COLLABORATIVE PARTNERS

The Ivey

In 2022, Southminster and The Ivey formed a collaboration to improve and expand programs and services for seniors and caregivers in the Charlotte region.

The mutually beneficial relationship between these two non-profits is intended to enhance efficiencies for The Ivey and fulfill Southminster’s increasing community benefit objectives, with a long-range goal of establishing a premier respite club and community brain health and wellness center.

“When participants leave the Brain Health Workshops, I hope they look back on their experience with great joy, enthusiasm, and hope for what lies ahead for each of them,” said Ben Gilchrist, President and CEO at Southminster.

THE SHEPHERD’S CENTER OF CHARLOTTE

Shepherd’s Center of Charlotte redefines and restructures the way aging is approached. As a nonprofit interfaith organization, it offers a variety of programs and services, ranging from social activities to free transportation, free Medicare consulting, and free tax assistance services. Southminster is looking forward to collaborating with the Shepherd’s Center to expand its core programs and services to reach more seniors in our region.

Research shows a great need for collaborations among organizations dedicated to supporting the challenges of an aging America. A report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) points out that nearly one-fourth of adults aged 65 and older are considered socially isolated.

“Seniors who are socially isolated are at greater risk of being depressed and developing chronic diseases,” said Southminster President and CEO Ben Gilchrist. “We are particularly proud of this opportunity to collaborate with an insightful organization, known for decades worth of work in lifelong learning for seniors in our community.”

Alissa Celek, Director of The Shepherd’s Center of Charlotte says. “Together we will better support the senior community through access to resources, lifelong learning, and fellowship.”

Memory And Movement Charlotte

Since 2015 Southminster has enjoyed a long-standing relationship with Dr. Chuck Edwards at his team at Memory and Movement Charlotte.

In 2022, Southminster’s Embrace Clinic launched Memory and Movement’s first satellite clinic. “Partnering with another non-profit in this manner means people experiencing Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and related conditions now have another way to access the best in diagnosis, treatment, support, and education that our region has to offer,” says Tracy McGinnis, VP Philanthropy & Strategic Initiatives at Southminster.

Recognizing the barriers that some patients and caregivers face when attempting to access quality care in our region, Southminster worked with Memory and Movement to establish the Southminster Patient Scholarship. The scholarship assists families who struggle to afford the cost of clinical services. Dealing with a progressive memory or movement condition is incredibly difficult, and the scholarship fund relieves the additional stress of financial concerns.

In the calendar year 2022, 68 patients received full or partial scholarships. Since September clinical fees were waived for patients who do not have sufficient insurance coverage and fees were waived for patients who entered hospice. Physicians waived annual fees for an additional 62 patients, many of whom have significant financial needs but were unable to complete a scholarship application.

“We are committed to treating every family in need of our services, regardless of their ability to pay,” said Dr. Charles Edwards II, M.D., Founding Physician at Memory & Movement Charlotte. “Scholarship support makes it possible for us to keep that promise in a way that is financially sustainable. We are deeply grateful to Southminster for their critical role in helping us meet the increasing demand for compassionate, comprehensive care.”

Memory and Movement

Southminster News Link