Community

By Holly Fisher

It’s time for spring cleaning, and that includes getting rid of old bank statements and other financial documents. But don’t just throw them out. Shred instead. Otherwise, identity thieves can use the information to steal your savings.

It’s been 55 years since Martin Luther King Jr. gave his iconic “I Have a Dream” speech, changing the course of civil rights in America. AARP South Carolina invites members to celebrate the MLK holiday weekend, Jan. 12-15, in Myrtle Beach.

Food, rides, competitions and music. What could make the South Carolina State Fair even better? Senior Day at the Fair, on Wednesday, Oct. 18. AARP South Carolina will host a pavilion that day from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., featuring entertainment, resources and a preview of a new website for the state Office on Aging.

(This is the fourth in a series of articles about Free Diabetes Self-Management Education classes in SC)

One of the challenges Myrtle Beach faces as a tourist destination that swells from a permanent population of 30,000 to over 450,000 during the summer months is the need to accommodate multi-modal users. The City of Myrtle Beach has been busy at work for the past four years addressing pedestrian and bicycling issues in the city. In 2013 the Planning Commission appointed a Bicycle and Pedestrian Subcommittee to begin creating objectives to be included in a bicycle and pedestrian master plan. In 2014 City Council appointed the Bicycle and Pedestrian Committee as a standing committee to begin addressing bicycle and pedestrian safety issues and create a Pedestrian and Bicycle Master Plan for the city.

As a sponsor of the South Carolina State Senior Sports Classic, the AARP state office is encouraging active lifestyles for the 50-plus crowd. More than 30 events for athletes 50 and older will take place May 16-20 on the campus of Francis Marion University in Florence—the only South Carolina site for the National Senior Games Association, a member of the U.S. Olympic Committee.

As the U.S. population ages and people stay healthy and active longer, communities must work to adapt. AARP’s Network of Age-Friendly Communities is a comprehensive approach to helping us prepare for aging communities. The goal of Age Friendly Communities is to increase the number of communities that support healthy aging, which will improve the health, well-being, satisfaction and quality of life for older Americans.

by Lynn Shuler Teague, VP for Issues and Action, League of Women Voters of South Carolina

Mrs. Scott came to our attention when two of our volunteers were sent to evaluate her home by the Winyah Bay Long Term Recovery Group related to the October 2015 floods which affected a large portion of Georgetown and Williamsburg Counties. Along with the case manager from Hearts and Hands, Chris Gardner, Habitat for Humanity Georgetown's construction supervisor and Lori Hardman, a volunteer, called upon Mrs. Geraldine Scott, an 85 year old widow whose home was impacted by that storm. Mrs. Scott's home had roof damage and resultant interior damage from the extensive rains but no damage from rising water. Consequently, it was determined that she was ineligible for assistance from the FEMA program.