Advocacy

Join AARP South Carolina at the State Fair on Wednesday, October 15 from 9 am – 3 pm for information you can use. We’ll also have Life Reimagined sessions scheduled, have your photo taken with our Flat people and a “Speak Out” stage for invited candidates on the November ballot. Watch this page for additional information.

An army of cardboard “flat people” will soon be traveling across the state to engage and inform you in the 2014 election cycle. Six AARP volunteers can be seen with large dry erase boards with the phrase, “We Want to Know.”

THANK YOU! This is a great stride for family caregivers in South Carolina. Both the House and Senate overwhelmingly overrode the Governor’s veto of $2 million for respite vouchers for family caregivers. South Carolina family givers provide over $7.4 million in unpaid caregiving services.

South Carolina ranks 34th in meeting the long-term care needs of older residents, however, AARP feels more must be done to improve support for family caregivers, effective transitions, and home and community based services. This report is the second comprehensive state-by-state Scorecard from AARP with support of the nation’s leading organizations behind quality long-term care, The Commonwealth Fund and SCAN Foundation.

Columbia, South Carolina – South Carolina is among the most dangerous states in the nation for pedestrians, ranking 4th nationally with a Pedestrian Danger Index (PDI) of 110.39 according to a new report released by the National Complete Streets Coalition, a program of Smart Growth America. Between 2003 and 2012, 1,020 people were killed while walking in South Carolina, representing 10.7% of the 9,546 traffic-related fatalities in the state during this period.

The Lt. Governor’s Office on Aging (LGOA) is requesting $4.7 million in the fiscal year 2014-15 state budget to serve needy seniors in their homes and $3 million in ongoing resources for respite services for caregivers. The House adopted version of the budget provides a large portion of this funding; $3 million for HCBS services and $2 million for respite services.

Funding for Home and Community Based Services is #1 Priority for AARP SC

There is still time to register for the Patient Safety Seminar on Monday, February 17. Below is the agenda and lets you know who the speakers will be. Walk-up registration is free and you can do that beginning at 1:15 on Monday. The event will be held at the Lourie Center, 1650 Park Circle which is off of Pickens and Blossom Streets near the University of South Carolina campus. Parking is also free.

AARP South Carolina Statement on Ethics Reform

HOME AND COMMUNITY-BASED SERVICES–Improve funding for key home and community- based long-term care programs that help seniors stay in their homes and remain independent. South Carolina ranked 4th in the nation for the most seniors 60 and older at risk of hunger. Now we must fight for Lt. Governor Glenn McConnell’s request for $4.7 million so that older folks will not go hungry or miss their doctor’s appointments.