ORANGEBURG COUNTY, S.C. — The Orangeburg Senior Helping Center is celebrating their PACE program this week.
PACE is an acronym for Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly, who are 55 and older and on Medicaid or Medicare.
Residents who live in Orangeburg, Bamberg and Calhoun counties receive medical care, transportation, meals, socialization, therapy, pharmacy access and more.
Allie Kornegay is the executive director for the Orangeburg Senior Helping Center. She says having a program like PACE is especially important in Orangeburg County.
“This also coincides with Alzheimer’s Awareness Month, and it's very important, especially in Orangeburg, because Orangeburg is eighth in the nation with the highest prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease," said Kornegay. "So to be able to provide support for families and individuals with Alzheimer’s, its just a blessing that we’re able to help the community with.”
Rogers Pinckney, who lives in Neeses, joined the PACE program three years ago. He says being able to get out of the house and have fun is his favorite part of the program.
“I get the chance to meet new people and just socialize," said Pinckney. "That just gives me something to do instead of being home all day.”
Although PACE keeps him social and entertained, Pinckney says it feels good to have someone taking care of him medically as well.
“So if you come and say you don’t feel good, they’ll send you over to the clinic and then they will check you out whatever problem you have," said Pinckney. "The program is excellent. I like that because they make sure you’re feeling good.”
Mary Schuler lives in Orangeburg and has been in PACE for seven years. She says they go above and beyond.
“The workers here do things that are unthinkable things that other people wouldn’t do and other doctors wouldn’t do and stuff like that,” said Schuler.
When she lost her husband, she was able to lean on her PACE resources.
“When my husband died they were there for me, and when I come to them I feel a lot more confident going through my grieving," said Schuler. "They helped me a lot.”
If you or a loved on wants to check eligibility for PACE call the Orangeburg Senior Helping Center at 803-747-0012.