Friday, May 15, 2004

Cultural exchange program benefits seniors East is meeting West in a cultural exchange program that began May 6, 2004 between Fulton County government and a Japanese disabilities group. The Fulton County Human Services Department and the Japan Abilities Association (JAA) are swapping senior citizen programming expertise for artistic performances. Two professional Japanese musicians played their native koto and kayagum stringed instruments at the Dorothy C. Benson Senior Multipurpose Complex in Sandy Springs. It was the first of five days of performances in Georgia during Older Americans Month. They played again at the Helene S. Mills Senior Multipurpose Facility in Atlanta. In return, the Benson Senior Complex manager will travel May 12-23 to Japan to give presentations about FultonÕs comprehensive senior service programs and local government support --- concepts that do not exist in that country. The idea for the exchange program came from Hirosayu Itoh, chairman of the JAA, after he toured Fulton CountyÕs senior facilities in 2003 and liked what he saw. The JAA promotes employment of people with disabilities and operates assisted living homes for the elderly. Fulton CountyÕs innovations in providing programs and services for senior citizens attract visitors from across the metro area and around the world,Ó said Melinda Davis, who heads the Office of Aging division of the Fulton County Human Services Department. We are excited and pleased that our department has begun what will be a very rewarding association with Mr. Itoh and the people of Japan.Ó Later this year, Japanese health care employees who serve seniors and the disabled will arrive to train and work at Fulton County's four senior multipurpose facilities. For more information, call the Office of Aging at 404-730-0184.