The Central Midlands Council of Governments (CMCOG) Area Agency on Aging celebrated the opening of its new location with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on September 13. Columbia Mayor Pro-Tem Will Brennan and Connie Munn, Director of the South Carolina Department on Aging, delivered remarks at the event, which was attended by officials from the City of Columbia, Richland County, Lexington County, and other community partners.
Brennan, who also serves as Chairman of the Central Midlands Council of Governments, expressed pride in the agency’s partnership with the South Carolina Department on Aging. “As the Area Agency on Aging, we are able to do the vital work of supporting this important section of our population,” he said.
The new location is at 220 Stoneridge Drive, Suite 350, Columbia. The move reflects the agency’s efforts to expand and better meet the growing needs of South Carolina’s aging population, one of the fastest-growing in the country, according to D. Britt Poole, Executive Director of CMCOG.
The Area Agency on Aging (AAA) has been serving seniors and individuals with disabilities in Fairfield, Lexington, Newberry, and Richland Counties since 1976. The agency coordinates a wide range of services aimed at enhancing the well-being of seniors, including:
- Family Caregiver Support Program: Provides respite care for caregivers and assistance for seniors raising grandchildren.
- State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP): Offers Medicare counseling and outreach.
- Information, Referral, and Assistance: Helps seniors access community resources for physical and mental health needs.
- In-Home Services Assessments: Provides assessments for services like home-delivered meals, personal care, and transportation.
- Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program: Advocates for residents in long-term care facilities and investigates complaints.
- Advance Directives Education and Legal Services Referrals.
The agency works with local service providers, including the Fairfield County Council on Aging, Lexington County Recreation and Aging Commission, Newberry County Council on Aging, and Senior Resources in Richland County.
For more information or assistance, contact the Central Midlands Council of Governments Area Agency on Aging at 803-376-5390.
Feature photo: Columbia Mayor Pro-Tem Will Brennan talks about the role the South Carolina Department on Aging has in surrounding communities.
