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South Carolina is home to more than 5 million residents, and over 18% of the population is aged 65 or older, which is moderately higher than the national average. This is a reflection of the state's many age-friendly attributes. Retirees enjoy generous income tax exemptions, a reasonable cost of living and plenty of fair weather. The state is home to a rich array of historical attractions dating back to the nation's early colonial days, and its unique geography offers everything from quaint beach towns to scenic mountain retreats.
According to SeniorScore, which gave the state a ranking of 72, South Carolina is about as age-friendly as the rest of the nation. It receives high marks for its General Quality of Life and cost of living. Seniors may benefit from affordable long-term care and low property taxes. The state has an average number of home health care workers and hospitals, and residents have access to a large selection of Medicare-registered physicians and senior living facilities. These are just a few of the amenities that enhanced the state's SeniorScore.
This guide was created for South Carolina seniors who want to age in place. It includes information about average costs, staffing regulations and ways to pay for in-home care. Seniors will also find a list of free resources that are available statewide.
Located in Charleston, SC at 408 Folly Rd, PHC Home Health is a senior home health care service provider offering in-home health services in addition to in-home personal care. Since 1992, they have been serving clients throughout the Charleston area. ...
Located in Hilton Head, SC at 2 Big Oak St, Home Helpers of the Lowcountry is a home health care company that offers personal care and also in-home nursing care.
Home Helpers of Bluffton is a home healthcare company located in Bluffton, South Carolina at 14 Westbury Park Way, Ste 102. They offer in-home personal care services and also in-home medical services to senior clientele. Since 2014, they have ...
Located at 1605 North St in Beaufort, South Carolina, PruittHealth Home Health - Low Country is a home healthcare service provider offering in-home nursing services and home care. Since 2013, they have been serving seniors in the Beaufort area. ...
Located in Lexington, SC at 714 Southlake Drive Suite 250, Amedisys Home Health of Lexington is an in-home care service provider that offers in-home nursing care and also in-home personal care. Since 1987, they have been helping clients throughout the ...
Located at 3009 Church St Ste B in Myrtle Beach, SC, Comfort Keepers is a in-home care service provider offering home health services as well as in-home personal care services. They can provide a variety of medical services such as ...
Located at 1674 Cranium Drive Suite 101 in Rock Hill, SC, NHC Homecare - Piedmont is a home health care provider that offers personal home care services and also in-home medical services. Since 1993, they have been helping customers throughout ...
Located at 109 Burton Ave Suite D in Summerville, South Carolina, NHC HomeCare, Low Country is a senior home care company offering home healthcare and in-home personal care. Since 1997, they have been serving seniors in the Summerville area. ...
Located at 1895 St Matthews Rd in Orangeburg, South Carolina, Home Care of The Regional Medaical Cnter is a in-home care provider that offers in-home medical care and also personal home care services. For nearly 21 years, they have been ...
InCare Home Health is a senior in-home care provider located in Myrtle Beach, SC at 4685 Hwy 17 Bypass. They offer in-home nursing services and personal care services to senior clientele. They have been serving clients in Myrtle ...
Located in North Myrtle Beach, SC at 2021 N Myrtle Point Blvd Ste 106, Comfort Keepers is a senior home healthcare service provider that offers home health services and also home care services. They can provide a variety of medical ...
15 Bendan Way Suite 250
Greenville, SC 29615
Located in Greenville, SC at 15 Bendan Way Suite 250, Gentiva Health Services is an in-home care service provider that offers home healthcare and personal care. Since 1980, they have been providing care to seniors throughout the Greenville area. ...
2 Corpus Christie Pl Ste 200
Hilton Head, SC 29928
Located in Hilton Head, South Carolina at 2 Corpus Christie Pl Ste 200, Home Instead Senior Care is an in-home care company that offers personal home care and in-home medical services. They offer various medical services like stroke care, licensed ...
PO Box 813
Cheraw, SC 29520
Located in Cheraw, South Carolina at PO Box 813, Chesterfield Visiting Nurses is an in-home care service provider that offers in-home health care and personal home care. They have been operating in Cheraw for nearly 37 years. They offer nursing ...
1325 Spring St
Greenwood, SC 29646
Self Regional Healthcare - Home Health Services is a senior home care company based in Greenwood, South Carolina at 1325 Spring St. They provide in-home nursing services in addition to in-home personal care to senior clients. They have been ...
PO Box 7275
Columbia, SC 29202
Located in Columbia, South Carolina at PO Box 7275, Palmetto Health Hospice/Homecare is a senior home healthcare service provider offering in-home nursing services in addition to home care. Since 1980, they have been helping customers in the Columbia area. ...
1950 Bush River Rd
Columbia, SC 29210
Located at 1950 Bush River Rd in Columbia, SC, Tri County Home Health is a home healthcare provider that offers home care services and also in-home health care. They have been in operation in Columbia for nearly 39 years. They ...
3627 Maybank Hwy
Johns Island, SC 29455
Sea Island Home Health is a home care service provider located in Johns Island, SC at 3627 Maybank Hwy. They offer in-home personal care along with in-home health care for senior clients. Since 1977, they have been providing care ...
721 Okatie Highway, PO Box 357
Ridgeland, SC 29936
Located in Ridgeland, SC at 721 Okatie Highway, PO Box 357, Beaufort Jasper Home Health is an in-home care service provider that offers in-home medical care and also home care. For nearly 41 years, they have been providing care to ...
51 Nassau St
Charleston, SC 29403
Located at 51 Nassau St in Charleston, South Carolina, Franklin C Fetter Home Health is a home health care company offering home health care along with personal home care services. They have been providing care in South Carolina since 1975. ...
Home care in South Carolina costs approximately $3,813 per month, according to Genworth Financial's 2019 Cost of Care Survey. This includes household chores, errands and personal assistance. Individuals who require medical services, such as help with medications, pay $187 more per month for home health care, which is approximately 10% below the national average of $4,385.
The average cost of in-home care in South Carolina is moderately lower than the U.S. median and similar to other southeastern states. At $3,813 per month, home care costs are even in Georgia, North Carolina and Tennessee and about $200 higher in Florida. South Carolina seniors typically pay $4,000 for home health care, which is $90-$190 higher than neighboring states. It's also $195 lower than Florida and $385 lower than the national average.
Cost of Home Care | Cost of Home Health Care | |
South Carolina | $3,813 | $4,000 |
United States | $4,290 | $4,385 |
North Carolina | $3,813 | $3,813 |
Georgia | $3,813 | $3,909 |
Tennessee | $3,813 | $3,892 |
Florida | $4,004 | $4,195 |
In-home care is an appealing option for many seniors who live at home and want to remain in the community. Rates for home care start around $3,813 per month, which makes it slightly more expensive than assisted living. Home care is two to three times more costly than adult day health care, which costs just $1,343 per month. However, it's also about 43% cheaper than full-time nursing care.
The cost of medical and nonmedical home care is fairly consistent across the Palmetto State. Average rates are highest in Charleston, where seniors pay $4,385 for home care and $4,481 for home health care. The popular vacation destination Hilton Head is also moderately expensive, at $4,099 per month, followed by Columbia, the state's most populous city, at $4,004. In Sumter, home care costs are mixed but still close to the state median, and in the heart of the Upstate region, Greenville offers rates that are well below the national average.
Cost of Home Care | Cost of Home Health Care | |
South Carolina | $3,813 | $4,000 |
Columbia | $4,004 | $4,004 |
Charleston | $4,385 | $4,481 |
Greenville | $3,718 | $3,953 |
Sumter | $3,899 | $3,905 |
Hilton Head | $4,099 | $4,099 |
South Carolina Community Choices is a federally authorized 1915(c) Medicaid waiver that's available to disabled adults and seniors who require nursing home care and have limited assets and income. This program pays for Level I and II personal care, companion services, personal care attendants and adult day health care. It also covers the cost of medical equipment and supplies, including emergency alert and telemonitoring devices. Community Choices even pays for delivered meals, home accessibility modifications, pest control and certain one-time costs.
Contact Information
Interested individuals can call the Department of Health and Human Services' centralized intake hotline at (888) 971-1637 for more details about this program and the application process.
Older adults who want to remain in their homes often rely on family and neighbors to help with seasonal chores and everyday tasks. According to the state government, more than 770,000 South Carolina residents provide unpaid care to friends and loved ones. Informal caregivers can access information and assistance through the South Carolina Caregiver Support Program. In addition to providing support groups, training opportunities and referrals to community resources, the program offers mini-grants for at-risk and overburdened caregivers that they can use for in-home respite care and similar services.
Contact Information
Seniors and unpaid caregivers can learn more about this program by calling GetCareSC at (800) 868-9095.
South Carolina is home to more than 400,000 veterans, and many of these individuals or their surviving spouses receive a military pension. Individuals who currently receive a pension and require assistance with activities of daily living may qualify for Aid & Attendance. This supplement is added to the recipient's monthly pension benefit and can be used for all types of in-home services and supports as well as other expenses. The total benefit amount depends on the individual's marital status, income and physical needs. Medical documentation is required for this program.
Contact Information
To learn more, veterans and their spouses can contact the VA at (800) 827-1000. Applications can be mailed to the Philadelphia pension management center.
PACE is an innovative long-term care program that gives older adults access to an interdisciplinary team of medical professionals, including doctors, nurses and therapists. These providers work together to develop a comprehensive treatment plan to help clients live independently in their own homes. In addition to covering preventive medicine, PACE pays for in-home care and other supports that have been authorized by the care team. It also includes diagnostic services and prescription drugs, and there are no co-pays or deductibles. Adults who are 55 or older and require nursing home care may be eligible. Most members receive PACE coverage through Medicare or Medicaid. Services are available in designated geographic areas, including Columbia, Greenville and Orangeburg.
Contact Information
Prospective PACE members can contact the SC Bureau of Long-Term Care Services at (803) 898-2590 to learn more.
Since the programs mentioned above might not cover all the costs associated with home care, and not everyone may be eligible, alternative payment methods will often need to be explored. Some of these alternatives include out-of-pocket arrangements with siblings, annuities, reverse mortgages, private insurance, and more. Read SeniorAdvice's Guide to Paying for Home Care to find out more about your payment and financing options.
Home health agencies in South Carolina are licensed by the Department of Health and Environmental Control, Bureau of Health Facilities Licensing. This agency establishes regulations, licenses qualified providers and maintains oversight by reviewing credentials and investigating complaints.
Scope of Care | Home health agencies may provide part-time or intermittent skilled nursing ordered by an attending physician and delivered by an RN or nurse-supervised home health aide. Nursing services must be provided in conjunction with medical supplies or equipment, medical-social services, or physical, occupational or speech therapy. |
Care Planning | Home health aides may deliver physician-ordered services as directed by a written plan of care maintained in the consumer's medical records and reviewed at least once every 60 days. |
Medication Management | Home health agencies may offer respiratory treatments and IV infusions. Medication administration must be supervised by an appropriately qualified professional. |
Staff Screening | Home health providers and employment agencies are required to conduct a criminal background check on all direct-care workers before hiring them as an employee or contractor. |
Staff Training | South Carolina requires home health aides to pass a competency evaluation and complete a 75-hour training program that includes at least 16 hours of classroom and clinical training. Home health aides must complete 12 hours of continuing education every 12 months. |
Medicaid Coverage | South Carolina's Community Choices Medicaid waiver pays for in-home personal care and supports. Seniors and disabled adults must meet medical and financial eligibility requirements to qualify. |
Reporting Abuse | Reports of abuse or exploitation involving a home health agency should be made to the Bureau of Health Facilities Licensing using its online complaint system. The agency also accepts complaints by mail, phone or fax. |
Seniors in South Carolina have access to many programs and services that help older adults maintain their independence and safely age in place. Below, we've compiled a few of the most helpful resources:
South Carolina has 10 Area Agencies on Aging that serve seniors, caregivers and disabled adults in designated counties across the state. These government-sponsored nonprofits manage state- and federally funded programs and provide informational services for seniors who want to learn more about long-term care planning, community-based services and healthy aging.
Contact Information
Older adults and caregivers can find their local AAA online or by calling the GetCareSC hotline at (800) 868-9095.
The South Carolina Department on Aging manages a number of critical programs for older adults. It's home to the long-term care ombudsman and the State Health Insurance Assistance Program. It also funds pro bono elder law projects, respite care grants, Meals on Wheels programs and local senior centers.
Contact Information
Seniors can learn more about these services by calling the Department's GetCareSC hotline at (800) 868-9095.
The South Carolina LIHEAP offers federally funded grants through Community Action Agencies statewide. This program has several components, including direct assistance for heating and cooling bills, an Emergency Crisis Assistance Program and a Low-Income Weatherization Assistance Program, which can help with the cost of energy-efficient home improvements. Eligibility is based on the applicant's income and household size and varies by county.
Contact Information
For more information about this program, seniors and families can call the South Carolina LIHEAP Clearinghouse at (800) 251-7234.
Disabled adults and seniors who need help with home repairs can access grants and low-cost loans through state and federal programs. Nonprofit organizations like Habitat for Humanity can also provide assistance. Seniors can apply for repairs through the federal HOME program, and HUD-sponsored Community Development Block Grants worth $12,000 or more are available in participating towns and neighborhoods.
Contact Information
Senior homeowners can call 211 or contact the South Carolina State Housing Finance & Development Authority at (803) 896-9001 to find a home repair program in their area.
South Carolina offers a generous property tax exemption that excludes the first $50,000 in assessed value. The homeowner must be at least 65 years old or blind or disabled, and the home must be their primary legal residence as shown by a land title or trust. Seniors are also exempt from school taxes.
Contact Information
Homeowners can call the South Carolina Department of Revenue Taxpayer Advocate at (803) 898-5444 or their county property assessor to apply or to determine their eligibility.
Veterans who need help applying for services or managing their state or federal VA benefits can receive free, confidential assistance through the South Carolina Department of Veterans' Affairs. Agents provide one-on-one counseling, informational services and help appealing administrative decisions related to health care, pensions and other programs.
Contact Information
South Carolina residents can call the department's Columbia office at (803) 734-0200 for more information.
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