Family Caregiver Resources for South Carolina

Caregiving may be one of the most important, and challenging, roles you’ll ever take on. No matter where you are in your caregiving journey — starting to plan; taking care of a family member in your home, in a facility, or from a distance; or managing end-of-life caregiving responsibilities — having resources at your fingertips will make the process easier.

AARP developed this family caregiver guide with you, the caregiver, in mind and as a starting point to help you find the services and support you might need throughout your journey.

To order a print copy of this online guide, call the toll-free AARP Family Caregiving Resource Line at 877-333-5885 and indicate which state(s) you would like to receive. A copy will be mailed to you.

General Resources

• Supporting Family Caregivers in Your State
  
  • AARP has a website dedicated to providing you with information about how we’re advocating for caregivers in your state.
    

• GetCareSC – Service Guides (800-868-9095)
  
  • The South Carolina Department on Aging works with a network of regional and local organizations to develop and manage services that help seniors remain independent in their homes and in their communities. It also provides information about services for seniors, caregivers and adults with disabilities in South Carolina.
    
    • Connie Munn, Director. 1301 Gervais St., Ste. # 350, Columbia, SC 29201.

• Senior Resources (803-252-7734)
  
  • Senior Resources is a nonprofit organization in South Carolina that provides need-based services and programs for older adults in Richland County. Services include Meals on Wheels, Group Dining, Home Care, Senior Care pantry, and AmeriCorps Senior volunteer programs.
    
    • Andrew Boozer, Executive Director. 2817 Millwood Ave. Columbia, SC 29205.

• South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (SCDHHS) – Healthy Connections (888-549-0820 | info@scdhhs.gov)
  
  • SCDHHS Healthy Connections administers the Medicaid program for more than 1 million low-income, elderly and disabled residents each year.
    
    • Thomas “Clark” Phillip, Jr., Acting Director. 1801 Main St., Columbia, SC 29201.

Health Resources

• South Carolina Department on Aging – ElderCare Trust Fund
  
  • The ElderCare Trust Fund supports programming that helps seniors stay in their homes, lead productive lives and avoid institutionalization.

• The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP)
  
  • The South Carolina Department of Agriculture works with food banks as the distributing agency for TEFAP in South Carolina.
    
    • Chris Doyle, Program Coordinator: cdoyle@scda.sc.gov. P.O. Box 11280, Columbia, SC 29211

Home- and Community-Based Resources

• South Carolina Respite Coalition (allison@screspitecoaltion.org | 866-345-6786 | info@screspitecoalition.org)
  
  • South Carolina Respite coalition offers help — services, training, break rooms, vouchers — for family caregivers who are taking care of loved one with care needs.

• South Carolina Institute of Medicine & Public Health (IMPH)
  
  • IMPH is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that focuses on important health issues in South Carolina, with the goal of informing policy to improve health and health care. 803-602-3639

Financial Resources

• AARP Foundation’s Benefits QuickLINK
  
  • Find public benefits that can help you pay for food, medicine, health care, utilities and more by using AARP Foundation’s Benefits QuickLINK tools.

• South Carolina Legal Services (SCLS) (888-346-5592)
  
  • SCLS provides free legal assistance in a wide variety of civil (non-criminal) legal matters to eligible low-income residents of South Carolina.

• South Carolina Appleseed Legal Justice Center (803-779-1113)
  
  • A voice for social, legal and economic justice for low-income South Carolinians.

• South Carolina Senior Citizens’ Handbook
  
  • A guide to laws and programs affecting senior citizens.

Legal Resources

• Disability Rights South Carolina (DRSC) (866-275-7273)
  
  • DRSC is a protection and advocacy system that defends the rights of all people with disabilities.

Workplace/Employer Resources

• Supporting Caregivers in the Workplace
  
  • AARP offers valuable resources to help employers create a caregiver friendly workplace.

Specific Audience Resources

• AARP Caregiving Guides
  
  • AARP offers free caregiving guides for specific audiences, including guides for military families and LGBT individuals. The guides, also offered in Spanish and Chinese, are designed to help develop and implement a caregiving plan.

Care for Caregivers

• Community Connections
  
  • AARP Community Connections is a new website that offers steps to get or give help. You can organize online mutual aid groups to stay connected, share ideas and support those in need.

• Create the Good
  
  • Create the Good connects people with volunteer opportunities and project ideas to share their life experiences, skills and passions in their communities.

• Take Time Texas (512-424-6500)
  
  • Operated out of the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, Take Time Texas maintains a searchable list of respite care providers across the state, allowing caregivers to take a break and recharge.

AARP Resources for Family Caregivers

• AARP Family Caregiving Website (en español: aarp.org/cuidar)
  
  • AARP’s Family Caregiving website is your one-stop shop for tips and tools to help you care for a loved one. It has valuable information about handling medical issues, health records and advance directives, home safety, financial and legal issues, caregiver life balance and much more.

• AARP Family Caregiving Resource Line (877-333-5885 toll-free, en español: 888-971-2013 toll-free)
  
  • Connect with a real person and learn how to access local resources via our toll-free family caregiving hotline.

• AARP Family Caregivers Facebook Group
  
  • Join the AARP Family Caregivers Discussion Group on Facebook to connect, ask questions and share ideas with other family caregivers.

• Community Resource Finder
  
  • Community Resource Finder, a joint service from the Alzheimer’s Association and AARP, is a database of dementia- and aging-related resources powered by Carelike. The online tool makes it easy to find local programs and services.

• I Heart Caregivers
  
  • Join the thousands of family caregivers who have shared their experiences through AARP’s storytelling initiative, I Heart Caregivers. Your story will help AARP continue to fight for more support for family caregivers.

• AARP Online Caregiving Community
  
  • Join our community and connect with other caregivers like you.

• AARP HomeFit Guide
  
  • The AARP HomeFit Guide can help individuals and families make their current or future residence age-friendly. It can also help elected officials, policymakers and local leaders learn about and advocate for the types of housing features and designs that communities need so that their residents can live safely and comfortably and thrive.

• National Resources for Family Caregivers
  
  • A listing of national agencies, groups and organizations that can connect family caregivers with direct services and supports.

If you have thoughts about how AARP can improve this resource guide, we invite you to go to aarp.org/preparetocaresurvey (en español: aarp.org/encuestacuidador).