The South Carolina Center for Gerontology is a consortium of state-supported institutions of higher education that presently includes Clemson University, Coastal Carolina University, Lander University, the Medical University of South Carolina, South Carolina State University, the University of South Carolina, and Winthrop University. The Center was recommended by the Committees of Health and Medical Education and Academic Affairs of the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education and approval was granted on November 1, 1984. The general purpose of the Consortium is to use the expertise of gerontology and geriatrics faculty from a variety of academic disciplines to assist in furthering the quality of life for older South Carolinians.

The major objectives of the Consortium are to:

• promote and strengthen instructional activities in gerontology and geriatrics;
• promote and strengthen research and research expertise in gerontology and geriatrics;
• promote and strengthen collaborations among faculty and service providers with gerontological and geriatric interests from public and private sectors throughout the state;
• identify gerontological and geriatric research, educational, and service resources within the state;
• identify needs and potential needs related to gerontology and geriatrics in the state;
• facilitate dissemination of new information to those involved in teaching, research, and service delivery in gerontology and geriatric settings.

Consortium universities and faculty currently are engaged in programs and projects such as:

• The South Carolina Geriatric Education Center (Medical University of South Carolina, College of Health Professions; Consortia Members include MUSC, South Carolina State University, University of South Carolina, Coastal Carolina University, and South Carolina Area Health Education Consortium)
• Rural Geriatric Care Management Program (Medical University of South Carolina and South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services)
• Comparative Effectiveness of Antipsychotic Medications in Patients with Alzheimer’s Disease and other drug studies (Medical University of South Carolina)
• Advanced Practice in Gerontologic/Complementary Care (Medical University of South Carolina, Division of Nursing)
• All-Inclusive Care for Frail Elderly Veterans (University of South Carolina, School of
• Medicine, Dorn Veterans Administration Medical Center, and Palmetto SeniorCare)
• A Comprehensive Program to Strengthen Physicians’ Training in Geriatrics (University of South Carolina, School of Medicine)
• Senior Mentor Program (University of South Carolina, School of Medicine)
• Continuing Education/Lifelong Learning for Retired Older Adults (Coastal Carolina University)
• Creative Retirement Center for Lifelong Learning (University of South Carolina-Beaufort)
• Certificate of Graduate Study in Gerontology Program (University of South Carolina)

The Certificate of Graduate Study in Gerontology Program provides master’s and doctoral level students with rich opportunities to learn from gerontology and geriatric educators within several academic units of the university. The Interdisciplinary Gerontology Certificate is awarded upon completion of a structured program of 21 credit hours of graduate level courses. The core curriculum consists of courses offered by the College of Social Work, Department of Psychology, Department of Sociology, and School of Medicine. Elective courses are offered by the following academic units: Health Administration; Exercise Science; Health Promotion and Education; education; sociology; nursing; and medicine. The Gerontology Certificate may be combined with master’s and doctoral degree programs in social work, public health, sociology, psychology, education, nursing, and communication sciences and disorders.

• Gerontology Certification Program (Coastal Carolina University)

Research publications of faculty and researchers deal with a variety of topics, such as:

Medication for agitated elderly persons with dementia; comorbidity associated with dementia; use of life review for preventing despair in nursing homes; reminiscence in dementia care; managing transitions and placement of relatives with Alzheimer’s disease; caregivers in crisis; training of nursing home administrators; strength training for older adults; responses to symptoms of illness in African-American and White Elderly Persons; hospitalization in the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly; the church and social services; growth and change in graduate level gerontology education; intervening when grandparents raise grandchildren due to substance abuse; community service activities of retired professional athletes; geriatric assessment; organizational and individual commitment to community service activities by retired professional athletes.

Policy Board Members consult with and collaborate on research, educational and training initiatives with colleagues in local, state and national aging organizations. The South Carolina Center for Gerontology served as a co-sponsor for the 26^th Annual Meeting and Educational Leadership Conference of the Association for Gerontology in Higher Education, convened in Myrtle Beach in February, 2000. Coastal Carolina University provided major leadership for bringing this significant educational conference to South Carolina. In addition, several board members serve on state and local aging agency boards and committees, assisting personnel around such issues as gerontology and geriatric education, legislative advocacy, senior center and adult day care development.

South Carolina Center for Gerontology Policy Board

The Newsletter of the South Carolina Center for Gerontology is published to disseminate information on current research, educational programs, gerontological trends, and community aging services to more than 1,000 agency staff, higher education faculty, legislators, and other governmental officials.

The Directory of Gerontology Research and Educational Personnel in South Carolina  is distributed to encourage increased contact and collaboration among researchers, educators, aging agency personnel and legislative personnel in South Carolina.