Guide to Trident Area Agency on Aging assistance programs in Charleston SC area.
The Trident Area Agency on Aging (TAAA) is the designated Area Agency on Aging for Berkeley, Charleston, and Dorchester counties in South Carolina. It has served the Tri-County region since 1991 and also functions as the local Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) — meaning it's often the right first call when an older adult or their family isn't sure where to start.
One important distinction worth understanding before you call: TAAA is a coordinator and connector, not a direct service provider for everything on this page. Some services — like home-delivered meals and personal care — TAAA funds and arranges through contracted providers. Others, like Medicare counseling and nursing home advocacy, TAAA delivers directly with its own staff and trained volunteers. If you call the main number, an Information and Referral specialist will help you figure out what you qualify for and route you to the right place.
Who TAAA serves: Adults 60 and older in Berkeley, Charleston, and Dorchester counties, their family caregivers, and adults with disabilities. Most programs do not require a specific income level, though some prioritize those with the greatest social or economic need. Immigration status is not a barrier to most services.
Information and Referral — start here if you're not sure
TAAA's Information and Referral Assistance Program is the front door for most services. Specialists help seniors and caregivers understand what's available, assess eligibility, and navigate the long-term care landscape. This includes everything from finding home care, understanding Medicare options, locating housing, or connecting with community resources. TAAA also publishes a Community Resource Directory covering the Tri-County region at https://www.tricountyareachamber.com/resources/community-resource-guide. Call (843) 554-2275 to reach an I&R specialist.
Home-delivered meals
For homebound seniors who are unable to shop, cook, or otherwise obtain regular meals due to a physical or mental impairment, TAAA coordinates home-delivered meal service throughout Berkeley, Charleston, and Dorchester counties. Meals can be delivered hot, cold, or frozen depending on preference and delivery location, and TAAA has expanded options to include diabetes-friendly, vegetarian, lower sodium, and pureed meals for participants with dietary needs.
This can also be combined with other food pantries and hot meals in Charleston. Delivery drivers also serve an informal wellness check function — if something seems off, staff are notified. Participants must be 60 or older. To apply, call (843) 554-2275 for an intake and assessment.
Group dining and senior center meals
For more active older adults who can get out of the house, group dining sites offer meals alongside socialization, nutrition education, and activities. Transportation to and from senior center programs is available for participants who need it. To find group dining locations in your county and apply, call (843) 554-2275.
Personal care and homemaker services
TAAA coordinates in-home personal care services for seniors with chronic illness or limitations in daily living activities — assistance with bathing, dressing, grooming, and maintaining a safe home environment. Homemaker services cover light housekeeping and related tasks for those who can no longer manage them independently. Both services require an intake and assessment. Call (843) 554-2275 to begin.
Eligibility Screening and Assessment Coordination
For seniors who may need multiple services, TAAA's assessment team conducts a holistic evaluation to determine the appropriate level of Older Americans Act services and prioritize those with the greatest needs. This is particularly useful if a senior's situation is complex or if family members are trying to plan ahead for increasing care needs.
Medicare counseling — SHIP (formerly HICAP)
TAAA's State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) provides free, unbiased Medicare counseling from trained volunteers and staff. If you're turning 65, trying to compare Medicare Advantage plans, struggling with prescription drug costs, or unsure whether a Medicare Supplement policy is worth it, SHIP counselors can work through your specific situation with you at no cost.
Counseling covers Medicare, Medicare Supplement policies, Medicare Savings Programs (which can reduce premiums and cost-sharing for lower-income beneficiaries), and Medicare Advantage plan comparisons. SHIP also runs a Senior Medicare Patrol program focused on helping older adults identify and report Medicare fraud, billing errors, and scams — a growing concern in the Charleston area. For homebound individuals, in-home consultations can be arranged. Call (843) 554-2275 to connect with a SHIP counselor.
Long Term Care Ombudsman Program
If you or a family member lives in a nursing home, assisted living facility, or other long-term care setting in the Tri-County area and has a complaint or concern — about care quality, safety, rights violations, or facility conditions — TAAA's Long Term Care Ombudsman Program investigates and advocates on residents' behalf. Ombudsmen visit facilities regularly, educate residents and families about residents' rights, and work to resolve complaints to residents' satisfaction. The program also works with trained volunteer ombudsmen who provide ongoing presence at facilities. To file a complaint or get information, call (843) 554-2275.
Family Caregiver Support Program
TAAA's Family Caregiver Support Program serves people caring for a family member age 60 or older, including grandparents raising grandchildren and caregivers of someone with Alzheimer's disease or related conditions. The program provides information about available resources, caregiver training, peer support, and counseling to help families manage the emotional and physical demands of caregiving. Limited financial assistance is available from time to time for respite care and other direct costs. Another service to consider is Medicaid Planning to pay for homecare, which TAAA can help people understand.
The program has expanded in recent years to specifically support working caregivers — those who are employed while also managing significant caregiving responsibilities. TAAA has offered reimbursement for out-of-pocket costs for in-home care or adult day care to help working caregivers stay in the workforce. TAAA has also increased outreach in rural areas of northern Berkeley and northern Dorchester counties, where caregivers can be harder to reach. Call (843) 554-2275 for current availability and eligibility.
Pro-bono legal assistance
TAAA coordinates access to free legal aid for low-income seniors and caregivers in the Tri-County area, in partnership with the South Carolina Bar. Services can include one-on-one consultations at senior center sites, in-home visits for homebound clients, and help with applications for public benefits, housing issues, and concerns about unsafe nursing home conditions. Call the main number for a referral.
Online caregiver education — Trualta
TAAA provides free access to the Trualta online platform for family caregivers. Trualta offers on-demand training and support covering caregiving skills, managing conditions like dementia, and personal wellness for caregivers. Access is available through TAAA's website at https://tridentaaa.org/.
How to reach TAAA
The office is at 5895 Core Road, Suite 419, North Charleston, SC 29406. Phone: (843) 554-2275. Toll-free: 1-800-894-0415. Email: [email protected]. Office hours are open weekdays. The website at tridentaaa.org also has a Community Resource Directory order form and program-specific information for each service listed above.
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