COLUMBIA, S.C. — A new program from the Central Midlands Council of Governments is aimed at giving a leg up to area seniors.
According to Britt Poole, the Central Midlands Council of Governments executive director, his organization was just given permission to use federal funding that will offer millions in assistance for older residents through the "Serving our Seniors" program.
"We're offering dental assistance reimbursement up to $2,000 per year, medication reimbursement up to $800 per year, hearing aide reimbursement up to $3,000 per year," he said. "We can help install wheelchair ramps if those are necessary. And also providing portable heating and air conditioning units."
During the winter season, he said it was important to offer a service that could assist with cold temperatures by providing free heating units that could be delivered to seniors' homes directly.
"We have seniors who are in financial situations where they're deciding not to turn on their whole house heat," he said.
Poole said the program is free to residents who sign up because they were just given $2.9 million through Federal American Rescue Plan Funds. It all starts with a home visit.
"They'll show up to the house in an official vehicle with I.D. They're not going to ask for any money at all, regardless of the situation. They're just there to assess the needs of that senior that they're visiting," Poole said.
He said this is in hopes that seniors can stay in their homes longer and lessen any burden on them and others.
"That's where they want to be, usually, and so they're much more comfortable there, and, two, it costs much less in medical services if somebody is not in a medical situation," he said.
Poole said residents interested in the program can contact their office at 803-376-5390 ext 346. Poole tells us the program is expected to extend until September.