ATLANTA – State Representative Chuck Martin (R-Alpharetta) recently received the Outstanding State Legislator for 2011 Award from the Georgia Council on Aging (GCOA). The Council chose Rep. Martin for this award in recognition of his work to secure the passage of Senate Bill 178, which established the “assisted living community” as a new category of long-term health care provider in Georgia.
“It was my pleasure to work with Georgia seniors and their advocacy groups to pass this important legislation, so I am truly honored to receive this recognition from GCOA,” said Rep. Martin. “I am encouraged by this progress in providing seniors with more residential options. SB 178 is good first step, and I look forward to continuing this work.”
The GCOA’s Outstanding State Legislator Award is given annually to state legislators who act as “aging champions” during the General Assembly’s regular legislative session.
“Since 2009, Rep. Martin made it a priority to create more residential options for Georgia seniors and worked diligently for the recognition of assisted living communities,” said Ann Williams, GCOA Legislative Chair. “For years, aging advocates have called for more residential options and Rep. Martin responded with dedicated support of the Assisted Living bill, which finally passed this year as SB 178. Thanks to Rep. Martin, Georgians now have a new level of care in our aging continuum.”
Assisted living communities provide an intermediate level of service between that of personal care and nursing homes. These communities can have medication aides on staff, which are prohibited in personal care homes. A resident who needs help moving in an emergency situation would also be allowed to remain in an assisted living community, as long as there is enough staff to see that the resident remains safe. By recognizing this new category of long-term care, SB 178 allows Georgia seniors to age in place and fills a growing need for this type of facility throughout the state.
Rep. Martin has been recognized by many organizations, including the Assisted Living Federation of America (ALFA) for their first ever “Statesman Award.” Georgia ALFA also named Rep. Martin their “2010 Legislator of the Year” for his advocacy for senior rights in Georgia. Additionally, the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) recently recognized Rep. Martin for his leadership in passing SB 178.
For more information on SB 178, please click here.
Representative Chuck Martin represents the citizens of District 47, which includes portion of Fulton County. He was elected into the House of Representatives in 2002, and is currently the Chairman of Budget & Fiscal Affairs Oversight Committee. He also serves on the Appropriations, Energy, Utilities, & Telecommunications, Regulated Industries, Science & Technology, and Ways & Means committees.
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