Navigating Senior Health Care in Charleston

No one anticipates the day that they need help from the community with caring for their parent. I surely didn't. And when it came, it was a hard ride for me to endure. 
I hope that some of the information I share will help others as they begin their journey. 
As I write this blog, both of my parents are still with me. My father is over 90 but still writing a weekly column for his local newspaper. My mother too is enjoying the many social aspects that living in an assisted memory care unit bring. 

We did not get to where we are by accident. I had to seek out and learn about the many resources that are available and I had to ask alot of questions to the right people. 
Again as I write this, I will say that I am still in the midst of my journey. These are some of the resources that have helped me.

CHARLESTON LOCAL

• 1. Respite Care Charleston https://respitecarecharleston.org/ 843 647 7405 
• For when you need your loved one to stay in a facility so that you can go out of town or have a break, even for just a day. 
• Ginger Deignan <ginger@respitecarecharleston.org
• They run a monthly meeting to help caregivers help one another with information sharing and emotional support & offer outings for adults with dementia that need to get out and be with others and get involved in some activities. You have to provide transportation.

• 2. TRIDENT AREA AGENCY ON AGING  https://www.tridentaaa.org.. 
• 843 554 2275 It's off of Leeds Avenue and offers free services and information for seniors and their caregivers. They have a website and a brochure online and off that they put out each year. GREAT RESOURCE FOR ALL SENIORS AND CAREGIVERS
• We used them when Mom was being so difficult about letting me help. We were given certain number of hours free for 3 months based on my mental health. Don Bagley will assess your situation and if he deems that you need help you can get up to 12 hours a month free from a grant. It will only last 3 months but it got me jump started and helped me learn to navigate these difficult waters.
• 3.  Dementia Dialogues 
• https://www.sc.edu/study/colleges_schools/public_health/research/research_centers/office_for_the_study_of_aging/projects_programs/dementia_dialogues/index.php
• This is a website that will direct you to the local classes that are given each spring and fall. I believe it is through Intrepid Home Health Care. I attended classes in N.Chas at The Bridge Senior Care Living. 
• Dementia Dialogues is a class I took for free. It is sponsored by the University of South CArolina Public Health and the instructor was excellent. I was surprised that there were many caregivers as well as workers within the industry in attendance. It really opened my eyes. I can say it's when I started taking Mother gifts and quit arguing with her. 

• 4. Alzheimer's Association / Lowcountry Area Office:
• Serving Beaufort, Berkeley, Charleston, Colleton, Dorchester, Hampton, and Jasper Counties 800 216 7323
• 2090 Executive Hall Rd, Ste 130
• Charleston, SC 29407
• 843.571.2641 843.571.6020 (fax)
• 5.  Meals on Wheels  843 722 4127 -  meals@charlestonareaseniors.com 
• 6.  Charleston Area Senior Citizens  843 722 4127 
• https://charlestonareaseniors.org/
• Food and Emergency Service . Group Dining Meals on Wheels. 
• 7.  Low Country Senior Center www.lowcountryseniorcenter.org   
•  843 990 5555
• 8. Operation Home - 843 212 8936 http://operationhome.org/
• Helps Seniors on limited finance keep home in good repair
• 9. ARK  - https://www.thearkofsc.org/
• Alzheimers Family Support Services
• respite care, support groups, education, caregiver consultation, resources referral, community development.
• 10. MUSC Center on AGING  
• https://medicine.musc.edu/departments/centers/aging
• Hosts yearly expos for the state and community to bring together medical and business professionals under one roof to help seniors. 
• Usually held in April. Check website for update. 
• 11. Sea Island Adult Day Care 843 559 4137/ 843 559 5502 
• 12. Active Day of Charleston -  843 762 5291
• Enhancing the Health and Happiness of Members and Caregivers is Our Mission. We're Here to Brighten Your day. 
• Covered by Medicaid
• 13. TruCare Adult DayCare 843569 7200 
• 9225 University Blvd. Suite E. N.Chas. M-F 7-4:30 
• 1st and 3rd Sat. 9-2 
• 14. Dementia Caregiver Support Group - 843 277 4000
• 15. Charleston Office on Aging 
• https://www.charleston-sc.gov/197/Mayors-Office-on-Aging
• 16. Bridges of SC - For help with the passing of a loved one. 
• https://www.bridgessc.org/

ONLINE

• 1. Aging Care Newsletter A monthly newsletter put out by Agingcare.com. It often has topics that I didn't know I needed to know. Email them to be added on to their list or go to site to sign up.  AgingCare Newsletter <newsletter@agingcare.com
• 2. Aging Care Forum https://www.agingcare.com/questions/
• The forum that I ask questions on and share my experiences to help others.
• 3  Elder Care ElderCare.com is good for helping you match a caregiver to your loved ones situation. It is a job hiring site. 
• 4. Edler Care Legal Assistance 
• https://eldercare.acl.gov/public/resources/topic/Legal_Assistance.aspx site gives legal adivce 
• 5. A Place for Mom.  https://locate.aplaceformom.com A  website that helps match you with a Senior Center that best meets your needs. NO COST TO YOU. Their fees are paid by the facilities. 
• There are several levels of care in the industry. It's important to know which one will best work for your situation. 
• 1. Independent Living Centers- for Seniors who enjoy the socialization and freedom from taking care of a home. 
• 2. Assisted Living Centers -   for Seniors who need help with medication, cooking, etc. but are still very mentally astute. 
• 3. Memory Care Centers - for Seniors who have need help with daily care. Medications, food, socialization, These are most often located within one of the first two. 
• 4. Nursing Homes for Seniors who need a high level of daily care such as walking, bathing, toiletry, medication, etc. 
• 5. Hospice - for patients whose physical health limits their time here with us. (can be in or out of home)
• Hospice is a generic term use for end of life services and there are many many companies that offer Hospice services both in and out of home. Also Hospice Facilities are well versed in many of the services offered to Seniors and often provide help in navigating the system of senior healthcare. 
• We initially thought mother was going to be in Assisted Living until we had an evaluation with the Nurse. I relied on the Nurse's evaluation more than the Doctors because the doc only spends 10 min at most and is most reliant on my sharing of information. The Nurse however deals with Dementia patients daily and often and we believe we placed her correctly. It is really hard on them to be moved so we were glad to get a good placement the first time. 
•  6. Lewy Body Dementia https://www.lbda.org/ site where I learned much of what I learned about my mother's diagnosis. 
• 7. Simply Seniors -  A free service to help you navigate the AL scene.
• https://www.simplyseniorsservices.com
• 8. SCIWAY - https://www.sciway.net/org/charleston-sc-senior-resources.html
• SCIWAY is a wonderful resource for anything S.C. History, tourism, parks, etc. 
• 9. Get Care S.C. https://www.getcaresc.com/
• This excellent resource can help you find senior services in your area. It is a program of the South Carolina Department on Aging.

BOOKS/ BLOGS 

• 1. All About Seniors - magazine both printed and on line 
• https://www.allaboutseniors.org/

• 2. The 36 Hour Day by Nancy Mace 
• Revised in 2006 for its twenty-fifth anniversary, this best-selling book is the "bible" for families caring for people with Alzheimer disease, offering comfort and support to millions worldwide. In addition to the practical and compassionate guidance that have made The 36-Hour Day invaluable to caregivers, the fourth edition is the only edition currently available that includes new information on medical research and the delivery of care.
• 3. Which Me Am I Today https://whichmeamitoday.wordpress.com/

DEVICES 

1. PHILLIPS LIFE LINE - a necklace that she wears to protect her when she falls. My mother became very attached to hers. What we loved was that it had a height sensitivity device on it so that when she fell, the device notified the call center and using the speaker system, they called out to her. If she didn't respond for some reason an EMS unit would be called. 

TRANSPORTATION

• 1. Senior Ride Connection 
• 843 225 2715
• 2. Tricounty Link 
• 800 966 6631
• 843 899 4096 
• 3. Medicaid Transportation 
• Reservations . 1866 445 9954 
• late or missing ride 1 866 445 9964 
• Absolute Charleston Taxi Service 
• 843 571 7554

So this is not a complete list by any means. It is just the road I traveled. I will continue to update this post as I gather new information with regards to Senior Care within the Charleston area.