NOVEMBER usually makes us think of the holidays, which are the perfect opportunities to spend time with our loved ones. November is also National Family Caregivers Month. There are over 60 million Americans who are unpaid caregivers to family, friends and neighbors. Find time to provide a respite for someone you know who provides care for a loved one. Ask what you can do to help. If you currently care for a family member or friend, join LCOG's Family Caregiver Team for Tea Time. Tea Time for Caregivers occurs every 3rd Tuesday of the month as a free, virtual way to learn and fellowship with other caregivers. Call Kathy M. Lucas at 843-473-3957 to register for Tea Time for Caregivers!

In this edition of our newsletter, we will tell you all about the success of the Rapid Interview & Hire Job Fair and the 2020 Lowcountry Natural Disaster Study survey. Also, you can find out if you may visit a resident at a long-term care facility, if you still have time to edit your Medicare plan, or the latest COVID-19 numbers in the Lowcountry.

Enjoy!
Rapid Interview & Hire Job Fair Success!

The SC Works Integrated Business Service Team, LCOG Workforce Development Department, and Beaufort and Colleton SC Works held a Rapid Hire Job Fair at the Colleton Career Skills Center on October 7, 2020. Nearly 80 jobseekers attended the event. Eight great employers such as: Aerotek, Charleston Composites, Claycor Contractors, Colleton County Roads and Bridges, Colleton Medical Center, Gallman Personnel, Jenshau, and South Carolina Department of Corrections were on-site to participate. Many jobseekers were given opportunities for second interviews and approximately 9 jobseekers reported full-time, entry-level offers during the event. A huge part of the overall success was an on-site raffle for free manufacturing and transportation training sponsored by Palmetto Training Inc of Walterboro SC. Three lucky attendees were randomly selected to receive free training, one in each of the following areas: CDL, CNC, and Welding. Thanks to Eddie Jackson, President of Palmetto Training, for making this possible.

All CDC guidelines for social distancing and face coverings were strictly observed. Great things are happening in the Lowcountry, and it is wonderful for Workforce Development and SC Works to be a driving part of it!
Schedule an Outside Visit with a Loved One

Since March, entry into facilities were restricted due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  As of October 1, 2020, SC Department on Aging and other Ombudsmen throughout the state began phases of re-entry into long term care facilities. Now, Long Term Care and Assisted Living facilities are open for outside visitation with certain conditions. Please contact the facility prior to your visit as the information is updated weekly and status may have changed since the posting of the information available here.

We would like to encourage you to reach out to a facility to schedule an outside visit with your loved ones and friends. Residents haven’t had visitors since March and would love to see you. If you can’t visit, you can send activities or crafts so that residents can continue to be engaged, entertained, and they know that someone is thinking of them.  If you have any questions, concerns, interest in becoming a volunteer, or would like to make a report of abuse, neglect or exploitation of a resident in a long-term care facility, the Lowcountry Area Agency on Aging Ombudsmen are here to assist. Please contact Meyoka Griffin at 843-473-3955.  
2020 Lowcountry Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan

The Lowcountry Council of Governments Planning Department has been conducting a survey as part of the Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan update for Beaufort, Colleton, Hampton, and Jasper counties. Over 800 people have participated, indicating natural hazards that most impact their life and property. The top 3 hazards of greatest concern were hurricanes, tornadoes, and lightning. These correlated with the most frequently cited hazards to cause damage to property for Lowcountry residents. In partnership with all counties of the region, LCOG’s planning is directed at saving lives and preventing major property damage and other losses caused by natural disasters in the Lowcountry.

You may complete the survey here. The Lowcountry Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan will be completed by April 2021.
It's Time to Review Your Medicare Plan!

Medicare Open Enrollment is underway. Current Medicare users can choose to re-assess part of their Medicare coverage (Medicare Advantage/Part C and/or Part D plan) and compare it against all other plans on the market. It is important to review any changes in your current plan to ensure that your healthcare needs will still be met and all of your prescription drugs will still be covered for 2021.You have until December 7, 2020 to make adjustments to your current plan.

If you need any assistance, please contact your local State Health Insurance Assistance Program Coordinator (SHIP), Dieesha Hicks, at 843-473-3991 or dhicks@lowcountrycog.org.
Weekly COVID-19 Report

As of October 30, 2020, a total of 9,000 cases have been reported in the Lowcountry, resulting in 190 deaths. A total of 113,257 people in the Lowcountry region have been tested for COVID-19 and of that number, 13.4% have tested positive. During October, cases showed a fluctuating pattern. This past week, the cases in the region fell slightly. Moreover, the positivity rates in the region have continued to decline. There are 18 testing sites throughout the region, 9 in Beaufort County, 5 in Colleton County, 3 in Hampton County, and 1 in Jasper County. The CDC recommends that people wear masks in public settings, at events and gatherings, and anywhere they will be around other people.

Please check our website weekly to stay informed of the local COVID-19 statistics. If you have any questions regarding the weekly Lowcountry COVID-19 Report, contact Maleena Parkey, PhD at 843-473-3990.
If you have questions concerning any of the information contained in the newsletter, please feel free to contact Kira Fuller at 843.473.3956 or by email at rfuller@lowcountrycog.org.