With a statewide average cost of $3,988 per month, South Carolina is one of the most affordable states to live in an assisted living facility. Since that price tag can still be excessive for low-income seniors, the state of South Carolina offers a Community Choices Waiver to cover the cost of personal care in an assisted living facility. In order to be eligible, applicants must qualify for Medicaid and require nursing home level care.
An option for seniors with incomes too high for Medicaid is an Elderlife Bridge Loan. This allows them to enter an assisted living facility while family members gather financial resources to pay for the cost.
Best 10 Assisted Living Facilities in South Carolina
Hitchcock Place, Aiken
Hitchcock Place is nestled between Gem Lakes Recreation Area and multiple shopping centers, allowing for fun day trips with visiting family members. Guests are even welcome to stay overnight on campus. Residents have their choice of studio or one-bedroom apartments, and often gather in common areas to enjoy morning exercises, movie nights, karaoke, and spelling bees. The enclosed courtyard is perfect for seniors who love to garden or just enjoy relaxing in the sunshine, and delicious meals are served in the restaurant-style dining room. A full-time registered nurse is available 24/7 to provide clinical oversight and coordination of care.
Cost begins at $3,340 per month.
Summit Place of Daniel Island, Charleston
Summit Place of Daniel Island is a medium-sized community with 67 assisted living suites. Amenities include a library, salon/barber shop, and lovely patio, and residents enjoy live music, lectures, art workshops, and gardening. A 24-hour care team works to keep residents healthy and active to reduce the risk of falls and improve mobility, and registered nurses and doctors are on staff for medical needs. Religious services are also available onsite.
Cost begins at $3,925
Franke Home at Seaside, Mount Pleasant
Residents at Franke Home at Seaside receive support from a 24/7 care staff so they can enjoy a carefree lifestyle. The non-profit, faith-based ministry offers beautiful paved walking paths and resident gardens, a large exercise room, a gift shop, and a country cafe. Concerts, lectures and seasonal events take place in a community room, and residents can even take part in a “Cook’s Corner” program in which they prepare food for members of the community. Skilled nursing and rehabilitation therapies are available on-site.
Cost begins at $5,060 per month.
Dayspring of Johns Island, Charleston
Dayspring of Johns Island is a quiet, 16-resident community where seniors can feel safe and comfortable. Screened in porches provide a great place to visit with friends and family, and a community dining room is perfect for enjoying meals while socializing with other residents. Each bedroom has a call system for contacting members of the care staff, and a fall prevention pendant is available upon request. Medication administration and pharmacy delivery services are also available.
Cost begins at $2,650 per month.
Rice Estate, Columbia
Rice Estate is a pet-friendly nonprofit community where seniors can age gracefully. Various levels of assisted care are offered depending on each resident’s needs, and services range from medication management to help with bathing and dressing. A fun schedule of activities includes bingo, brain games, balance classes, and coffee socials, and transportation into the local neighborhood is available. Rice Estate is a ministry of Lutheran Homes.
Cost is $1,428 per month after a $550 application fee.
Lake Wylie Assisted Living, Lake Wylie
Lake Wylie offers a variety of activities that encourage seniors to socialize and stay active. Residents attend fitness classes and hobby groups onsite, and enjoy group trips into the local community. An inviting patio is the perfect place to chat with friends, while a computer room provides Internet service to stay connected with family. Companion suites are available as requested.
Cost begins at $3,280 per month.
Waterstone on Augusta, Greenville
Waterstone has a state-of-the-art campus with a variety of amenities and perks. Residents’ suggestions are always valued when it comes to activity and food preferences, allowing them to maintain a feeling of independence. Special events include scavenger hunts, happy hours, seasonal parties, and frequent outings into the Greenville community. A team of executive chefs develops a rotating schedule of delicious meals that can be enjoyed in indoor or outdoor dining areas. And a full-time nurse-led medical staff is available to provide assistance as needed.
Cost begins at $4,100 per month.
Brookdale at Harbison, Columbia
Brookdale at Harbison is a pet-friendly community near the Riverbanks Zoo and Botanical Gardens — which provide excellent opportunities for excursions. Onsite, residents stay active in yoga classes and walking clubs, while devotional services satisfy their spiritual needs. A library, beauty salon, and resort-style dining room are also available any time, with a caring staff that can help with mobility and more whenever they are needed. Brookdale communities are rated number one in Customer Service by J.D. Power and Associates.
Cost begins at $4,887 per month.
Myrtle Beach Estates, Myrtle Beach
Myrtle Beach Estates is close to South Strand Medical Center, offering peace of mind that acute care is nearby if needed. Skilled nurses provide 24-hour care with medication management and personal grooming tasks, and memory care is available onsite as needs progress. Residents love to socialize in the garden and in the living room around the grand piano, and are treated to live musical performances, movie nights, and educational activities. Seniors who love to cook enjoy bake-offs and fun cooking projects.
Cost begins around $3,500 per month.
Brookdale, Rock Hill
Brookdale residents receive help with daily living according to their personalized care plan. From special dietary accommodations in the dining room to room-service for those who are less mobile, the culinary staff strives to meet the needs of each senior living on campus. And whether a resident needs a reminder to take a daily pill or help sorting out all their medications, a nursing staff is always there for assistance. Transportation to medical appointments is provided as needed. Brookdale is rated number one in Customer Service by J.D. Power and Associates.
Cost begins around $4,500 per month.
