Tamela Ragsdale, RN, OCN and director of client relations for Aging Matters Inc., and Gina Weathersby, personal care manager with Wesley Woods of Newnan-Peachtree City, have teamed up to host a new cable program on aging.

The program, “Aging in Georgia,” is currently aired only on channel 10-WGET in Newnan. It is a 30-minute show airing Monday - Saturday at 6 a.m., 10 a.m., 6 p.m. and 10 p.m.

Each week on the program the duo discuss a different topic of interest for older adults. They visit local nursing homes, assisted living communities, physicians' offices and other related businesses on air. Guest speakers with expertise in areas of interest to seniors periodically join the two on the show.

Some of the topics covered in the program have included, or will include, living options for seniors, elder law issues, Medicare, Medicaid, support group availability, community resources and the care needs of older adults.

Currently the program has a number of well-known local sponsors. Wesley Woods of Newnan-Peachtree City, Aging Matters, Heritage of Peachtree-Assisted Living and Beaulieu Convalescent Center are just a few of the sponsors. Knox Furniture provides the set and Murphy's Florist supplies flowers for the show. Weathersby and Ragsdale are open to additional sponsorships and hope to continue to attract local support.

Ragsdale and Weathersby have had an active interest in working with older adults for a number of years. Weathersby is the founder and owner of Aging Matters Inc. Her involvement with seniors was sparked from her close care-giving relationship with her grandmother. Ragsdale has been a nurse for over ten years and worked in intensive care.

Both are enthusiastic and seem to come alive when talking about working in their chosen field. Ragsdale said, “I love what I do - going into homes, meeting with families. I get to really be with a patient and see what they have to deal with on a day-to-day basis. And I get to help.”

She continued, “I believe that each day needs to count whether you are 5 or 95. It's all about quality of life.”

Weathersby and Ragsdale are excited about the new program. “Gina [Weathersby] and I work well together. We both just want to get information out to the community,” said Ragsdale.

Often those who need help are unsure where to call or what to ask when they do call. They are not aware of options available to them. The program is a resource for care givers, older adults or the curious.

Said Weathersby, “People need answers. As a team we can offer those answers and make life a little easier for older adults in the community and their family members.”

When Weathersby and Ragsdale have an interest in a certain topic, they “research it in depth.” Experts in the topic may be invited to join them on the show or they may take the show to the source. The show format is informal, with a lot of interaction between the two hosts and their guests.

“My work has allowed me to interact with other professionals in the community who show compassion in their work. The success of this program depends on these professionals and on community support. I am a believer in the team approach and consider it a privilege to work with other professionals in the community who share the same goals,” Weathersby said.

Some upcoming shows:

Nov. 30: Thom Corrigan, LCSW with Haven House Hospice.

Dec. 7: Dr. Scott Williamson, optometrist, Tyrone Eye Center.

Dec. 14 or 21: Walking tour of Heritage of Peachtree-Assisted Living.

Dec. 28: Mary Jane Holt, publisher/editor, The Community Health Focus.

Jan. 18: Dr. Greg Alvarez, Ankle and Foot Center of Georgia.

For information on the program, phone Tamela Ragsdale, Aging Matters, 770-304-4561 or Gina Weathersby at The Plaza at Wesley Woods of Newnan-Peachtree City, 770-683-6854. Or e-mail to aging@bellsouth.net.

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