Older Americans: Connecting the Community

Every May since 1963, people in towns and cities across the country have come together to celebrate the enormous contributions of older Americans—borne of wisdom, experience, and the will to realize their dreams and speak their minds. Trident Area Agency on Aging supports our seniors as they continue to enrich and strengthen our communities. The theme of this year’s celebration—Older Americans: Connecting the Community—pays homage to the many ways in which older adults bring inspiration and continuity to the fabric of our communities. Their shared histories, diverse experiences, and wealth of knowledge have made our culture, economy, and local character what they are today. The theme also highlights the many ways technology is helping older Americans live longer, healthier and more engaged lives.

In fact, older Americans are more active in community life than ever before, thanks in part to advances in health care, education, technology, and financial stability over the last several decades that have greatly increased their vitality and standard of living. Older adults are out and about giving back and making a difference in their community.

Older Americans step up to help one another as well. Across the country, seniors connect with other seniors by delivering meals, helping with home repair, assisting with shopping, and offering companionship, counseling, and care. Their efforts remind us that when older adults are active and engaged in their communities, everyone benefits.

Help Trident Area Agency on Aging celebrate Older Americans Month, by allowing us to provide information sessions about seniors in our community.

Contact Trident Area Agency on Aging to find out about our Long-Term Ombudsman Program, Family Caregiver Support Program, Alzheimer’s Disease and Supportive Services Program, Senior Medicare Fraud Project, and Information and Referral Assistance to Seniors.

We think you will discover that when you help seniors thrive in your community, you gain far more than you give.

The Trident Area Agency on Aging in partnership with the South Carolina Department of Social Services will be issuing free coupons to low income individuals age 60 and older that may be used to purchase fresh produce at local participating farmers’ markets.  Each eligible person will receive $25 worth of coupons that may be used at participating markets from June through October 15, 2011.  The coupons will be issued on a first come first served basis until the supply is exhausted.

Applications must be submitted in person. Proof of identity and residence in Berkeley, Charleston or Dorchester County is required in order to receive the free coupons. Applicants must also meet household income eligibility limits. Information regarding the income of all household members is required to determine eligibility.

Individuals wishing to apply for homebound seniors must provide a statement or a copy of the Power of Attorney from the senior granting permission to submit an application on their behalf. Individual picking up vouchers must have the senior’s proof of identity (picture ID; proof of income (copy of check, SSA statement or bank statement) for the homebound senior must be presented at the time of application.

This program is called the Seniors Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program and the goals of the program are to supplement the diets of low-income seniors with fresh, nutritious produce and to support South Carolina’s small farmers.

For more information, call 843-554-2275

Contact: Angela Edwards
Program Manager
843-554-2279

In accordance with Federal law and USDA policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability.  To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TTY).  USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

The coupons will be issued in Berkeley, Charleston and Dorchester Counties:

SENIOR MEDICARE PATROL VOLUNTEERS READY TO BATTLE MEDICARE FRAUD!

Trident Area Agency on Aging and The South Carolina Lieutenant Governor’s Office empowered six new Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) volunteers with the first statewide training on combatting Medicare fraud in our community. Each year, billions of American taxpayers’ dollars are wasted on improper payments to individuals, organizations and contractors. In 2009, improper payments totaled $98 billion, with $54 billion stemming from Medicare and Medicaid.

The SMP programs, also known as Senior Medicare Patrol programs, help Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries avoid, detect, and prevent health care fraud. In doing so, they not only protect older persons, they also help preserve the integrity of the Medicare and Medicaid programs. Because this work often requires face-to-face contact to be most effective, SMPs nationwide recruit and teach nearly 4,500 volunteers every year to help in this effort.

SMP staff and their highly trained volunteers conduct outreach to Medicare beneficiaries in their communities through group presentations, exhibiting at community events, and one-on-one counseling. Their primary goal is to teach Medicare beneficiaries how to protect their personal identity, identify and report errors on their health care bills and identify deceptive health care practices, such as illegal marketing, providing unnecessary or inappropriate services and charging for services that were never provided.

In 2009, the 54 Senior Medicare Patrol Projects had a total of 4,444 active volunteers. Medicare funds recovered that were attributable to the projects were $76,176 and total savings to Medicare, Medicaid, beneficiaries and others were $214,060. The projects had 5 percent fewer active volunteers in 2009, compared to the number in 2008. Despite this fact, total savings to Medicare, Medicaid, beneficiaries and others were over three times higher in 2009, compared to totals in 2008.

Trident Area Agency on Aging and the newly certified SMP volunteers need your help to avoid, detect, and prevent health care fraud by scheduling informational presentations in the tricounty area. Take action and call Trident Area Agency on Aging to report suspicious Medicare charges or to schedule a group presentation. 843-554-2275 or www.tridentaaa.org

Contact: Angela Edwards

Program Manager (I-CARE)

843-554-2279

March 2, 2011: Berkeley, Charleston and Dorchester counties

Students at Trident Technical College (TTC) started their class on February 7^th just like every other day. Stephanie Blunt, Director of Trident Area Agency on Aging (TAAA) was speaking to the class today on the rising need in our community to feed the hungry elderly.

TAAA has been serving the needs of seniors, adults age 18 and older with disabilities, and caregivers in Berkeley, Charleston and Dorchester counties since 1991. TAAA contracts for Home Delivered Meals, home living support, group dining, transportation to programs and wellness/health promotions, as well as providing general assistance, advocacy, and answers on aging. Through community partnerships TAAA has developed Home Delivered Meals distribution locations throughout the tricounty to feed our elderly.

Since 2009, TAAA has lost $177,000, these funds. For many of these seniors, the Home Delivered Meal is a source of nutrition, often the only contact with a living person, and can help individuals make independent living a viable option. As a result of the funding loss, 44,206 fewer meals will be served to our region’s seniors.

Mrs. Blunt left the TTC students knowing that they felt her overwhelming sense of urgency to bring food to the elderly in our community. The students were very attentive and offered to assist her with her dilemma. The students created the Partnership for Change Project and are taking on the task of helping to support the now over 600 elderly waiting for a hot meal.  The cost for an individual meal is $4.00 and only $1000.00 for an entire year. Help support the Partner for Change Project, for a list of fundraising projects or to donate www.tridentaaa.org or http://partnershipforchangeproject.blogspot.com/

Linda Naert

843-554-2275

lnaert@tridentaaa.org