Area Agency on Aging
Aging & Disability Resource Center
Upper Savannah Council of Governments’ Area Agency on Aging (AAA) is designated by the South Carolina Department on Aging as the coordinating and planning body for services for older adults in Abbeville, Edgefield, Greenwood, Laurens, McCormick and Saluda counties.
The primary goal of the AAA is to develop and promote a comprehensive, coordinated community-based service delivery system with simple access that will improve the quality of life for all older adults in the region and enable them to lead independent lives with dignity in their own homes for as long as possible.
We are also an Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) which operates under the guidance of SC Department on Aging. The Upper Savannah ADRC is a place where accurate and unbiased information, assistance and resources for seniors and those living with a disability are available.
AAA and ADRC Objectives
Specific objectives of the AAA and ADRC are:
- Plan, coordinate and advocate for a community-based service delivery system;
- Maintain and strengthen the quality of life of older adults through community cooperation;
- Help local communities meet the needs of the rapidly growing older populations
- Help older adults remain in their homes;
- Solicit input from Aging Advisory committee members about regarding aging issues and concerns;
- Contract with local agencies to provide quality services to seniors.
- Offer resource materials to older adults and their families;
- Serve as the regional information, referral and assistance focal point offering callers access to services relating to aging and disabilities;
- Support the S. C. Silver Haired Legislature efforts in the region;
- Provide complaint resolution for residents of long-term care facilities and community education through the Regional Long Term Care Ombudsman Program;
- Operate the Family Caregiver Support Program, benefiting seniors and children by supporting the adults and older relatives who care for them;
- Provide I-CARE and Senior Medicare Fraud Prevention programs;
For more about the AAA and ADRC, please contact:
Peggy Merritt, AAA Director
(864) 941-8075 direct line
pmerritt@uppersavannah.com
Regional Services Provided:
- Group Dining
- Home Delivered Meals
- Transportation
- Home Care
- Personal Care
- Respite Care
- Alzheimer’s Support
- Home Safety
- Adult Day Care Services
- Insurance Counseling (I-CARE)
- Health and Wellness
- Information and Referral
- Legal Assistance
- Nutrition Education and Screening
- Volunteer Opportunities
Most services require the completion of a yearly assessment conducted by trained assessors.
Tonya Mann, Senior Programs Specialist/Assessor
(864) 941-8054 direct line
tmann@uppersavannah.com
Brenda Minor, Aging Programs Specialist/Assessor
(864) 941-8077 direct line
bminor@uppersavannah.com
Chasity Lewis, Assessment Specialist
(864) 941-8062 direct line
clewis@uppersavannah.com
Christine Pyles, Assessment Specialist
(864) 941-8052 direct line
cpyles@uppersavannah.com
Latoya Wright, Assessment Specialist
(864) 941-8053 direct line
lwright@uppersavannah.com
Regional Long Term Care Ombudsman Program
Ericca Livingston, Regional Long Term Care Ombudsman
Ashley Capps, DDSN/DMH Long Term Care Ombudsman/Volunteer Coordinator
The Regional Long Term Care Ombudsman investigates and works to resolve problems or complaints affecting residents in nursing homes and residential care facilities.
In an effort to improve the lives of all persons residing in long term care facilities, the ombudsman educates residents and family members about long term care and related issues, advocates for the protection of the resident’s rights, provides training and technical assistance to resident and family councils and facility staff and coordinates efforts with other agencies concerned about long term care.
https://ltcombudsman.org/about/about-ombudsman
The Volunteer Ombudsman Program
The primary function of a Volunteer Ombudsman is to be a friendly face that brightens a resident’s day. Volunteer Ombudsmen make unannounced friendly visits to designated long term care facilities on a weekly basis to interact with residents, advise them of their rights, and provide support and empowerment. Volunteers are not certified Ombudsmen but do help assist them in their duties. The Volunteer Ombudsman Program is part of the Upper Savannah Regional Long Term Care Ombudsman Program.
Please feel free to reach out to our Volunteer Ombudsman Coordinator, Ashley Capps, for more information.
For assistance contact:
Ericca Livingston, Regional Long Term Care Ombudsman
(864) 941-8070 direct line
elivingston@uppersavannah.com
Ashley Capps, DDSN/DMH Long Term Care Ombudsman/Volunteer Coordinator
(864) 941-8091 direct line
acapps@uppersavannah.com
Family Caregiver Support Program
Aeriell Bowick, Family Caregiver Advocate
The Family Caregiver Support Program, funded through the Older Americans Act, is administered by the AAA. It was developed to address the needs of the ever-increasing numbers of caregivers.
One in four households in the United States has a caregiving situation involving a senior adult. The caregiver program focuses on caregivers of any age caring for those 60 and older and also on seniors (age 60 and older) who are primary caregivers for their grandchildren (age 18 and younger).
Support is provided to these caregivers by outreach and information about community groups and organizations, by assistance to caregivers in accessing available services, and by individual and group counseling, education and training.
Some caregivers may qualify to receive a brief respite or break from caregiving duties. Respite services may be provided in home, at a senior day program, or a short-term facility stay.
For assistance contact:
Aeriell Bowick, Family Caregiver Advocate
(864) 941-8067 direct line
abowick@uppersavannah.com
Information, Referral, and Assistance
Langley Richardson, Information, Referral and Assistance Specialist
Need assistance finding help? Information Referral Services at Upper Savannah AAA and ADRC can assist you in finding aging and adult disability services in your community. This is a “One-Stop” shopping service for older adults, adults with disabilities, their caregivers, families and professionals.
The Information, Referral and Assistance Program allows you to talk directly to an Information Specialist.
For assistance contact:
Langley Richardson, Information & Referral Specialist
(864) 941-8069 direct
lrichardson@uppersavannah.com
State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP)
Christy Stroud, State Health Insurance Program Specialist (SHIP)
The Upper Savannah Area Agency on Aging SHIP program assists anyone eligible for Medicare in choosing the right plan options. Choosing the right prescription and health coverage plan can be very overwhelming.
SHIP counselors can assist in this process. SHIP Counselors provide free, unbiased options for Medicare recipients and assist consumers in choosing and enrolling into Medicare prescription drug plans that best meets their needs.
Open enrollment for choosing a Medicare Prescription Plan is from October 15 to December 7 each year. SHIPs also assist eligible participants in enrolling in Extra Help Program (LIS), and Medicare Savings Programs (MSP) which pays the Medicare Part B premium.
For assistance contact:
Christy Stroud, Regional State Health Insurance Program Specialist
(864) 941-8093 direct line
cstroud@uppersavannah.com
Disaster Planning for Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities
Prepare For Emergencies Now: Information for Older Americans
Preparing Makes Sense for Older Americans. Get Ready Now. The likelihood that you and your family will recover from an emergency tomorrow often depends on the planning and preparation done today. While each person’s abilities and needs are unique, every individual can take steps to prepare for all kinds of emergencies from fires and floods to potential terrorist attacks. By evaluating your own personal needs and making an emergency plan that fits those needs, you and your loved ones can be better prepared. This guide outlines common-sense measures older Americans can take to start preparing for emergencies before they happen. Preparing makes sense for older Americans. Get Ready Now.
Additional Links & Resources
211 (https://sc211.org/)
Call 211 or Visit SC211.org to find help with: Child Care, Education, Employment, Financial, Counseling, Food, Healthcare, Housing, Prescription, Assistance, Utility Bills, and so much more.
GetCaresSC.com (https://www.getcaresc.com/)
Guide to Services – Find out what services are available and how you can access them. GetCaresSC.com is a website dedicated to matching seniors with available resources. Seniors, caregivers, and adults with disabilities can use their zip code to search our database to find transportation, day care, meals, and in-home care in their respective areas.
South Carolina Department on Aging (https://aging.sc.gov/)
The South Carolina Department on Aging (SCDOA) enhances the quality of life for seniors in South Carolina. The SCDOA works with a network of regional and local organizations to develop and manage services that help seniors remain independent in their homes and in their communities.
National Ombudsman Resource Center (https://ltcombudsman.org/)
Locate an Ombudsman program, volunteer opportunities, and help near you.
USAging (https://www.n4a.org/)
USAging is the national association representing and supporting the network of Area Agencies on Aging and advocating for the Title VI Native American Aging Programs. Our members help older adults and people with disabilities throughout the United States live with optimal health, well-being, independence and dignity in their homes and communities.
The Salvation Army (https://www.salvationarmyusa.org/usn/)
The Salvation Army provides information regarding homeless shelters, food pantries, job training, after-school programs, services for aging, Veteran services, rent/utility assistance, help for domestic abuse, etc. All you have to do is click on an area and provide a zip code.
United Christian Ministries of Abbeville County – UCAMC (http://ucmac.net/)
UCMAC provides emergency assistance, non-perishable food and free healthcare services to qualified citizens of Abbeville County.
Greater Greenwood United Ministry – GGUM (https://www.greatergreenwoodunitedministry.org/)
GGUM provides financial assistance to those facing rent eviction or utility disconnection, an emergency food pantry, crisis intervention programs including job searches and financial coaching; and eyeglasses and eye screenings to qualified citizens of Greenwood County.
Good Shepherd Free Medical Clinic (https://www.goodshepherdfreeclinic.org/)
Free medical clinic for Laurens County residents.
GLEAMNS Human Resources Commission Inc. (https://www.gleamnshrc.org/)
GLEAMNS offers a comprehensive set of programs designed to combat the causes and condition of poverty in the communities we serve. Through our bundled-services approach, we are able to better align families with appropriate services targeted to help them develop and maintain self-sufficiency.
Programs include: Community Services (CSBG), Child Care Food Program, Early Head Start, Head Start, Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), Weatherization, Magic Johnson Community Empowerment Center (TASC), Dr. Benjamin E., Mays Historical Preservation Site, Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP), and Workforce Development (WIOA).
Golden Harvest Food Bank (https://goldenharvest.org/find-help/)
Find a Golden Harvest Food Bank partner agency or food assistance program near you.
Beyond Abuse (https://beyondabuse.info/services/)
Beyond Abuse leads our community beyond sexual violence and child abuse through awareness, advocacy and action. Services include: 24/7 Crisis Response — Hotline and Emergency Department On-Call Support, Advocacy, Therapy, Assistance with Filing Victim’s Compensation, Education and Awareness Programs. In addition, children ages 17 and under who are referred by law enforcement agencies or the Department of Social Services may receive: Forensic Interviews, Child Maltreatment, Medical Exam, Multi-disciplinary team case review.
Guide to Long Term Care Planning (https://www.longtermcarelink.net/a13information_guide.htm)
Free, noncommercial resource to help you with your long-term care planning needs. Includes information covering all areas of long-term care planning, or as it’s more commonly called, elder care planning.
SC Affordable Housing (https://affordablehousingonline.com/housing-search/South-Carolina)
This website provides a search bar in top right corner to search for affordable housing options in all counties of SC.
SC Food Access Map and Clemson Rural Health locations (https://bit.ly/3giH4xl)
Statewide map showing food pantries in every county.