Group Service Ideas

General Awareness: Do the people in your community know where to get aging services for themselves or loved ones? Contact your Area Agency on Aging and ask for a presentation about information and services that can help people live safely and conveniently in their homes, even as bodies and physical abilities change.

Meals: Combat senior hunger and isolation by adopting a Meals-on-Wheels route.  To make volunteering easy, gather 6-8 people to rotate responsibilities.  Can your group provide one or two volunteers once per week for 12 months?  That’s all it takes!  Call your Area Agency on Aging for the nearest Meals-on-Wheels provider.

Home Repairs & Modifications: Looking for an easy-to-organize, high-impact project that may require just a few hours of your time?  Recruit a team to volunteer with an established nonprofit that provides home repairs and/or home modifications.  The nonprofit will provide training, materials, and supervision at the project site.

Heat Hazards: Georgia’s summer heat can be deadly.  Organize a fan collection drive right now to help seniors stay cool.  Your team can also educate group members about heat dangers through newsletters or weekly bulletins, and you can regularly check on neighbors who are at risk of heat-related illness.  We’re happy to provide educational materials.

Battery & Bulb Replacement: Shine the light in your neighborhood by organizing a battery and bulb replacement team.  Many older adults can no longer safely reach smoke detectors or ceiling lights, and this leads to dangerous home hazards. Work with the fire department and community leaders to offer free smoke detector batteries, light bulbs, and installation. 

Benefits Education: Do Medicare rules leave you feeling confused?  Host a GeorgiaCares program event to educate people in your congregation or community about Medicare benefits, options, and consumer safety. Call your Area Agency on Aging to request free materials and schedule a presentation.

Home Safety: A broken hip or ankle can change an elder’s life permanently. Distribute safety checklists or, better yet, host a presentation on fall prevention.  (Occupational therapists in universities and hospitals can provide needed expertise.)  Contact your Area Agency on Aging to get materials and find community partners.

Checking In: Recruit a team of volunteers to call or visit older neighbors who may be socially isolated. (Homebound individuals make excellent telephone reassurance volunteers.)  For faith-based organizations, creating a congregation without walls is a great way to build ties between young and old, share community history, and keep everyone connected.

How to Get Started

For local community contacts, training, resources, and more ideas, contact your Area Agency on Aging. Call 866-55-AGING or find the Area Agency on Aging near you. 

For statewide assistance and general questions, contact the DHS Office of Legislative Affairs and Outreach.