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The 10 Best Assisted Living Facilities in Charleston, SC for 2024

Charleston is a charming port city located in South Carolina. The city is known for its historic buildings and cobblestone streets. It has an estimated population of 408,000, and around 17% of residents are aged 65 and over. With its warm weather and retiree-friendly tax policies, Charleston is a popular city for retirees from all over the country. Active seniors may appreciate the variety of outdoor activities and entertainment options.

Assisted living is best suited to seniors who require some help in completing the tasks of daily living such as grooming, driving, housekeeping and bathing. These facilities provide 24/7 caregiver support to seniors so they can remain as independent as possible. Seniors in the Charleston area pay an average of $3,945 per month for assisted living care, which is higher than the South Carolina average of $3,612.

This guide provides a basic overview of assisted living in Charleston. It includes a list of drawbacks and benefits of retiring in the city, average costs involved and free resources that are available to support seniors.

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Assisted Living Facilities in Charleston, South Carolina

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What to Consider About Assisted Living in Charleston

In Charleston and across the state of South Carolina, The Bureau of Health Facility Licensing regulates and issues licenses to assisted living facilities. The bureau ensures that all assisted living facilities in the state comply with the required rules and regulations. It carries out regular planned and unplanned inspections at all facilities. 

Benefits and Drawbacks of Assisted Living in Charleston

  • The warm climate of Charleston is ideal for seniors who enjoy outdoor activities. The city receives no snow and has an average winter low temperature of 39. Summer months are warm with an average high of 90. Charleston enjoys around 209 days of sunshine each, but it can be humid due to the high rainfall in the area. Seniors will need to budget for cooling expenses in the warmer months. 
  • The cost of living in Charleston is around 4% higher than the national average. Seniors who are worried about budgeting for each month can rest assured that living in an assisted living community means that most of their costs are fixed.
  • South Carolina is tax-friendly towards retirees. The state does not charge tax on Social Security retirement benefit income and provides a sizable tax income deduction on any other forms of retirement income. South Carolina has some of the lowest property taxes in the country. This all means that seniors have more income available to enjoy all the activities in Charleston.
  • Seniors have easy access to a number of excellent medical facilities in Charleston. Some of the top hospitals in the city include MUSC Health -University Medical Center and Roper Hospital. 
  • Charleston has a high crime rate and is ranked as safer than just 16% of U.S. cities. The city has a very high rate of property crime. Seniors who are worried about crime can feel safe knowing that most assisted living communities offer 24/7 security services and secure gated access for the safety of residents. 
  • Seniors living in Charleston can take advantage of miles of scenic coastline to explore, a vibrant cultural scene, a number of golf courses and tours of the city to learn about its interesting past.

Paying for Assisted Living in Charleston

According to the Genworth Cost of Care Survey 2021, the average monthly cost of assisted living in Charleston is $3,945. This is less than the national median of $4,500 and more than the South Carolina state average of $3,612. 

The Cost of Assisted Living in Nearby Cities

At $3,945 per month, Charleston is one of the more expensive cities for assisted living in the state. The least expensive option is Sumter, which has a monthly average cost of $2,663. At the upper end of the cost scale, Hilton Island has an average monthly cost of $4,500, and the average senior in the coastal city of Myrtle Beach pays $4,070 for assisted living.

When it comes to assisted living, Greenville is fairly close in price to Spartanburg, though the latter is slightly cheaper, with an average cost of $3,600. Other cities in South Carolina offer rates that are lower still. The median rate in Columbia is $3,270, and in Florence, it is $3,456. Sumter’s prices are particularly low, averaging $2,663 per month.

Charleston

$3,945

South Carolina

$3,612

The United States

$4,500

Sumter

$2,663

Hilton Island

$4,500

Myrtle Beach

$4,070

The Cost of Other Types of Senior Care

Seniors living in Charleston have a choice of senior care options besides assisted living. Adult day care is the lowest cost option with an average monthly fee of $1,381. Home care and home health care both have a monthly median cost of $5,005. Nursing home care is best suited to frail seniors who require around-the-clock medical care and supervision. A semiprivate room in a nursing home has a monthly average cost of $7,513, and the corresponding cost for a private room is $8,512. 

Adult Day Care

$1,381

Assisted Living

$3,945

Home Care

$5,005

Home Health Care

$5,005

Nursing Home (semiprivate room)

$7,513

Nursing Home (private room)

$8,152

Financial Assistance for Assisted Living in Charleston

In South Carolina, seniors who need help paying assisted living costs can apply for the South Carolina Community Choices Medicaid Wavier. The state also offers supplemental SSI payments.

Learn more about these programs, plus who’s eligible, on our Assisted Living in South Carolina page.

Financial Assistance in South Carolina

More Ways to Pay for Assisted Living

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

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

For more information about different ways to finance assisted living, visit our Assisted Living in South Carolina page

Free Assisted Living Resources in Charleston

Seniors living in Charleston have access to a number of support services offered by nonprofit organizations and government departments. These services and activities may be of interest to seniors who are currently living in assisted living facilities and those who are considering making the move.

ResourceContactService
Charleston Area Seniors(843) 722-4127The Charleston Area Seniors is a nonprofit organization that provides a number of services to assist seniors in the community. Services are all provided by volunteers, and the organization is supported by local churches. Some of the services offered include a food pantry, transport services, caregiver support, friendship calls, meals on wheels and congregate meals. The organization runs a senior center that provides activities such as fitness classes, board games and educational lectures.
Charleston Office on Aging(843) 577-1306The Charleston Office on Aging focuses on assisting seniors and caregivers in the community. The office runs an elder abuse hotline where seniors in long-term care facilities can use to report any issues. It operates a volunteer group that organizes intergenerational community activities.
Senior Centers(843) 724-7311The city of Charleston runs three senior community centers for seniors aged 55 and older. These centers provide a hot meal at lunch each day where seniors can socialize and enjoy a nutritious meal. Activities offered include day trips to local attractions, fitness classes, computer classes, card games, live entertainment and wellness lectures.
South Carolina Department on Aging(803) 734-9886The South Carolina Department on Aging offers a number of programs and initiates to support seniors. Some of the programs offered include nutrition programs, medicare information, legal assistance, caregiver support, evidence-based health programs and senior centers. The Long-Term Care Ombudsman program advocates for seniors in long-term care facilities such as assisted living communities and nursing homes.

Assisted Living Laws and Regulations in Charleston

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

Assisted Living Laws and Regulations in South Carolina

Reviews of Communities Nearby

Assisted Living

Tammy

I visited this facility

Review of The Oaks at Daniel Island

We toured The Oaks at Daniel Island and spoke with the director over there. We found out that the amount that it was going to cost to put my mother there was just going to be a little bit out of...

Provider response

Thank you for taking the time to leave a five star review.

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Assisted Living

Helaine Christy

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

Review of Terrabella James Island

The caregivers at Savannah Place Assisted Living took care of my Mother for over 4 1/2 years. She felt at home at Savannah Place and would blow the staff kisses! The food was very good, and the...

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Assisted Living

Shirley

I visited this facility

Review of Brookdale West Ashley

Brookdale West Ashley was great. It had a very nice layout and the people were very welcoming. Kimberly showed us a room that no one lives in (we couldn't go to others because individuals were in...

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Other Options in Charleston, SC

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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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