South Carolina Assisted Living

Assisted living licensure term for the state of South Carolina is Community Residential Care Facilities, otherwise termed CRCFs and Assisted Living Facilities. The governing body that oversees licensing for these senior care facilities is the Board of Health and Environmental Control through the Division of Health Licensing. These facilities are responsible for providing room and board and a limited personal care service. In order to be licensed as a CRFC, the senior care facility must care for at least 2 residents.

Fees and Related Costs for Assisted Living Services in South Carolina

In the state of South Carolina, the statewide average for assisted living is on a pretty affordable scale at $2,275 monthly. Considering the national average of $4,000, even the most expensive cities in South Carolina are on average $4,526 per month, which is a bit above the national average. There are still plenty of choices that fall between that range. Cities like Florence, Spartanburg, and Sumter range $2,275 to $3,000. Charleston and Myrtle Beach have a range of $3,925 to $4,526 per month. When you include South Carolina memory care, it is at least on average $875 more per month.

When thinking of the extras that could be tacked on to the monthly bill, one must think memory and Alzheimer’s care which is common, but Physical Therapy, stroke care, speech therapy and more can show up at any given time. These services are not available in assisted living, and are generally offered in the various nursing homes in South Carolina.

When seeking payment options, it is also a good move to be proactive in looking for ways to pay from the resources you may already have or are entitled to. These resources are not always realized until you need them. There are several ways to go, such as reverse mortgage, long -term-care insurance, annuities, insurance policy cash out and renting out your paid-off property, all of which can be used towards payment for senior living communities in South Carolina.

Other than the aforementioned choices, there are nonprofits for retired veterans, firefighters and police.

Assisted Living Unit Requirements for South Carolina

If the senior care facility is single occupancy, then there is 100 square feet of floor space required. If the South Carolina assisted living facility allows multiple occupancy, then 80 square feet must be provided per each senior care resident. For the living space and what is called as recreational space, there must be allotted 20 feet. This does not include foyers, bedrooms, kitchen and dining room or bathrooms. If there are any rooms not accessible by the assisted living resident and only to staff or others, then this area is not counted in the 20 feet of living and recreational space. In the dining room area, there must be 15 feet of floor space to provide safety and comfort to all residents.

Since an assisted living facility allows multiple residents in a unit, the state of South Carolina has chosen to allow only 3 senior occupants in one licensed living unit. The toilet and bathing facilities are required to have one toilet per 6 residents and one bathtub or shower facility for every 8 residents. 

Memory Care Assisted Living for Dementia and Alzheimer’s In South Carolina

Caring for an aged parent who has Alzheimer's or dementia is a difficult journey. However, it's easy to find specialty memory care units that are incorporated into assisted living facilities in South Carolina for seniors with dementia or Alzheimer's. These facilities include specially trained staff that cater to the needs of each resident and prevent wandering.

Seniors with dementia or Alzheimer's need to be around their loved one or professional assisted living caregivers that understands their health challenges. Most times, family members cannot cater to the health needs of an aged parent suffering from such a condition. Hence, the need to move them to a memory care unit in an assisted living facility. However, the level of support and care provided in a typical memory care unit can directly impact the senior's ability to recover quickly or cope with the condition.

Due to the health needs of seniors with dementia or Alzheimer's, caregivers need to understand the disease and know the best way to administer care to them.

In many assisted living memory care units in South Carolina, caregivers are trained to engage seniors with various activities that stimulate the mind and promote conscious reasoning. These activities are centered on logic, memory building, and information processing. Several studies have shown that these activities can slow down the progress of dementia or Alzheimer's and help seniors stay active.

Assisted Living Facilities’ Memory Care Services

When searching for the best assisted living facility that provides memory care, ensure you evaluate the environment and the skills of the staff. This is to ensure they can provide the type of care that eases the stress of daily living, provides mental support to residents, and that the facility has an easily maneuverable environment.

Here are some of the memory care services and facilities available in many assisted living facilities in South Carolina.

• Personalized care plans
• Recreational activities strictly monitored by a licensed nurse that understands how to care for dementia or Alzheimer's patients.
• Housekeeping and laundry service
• Provision of family-style meals deemed safe and approved by health experts.
• Senior-friendly salon and spa
• 24-hour emergency call system
• Transportation service
• Assistance with activities of daily living
• Occupational and speech-language rehab
• Library, study and activity rooms
• On-site rehabilitation service
• Basic utilities
• A secured courtyard to prevent wandering.

Since cases of wandering are a common occurrence for seniors who have dementia, especially those at its late stages, a memory care unit of a South Carolina assisted living facility must be secured to prevent residents from wandering and guarantee their safety.

Also, there must be 24-hour monitoring by well-trained staff who understand the plight of these seniors who can devise the best way to help them. The care programs provided at the assisted living facility should reflect a sense of dignity and purpose for seniors. Ensure you look out for these amenities and care options when searching for memory care facilities in South Carolina.

Even though we cannot control what life throws at us, we can help our aged parents live a life of purpose by moving them to a memory care unit of an assisted living facility where their future needs are met with respect.  

List of Assisted Living Facilities in South Carolina:

Don't see your city/town/village on the list? Please use our search bar at the top of the page to search through 632 senior living options from 165 cities, towns and villages in South Carolina. Simply enter your city name or zip code.