping
- Preparation and serving of light meals
- Arranging medical appointments
- Essential shopping
To request services or for further information contact the Information and Referral Specialist, Inam Withers, at 770-278-7230 or by email at inam.withers@rockdalecountyga.gov
Information, Referral, and Follow Up
Information, Referral and Follow-up:
By contacting the Senior Services Center, senior citizens and their families can obtain information and access to helpful agencies and resources in a timely manner. Follow-up service is provided to ensure that the client’s needs have been met.
Case Management:
Personal assistance is provided by professional staff who assess the needs of individual clients and accordingly plan and arrange needed services. A case manager monitors the provision of services and assists older persons in maintaining their maximum independence.
Other services provided at the Center include:
- Recreational activities
- Limited health screening
- Nutrition education
- Group information
- Case Management
To receive services, seniors must be at least 60 years of age, independent and a resident of Rockdale County. Some services and programs are available to only those that meet additional eligibility requirements.
The information and referral specialist will obtain some basic information and refer the senior to either a case manager or to the senior center manager. The staff will evaluate the senior with a detailed assessment to determine what services are needed. If the referred senior citizen is eligible and desires the services, they will begin as soon as a space is available for the particular service.
For further information or to request services contact the Information and Referral Specialist.
Inam Withers; 770-278-7230; inam.withers@rockdalecountyga.gov
Marilu Montalvo; 770-278-7282; can also assist with those speaking Spanish; marilu.montalvo@rockdalecountyga.gov
Kinship Care Program
A program for grandparents raising grandchildren.
When grandparents take in their grandchildren they are often faced with obstacles to parenting their grandchildren such as providing food, clothing and shelter, help with social service agencies, and various needed counseling services. Grandparents encounter these challenges as they provide care for their grandchildren, resulting in increased risk for depression, stress, changes in health, and financial difficulties.
In an effort to confront the growing trend of grandparents raising their grandchildren the Senior Services Center provides the following Kinship Care Group activities:
Care Receiver Supervision: Supervision for care receivers while Kinship Caregivers participate in caregiver activities. This service is provided once monthly so that the caregivers may participate in a “Just Us” support group meeting. Three to ten care receivers will receive watchful oversight by paid childcare providers, volunteers, or program staff.
Support Groups: The Kinship Care Program hosts one monthly “Just Us” support group meeting exclusive to the grandparents. The grandparents openly discuss issues/problems they are experiencing and also the progress made within each of their families. From the “Just Us” meeting, it gives the Kinship Care Coordinator the opportunity to observe the concerns of the group and better meet their needs.
Kids Night: One Thursday per month, the Center hosts a “Kids Night.” At this session the grandchildren are in charge of the meeting. The Kinship Care Program Coordinator is the facilitator who guides the children verbally with their issues.
Training: Training sessions are provided one Thursday evening per month and conducted in a group session for the purpose of skill building through instruction for family caregivers and/or professional caregivers. Past training sessions have included Rockdale Medical Center, Rockdale Animal Control, the Food Bank, Project Hope, DFCS, the Cooperative Extension Service, Rockdale Emergency Relief, the Rockdale Fire Department, the Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office, and several other local agencies.
Material Aid/Child Safety: Payments are made to or on behalf of relative caregivers raising children for assistance with child care, after school care, summer camp scholarships, school supplies, food, and clothing. Retail store gift cards can be obtained to purchase items including food, clothing, and school supplies for the care receiver.
Meetings are held at the Olivia Haydel Senior Center every other Thursday at 10:00 a.m. For more information about the Kinship Care Program, please call Sheena Berry at 770-278-7230 or by email sheena.berry@rockdalecountyga.gov.
Meals-on-Wheels and Meal Services
Congregate Meals and Services:
Hot, nutritionally balanced meals, which meet one-third of the Recommended Daily Allowance for older persons, are served at lunchtime at the Senior Center, Monday through Friday.
Home Delivered Meals – “Meals on Wheels”:
Hot, nutritious, noon-time meals are delivered by volunteers to homebound elderly persons (60+) who are unable or have great difficulty preparing a meal. Meals are delivered daily, Monday through Friday. Supportive services also provided include nutrition education.
A caring volunteer delivers the meal to the senior’s table with a good word, a smile, and a short friendly visit.
Many senior citizens spend most of their day, every day, at home alone. The Meals-on-Wheels Program provides the senior with much needed nourishment and contact. These crucial, elemental services, in combination with other services available, assist the senior in remaining at home.
The Senior Services Center currently serves over 70 meals per day to the home-bound seniors of Rockdale County.
The center relies on volunteers who donate their time and effort to make sure these seniors get a nutritious meal. To volunteer for the Meals-on-Wheels program, please contact the Volunteer Coordinator.
Requests for Meals on Wheels and other services should be directed to the Information and Referral Specialist.
Information and Referral Specialist, Inam Withers:
call 770-278-7230
Volunteer Coordinator, Melissa Pugh:
melissa.pugh@rockdalecountyga.gov
Phone: 770-278-7230
Rockdale Senior Services Awarded Subaru “Share the Love” Grant
Funds to Feed Seniors in Need this Holiday Season
The Rockdale County Senior Services Division is pleased to announce that Rockdale County has been awarded a $1,000 grant from Subaru of America, Inc. and Meals On Wheels Association of America (MOWAA) as part of Subaru’s “Share the Love” campaign. The grant funding will help the Senior Center serve nutritious meals to seniors in need during the months of November and December 2009.
Rockdale County will use these funds to provide four meals and additional fruit on Thanksgiving Day and the day after, and on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day to current homebound Meals On Wheels (MOW) recipients.
“Normally MOW recipients would not receive a meal on these days because of limitations of federal funds, but because of this grant we are able to provide a full meal on these days this year,” said Senior Division Manager Susan Morgan. “We are proud to be one of the only three communities in the state of Georgia to receive this grant.”
“This is the season of giving and we are so thankful that Subaru has decided to give back to our program to help us deliver meals to our clients for the holidays,” added Morgan.
Subaru, which was the only auto manufacturer with a sales increase in 2008 and continues to outpace the industry with record-breaking sales, will continue its mission to give back to charities in need.
About Meals on Wheels Association of America: Meals on Wheels Association of America (MOWAA) works every day with thousands of local Meals On Wheels programs and hundreds of thousands of volunteers who all share in the mission to end senior hunger. The organization provides the tools and information its programs need to make a difference in the lives of others. It also gives cash grants to local senior meal programs throughout the country to assist in providing meals and other nutrition services. Visit www.mowaa.org for more information on MOWAA.
Meetings and Activities at the Center
Bingo
Wednesday (swap bingo): 10:30 a.m.
Friday: 9:45 a.m.
Bowling: Senior Fun Day
Wednesdays, 1:00 p.m.
Meet at AMF American Lanes in Conyers
Bridge Clubs, Canasta Club, Card Club and Book Club:
Groups meet at the Senior Center
Monday (bridge club): 12:00 p.m.
Tuesday (bridge club): 12:00 p.m.
Wednesday (canasta club): 12:00 p.m. .
Thursday (card club): 12:00 p.m.
Third Thursday of the Month (book club): 2:00 p.m.
Note: All clubs meet at the above listed day/time, unless otherwise noted on the Senior Center general calendar.
Ceramics Room:
Open Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
In the ceramics room, members can pour their own molds, paint, and fire. Members often sell items to raise funds for the Senior Center.
Classes, Fitness and Activities:
Programs include, but are not limited to:
computer, strength bands, weights, and a variety of other exercise classes, games, crafts, cards, meditation, nutrition, bean bag baseball,wet sets water aerobics, parties, special events, table tennis, billiards, name that tune game, line dancing classes and outreach projects.
Computer Room:
Computers are available during normal business hours; Wifi available
Group Shopping:
Offered at least once per month
Check monthly calendar
Holiday Programs:
Decorations handmade by Senior Center members. Local merchants and the local Senior Site Council donate party supplies. All major holidays are observed.
Medical Screenings:
Weekly blood pressure screening on Friday. Flu shots are provided on annual basis (keep an eye on the Center’s calendar for dates and times).
Red Hat Ladies:
See calendar for Red Hat Ladies meetings and events.
Rockdale Senior Site Council:
Meet once a month, on the second Thursdays at 10:00 a.m. Group provides monthly fundraisers for programs and offer support in many senior program operational areas.
Caretime:
Group meeting for people who take care of seniors with Alzheimer’s, dementias, who are bed-ridden or have other serious ailments. Tips and resources are provided, including time saving ideas, coping skills, time management plans, cooking, cleaning, and more. See calendar.
Senior King and Queen:
Elected on Valentine’s Day, the King and Queen represent the Senior Center for parades and festivals throughout the year.
Senior Boutique:
Open Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Crafts, ceramics, and clothing items are sold for program income.
Shuffleboard:
Thursdays at 1:00 p.m.
Rockdale Government Annex, 1400 Parker Road
Regional Tournaments (Atlanta area) are attended regularly.
Special Personal Services:
Haircuts once or twice per month (depending on stylist availability). Sign up required.
Travel:
Group trips are provided throughout the year. Annual day trips may include: The Peach Trip, Apple Trip, Mystery Trip, and Christmas Light Trip. Overnight trips are offered twice a year and the group always chooses the destinations. A local company provides travel on a 56-passenger buses. Senior pay for their travel in full.
Trotters Walking Club:
Walk four days per week at the JP Carr Gym
Monday – Thursday, from 9:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Special trips also provided.
Transportation Services
Transportation is provided to senior citizens for the following purposes:
- Trips to and from the Senior Center
- Trips to medical appointments (arrangements should be made three days in advance, and is limited, per staff and van availability)
- Trips to and from social service agencies
- Group shopping trips
- Group recreational trips
To request services or for further information, contact the Referral and Information Specialist.
Referral and Information Specialist, Inam Withers
770-278-7230
For information on Transportation Voucher, contact Marybeth Cabe at 770-278-7230.
Volunteer or Make a Donation
TO MAKE A DONATION
To make a monetary donation, please fill out the form attached and return to the Center with your donation. All donations are tax deductible. Donations can be directed to one of the following:
- Meals-on-Wheels
- Olivia Haydel Senior Center
- Senior Transportation
- Congregate Meals
- Homemaker Services
- Respite Services
- The Olivia Haydel Memorial Fund
- Home Repair
- Senior Nutrition and Wellness Programs
- Other (please specify)
The Senior Boutique appreciates donations, however, due to lack of storage, some simple guidelines are required for items accepted. (Call ahead, 770-278-7230)
Needed:
- Ladies shoes
- Jewelry and purses
- Collectibles (home decor, etc)
- Movies, dvds, cds
- Small appliances & electronics
(in working order) - Complete sets of dishes, bowls, glass sets
- Arts & crafts supplies
- Men & women’s clothing (senior citizen appropriate clothes please)
Not Accepted:
-
Undergarments or bathing suits
- Soiled or torn clothing, or worn-down shoes
- Children’s clothing, toys or other children’s items
- Broken knick-knacks or items in disrepair
- Material/cloth scraps
- Unmatched glassware or dinnerware
- Large furniture pieces
If you would like to make a donation to the Rockdale County Senior Services Center, please fill out the form below, directing your donation as you wish.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Meals on Wheels: The center needs volunteers to deliver Meals on Wheels to homebound seniors of Rockdale County. Meals are delivered Monday through Friday at 10:30 a.m. Meals on Wheels volunteers usually deliver one morning per week, and meals are picked up at the Center. Volunteers drive their own vehicle to deliver meals.
Kitchen Duty: The center needs daily help with packing the Meals on Wheels coolers for the volunteer Meals on Wheels drivers to pick up. Help serving lunch to the seniors who come to the center on a daily basis is also welcome.
Ceramics Room: The Olivia Haydel Senior Center ceramics room has equipment to pour molds, paint, and fire. Seniors sell ceramics to raise funds for the Senior Center. Volunteers are encouraged to share their creativity.
Friendly Visitors & Entertainers: Just like to visit with folks or have a special talent that you would like to share? Come on down to the center and visit with our senior members who come for the daily activities.
Speak a foreign language? We have a variety of members from all different cultures around the world. Come and exchange knowledge with them.
Computer Lab: We have a computer lab that just begs for computer literate people to join us. Maybe you could help one of the senior computer students. Show them different games to play or how to use the internet.
If you are interested in volunteering at the Center, in any way, please contact the Volunteer Coordinator.
Volunteer Coordinator, Melissa Pugh:
770-278-7230
melissa.pugh@rockdalecountyga.gov
