Trident Area Agency on Aging assistance programs for older people in Charleston SC.
The services arranged by Trident Area Agency on Aging are targeted at helping senior citizens, their care takers, and disabled in Charleston County SC and nearby counties or Berkeley and Dorchester. Programs are paid for using federal government grants as well as donations from the community. Also, much of the support is in the form of outreach or referrals, as staff will also direct the client to many other resources in the community
Housing type solutions
All across the Charleston SC region are affordable and safe apartments for the disabled as well as senior citizens. There are also various nursing homes and assisted living facilities. Section 8 HUD vouchers can also be used for income subsidized homes in counties including Dorchester, Charleston, Summerville, Mt. Pleasant and more. While the agency will never endorse a certain home or discourage someone from using a facility, they can provide a list of different units.
The terms and conditions of each apartment will vary, but in general the income requirements required by a senior or the monthly rent charged to them will vary. Some offer support services too, such as on site medical care or free meals. They also tend to limit offering accommodations to people over the age of 60, but exceptions can be made for spouses of the senior or a disabled family member. Trident Area Agency is a resource for people to learn more about various properties that can be rented out, including HUD section 8 homes in South Carolina.
Trident Area Agency Long Term Care Ombudsman Program is for residents that live in nursing homes or assisted living facilities. Staff, and including legal from Trident Area Agency, will visit any center to investigate complaints. They will ensure the senior citizen or retiree is safe and taken care of, or remedies including legal will be addressed.
There are times in which a home needs to be updated, or maybe it is no longer to safe to live in. In these cases, Trident Area Agency can sometimes help coordinate Home Repairs and Maintenance. These resources are focused on low income families in Charleston, Dorchester, and Berkeley County who do not have the money, friends, or family to perform this activity. Examples of what may be provided included minor plumbing repairs such as for faucets. There is also safety work done, such as smoke detectors, non-slip materials, hand-railings and the like.
Some seasonal aid may be done too. During the winter, there can be some snow or ice removal done if applicable, which of course is very rare in SC. Or during the warmer months some basic yard work, such as lawn mowing, may be arranged. While Trident Area Agency will try to assemble volunteers to help the elderly with these activities for free, in some cases there may be costs involved. This will be particularly true for repairs that require items to be bought at a local store.
Trident Area Agency medical services for seniors
Free consultations are offered to older adults as part of SHIP - State Health Insurance Assistance Program. Staff including volunteers give help with health insurance needs, including (but not limited too), Medicare including Supplement as well as Medicare Savings or Advantage Program. Ship Volunteers help older, moderate income families with Medicaid Planning to pay for homecare. They offer senior citizens in Charleston, Mt Pleasant and Summerville are information on affordable health care plans for checkups and dental. There are also discounts for prescription drug medications, medical equipment and other needs.
HICAP, or the Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Service, arranges both counseling and education on issues that impact older residents of Charleston and Summerville as well as West Ashley regions. Examples of what may be available include answering questions on Medicare and helping with enrollment. For individuals, whether they are disabled or elderly, who are home bound, in-home consultation is also available.
Much of this advice is from counseling. Low income or elderly clients can receive information on Medicare and Medicaid. As many people know, applying for a government entitlement can be complicated. Trident Area Agency has staff trained to assist clients in this process. Some of the other components of this are as follows.
-The primary federally-funded governmental health insurance program in Medicare. This can assist people over the age of 65, regardless of their income.
-There are different components of Medicare, such as Part A for nursing, Supplemental Insurance, and Medicare Part D for medications. There are also too.
Free food, meal programs and other resources
Centers run by Trident Area Agency or partners offer Congregate Meals in the Tri-County region of Charleston, Berkeley and Dorchester. Anything served will be for older residents as well as their spouses. The meal will also meet all of the USDA dietary guidelines. In some cases, transportation can be arranged by Trident Area Agency for a minimal cost.
Home Delivered Meals are only for home-bound individuals in Charleston, Summerville, Mt. Pleasant or West Ashley region. This service will not only bring the client a hot or frozen meal on an often daily basis, but the driver also checks up on the health of the client. While it is free, a donation is always appreciated to pay for gasoline and other food costs. Locate food pantries and hot meals in Charleston.
Phone number for senior assistance in Trident area
In addition to above Pro-bono legal aid is arranged by Trident Area Agency for low income seniors or caregivers, but exceptions can sometimes be made. It will help with economic or social needs of the resident. The state of South Carolina Bar is a key partner. Some of the free legal support may include consultation at senior center sites, in-home visits with the homebound, and even seminars at selected sites. Assistance will help with applying for public aid, address housing, or unsafe nursing homes in Charleston South Carolina region.
Trident Area Agency has information on the National Family Caregivers Support Program (NFCSP). This is generally for anyone taking care of a family member that is over the age of 60. Not only may respite service be arranged, but the team will also provide information and advice on best practices. Limited funds are available from time to time to eligible families to help them pay for home care.
Specialists will offer free consultations to caregivers. This can be a valuable tool to give them the support they need. So anyone taking care of other can try this consultation.
Apply for assistance
The Trident Area Agency on Aging is at 5895 Core Road, North Charleston, SC 29406. Seniors, retirees, and caregivers can call (843) 554-2275 for referrals are assistance.
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