Service Guides

Learn how to recognize the signs of abuse and find out what to do if you suspect your loved one is in danger.

If you suspect abuse or neglect in a long term care facility, please call the SCDOA Ombudsman at 1-800-868-9095.

How to know when it's time to consider assisted living and options on how to start a conversation.

If you're looking for a nursing home or assisted living facility that has available beds, please use our facility bed locator. 

Tips on how to cope with being a caregiver to an elderly person or an adult with disabilities.

Resources to help with emergency needs, like rent, groceries, clothing, and utilities.

Learn about the unique nutritional needs and challenges for the elderly and how to access services that provide meals and nutrition counseling.

Find out what types of care are available to help your loved one live independently at home for as long as possible.

Applying for Medicare and Medicaid can be confusing. South Carolina offers a free counseling service to help you fill out your paperwork. 

We are social beings and have a natural drive to connect with others. When you feel lonely, your brain is saying you need social connection, and just like the signs of thirst or hunger, the feeling of loneliness should never be dismissed. Being socially connected meets a basic human need and improves mental and physical wellbeing. To learn more about the causes and impacts of social isolation and loneliness and what the South Carolina Department on Aging is doing to combat it, read our article and the full report, Addressing Social Isolation in Older Adults as a Determinant of Health, a publication of the Institute of Medicine and Public Health in collaboration with the South Carolina Department on Aging. 

If you can't drive anymore, it can be difficult to figure out how you'll get around. Fortunately, there are services that provide medical transportation and help with errands.