Myrtle Beach, South Carolina: Search Near You, How to Pay, Licensing, Local Resources, and Questions to Ask
Myrtle Beach is a classic southern beach town. With 60 miles of sandy beach, Myrtle Beach is full of attractions like amusement parks and many cultural cuisines. They have live music on the beach, sports to watch, and coastal golf course views. Myrtle Beach consists of 14 sub communities with different unique charms to choose from.
About Memory Care in Myrtle Beach
In South Carolina, memory care services are provided in community residential care facilities, also called assisted living facilities, and in Alzheimer’s special care units or programs. These facilities are licensed by the South Carolina Board of Health and Environmental Control to provide room, board, and personal care to two or more adults who aren’t related to the facility’s owner. They are required to comply with licensing standards by maintaining continuous licensing, adhering to the number of beds they’re licensed for and complying with local, state and federal laws, codes and regulations.
Inspections of the facility are conducted prior to initial licensing, and all facilities are subject to inspections and investigations at random and without notice.
Considerations when looking for care in Myrtle Beach
There are more than 20 locations that offer memory care within the Myrtle Beach area. As a coastal town, the weather is hot and humid. Depending on the season it can be stormy or sunny. Myrtle Beach has a population of 37,000 with seasonal swings of tourism during the summer.
Memory Care Communities near Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Brightwater Skilled Nursing Center
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina 295790171
The Legacy Of North Myrtle Beach
Little River, South Carolina 29566
River Park Senior Living
Little River, South Carolina 29566
Reflections At Carolina Forest
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina 29579
Portside At Grande Dunes
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Palmettos Of Garden City
Murrells Inlet, South Carolina 29576
Oaks Of Loris
Loris, South Carolina 29569
New Haven
Little River, South Carolina 29566
Lakes At Litchfield Assisted Living
Pawleys Island, South Carolina 29585
Inlet Coastal Resort
Murrells Inlet, South Carolina 29576
Cities Near Myrtle Beach
- Conway – 14 miles northwest of Myrtle Beach
- Georgetown – 37 miles south of Myrtle Beach
- Forestbrook – 6 miles west of Myrtle Beach
- Atlantic Beach – 13 miles north of Myrtle Beach
Pricing and How to Pay for Memory Care
High-quality memory care requires specialized staff training and many resources to provide, which makes it more expensive than other types of residential care. On average, memory care will cost 20-30% more than assisted living. In South Carolina, the average cost of memory care is around $4,515 per month.
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.
Questions to Ask
Finding an assisted living community can be overwhelming. Here are some tips on things to be observant of:
- Make sure the facility is clean and well maintained. You can tell a lot about the operation by noting what is clean and maintained. Are doorknobs loose or damaged? Do you see any frayed carpet or trip hazards?
- Visit during lunch hour to observe what the residents are eating. Ask questions about the nutrition program. Is there diversity in meals, healthy fruits and vegetables served at all meals, drink options?
- Speak to residents and/or family members to learn their perspective.
- Ask about staff and resident engagement. Get a feel for how staff interact with residents.
- Ask about the life enrichment programs. Activities are crucial when it comes to quality of life and play a key role in care for older adults.
- And finally (along with a plethora of more things to consider), get to know the leadership in the building. If you feel good around the Executive Director, Head Nurse, Lead Activities Director and even the Chef or Janitor, it is a good sign you can trust them with the care of your loved one.
Local Hospitals and Healthcare Providers in Myrtle Beach
Grand Strand Medical Center
809 82nd Pkwy, Myrtle Beach, SC 29572
Main Street Physicians
4600 Oleander Dr #5897, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
Ralph Johnson VA Medical CENTER
3381 Phillis Blvd, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
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.
Search other areas for Memory Care
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