SC aging population needs accessible neurological care

Almost everyone has a story of a family member or friend struggling with a neurological condition. All too often, the pain of receiving a serious diagnosis is made worse by the difficulty of finding effective care and treatment.

In South Carolina, there is a growing crisis: the critical need for advanced and accessible neurological care, particularly for our state’s aging population. Fortunately, our lawmakers can take an important step toward addressing it this year.

Neurological conditions — Alzheimer’s, dementia, Parkinson’s and others — become increasingly prevalent with age and place an immense strain on older adults, caregivers and our entire health care system.

While South Carolina is making strides in providing improved reporting and early diagnosis through initiatives such as the Alzheimers Registry and the Brain Health Network, more can be done to ensure our residents are getting the neurological care and rehabilitation services they deserve. A strategically located, world-class clinical neurological and rehabilitation center in South Carolina is a vital investment in the state, its people and our future.

Take a trip to Duke Medical Center in North Carolina or the Shepherd Center in Atlanta, and you’ll likely see plenty of South Carolina license plates dotting the parking lots of medical facilities and nearby hotels. That’s because South Carolina lacks sufficient in-state neurological treatment and rehabilitation options, forcing many families to navigate the financial, logistical and emotional strain of seeking care elsewhere.

According to the Alzheimer’s Association, South Carolina is considered a neurology desert with a shortage of specialized care that ranks in the bottom five nationally. South Carolina also ranks among the bottom 10 states in death rates from brain trauma, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The University of South Carolina’s proposed integrated neurological center, which Gov. Henry McMaster has called a “once-in-a-generation opportunity,” would be the Southeast’s first standalone facility dedicated entirely to advanced brain and nervous system treatment and care, offering a continuum of care from diagnosis to rehabilitation.

For older South Carolinians, access to advanced neurological care is not a matter of convenience — it is a fundamental factor in one’s quality of life and, in many cases, survival. The University of South Carolina’s proposed neurological center is a critical investment in our state’s health, well-being and aging citizens. I speak from experience after watching the harmful effects in the aftermath of my mother’s stroke and the struggle to navigate health care as a member of a sandwiched generation who needed to be there for mom while caring for my own children and working full-time. I’ve also heard the countless stories from some of AARP South Carolina’s 640,000 members.

The University of South Carolina facility will bring world-class physicians and specialized care to South Carolina, improving access for all residents, reducing costs and ensuring our residents receive the treatment they need without leaving the state. Caring for a loved one with a neurological condition presents significant challenges, but an accessible facility in the heart of South Carolina can reduce the burden of travel, allowing families to remain close by, provide crucial support and actively participate in patient care and recovery.

AARP South Carolina is proud to stand behind this fundamental effort to improve brain health, and we urge lawmakers to join us in support to ensure all South Carolinians receive the care and support they deserve closer to home.

Charmaine Fuller Cooper is the state director for AARP South Carolina