Assisted Living in Charleston, SC

Assisted Living in Charleston, South Carolina: Search Near You, How to Pay, Licensing, Local Resources, and Questions to Ask

Residential assisted living in Charleston, South Carolina, offers seniors a supportive and vibrant environment where they can maintain independence while receiving help with daily activities. South Carolina is ranked highly for its commitment to senior care, providing quality services tailored to individual needs. In Charleston, these communities combine comfortable housing, personalized care, and engaging social opportunities, ensuring residents can thrive in their golden years.

Some are available for private pay, and others for Medicaid-paid residents. Assisted Living provides protective oversight, personal services, social care needed because of impaired capacity to live independently, and regular supervision on a 24-hour basis.

About Assisted Living in Charleston, SC

In Charleston, South Carolina, residential assisted living is defined as a supportive living option for seniors who value independence but require help with daily tasks such as bathing, dressing, and medication management. These communities provide private or shared accommodations, along with personalized care plans tailored to individual needs. Services often include 24/7 assistance, housekeeping, transportation, and nutritious meal preparation. Additionally, residents benefit from social and recreational activities designed to promote engagement and a sense of community. Residential assisted living in Charleston offers a safe, nurturing environment that balances autonomy with comprehensive support.

Considerations when looking for Senior housing in Charleston, SC

There are 17 assisted living communities in Charleston, South Carolina. The estimated population of Charleston is 155,369 with 16.3% of that number being those ages 65 and older. In Charleston, the summers are hot and oppressive, the winters are cold and windy, and it is wet and partly cloudy year round. Over the course of the year, the temperature typically varies from 43°F to 89°F and is rarely below 30°F or above 94°F.

Cities near Charleston, SC

• Mount Pleasant: 10 miles northeast of Charleston
• North Charleston: 10 miles northwest of Charleston
• Summerville: 24 miles northwest of Charleston
• Goose Creek: 20 miles north of Charleston
• James Island: 6 miles southwest of Charleston

Paying for senior care depends on several factors. On average, residents can expect to pay $4,023 per month for assisted living services. These fees encompass personalized care, engaging activities, and comfortable accommodations, ensuring a fulfilling retirement experience. Keep in mind these costs may fluctuate depending on factors such as location and facility amenities.

You want to consider your payment options for assisted living, memory care, and care homes. For these services, Medicare is NOT an option for payment.

The most common payment for these services would be out of pocket Private Pay and assessing a combination of retirement funds, personal savings, and pension payments.

Medicaid can also be an option, be sure to see if you or a loved one qualifies.

Long-Term Care insurance is also a possible option in cases of chronic conditions, be sure to see if you or a loved one qualifies.

For our Veterans and spouses of veterans, be sure to assess Veteran Aid and your eligibility for these benefits.

Medicare – NO:

• Medicare does NOT pay for Assisted Living.
• People 65 years and older and individuals with end stage renal disease are eligible for Medicare benefits, no matter their income.
• Coverage is meant for people in need of short-term care.

Private pay – YES:

• Many families pay for assisted living with private funds.
• Private pay can be a combination of retirement funds, personal savings, and pension payments.
• Family members may contribute funds to pay for assisted living or other senior housing and care.

Medicaid – MAYBE:

• Medicaid provides health coverage to millions of Americans. Eligible participants include: low-income adults, elderly adults and people with disabilities.
• Medicaid is administered by state, according to federal requirements. The program is funded jointly by each state and the federal government.
• Every state has their own individual Medicaid assistance program.
• National guidelines are in place do decipher how states must spend Medicaid money, but with allowances toward the guidelines.
• The state determines what levels of care will be covered by Medicaid, who is eligible, and how much the state will reimburse the care community.
• If you are unsure whether you qualify for Medicaid, you should apply. You may be eligible depending on your household income, family size, age, disability and other factors.

Long-term Care Insurance – MAYBE:

Long term care insurance is a great way to pay for assisted living, and planning ahead is important when considering how to pay for senior housing and care. Nearly 75% of people over the age of 65 will require long-term care and services at some point. Buying into long-term care insurance when a person is in their 50s and 60s is the most common time to do so.

• Long-term care insurance helps cover the costs of chronic medical conditions.
• Individuals and couples with the ability to pay into long-term care insurance have the advantage of a head start in allocating funds for senior care.

Veteran Aid and Assistance – MAYBE:

This benefit is available to some military veterans and surviving spouses who live in an assisted living community and those who have in-home care.

• There are specific guidelines, but a veteran may qualify for as much as $2,050 each month.
• A veteran with a sick spouse may be eligible for $1,600 per month.
• If a veteran has passed, their surviving spouse can qualify for $1,300 per month.

Local Hospitals and Healthcare Providers in Charleston, SC

MUSC Health University Medical Center

• Address: 171 Ashley Avenue, Charleston, SC 29425
• Phone: (843) 792-1414

Roper Hospital

• Address: 316 Calhoun Street, Charleston, SC 29401
• Phone: (843) 724-2000

Bon Secours St. Francis Hospital

• Address: 2095 Henry Tecklenburg Drive, Charleston, SC 29414
• Phone: (843) 402-1000

Trident Medical Center

• Address: 9330 Medical Plaza Drive, Charleston, SC 29406
• Phone: (843) 797-7000

East Cooper Medical Center

• Address: 2000 Hospital Drive, Mount Pleasant, SC 29464
• Phone: (843) 881-0100

Questions to Ask

Finding a senior living community can be overwhelming. Here are some tips on things to be observant of:

Resources and Links – South Carolina

South Carolina Department on Aging works with 10 regional Area Agencies on Aging and a network of local organizations to develop and manage services that help seniors remain independent in their homes and in their communities.

Community Residential Care Facilities this website provides a description of what qualifies as a community residential care facility and the regulations and codes of law.

South Carolina Adult Protective Services is part of South Carolina’s public safety system and is responsible for protecting vulnerable adults from abuse, neglect and exploitation by their caretakers

Vantage Point is the Pee Dee Regional Agency on Aging and the Aging and Disability Resource Center. They advocate and provide services for seniors and their caregivers in the six counties of the Pee Dee Region (Chesterfield, Darlington, Dillon, Florence, Marion, Marlboro). They provide information and referral information to disabled individuals residing in the region.

Appalachian Aging and Disability Resource Center offers in-depth information about the following aging services: Long Term Care Ombudsman Program, Family Caregiver Program, State Health Insurance Program (SHIP), Information & Referral, Nutrition Program

Eldercare Locator This is a great resource to search for specific care in specific counties and cities. This database is a nationwide resource that connects older Americans and their caregivers with trustworthy local support resources. Connect with services such as meals, home care or transportation, or a caregiver education or respite from caregiving responsibilities. The Eldercare Locator is a public service of the Administration on Aging (AoA), an agency of the U.S. Administration for Community Living.

Medicare provides a search feature to find & compare providers near you, most senior housing and care providers are included on CareAvailability.com. Find & compare plans in your area. Determine if you qualify for premium savings

Medicaid offers information on how to apply for Medicaid, eligibility criteria, links to local state offices, and additional resources

The Alzheimer’s Association is the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer’s care, support, and research. Whether you are living with Alzheimer’s or caring for someone with the disease, information and resources are available.

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