AARP IN YOUR STATE

July 2008

Report scams – The thousands of older South Carolinians swindled each year have a new place to turn for help. State residents who believe they have been victims of scams can call the Department of Consumer Affairs at 1-800-922-1594 or the Lieutenant Governor’s Office on Aging at 1-800-868-9095.  The hotlines were recommended by a Task Force on Senior Fraud convened by Lt. Gov. André Bauer, R. AARP South Carolina serves on the task force.  Scams targeting older consumers include fake charities seeking donations, Medicare “discount” drug cards that don’t provide real discounts, and notices of prizes that require personal information to “guarantee” the winnings. For more information, visit www.aging.sc.gov/scams.

June 2008

Track records – Under a unique federal pilot project, fee-for-service Medicare patients in South Carolina now have free access to their personal electronic medical records. Launched in late April, the project aims to help Medicare beneficiaries understand, manage and share their health information with providers, family members and caregivers.  AARP South Carolina encourages those eligible for the project to enroll. Studies have shown that the use of electronic records can cut down on medical errors, but the best results come when patients are involved in their own care.  To register—or to learn more about the project—call 1-888-697-4772 toll free, visit www.myphrsc.com or send an e-mail to questions@myphrsc.com.

March 2008

Budget ax – Home-delivered meals and such services as assistance with personal care and transportation for more than 5,000 South Carolinians age 65 and older would end June 30 if lawmakers approve the budget proposed by Gov. Mark Sanford, R. More than half of the recipients are 75 or older and live in poverty. AARP South Carolina is advocating that the state budget include $2.9 million to continue funding home- and community-based services for another year, as requested by Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer, R. Urge your state representative to earmark $2.9 million for home- and community-based services by calling 1-800-456-6704. To learn more about the issue, visit www.aarp.org/sc.

January/February 2008

Political parties – AARP South Carolina is hosting presidential debate watch parties as the state's two January presidential primaries near and the push is on to inform voters about candidates' positions on health care and financial security.Republican candidates are scheduled to face off Jan. 10, followed by the Democratic candidates on Jan. 21; both events will be in Myrtle Beach. The state’s Republican primary is Jan. 19, and the Democratic primary is Jan. 26.For information on the Myrtle Beach debate watch parties—or to learn more about election issues that affect South Carolinians age 50 and older— call AARP South Carolina toll free at 1-866-389-5655.

December 2007

More choices, please – AARP South Carolina is pushing the state to invest a greater share of its long-term care funding in home- and community-based services. The goal is to give people the opportunity to choose between nursing home care and other alternatives, says Teresa Arnold, AARP state advocacy director and head of a panel charged with helping the state Department of Health and Human Services to bring more balance to its long-term care system. According to a recent AARP study, South Carolina spends less than a third of its Medicaid long-term care money on home- and community-based care. A grant program slated to launch in 2008 will allow some South Carolinians to move out of nursing homes and receive Medicaid-funded care in their own homes. To learn about the program, call 803-898-2644.