Operation Care and Hope’s Senior Day in Gramling, S.C.

Lt. Governor Bauer and Gloria McDonald of the Office on Aging discuss Medicare issues with a senior at the Operation Care and Hope Senior Day in Gramling, S.C. on October 23, 2007.

Lt. Governor Bauer speaks to Elizabeth Rogers of Inman, S.C. at the Operation Care and Hope Senior Day in Gramling, S.C. on October 23, 2007.

Lt. Governor Bauer discusses senior issues with Nancy Ogle and Vaughn Smith following Mr. Smith's donation of $10,000 to Senior Centers of Spartanburg on October 23, 2007.

Lieutenant Governor André Bauer joined the York County Council on Aging to honor Bill Nixon for his selfless service to the senior community on October 12, 2007 at the Rock Hill Senior Center.

Bill Nixon is 70 years young and has been volunteering for the York County Council on Aging for 12 years. Bill comes in faithfully 5 days a week from 8:30-12:00 as though it were his paid job. Last year Bill volunteered 1108 hours for the Home Delivered Meal Program and 72 hours of outreach service.

Bill delivers at least 30 meals per day to one of the most economically deprived areas of Rock Hill. Bill even had his car stolen while delivering meals a few years ago and still showed up the next day. Bill also performs outreach services by visiting the people on his route when they are hospitalized or put in nursing homes.

“I am always honored to have the chance to meet people that go above and beyond to help their neighbors,” Lt. Governor Bauer said. “Bill Nixon stands as an example not only for this community, but for the whole state of South Carolina,” said Bauer.

The award ceremony followed the You Can Walk at Winthrop University, where over sixty people joined the Lt. Governor for a walk reminding them of the importance of exercise and good nutrition for senior health.

Lt. Governor Bauer Announces Expansion of Senior Wellness Program

(Columbia, S.C.) Lieutenant Governor André Bauer announced that his Office on Aging will be expanding the Living Well South Carolina program statewide.

The Lieutenant Governor joined with representatives of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation at the Capitol Senior Center in Columbia on October 11 to discuss the importance of exercise in the senior community as a part of Columbia Bicycle & Pedestrian Week.

“I rode my bicycle here today for two reasons, first it is exercise that I need for rehabilitation in my leg, and second I feel it is important to lead by example,” Bauer said.

Living Well South Carolina is a chronic disease self-management program. It uses a tested and proven classroom curriculum to teach people suffering from chronic diseases such as diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and heart disease how to better manage their conditions at home on a daily basis. The classes are taught in community settings such as senior centers, churches, or hospitals by trained leaders who are also dealing with chronic diseases themselves. Since the program was piloted in the Upstate, Pee Dee and Charleston areas earlier this year, 114 individuals have completed the program. Based on the interest shown in the 15 pilot counties, a goal has been set to take Living Well South Carolina statewide over the next year.

The Lieutenant Governor’s Office on Aging is in the process of kicking off a new round of walks and other physical activities with seniors across the state to remind South Carolinians of the importance of exercise. The first of this series was held October 12 at Winthrop University in Rock Hill.

“Exercise is vital to good health as we grow older, even if you just take a stroll around the yard you are heading in the right direction,” said Bauer.

For more information on senior health, the Living Well South Carolina program or the Lieutenant Governor’s You Can walks visit the Office on Aging website at http://www.aging.sc.gov/Seniors/YouCan.htm.

A grant presented to the Capital Senior Center on October 4, 2007 by local chapters of Rotary International will make it possible to expand a Columbia area transportation service for seniors.

For many seniors, one of the most challenging parts of growing older is a lack of transportation. As reflexes slow and vision grows dim many people are forced to hang up their car keys and look for other ways to get around and carry on their daily routine.

In 1987 a group of civic minded churches banded together to form a van service they called Wheels, providing transportation to seniors and adults with disabilities in the Harbison area of Columbia. Many residents of the Lakeside and Woods Edge communities have benefited from the program over the last twenty years, and now with assistance form the Lieutenant Governor’s Office on Aging, Rotary International, and the generosity of private and corporate citizens, the Wheels program is about to expand.

The Spring Valley, Blythewood, Forest Acres and 5 Points Rotary Chapters sought and were awarded a Rotary Foundation Grant from Rotary International. The grant will be used to start up the 5 Points and Northeast Wheels Transportation Programs for seniors and adults with disabilities in the Columbia area. Local chapters raised $5000 and the Rotary Foundation matched that amount for a total of $10,000.

The Capital Senior Center in Columbia will be starting up 5-Points Wheels around Thanksgiving and Northeast Wheels near the end of the year. These programs will make it possible for even more seniors and adults with disabilities to remain in their homes as long as possible, playing a more active role in their community, living safe, independent and healthy lives.

For more information on the Wheels program contact Roger D. Cranford, Wheels Coordinator with the Capital Senior Center at 803-779-1971 ext. 17 or contact the Lieutenant Governor’s Office on Aging at askus@aging.sc.gov.

Lt. Gov. André Bauer to Kick-off You Can! Initiative
at Winthrop University Coliseum in Rock Hill Oct. 12

Lt. Governor André Bauer is coming to Winthrop University Coliseum on Friday, October 12, 2007 to kick off the You Can! – Steps to Healthier Aging initiative in Rock Hill.

You Can! is a healthy lifestyle program designed to encourage nutrition and physical activity in older adults and is a part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Steps to a Healthier U.S. campaign. Organized on the state level through the Lieutenant Governor’s Office on Aging with the assistance of the Catawba Area Agency on Aging, the program’s success is heavily dependent upon partnerships created on a local level that help to mobilize communities in support of healthy lifestyle changes.

Lt. Governor Bauer will begin with a brief address at 9 a.m. at the Winthrop University Coliseum (parking lot) and then will proceed around the complex for a group walk intended to set an example for and encourage physical activity.

Even though the event is focused on older adults, everyone is invited to attend and bring a friend. Call the Lt. Governor’s Office on Aging at 1-800-868-9095 or Catawba Area Agency on Aging (803) 329-9670 with any questions.

This You Can! – Steps to Healthier Aging walk is the latest in a series of walks Lt. Governor Bauer has led throughout South Carolina over the past three years.

For more information on the You Can! – Steps to Healthier Aging initiative please see the Lt. Governor’s Office on Aging website at:

http://www.aging.sc.gov/Seniors/YouCan.htm

Aging In Place Declaration

National Aging In Place Celebration Invitation

Visit National Aging In Place Council

Visit South Carolina Aging In Place Council

The Center for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS) has announced the Medicare premiums and deductibles for 2008.

The Medicare Part B monthly increase of 3.1 percent is the smallest increase since 2001 and considered comparably less than the 2007 increase. Growth in fee-for-service programs and Medicare Advantage has contributed to much of the increase.

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