Palmetto Senior Care programs allow seniors to remain living at home instead of moving into a nursing home. Through the PACE Medicare program, Palmetto Senior Care serves elderly residents of Lexington and Richland counties in South Carolina.
Palmetto Senior Care Basics
As part of the Palmetto Health Organization, Palmetto Senior Care, commonly referred to as PSC, provides qualifying seniors complete and comprehensive health care programs that are financed through Medicaid or Medicare. When a senior enrolls in PSC, all of the services they receive are provided by the program rather than individual fee-for-service medical and health providers. Through a special arrangement between PSC and Medicare/Medicaid, enrollees in the program only pay one monthly payment to PSC for all of the services they receive.
PACE Program
PSC offers their senior care services through the Medicaid/Medicare program Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE). It's important to note that PACE is not available in all states and individuals can apply for PACE either through a provider like Palmetto or via a local Medicare office.
Personal Care Team
The personal care team of each enrollee in the PSC program works with the individual senior and his family to determine which services best serve the needs of the senior. The personal care team is responsible for:
- Making an individual assessment of each enrollee
- Developing the care plan
- Implementing the care plan
- Monitoring and modifying the care plan as the medical needs of the individual change
Adult Day Healthcare
One of the main goals of PSC is ensuring that the seniors who participate in the program remain as actively involved in their families and communities as long as possible, while carefully taking into consideration their medical, social and financial circumstances. An important aspect of the Palmetto Senior program is the adult day health care center where members receive any necessary medical care while enjoying the companionship and social interaction with other seniors and staff. The adult day health care center also gives caretakers time off from the twenty-four-hour responsibility of supervising their elderly loved ones. Among the services provided are:
- Social work
- Nursing
- Physical therapy
- Occupational therapy
- Speech therapy
- Nutritional services
- Personal care
- Meals and snacks
- Social activities
- Recreational activities
- Transportation
Medical Care and Physician Services
Medical care is provided to PSC members through the direct services of Palmetto Care physicians. Examples of the types of physicians include:
- Primary doctors
- Medical specialists
- Surgical specialists
- Women's care specialists
- Psychiatrists
In-Hospital Care
Hospitalization coverage includes a wide range of services:
- Semi-private rooms
- Testing
- Surgical care
- Medical care
- Intensive care
- Coronary care
- Support services
Outpatient Services
The following are included in the outpatient services of PSC members:
- Prescription medications
- Durable medical equipment
- Vision care
- Hearing services
- Artificial limbs
- X-rays
- Laboratory tests
- Diagnostic tests
Nursing Home Care
When a PSC member needs nursing home care, services include:
- Semi private room
- Medical social services
- Doctor's visits
- Medical appliances and supplies
Home Health Care Services
When a member of the PSC program requires home health care, the following services are included if they are needed:
- Doctor visits
- Skilled nursing visits
- Medical social services
- Physical therapy
- Speech therapy
- Occupational therapy
- Home health aid
- Chore or homemaker assistance
- Meals delivered to the home
Additional Services
- Transportation to medical appointments
- Escort services to medical appointments
- Assistance with financial management
Eligibility
All senior citizens who meet the following eligibility requirements can join the program:
- Be a resident of Lexington County or Richland County, South Carolina
- Be 55 years old or older
- Be eligible for nursing home care
Most importantly, the senior's individual health must be evaluated in order to determine if the senior is able to function properly and safely within the community. For example, a senior desiring home health care will be denied if, upon evaluation, nursing home care seems more appropriate.
Palmetto Senior Contact Information
To contact the Palmetto Senior Care program call the Intake Department at 803-931-8175. Referrals to the program can be made by a physician, case worker or family member.
