TIFTON — Two staff members of the Southern Georgia Regional Commission’s Area Agency on Aging (AAA) recently completed the process to become certified options counselors, according to a press release.

AAA Aging and Disability Resource Connection staff members Betty Bryant and Kim Meeks completed the extensive process.

Focusing on a person centered approach, long-term support options counseling is an interactive decision support process, according to the release.

Clients, family members, and/or significant others are supported in their quest to determine appropriate long-term care choices in the context of the clients’ needs, preferences, values, and individual circumstances.

By becoming certified options counselors, staff members are better trained to address the complex needs of clients in the Southern Georgia area.

Bryant acknowledges that even though she has experience in the field of aging, she gained additional insight from her training.

“The courses focus on biological, psychological, and social perspectives– each of which we address as social workers,” said Bryant. “The additional training in this holistic approach will allow me to better understand and meet the needs of clients and caregivers.”

The Southern Georgia Regional Commission’s Area Agency on Aging develops, provides, coordinates and advocates for services that assist older individuals, at-risk adults, persons with disabilities, their families and caregivers in the eighteen counties of Atkinson, Bacon, Ben Hill, Berrien, Brantley, Brooks, Charlton, Clinch, Coffee, Cook, Echols, Irwin, Lanier, Lowndes, Pierce, Tift, Turner and Ware.