Copyright Charleston Post and Courier
ORANGEBURG — A University of South Carolina program is teaming up with HopeHealth in Orangeburg County to bring a unique model for Alzheimer’s and dementia care. A ribbon cutting ceremony took place at the HopeHealth Orangeburg on Oct. 20, opening the USC Brain Health Network Clinic. The clinic is a collaboration between USC Brain Health and HopeHealth Orangeburg. It marks the seventh USC Brain Health that has opened in underserved areas in the state and will help address a cognitive care crisis throughout the county. Orangeburg currently ranks eighth out of 3,142 counties across the country for incidence of Alzheimer's disease, and prevalence is estimated to be 15.2 percent higher among individuals 65 and older in the county, according to HopeHealth. “This partnership ensures our patients are not only seen faster but truly cared for through every step of the journey,” HopeHealth Chief Medical Officer Edward Behling said in a press release. HopeHealth will host USC Brain Health clinic services at the Orangeburg site. Residents will have access to a speech-language pathologist, a nurse practitioner and a dedicated certified community health worker. Patients and families will be able to connect with education resources, referral resources and screenings. “We know that Alzheimer’s and dementia affect not only individuals, but entire families and communities,” USC School of Medicine Senior Associate Dean of Research and USC Brain Health Director Leonardo Bonilha said in a press release. “By partnering with HopeHealth, we are helping ensure Orangeburg County has more tools and support it needs to face these challenges head-on.” USC Brain Health is a statewide program committed to improving cognitive care. It is housed within the USC School of Medicine Columbia. The program looks to focus in underserved communities and address the need for early detection and management of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.
