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Arnold School of Public Health

Group of elderly individuals sitting and posing

Office for the Study of Aging

Welcome to the Arnold School of Public Health Office for the Study of Aging (OSA). OSA is committed to advancing research and education in aging issues. In the coming decades, older adults will reach record numbers in our state and nation. Many of those individuals will face the risks of age-related disease, frailty, and dependence. This growing population presents unique opportunities and challenges in both healthcare and long-term care.

About OSA

As baby boomers age, South Carolina’s older population will be more interested and involved in health and long-term care decisions and will demand more personalized services. OSA seeks to prepare our state to meet the needs of a growing older adult population and to enhance the quality of life for these individuals as they age.

Of unique importance, OSA is the home of the state’s Alzheimer’s Disease Registry. This registry is the nation’s most comprehensive statewide registry of residents diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia.  Through the use of this registry, OSA promotes collaborative research to advance understanding of this disease and identify solutions to the challenges faced by those affected.

OSA's services have expanded beyond the registry to:

  • Foster groundbreaking research in Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias
  • Facilitate research on aging issues to provide information to SC policy makers
  • Provide education on Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias for professional caregivers and family members
  • Offer technical assistance for the development of programs for older adults
  • Provide assistance with the evaluation of older adult programs

All services and programs provided through OSA are grounded in research. We strive to present findings in practical and useable formats.

For more information about the OSA, please contact: osainfo@mailbox.sc.edu.