By Betsy Finklea
Two employees from the Area Agency on Aging, known as Vantage Point, were the guest speakers at the Dillon County Council For The Aging’s annual meeting.
Sherry Johnson, who has been with the agency for approximately 25 years, said that the agency offers numerous programs and everything they do is free. Her agency reports to the Lieutenant Governor’s Office on Aging.
The Family Caregiver program is for a caregiver who is taking care of a relative over the age of 60, who meets certain activity daily living needs. Individuals can apply once a year for $500 to reimburse them for a caregiver over the age of 18 who passes a background check. One can apply for these funds for up to three ears.
A grandparent program is also available for grandparents who are taking care of their grandchildren. It can reimburse individuals up to $500 a year for things like school needs (supplies, clothes, etc.).
I-Care (Insurance Counseling Assistance and Referral for Elders) is available for seniors who may have questions about their health insurance coverage. It is a volunteer insurance counseling and assistance program. Johnson noted that the Medicare Part D prescription program’s open enrollment is October 15-December 15. She said Medicaid’s S.C. Healthy Connections Program can help pay a part of the Part D gap. She also discussed Medicare scams. She said there is a new scam in the area where someone will call and tell you they are from Medicare and say they are sending a doctor to your home. She said Medicare does not send a doctor to your home.
Michelle Anderson, who is new to the agency, also spoke. She said for every one person who was at the Council on Aging, there were five who can’t be there.
She encouraged those in attendance to look for the needs of others in their community and to refer them. Anderson said they receive very few calls for food in Dillon County mainly because the Dillon County Council for the Aging and the food pantry take care of this.
Anderson told the clients not to be afraid to call and ask questions.
Vantage Point, the Area Agency on Aging, is located in Hartsville. If you need assistance or have any questions, please call them at 843-383-8632.