Serving Barnwell County and its neighbors since 1852
Over the past several years, Barnwell County’s Office of Aging—better known as Generations Unlimited—has faced mounting financial strain, according to audits, board records, and internal financial documents reviewed by The People-Sentinel.
Generations Unlimited serves as the county’s primary public transportation provider for older residents, offering rides to medical appointments both inside and outside the county, trips to grocery stores, and, for many seniors, a regular point of human interaction. Those services have operated under increasing financial pressure.
Unlike agencies that receive upfront appropriations, Generations Unlimited was required to pay operating costs first and then seek reimbursement from state and federal programs. That reimbursement-based structure left little margin for error if audits, financial reports, or claims were delayed.
A final statement from former Generations Unlimited Executive Director Jana Myers:
“My last day with Generations Unlimited was Friday, Jan. 9. I have not been notified of any plans to close the program or of any related timeline. Generations Unlimited has always been about serving people, and if there is any way I can be helpful during this time, I am willing to assist. The organization is supported by a dedicated staff who work hard every day for the community, and I hope to see that work continue.”
Originally established as the local Council on Aging, the organization was renamed Generations Unlimited in 1995. Over time, its role expanded. The agency added its Local Motion transportation program and became the county’s designated public transit provider. In 2019, it added Homemaker Services as another support program for seniors.
According to prior reporting by The People-Sentinel, Generations Unlimited’s financial difficulties became more pronounced around 2022.
Prior reporting by The People-Sentinel shows Generations Unlimited has experienced repeated changes in executive leadership in recent years, with directors coming and going amid ongoing financial strain and restructuring efforts. Records reviewed for this story show the strain was not the result of a single decision or event, but of long-standing structural challenges, including limited financial reserves, dependence on reimbursements, and weaknesses in internal financial systems.
Board records reflect ongoing efforts to address those issues. In June 2025, the board reviewed and approved an updated Accounting Manual, which requires all non-payroll payments to be issued by check and signed by authorized board members, with dual signatures required. The board also directed that the manual be finalized and enforced as part of its financial oversight responsibilities.
Financial records show that the strain facing Generations Unlimited was documented well before operations began to unravel.
An independent audit for fiscal year 2024 shows the agency carried a significant negative net position, with limited cash on hand and growing liabilities. The audit described ongoing financial challenges and highlighted the organization’s reliance on reimbursements and external support to meet operating costs.
Internal monthly balance sheets reviewed by The People-Sentinel show that condition continued through much of 2024 and into early 2025. Those records reflect consistently low cash balances, outstanding payables, and no sustained period in which the organization returned to a positive financial position.
Together, the audit and internal financial statements point to a prolonged period of financial instability rather than a sudden collapse.
County Council Chairman Freddie Houston said Generations Unlimited operates under a board of directors that oversees the agency through its executive leadership. Houston said the county has been working with partner agencies to ensure seniors continue to receive essential services as the situation develops.
In a written response provided on behalf of the Generations Unlimited Board, Mary Dell Hayes, interim director for the agency, said no final date for the end of services has been determined. She said Generations Unlimited is working with the Lower Savannah Council on Governments to ensure a smooth transition of contracts and services to another provider.
Hayes said Generations Unlimited does not anticipate providing services beyond the transition period. She added the agency is working with employees to prepare for potential layoffs, including coordinating meetings with the South Carolina Public Employee Benefit Authority and the Department of Employment and Workforce. Hayes said the agency hopes the entity that assumes the contracts will retain some or all current staff.
Decisions regarding the continuation of public transportation services ultimately rest with the South Carolina Department of Transportation, which administers rural transit contracts, Hayes said. She noted other Medicaid transportation providers may be able to offer limited medical-appointment services, but it remains unclear how broader transit services will be administered in Barnwell County.
Employees have also expressed uncertainty about what comes next. One staff member, Hali Folk said communication from partner agencies has been unclear and that she was awaiting guidance from state officials regarding future operations.
As officials work to transition services and determine next steps, hundreds of Barnwell County residents who rely on Generations Unlimited for transportation, meals, and daily support are left waiting for clarity. Records show the agency’s collapse followed years of documented financial strain, raising broader questions about how essential senior services can be sustainably funded, monitored, and supported—and what safeguards are needed to prevent similar breakdowns in the future.
The People-Sentinel contacted all members of Barnwell County Council seeking comment. Council Chairman Freddie Houston was the only member to provide a substantive response. Councilman Andy Hogg, Daniel Alexander and JJ Cruz acknowledged the request and directed inquiries to Houston as council chairman.
