Memory Care Facilities in Seneca, SC

 

An estimated 6.7 million Americans have Alzheimer’s disease according to the Alzheimer’s Association, and many people with memory-loss conditions are elderly. Seneca, SC, is home to a large senior population, with people aged 65 and older making up around a fifth of the local community of almost 9,000. Data from the CDC shows that Alzheimer’s-related deaths are gradually decreasing in Seneca. In 2016, the disease led to 63 of 615 total deaths, representing 10.24% of the overall mortality rate. In 2020, Alzheimer’s caused 78 of 810 total deaths, which was 9.63% of all deaths.

Dementia care communities provide a safe and secure environment with specialized staff and programming. Services typically include cognitively stimulating activities, brain-boosting menus, assistance with day-to-day activities and 24/7 supervision. This guide examines the pros and cons of retiring in Seneca and compares the costs of memory care throughout the state. It also discusses the costs of other care types in the city, ways to pay for care and sources of support.  

In South Carolina, the Bureau of Health Facilities Licensing (part of the Department of Health and
Environmental Control) is responsible for overseeing memory care in Seneca and throughout the state. The bureau licenses communities, ensures they comply with licensing requirements, performs inspections and investigates complaints.  

 

• In Seneca, the violent crime rate is slightly lower than the national average. On a 100-point scale, the city scores 39.9 for property crime compared with the national average of 35.4. Living in a memory care community may provide a sense of security for seniors and their loved ones who have concerns surrounding living alone.
• The overall cost of living in Seneca is around 15% lower than the national average and roughly 5% lower than the state average. Locals typically see significant savings related to housing, transport and groceries. The average cost of residential memory care is also lower than the nationwide norm.
• Although the 7% income tax rate in Seneca is higher than the national average of 4.6%, South Carolina provides tax breaks for seniors. Also, while most forms of retirement income are subject to taxation, the state doesn’t tax Social Security Income.   
• Seneca has 164 doctors for every 100,000 people. The city has several pharmacies and specialist clinics. Nearby, AnMed and Stephens County Hospital, GA, provide a wide range of medical services.  
• Seneca’s pleasant climate may appeal to seniors who enjoy warmer temperatures, with hot summers and mild winters. The city experiences an average of 220 sunny days each year, which is more than the national average of 205. It also sees significantly less snowfall, with an average of 2 inches compared with the U.S. average of 28 inches.     

 

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 Seneca, the median monthly cost of memory care is $4,679.  

Seneca’s average memory care cost of $4,679 per month is higher than the statewide average of $4,515, but it’s lower than the U.S. average of $5,625. Dementia care communities typically charge higher rates in Seneca than in the state capital of Columbia as well as Sumter, where monthly fees run $4,088 and $3,329, respectively. Seniors in Charleston can expect to pay more than those in Seneca, with an average price of $4,931. Rates in Seneca are about $946 lower than in the state’s priciest memory care location of Hilton Head Island.  

Priced at around $4,679 per month, memory care communities in Seneca charge similar rates as aging-in-place options; in-home care and home health care both run $4,671 per month. Nursing home care is considerably costlier than memory care, with a semiprivate room costing around $7,543 per month. Assisted living and adult day health care are more affordable than memory care, costing $3,743 and $1,408, respectively.   

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.