Charleston Senior AdvisorWho is the Area Agency on Aging for Charleston, Berkeley and Dorchester counties?
The Trident Area Agency on Aging, 2456 Remount Road in North Charleston (843-554-2275, toll-free 1-800-894-0415), the region's Aging and Disability Resource Center.
It offers information and referral, the regional ombudsman, family caregiver support, meals through county providers and SHIP Medicare counseling.
Where can we get free Medicare counseling?
From the SHIP program, called I-CARE in South Carolina, run locally by the Trident Area Agency on Aging (843-554-2275).
Counselors explain plans and cost-help programs and sell nothing.
Who takes referrals for the Community Choices waiver?
SCDHHS Community Long Term Care Centralized Intake at (888) 971-1637, or the online CLTC referral form.
CLTC schedules a level-of-care assessment after the referral.
Where do we apply for Medicaid or OSS?
Through SCDHHS's Healthy Connections application at apply.scdhhs.gov or the Member Contact Center at (888) 549-0820.
The Trident AAA can help a family through the application.
Who helps veterans with Aid and Attendance claims?
Each county's veterans affairs office, whose accredited officers file pension and Aid and Attendance claims without charge.
The nearest state veterans nursing home is Veterans' Victory House in Walterboro (843-538-3000).
Where can dementia caregivers get help day or night?
The Alzheimer's Association's 24-hour helpline at 1-800-272-3900, plus the Trident AAA's Family Caregiver Support Program for respite and support.
Support groups meet at hospitals, churches and senior centers across the area.
Is there a statewide number for aging services?
Yes. The S.C. Department on Aging can be reached at 1-800-868-9095 and directs callers to the right regional agency.
For local services in the three counties, the Trident AAA is the most direct route.
Where can seniors get help with meals around Charleston?
Home-delivered and group meals in the three counties are arranged through the Trident Area Agency on Aging and the county providers it funds; call 843-554-2275 to be assessed and referred.
Community Choices participants can receive home-delivered meals through their waiver service plan, and BoldAge PACE participants eat at the day center on the days they attend. Waiting lists for meals can form when funding is tight, so ask about interim options such as church and food bank programs.
Who can help a family compare assisted living and nursing homes in person?
A senior advisor can walk a family through licensed options in the three counties at no cost, and hospital case managers help when a parent is still admitted; the long-term care ombudsman can explain residents' rights in any building.
Whoever helps, ask them to show the DPH license, Alzheimer's flag and enforcement history for each suggestion, and for nursing homes the CMS ratings and staffing figures, so you can check every recommendation yourself.
