An interview with Gary Galloway, Volunteer Coordinator for Gwinnett County Senior Services
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Q: What is your background?
A: I grew up on the west coast, served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Korea and came to Atlanta long long ago. I’ve worked as a hospital marketing director and for an assisted living developer.
Q: How long have you been the Volunteer Coordinator for Gwinnett County Senior Services? Describe your job.
A: I’ve worked for Gwinnett County for almost nine years and with seniors and volunteers for most of the time Every day is a new challenge to attempt to match known resources with senior needs.
Q: You seem to really love what you do.
A: Seniors are very humble and appreciative. We are serving predominantly mid-80’s seniors who have plenty of daily living challenges, but are resistant to giving up independent living.
Q: Have the needs of the county and seniors changed in recent years?
A: Yes. There are more seniors with greater needs. If we deliver Meals On Wheels, that might provide nutrition and overcome their inability to reliably prepare meals for themselves, but that doesn’t change the burnt out light bulbs that create dark spaces and fall hazards.
Q: Are the needs of homebound seniors in Gwinnett County the same as seniors living in other parts of Georgia, other states? If not, how are they different?
A: America is getting older, so there are more older people with challenges to their daily living activities. In Gwinnett, getting to the grocery store or to doctor is difficult because it requires driving. Many do not drive or have a caregiver. Public tranpsortation is limited.
Q: How does Gwinnett County “stack up” in the way it serves seniors versus other counties in Georgia and the United States?
A: We think that we do a decent job, but we are only as good as our ability to stretch the limited funding in a period of much greater demand for services. Every agency is tightening its belt and trying to minimize the effectiveness of its programming.
Q: What are the challenges Gwinnett faces in serving seniors and how is Gwinnett meeting those challenges?
A: Doing more with less or doing things more creatively. We remain committed to never compromising the quality of our programming, but seek to leverage our effectiveness with volunteers however and whenever possible in order to reach more senior needs.
Q: Though our “Sweaters For Seniors” program, we’ve seen people donate hundreds of sweaters and blankets to warm-up Gwinnett County’s seniors. What other ways can citizens get involved, reach out and help seniors?
A: This large senior population has needs and faces challenges year- round. The sweaters and blankets are valued even in July, because many medications seniors take leave them chilly even during the hot summer. Groups can always help with yard work or repair projects. We can always use help with health fairs or screenings or to visit “at-home seniors” who don’t have much outside contact.
Q: Describe an average senior that uses Gwinnett County Senior Services?
A: Age 85+, 75% female, do not drive. 30%+ have no caregiver or family support to meet daily living challenges, yet still living independently. Many have grown old in place, while others relocated to be near their children, good doctors, etc. Our senior population is expected to have a huge increase as people seek greater public safety and move from the city of Atlanta. We’re the most culturally-diverse county which extends to our senior population. Finally, there’s a huge “grandparents raising grandchildren” population.
Q: What needs do Gwinnett County Senior Services address?
A: The basics such as food, shelter, companionship, assistance with little things that they can no longer handle, and transportation. It’s amazing that they are no longer caught up in the need for “stuff.” They would rather have shampoo or skin lotion than a new appliance.
Q: How does Gwinnett County receive funding to take care of these seniors?
A: The Older Americans Act provides federal funding that is supplemented by Georgia and Gwinnett County. State and local cutbacks have threatened to reduce meals service for seniors, and monthly meals waiting lists are near 200. The non-profit partner, Friends of Gwinnett Senior Services, provided more than $30,000 to offset increased food costs and paid for numerous senior emergencies.
Q: How did “Sweaters For Seniors” help Gwinnett’s Seniors?
A: The sweaters and blankets went fast at the Lawrenceville Senior Center before they could even be separated into portions for Norcross and Buford Senior Centers. The added delivery was distributed and they went “like hotcakes.”
Q: Anything else you’d like to add?
A: Thank you for your generous and heartfelt support. Without great partners, we would consistently come up short of serving our seniors.
(Sharna Fulton is the Marketing Director for Alternative Home Care for Seniors (AHCS) AHCS started “Sweaters For Seniors in 2009.”
