Programs

The Office for the Study of Aging develops programs that are rooted in research and designed for application in the community as well as professionally.

The South Carolina Alzheimer’s Disease Registry provides useful information in conducting research on Alzheimer’s disease or related disorders (ADRD). The Registry is the most comprehensive population-based registry of ADRD in the country. We use data from a wide variety of sources to capture as many diagnoses as possible.

Dementia Dialogues is a training program designed to educate individuals who care for persons who exhibit signs and symptoms associated with Alzheimer’s disease or related dementias.

The South Carolina Vulnerable Adult Guardian ad Litem Volunteer Program (SCVAGAL) is a pilot program whose mission is to advocate for the best interest of abused, neglected, and exploited persons under adult protective service custody in the South Carolina Family Court System.

Consumer-Directed Care provides more choice and control to frail elderly and disabled individuals who wish to remain at home. OSA has taken the lead in promoting this component of culture change in SC’s home- and community-based programs.

The Placemat Strength Training Program improves strength and endurance in older adults. Physical activity is important in maintaining functional ability and independence. When older adults stop moving, they can become weak and increase their risks of falls and decrease their ability to care for themselves. OSA developed this training program to motivate personal care providers and caregivers in assisting older adults in maintaining or improving their strength and endurance.

The Move for Life exercise DVD was developed in response to the need of evidence-based exercise programs for adults 50 years and older. This program is also appropriate for younger people who have not been exercising regularly or have physical limitations. It is designed to increase physical activity through stretching, cardiovascular, strength, and balance exercises. Also included is a guided meditation that emphasizes the spiritual and emotional aspects of health.

We Each Have a Story is an elder mistreatment prevention training program that emphasizes the prevention of mistreatment by addressing what can be done before mistreatment occurs. This interactive training is geared towards direct care staff working in long term care facilities with a prerequisite management training.

The Recruitment & Retention Workshop Series was developed to improve recruitment and retention of direct care staff in long term care. This training assised administrators and managers in the identification of the many challenges of recruitment and retention of the workforce and provided practical strategies to address them.

View other programs and collaborations in which OSA is involved.