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The 10 Best Memory Care Facilities in Charleston, SC for 2024

In Charleston, where 15% of the 150,000 residents are aged 65 and over, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that Alzheimer’s-related deaths have declined in recent years. In 2020, 213 of the region’s 2,717 deaths, or 7.8%, were linked to Alzheimer’s. By comparison, in 2016, Alzheimer’s was the primary cause in about 13% of deaths in the region. That year, 279 of the 2,203 deaths were attributed to this disease. Between 2016 and 2020, the number of Alzheimer’s-related deaths dropped by almost 24%, even though the total number of deaths in the region increased by 23%.

Charleston accommodates the needs of seniors living with Alzheimer’s through several dementia care facilities. In these facilities, residents received specialized care, daily meals and access to therapeutic activities such as gardening, pet therapy and age-friendly fitness programs.

This guide provides information on memory care in Charleston, including the fees facilities charge for Alzheimer’s care, options seniors and families may have for paying for monthly expenses and regional and statewide agencies that provide information, referrals and support.

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Memory Care Facilities in Charleston, South Carolina

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What to Consider About Memory Care in Charleston

In Charleston and the rest of South Carolina, the Bureau of Health Facility Licensing oversees memory care and other senior care and health agencies. It provides information about residents’ rights and accepts reports and complaints to be investigated. It also provides an interactive portal people can use to look up community residential facilities, such as memory care, throughout the state.

Benefits and Drawbacks of Memory Care in Charleston

  • The cost of living in Charleston is rather high, 20% higher than the rest of South Carolina and about 10% higher than the national average. However, the cost of health care is 3.5% lower in the area than the national average and about 6% lower than the state average.
  • Crime rates in Charleston are relatively low, with violent crime ranking 17.7 on a scale of 1 to 100. The U.S. average is 22.7. Property crime in Charleston is slightly higher at 35.9, with a U.S. average of 35.4, but memory care facilities tend to be very secure and locked down to prevent eloping and wandering. That means property crime shouldn’t be a major concern. 
  • Summers in Charleston can be somewhat uncomfortable, with hot and humid weather and temperatures reaching about 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Occasional hurricanes and frequent thunderstorms also hit the area. However, Charleston’s temperatures are slightly lower than the statewide average high of 91.1 degrees Fahrenheit in July. Winters in Charleston are pretty mild with snow accumulations being rare. Average January lows reach 39.3 degrees Fahrenheit compared with the U.S. average of 21.7 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Seniors in the Charleston area have access to high-performing hospitals such as MUSC Health University Medical Center, which serves as an organ transplant, cancer and Level I trauma center. Roper Hospital is also nationally recognized and offers services such as a 24-hour emergency room, rehabilitation therapies, cancer care and a Heart & Vascular Center with state-of-the-art equipment and procedures.
  • MUSC Health houses its Memory Disorders Clinic in Charleston. It specializes in diagnostic services and innovative treatments for Alzheimer’s disease and cognitive impairment. Services include access to studies and clinical drug trials for those who qualify.
  • Tax rates are somewhat high, with sales tax at 8.9% within Charleston compared with the national average of 7.3%. However, South Carolina as a whole is tax-friendly toward retirement income. The state does not tax Social Security benefits, and taxpayers 65 and older can deduct up to $15,000 per year on their state taxes.

Paying for Memory Care in Charleston

Note: Residential memory care is usually offered in assisted living facilities, and in general, memory care rates tend to be 20-30% higher than assisted living rates. No national database currently tracks memory care costs in the United States, so we’ve estimated the monthly memory care costs listed below by adding 25% to the rates listed in Genworth’s 2021 Cost of Care Survey.

In Charleston, the median cost for memory care is $4,931 per month, although the exact amount depends on individual facilities, specific locations and amenities.

The Cost of Memory Care in Nearby Cities

Charleston’s cost for memory care is $416 more than the South Carolina state median. However, it is $694 less than the national median. Hilton Head shares the same monthly median with the nation at $5,625. Seniors can find lower-cost memory care in other areas throughout the state. One location is Columbia, where median monthly costs are $843 less than in Charleston. In Florence, the median is $611 less. In Sumpter, seniors may pay $1,602 less per month than in Charleston.

Charleston

$4,931

South Carolina

$4,515

United States

$5,625

Hilton Head

$5,625

Sumter

$3,329

Columbia

$4,088

Florence

$4,320

The Cost of Other Types of Senior Care

Seniors wishing to stay home can receive in-home or home health care for about $74 more per month than if they resided in a memory care community. Those not requiring memory care may benefit from assisted living, costing about $986 less per month. For seniors who need skilled nursing, a semiprivate room in a nursing home facility costs $2,582 more than memory care. Seniors aging in place who would benefit from daytime services can choose adult day health care at $3,550 less per month than memory care. 

Memory Care

$4,931

In-Home Care

$5,005

Home Health Care

$5,005

Adult Day Health Care

$1,381

Assisted Living Facility

$3,945

Nursing Home Facility (semiprivate room)

$7,513

Financial Assistance for Memory Care in Charleston

In Charleston there are options for seniors who need financial assistance paying for Memory Care. For more information about other options, who qualifies, and how to apply, visit our Memory Care in South Carolina page.

More ways to pay for memory care in SC

More Ways to Pay for Memory Care

While many families use their own funds or personal assets to pay for memory care, there are plenty of additional options to cover these costs. Some additional ways to finance memory care costs include:

  • Veterans Benefits
  • Life Insurance Policy
  • Long-Term Care Insurance
  • Reverse Mortgage

For more information about different ways to finance memory care, visit our Memory Care in South Carolina page.

Free Memory Care Resources in Charleston

While resources for financial assistance can assuage a lot of worry about how to afford senior care, other areas of life can be expensive. Seniors may worry about filing wills or other legal forms. They may be dealing with isolation or loneliness, too. This list of resources can assist seniors with many issues.

ResourceContactService
Trident Area Agency on Aging(843) 554-2275The Trident Area Agency on Aging can advocate for seniors and refer them to various assistance programs. It can also help seniors apply for benefits such as SNAP and Medicaid.
Charleston, SC Vet Center(843) 789-7000Veterans and their families can receive mental health help and other types of free assistance through the Charleston, SC Vet Center. Counseling is available both in person and virtually and in individual and group settings. The center also offers online and over-the-phone crisis hotlines for veterans needing immediate help.
South Carolina Long Term Care Ombudsman Program(843) 554-2280Overseen by the Trident Area Agency on Aging in Charleston, the South Carolina Long Term Care Ombudsman Program allows seniors or loved ones to file complaints about the quality of care received in long-term care facilities. The ombudsman then investigates the complaints and serves as an advocate to resolve them.
Alzheimer's Association South Carolina Chapter(800) 272-3900The Alzheimer's Association offers information about Alzheimer's disease and related types of dementia. It also offers virtual and in-person support groups as well as a 24/7 helpline that seniors can call when they need someone to talk to. Seniors with early-stage Alzheimer's disease can participate in social engagement programs.
Charleston Pro Bono Legal Services(843) 853-6456This program provides low-income individuals, including seniors, with access to free civil legal aid, representation and services. Services provided include assistance with living wills, durable and health care powers of attorney, simple probate and wills. Attorneys can also assist seniors in applying for Social Security benefits and appealing decisions.

Memory Care Laws and Regulations in Charleston

Charleston Memory Care Communities must adhere to the comprehensive set of state laws and regulations that all Memory Care Facilities in South Carolina are required to follow. Visit our Memory Care in South Carolina page for more information about these laws.

Memory Care Laws and Regulations in South Carolina

Reviews of Communities Nearby

Memory Care

Gene

I am a friend or relative of a current/past resident

Review of Oaks at Charleston

My wife is at Oaks at Charleston. They're very attentive. They're more people-oriented. Everybody down there is extremely nice. It's a very clean facility. They take pains to keep everything...

Provider response

Gene - Thank you for taking the time to leave a five star review. We are grateful for the opportunity to care for your wife.

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Memory Care

Sallie

I am a friend or relative of a current/past resident

Review of Ashley Gardens

My husband has been at Ashley Gardens for two years, and I can’t say enough about the staff. Everyone there from the director to the maintenance staff knows the residents by name and greet them...

Read more

Memory Care

Mark

I visited this facility

Review of Brookdale West Ashley

The thing I liked about Brookdale West Ashley was the size of the facility and the available nurses. The staff was very attentive to the residents. The rooms were very large and clean. They were...

Read more

Memory Care Facilities near Charleston, SC

Mount PleasantNorth CharlestonSummervilleBeaufortPawleys IslandBluffton

Other Options in Charleston, SC

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The material on this site is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for legal, financial, professional, or medical advice or diagnosis or treatment. By using our website, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

Caring.com

Caring.com is a leading online destination for caregivers seeking information and support as they care for aging parents, spouses, and other loved ones. We offer thousands of original articles, helpful tools, advice from more than 50 leading experts, a community of caregivers, and a comprehensive directory of caregiving services.

 

The material on this site is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for legal, financial, professional, or medical advice or diagnosis or treatment. By using our website, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

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