Aging & Disability
Aging & Disability Resource Center of the Lowcountry
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
- Printable Aging & Disability Resource Center of the Lowcountry Flier (252KB)
- Smooth Sailing Through the Golden Years — The 2011 Lowcountry Regional Senior Information Expo will be held May 18 at the Burton Wells Recreation Center in Beaufort, SC. Hosted by the Lowcountry Area Agency on Aging/Aging & Disability Center, this year’s event will be an informative and fun-filled day for Beaufort, Colleton, Hampton and Jasper County seniors and disabled persons. (READ MORE)
FAMILY CAREGIVER I/R&A I-CARE OMBUDSMAN
The Aging & Disability Resource Center of the Lowcountry (ADRC) is federally mandated under the Older Americans Act to plan, coordinate and advocate for development of a comprehensive service delivery system to meet short- and long-term needs of senior citizens and disabled persons in the region. ADRC staff works with federal, state and local officials, elderly constituents, service providers, volunteers and the private sector to coordinate existing services and encourage new ones. The ADRC prepares a multi-year plan, which is updated annually, to identify the needs of seniors, existing services and gaps between the two. The plan sets objectives and priorities and specifies which services will be provided to meet defined needs.
The Lowcountry ADRC, working closely with the SC Lt. Governor’s Office on Aging at the state level, provides direct assistance, as well as contracted services, for eligible seniors and disabled persons. It contracts with local providers for delivery of home-delivered and group dining meals, homemaker services, transportation, wellness/health promotion services and legal assistance. The providers also offer telephone reassurance, senior center activities, recreational activities and home safety services. (Click here for list of Contracted Service Providers.)
The Aging & Disability Resource Center of the Lowcountry directly administers the following programs:
Family Caregiver Advocate provides support, information, education, and services to family caregivers that help make their caregiving a successful and rewarding experience, while relieving many stressors involved in being a full-time caregiver. Contact Riann Mihiylov: rmihiylov@lowcountrycog.org .
Information, Referral and Assistance (I/R&A) is a one-stop approach to provide I/R&A services to seniors and their caregivers throughout the region. This program, along with the State’s SC Access internet database, serves as an access point for seniors and disabled persons seeking help. Contact Karen Anderson: kanderson@lowcountrycog.org .
Insurance Counseling Assistance and Referral for Elders (I-CARE) is federally funded to provide health insurance counseling for Medicare, Medicare Supplement, Medicare Savings, Medicare Advantage Plans and Senior Medicare Fraud programs. The program also assists seniors with Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage, as well as enrollment. Contact Susie Fripp Gordon: sgordon@lowcountrycog.org .
Long-Term Care Ombudsman seeks to improve the quality of life and care of long-term care facility residents, both in nursing homes and assisted living centers. The LTC Ombudsman investigates and works to resolve problems or complaints, educates facility staff about residents’ rights and other issues, provides information about long-term care and related services, educates the community about the needs of long-term care residents, and visits long-term care facilities to talk to residents and monitor facility conditions. Contact Gwen Coath: gcoath@lowcountrycog.org . The South Carolina Emergency Ombudsman number is 800-868-9095 and is staffed 24/7.
Lowcountry ADRC staff members are dedicated to improving the lives of the senior population, so please let us know how we may help you or someone you know. Our program specialists are also available to speak to senior and community groups and organizations about services and programs available through the Area Agency on Aging and on topics and issues affecting seniors, such as advanced directives and medicare benefits.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Phone: 843-726-5536 Toll free: 877-846-8148 Fax: 843-726-5165
Marvile J. Thompson — AAA Director mthompson@lowcountrycog.org
Karen Anderson — I/R&A Specialist kanderson@lowcountrycog.org
Gwen Coath — Long Term Care Ombudsman gcoath@lowcountrycog.org
Susie Fripp-Gordon — I-CARE Specialist sgordon@lowcountrycog.org
Riann Mihiylov — Caregiver Advocate rmihiylov@lowcountrycog.org
Ashley Young — Administrative Specialist ayoung@lowcountrycog.org
Senior Wellness Specialists: office@lowcountrycog.org
- Claire Glasson
- Shelia Bovain