Aging News from South Carolina and Around the US
This service of the Lt. Governor's Office on Aging compiles news and information of interest to South Carolina's aging community, including seniors and their families, advocates, and professionals working in aging-related fields. This page will be updated frequently with aging news and commentary from a variety of different state and national sources, so please bookmark and check back often.
Recent Headlines
News Release: Gestures of kindness can change a life
News Release: Eldercare Trust Fund Applications Available
News Release: Lt. Governor Bauer Challenges Seniors to Choose Health and a Longer Life
News Release: April is Parkinson's Disease Awareness Month
News Release: Lt. Governor to Host Senior Health Symposium in Columbia April 4, 2009
News Release: Lt. Governor Andre Bauer leads trade mission to United Arab Emirates
AUDIO ~ Lt. Governor Andre Bauer on Meet Me At the Diner with Ann Eller WLMA Greenwood 3-9-09
News Release: Lt. Governor Bauer Unveils New State Plan on Alzheimer's Disease
VIDEO ~ Video clips of the event can be found on Andre's video page.
State Plan on Alzheimer's
VIDEO ~ CN2 News Coverage of Rock Hill Blanket Blitz
Op-Ed ~ Getting Serious About Governmental TransparencyNews Release ~ Lt. Governor André Bauer Brings Blanket Blitz 2009 to Western South Carolina March 9, 2009
News Flash ~ It Was Cold Out There Post and Courier 3-16-09
News Release ~ Lt. Governor Bauer Brings Blanket Blitz 2009 to Western SC 3-9-09.pdf
News Release ~ Lt. Governor Bauer Brings Blanket Blitz 2009 to West Columbia 3-6-09
News Release ~ Lt. Governor Bauer Brings Blanket Blitz 2009 to Rock Hill 3-2-09
News Release ~ Lt. Governor Bauer Brings Blanket Blitz 2009 to Gaffney 3-2-09
News Release ~ Lt. Governor Bauer Brings Blanket Blitz 2009 to Union 3-2-09
News Release ~ Lt. Governor Bauer Brings Blanket Blitz 2009 to Spartanburg 3-2-09
News Release ~ Lt. Governor Bauer Brings Blanket Blitz 2009 to Greenville 2-27-09
News Release ~ Lt. Governor Bauer Brings Blanket Blitz 2009 to the Lowcountry 2-23-09
News Release ~ Lt. Governor Bauer Brings Blanket Blitz 2009 to Myrtle Beach 2-20-09
News Flash ~ The Second Time Around for Retirees Smart Money
News Flash ~ Fastest Growing Internet Users are Ages 70 to 75 as Online Demographics Get Older Senior Journal
News Flash ~ No cost-of-living increase for government retirees Columbia Regional Business Journal
News Flash ~ Congress Votes to Delay DTV Conversion to June 12, 2009 - President Obama Expected to Sign The Christian Science Monitor
SEC Improves Protections for Seniors and Other
Investors in Equity-Indexed Annuities
Washington D.C. -- The Securities and Exchange Commission today approved a new rule to help protect seniors and other investors from fraudulent and abusive practices that can occur in the sale of equity-indexed annuities. (MORE)
News Release ~ Senior Shield Gets New Board of Directors
December 10, 2008
COLUMBIA, SC – Lt. Governor André Bauer announced progress
in Senior Shield leadership, corporate benevolence and the value for legitimate businesses. “Senior Shield is a non-profit corporation created as a result of the passage of the General Assembly Concurrent Resolution H.5025 which urged the coordination of government and private resources to protect senior citizens,” stated Lt. Governor Bauer.
“Only a united community can help stop scams against seniors and leading this effort will be a distinguished Board of Directors to oversee that the program meets its mission to protect seniors from fraud and exploitation.” (MORE)
Lt. Governor Bauer meets with Secretary Josefina Carbonell of the Administration on Aging and Rep. Denny Neilson Chairperson of the Joint Legislative Committee on Aging to discuss how Senior Shield will help South Carolina's seniors make better business decisions.
Lt. Governor André Bauer officially launches Senior Shield
COLUMBIA -- Lt. Governor André Bauer, joined by Josefina Carbonell, Assistant Secretary for Aging, toured South Carolina cities on Friday to present the first State of the State address from the Office on Aging. As part of the address, Senior Shield was launched, an innovative new program created to protect our most valued citizens, our seniors, from fraud and scams.
“It is time to shut down the South Carolina borders to scam artists who want to prey on our good-hearted senior citizens,” said Lt. Governor Bauer in announcing Senior Shield. “But we cannot do it alone – our success will depend on the active participation of leaders from business, non-profit community and government institutions to help us get the message out that the cutting edge, 21st Century technology of Senior Shield can protect families.”
Senior Shield is an innovative concept that emphasizes a free market approach by encouraging seniors to do business with businesses that agree to treat them ethically, and can prove they have insurance, post bonds, and have no outstanding consumer or regulatory complaints.
“Ensuring the financial independence and security of older people is a goal that we all share,” said Secretary Carbonell. “Clearly, our efforts to keep seniors living in their own homes and participating fully in community life are undermined by financial exploitation and consumer fraud. When seniors lose their life savings, homes, and other property through the efforts of scam artists and fraudulent business operations, not only is their ability to remain independent threatened, but often their confidence and spirit.”
Senior Shield educates seniors and their caregivers to trust only businesses that have “earned their Senior Shield.” A Web site (www.scseniorshield.com) and toll-free phone line (1-877-723-3771) have been established to assist seniors in finding trustworthy businesses and verifying they are in good standing.
Senior Shield is “powered” by SeniorCheckedSM patent-pending technology, created by Silver Nation, LLC. SeniorChecked makes it easy for businesses to apply for their Senior Shield, rapidly researches each business, processes background checks, hosts the search and verification directory and the business marketing and employee training functions.
“The first step to protecting seniors from fraud and scams is teaching them to ask Have You Earned Your Senior Shield?” said Lt. Governor Bauer. “A handout for seniors to assist them in asking this important question is available on the Web site (www.scseniorshield.com/handout). If the person has their Senior Shield, you will know they have committed themselves to an independent, third party review that verifies they are crime free and reputable.”
Recruitment of South Carolina businesses and professionals for the Senior Shield directory has begun. For more information about earning your Senior Shield, visit www.scseniorshield.com or call toll-free, 1-877-723-3771. Additionally, businesses can participate in a free Webinar to learn more about joining Senior Shield. The first series of Webinars will occur on Wednesday, November 19th at 12pm NOON. Check the Website for subsequent Webinars.
About the Media Tour
On November 14, 2008, Lt. Governor Bauer traveled across the state with Josefina Carbonell, the Assistant Secretary of Aging, to officially launch Senior Shield. The press conferences took place at the State Capitol and airports in Charleston, Myrtle Beach, and Florence. The final stop was to have been at the Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport, but due to inclement weather, they were unable to land at the airport and were diverted back to Columbia. Lt. Governor Bauer and the Office on Aging are in the process of scheduling individual appointments with the press in the Greenville-Spartanburg area and other regions of South Carolina.
About SeniorCheckedSM and Silver Nation, LLC
SeniorChecked is a Silver Nation product. Silver Nation, LLC is dedicated to developing technology solutions to serve and protect our nation’s senior citizens and assist them in living independently, safely and without fear. A privately held company that believes “silver” is the new “green,” Silver Nation is based in Bethesda, Maryland.
Another State Moves Towards Geriatric Loan Forgiveness
ALABAMA VOICES: Focus on elderly
Montgomeryadvertiser.com October 21, 2008
By John Bitter
Someone once speculated that the Lord must love old people because he made so many of them. Statistics would indicate that his love knows no bounds, as old folks are increasing in number exponentially.
Census data shows that the percentage of our population 65 years of age and older has nearly doubled in Alabama as well as Montgomery over the past few years, and is expected to increase even more so by the fourth quarter of this century.
Lt. Governor André Bauer Unveils Senior Fraud Prevention Resource Guide
(Columbia, S.C.) Lt. Governor André Bauer unveiled the new Senior Fraud Prevention Resource Guide at his 11th Listening Session on Senior Fraud at the Tri-City Leisure Center in West Columbia today.
The Senior Fraud Prevention Resource Guide provides seniors and their caregivers information on spotting various types of fraud and ways to avoid becoming a victim.
The guide represents the next step in the educational campaign that the Lt. Governor
is conducting statewide.
Lt. Governor Bauer joins with students at Gilbert Middle to help honor flight take off. | |
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Don't fall for voter registration scams
Published: Island Packet
September 29th - The S.C. Department of Consumer Affairs is warning residents of possible voter registration scams.
E-mails that offer simple online registration or ask for registration confirmation or corrections are scams, officials said. So are phone calls from anyone claiming to be from the election commission or a similar government agency.
Legitimate voter registration forms never require financial information.
For more information, call the Public Information Division at 803-734-4190, toll free at 1-800-922-1594, or go to www.scconsumer.gov.
Elderly, strapped families targeted
Declining economy prime time for scams
By Schuyler Kropf
The Post and Courier
September 28th
A clerk claiming to be from the county voter office wants your Social Security number to verify you're registered for the November elections.
An angry, threatening voice says you'll be arrested if you don't hand over personal information needed for jury duty.
A sympathetic lender with a North Charleston address, which authorities say doesn't exist, promises you a home-saving loan in exchange for a minimal $800 collateral fee up front.
They're all scams. And their frequency is on the rise.
With the local and national economies crashing, authorities throughout the region are warning that now is a time when con artists like to prey, often targeting the elderly or financially strapped families who might be seeking a drowning-man's grasp to solve their money problems. (see article)
Bauer Speaks to Florence Seniors
Published: The Pee Dee
Article By Mackenzie Taylor
WBTW News13
September 24th, 2008 - Lt. Governor André Bauer stopped today in the Pee Dee to talk about senior fraud.
The listening session was held at the Leatherman Senior Center in Florence.
Attendees heard Bauer talk about how fraud can impact the state’s senior population. They were also able to share their own personal stories of fraud with Bauer and his staff.
“As we travel around the state, we find more and more information on folks that are doing it, how they’re doing it, and who’s been victimized so that we can create a basis to get more information, to give it to SLED, to give it to the Dept. of Revenue, to give it to the Dept. of Consumer Affairs so we can go after these folks,” said Bauer.
This was Bauer’s ninth stop across the Palmetto state.
Silver Alerts Initiated - South Carolina Police Agencies Adopt System to Locate Seniors Who Wander Away
By JIM DAVENPORT - The Associated Press
September. 24th, 2008 - Some South Carolina police agencies are adopting a Silver Alert system to locate seniors with dementia who wander away.
Lt. Governor Bauer noted North Carolina and other states already have Silver Alerts and that pending federal legislation would offer grant money to encourage states to adopt them.....(read article)
Lt. Governor Bauer was joined by Newberry County Sheriff Lee Foster, Saluda County Sheriff Jason Booth, Lexington County Sheriff James Metts, Orangeburg County Sheriff Larry Williams, Sumter Police Chief Patty Patterson, Alisa Mosley, executive director of the SC Law Enforcement Officers Association; Cindy Alewine, CEO/President of the South Carolina Chapter, Alzheimer’s Association; Jane Wiley, Director of AARP South Carolina; Hannah Timmons, Records Clerk of the SC Silver Haired Legislature and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the National Silver Haired Congress; and Richland County Sheriff’s deputies to voice support for starting a Silver Alert Program in South Carolina.
Corporal Amanda Lee of the Richland County Sherriff's Department explains how the tracking device used in Project Lifesaver works to Lt. Governor Bauer following a press conference on the proposed Silver Alert program Tuesday, September 23, 2008.
Seniors Beware, Someone Wants Your Money
(Aiken Standard)
September 18th - It is a sad state of the human condition that there are some people who spend each day simply trying to separate hard-working people from their money.
All too often these criminals target our seniors, the people who have given the most to their country and to their families. And far too many times they are successful in taking advantage of a most trusting generation.
Riding to the rescue in efforts to safeguard our seniors is Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer whose office has been given authority over the S.C. Office on Aging - including the Senior Fraud Task Force. The Task Force is designed to inform seniors of potential scams and to prosecute those who take advantage of South Carolina's seniors.
Lt. Gov. Bauer Addresses Seniors About Fraud
By ROB NOVIT, Senior writer (Aiken Standard)
September 2008 - For every report of scams against seniors, another 15 go unreported, South Carolina Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer said Wednesday.
Older people tend to be embarrassed if they have lost money through fraud committed against them, he said during a visit to Aiken.
"We want people to realize there's no shame in coming forward," Bauer said. "It can prevent others from being taken advantage of."
Seniors now have a number they can call - (800) 868-0995 - if they have been victimized.
Bauer was the keynote speaker at the Aiken Senior Extravaganza, and also spent about 90 minutes visiting with people who were victims of scams.
He has been heavily involved in senior issues through the S.C. Lieutenant Governor's Office on Aging.
Senior Extravaganza gets huge response
By SUZANNE R. STONE, Staff writer (Aiken Standard)
September 2008 - The Aiken Senior Extravaganza was a rousing success.
Some 250 participants registered for the education sessions and luncheon, and organizers estimated some 600 people visited the all-day health fair during the inaugural event at the H. Odell Weeks Activities Center.
"The event went well, and we're very, very happy," said organizing committee member Alicia Davis, recreation program director at the City of Aiken Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism. "We had a whole lot of positive comments from vendors and speakers and participants, and even from some of our distinguished guests from City Council.
They also had the chance to hear the event's keynote speaker, Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer, speak at the luncheon on his efforts with the S.C. Office on Aging to advocate for seniors' issues in the legislature and to combat fraudsters preying upon the state's older citizens with the Lt. Governor's Task Force on Senior Fraud. The Senior Extravaganza was the eighth stop on a listening tour Bauer is currently making around the state to gain anecdotal evidence of the impact of senior fraud.
"Look at the crowd here! To have this kind of turnout, that's very impressive," Bauer said. "This allows like-minded people to come together to solve problems that affect all of them."
Lt. Gov: S.C. Needs Alert System For Older Adults
By SEANNA ADCOX (Associated Press)
September 17th - COLUMBIA -- South Carolina should join 10 other states in creating an alert system to quickly find older adults who wander off because they suffer from Alzheimer's disease or dementia, Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer said Tuesday.
"We realize there's a problem," Bauer said in his opening remarks to the 10th annual Silver Haired Legislature, a volunteer group of about 100 delegates who represent South Carolina voters over age 60. An emergency Silver Alert system could help find people quickly, Bauer said.
It would be modeled after the Amber Alert system used to locate missing children, he said.
At least 10 states, including neighboring Georgia and North Carolina, already have a Silver Alert system and others are considering it.
Inaugural Senior Extravaganza will be held Wednesday
By: ROB NOVIT,Senior writer (Aiken Standard)
September 15th - Aiken County has a growing senior population, and dozens of agencies will reach out to them at the first Aiken Senior Extravaganza on Wednesday.
The event will be held at the H. Odell Weeks Activities Center, including a health fair and a series of seminars on topics of interest to seniors. The City of Aiken Parks, Recreation and Tourism Department is coordinating the program.
The seminars are booked to capacity, but the health fair - scheduled from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. - is free and open to the public. A total of 71 vendors will provide displays and information.
Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer, the keynote speaker for a catered luncheon, will discuss fraud as it impacts seniors. The luncheon is at capacity, but Flanders said Bauer will be at the event from 10:30 a.m. to noon, and people can making an appointment to talk with him if they have information or complaints about senior fraud incidents.
Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer on Medicare Rules Changes
September 12th - Columbia, SC - I am encouraged by the federal government tightening up the oversight of this program, specifically their promise to enforce these regulations, some of which, like the ban on door-to-door solicitations, had been around since the beginning of the program in 2006. I am also encouraged they have banned the practice of offering free meals to bring together people to meet about a plan. We have had too many instances of where a senior has given up traditional Medicare benefits in the wake of inappropriate marketing practices. South Carolina seniors had a bewildering choice this year. They could choose traditional Medicare, or one of 203 Medicare Advantage plans, as well as 56 prescription drug plans Even as of this date, we do not know how many plans will be available in South Carolina in 2009.
Vista Grand Prix
Sponsored by Blue Cross Blue Shield
September 12th - Columbia, SC - The Vista Grand Prix is an exciting, fast paced Inaugural USA Cycling Criterium race, for amateurs and professionals, to be held on a circular course in the heart of the Vista at Lincoln and Gervais Streets.
Amateur events begin Sunday, September 21, 2008 at 10:30, concluding with the men’s professional race at 5:00pm.