The Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program protects the rights of residents in long-term care facilities. The program is governed by the federal Older Americans Act and by South Carolina Law (The Omnibus Adult Protection Act). As noted in the Omnibus Adult Protection Act, the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program shall investigate or cause to be investigated reports of abuse, neglect and exploitation of vulnerable adults occurring in facilities.
A Long-Term Care Ombudsman seeks to improve the quality of life and quality of care of residents in facilities. Residents of long-term care facilities have little or no contact with the outside world. Many feel they lack control over their lives. Ombudsmen are available to assist these residents and their families by advocating for their rights, safety and welfare.
I have a complaint (click here)
The Friendly Visitor Program is a program designed to ultimately improve the quality of life and the quality of care of our residents in long term care facilities. A Friendly Visitor is a trained volunteer who agrees to visit a facility on a weekly basis and get to know the residents of that facility. Friendly Visitors are NOT Certified Ombudsmen.
To Become a Friendly Visitor
You must:
The Friendly Visitor Program provides a very rewarding experience. Training is provided and you have the opportunity to invest in the lives of our seniors and make a difference.
Materials you maybe interested in:
Resident Bill of Rights
Declaration of a Natural Death (Living Will form)
Friendly Visitor Application
Omnibus Adult Protection Act
For additional information, brochures, pamphlets and booklets, please contact Fretoria Williams at fwilliams@cmcog.org or (800) 391-1185 or (803) 376-5389.
I-CARE is a program provided to seniors on a variety of issues such as insurance counseling, assistance and referral. Information is also available regarding the Medicare Program, the dangers of Medicare Fraud, the Modernization of Act of 2003 (Prescription Drugs Programs), Medigap information and Medicaid Programs.
How to Get Help With Your Medicare Costs
Individuals may be able to get help paying their Medicare prescription drug cost. The Extra Help program helps individuals pay their Medicare prescription drug plan costs such as premiums, deductibles and copayments. The Medicare Savings program can help with Medicare costs such as premiums, deductibles, copayments and the monthly Part B premium.
To see if you qualify for these programs, please contact the I-CARE Program (Insurance Counseling Assistance and Referral for Elders) of the Central Midlands Area Agency on Aging/Aging and Disability Resource Center at (803) 376-5390 ext. *309 or *312.
The Central Midlands region serves Fairfield, Lexington, Newberry and Richland Counties.
The I-CARE program is a volunteer insurance counseling and assistance program for persons on Medicare. There is no charge for these services and there is absolutely no selling of insurance involved.
For more information on I-CARE, please contact Shelia Bell-Ford at sbellford@cmcog.org or (877) 744-5130 or (803) 376-5390.
In South Carolina, family members have always provided the majority of long-term care for older relatives. 18% of adults in South Carolina provide regular care or assistance to an elderly relative or another family member with long-term illness or disability. Many people provide this round the clock care in their own homes; many out of financial necessity. The psychological and physical demands on these unpaid caregivers are often overwhelming.
The Central Midlands Family Caregiver Support Program seeks to provide assistance to individuals caring for family members aged 60+ with health problems.
The Program provides access for family caregivers to the following services:
For more information on the Family Caregiver Program contact Jenny Andrews @ jandrews@cmcog.org or (803) 376-5390
Information, Referral and Assistance Specialists (IR&As) are trained to assist in locating and accessing the most appropriate community resources available for the physical and mental health needs of the elderly population. This includes providing information and linkage with service providers, advocacy assistance when needed, and follow-up when necessary.
For more information on CMCOG’s Information, Referral and Assistance Program, contact Joe Perry at jperry@cmcog.org or (803) 744-5142 or 866-394-4166.
The Assisted Rides Program is temporarily suspended until further notice. Please check back for updates in the future. You can also contact the Central Midlands Area Agency on Aging Director at 803-376-5390 for updated information on this program.
The Assisted Rides Program is a volunteer-based program designed to fill the transportation gap currently facing Adults 21 and older who have disabilities, as well as Seniors 60 and older who have no other means of getting transportation to obtain needed services to maintain or enhance their quality of life.
The Assisted Rides Program is sponsored by the Lieutenant Governor’s Office on Aging. The program is funded through a grant from the SC Department of Transportation Office of Public Transit. It is coordinated by the Central Midlands Council of Governments’ Aging and Disability Resource Center, which serves the citizens of Fairfield, Lexington, Newberry and Richland Counties.
If you are a disabled or senior adult who needs transportation to a medical appointment, human service agency, grocery store, social activity and more, the Assisted Rides Program may be able to help. Passengers will not be charged a fee, but donations will be accepted to help with the cost of the trip.
Volunteer drivers are an important and valued part of this program. You help our passengers get where they need to be, and you are in charge of your time. Drivers can choose the rides they want to give, which makes this one of the most flexible and rewarding opportunities available.
The Area Agency on Aging Respite Programs are for those caregivers providing care at home for a loved one or family member. These respite programs can be used to hire someone to help assist the caregiver with his/her loved one’s care and provide much needed relief. Respite can be provided by an agency, facility or adult day care as well as an individual.
The following guidelines will help determine eligibility:
For more information, www.centralmidlands.org/agingservices.asp, or to be mailed an application, please call 803.744.5120.