I-CARE/SHIP Programs A Medicare healthcare savings ad campaign was launched in two Department of Motor Vehicle locations, Bluffton and Walterboro, to reach low-income and hard-to-reach populations. We partnered with the Human Service Alliance of Beaufort, the Non-Profit Resource Organization and other non-profit agencies to reach both those who are new to Medicare and those in underserved communities. With the help of our partners, we increased contacts and their awareness of Medicare fraud. By increasing outreach measures, our State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) annual contacts are 85% over the annual goal of 2,260. Open Enrollment events were held at libraries and senior centers in all four counties. This allowed beneficiaries the comfort and convenience of having one-on-one, in-person counseling. The SHIP Program continues to grow through constant research and learning. The more Medicare changes, so does the need for assistance. Being knowledgeable and empathetic allows us to grow with the needs of clients. Outreach has increased, and we have found unique ways to reach our underserved communities. It is and has been our goal to help as many individuals as possible by meeting people where they are. Ombudsman Program Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, much attention has been given to senior care facilities. The Lowcountry AAA Ombudsman team has worked to provide training to facilities, residents and the community engaging with facilities. These trainings helped empower residents and their families to better advocate for themselves and helped staff improve the quality of care they provide for the vulnerable adults who rely on them. One of the more frequent requests was for advocacy and mediation for residents who were moving out of an assisted living facility. On several occasions, our staff was successful in mediating for the extra 30 days to be removed from the bill.
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Nutrition This year, Beaufort County Parks and Program Highlights Recreation began contracting as a provider of nutrition services. Initially, three senior centers received meals through our service, but three additional senior centers – Scott Center, Booker T. Washington Center and Port Royal Center – were added in the fourth quarter. ARP Funds were used to help support this expansion and the addition of nutrition and transportation at the new sites. The availability of these daily meals ensured that seniors in our community regularly received nutritious meals throughout the week despite the rising costs of food and supply and demand difficulties across the country.
Family Caregiver Support Program The Tea Time for Caregivers virtual peer support group met monthly, marking its second successful year. Tea Time participants can better aid their loved ones by learning from one another's experiences, receiving encouragement and taking a break from the demands of caregiving. The Family Caregiver Support Program launched Trualta, a web-based, self-guided, evidence-based training platform designed to educate and assist caregivers. The Seniors Raising Children (SRC) program partnered with Colleton County School District Social Worker Renee Jamison and Parent and Family Engagement Specialist Tangela Green to develop workshops and a support group for grandparents raising children. Caregivers who were enrolled in the Family Caregiver Support Program received grants for respite care and supportive services (such as counseling, incontinence supplies, durable medical equipment, nutritional supplements and wheelchair ramp materials). This offered support and resources to provide respite from their caregiving duties and alleviate caregiver burnout.
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