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The 10 Best Home Care Agencies for Seniors in West Columbia, SC for 2024

West Columbia is a small residential community in Lexington County, South Carolina, where over 20% of its 17,416 residents are seniors aged 65 and older. According to the 2020 U.S. Census, the city’s senior population is above the national average of 16.5%. Seniors pay around $4,242 each month for home care in the area, while in-home health care costs $4,290, with the latter including medical services and chronic illness care. West Columbia is surrounded by several medical facilities, such as Prisma Health Richland Hospital in Columbia, and Lexington Medical Specialists, which is within the city limits 

Below we’ve compiled a comprehensive directory of every home care provider in the West Columbia area – complete with services offered and reviews from families who’ve actually used the service. In addition to our in-depth provider listings, we’ve compiled resources to help seniors and their families to access all the tools they need to age in place safely and gracefully.

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Home Care Agencies in West Columbia, SC

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Paying for Home Care in West Columbia, SC

The Cost of Home Care in West Columbia, SC

According to 2020 data from the Genworth Cost of Care Survey, the monthly home care rate of $4,242 in West Columbia is a couple of hundred dollars higher than the state average but below the U.S. median of $4,481.   

Compared with other North Carolina areas, in-home care providers in West Columbia have higher prices. To the southeast in the cities of Sumter and Florence, the corresponding rates of $3,909 and $3,966 are over $200 lower, on average, than in West Columbia. Near the North Carolina state line in Spartanburg, home care costs are $337 less, while Greenville’s costs are $242 lower than in West Columbia.  

West Columbia

$4,242

South Carolina

$4,076

United States

$4,481

Sumter

$3,909

Florence

$3,966

Spartanburg

$3,905

Greenville

$4,000

The Cost of Home Care vs. Other Senior Care Options in West Columbia, SC

Home health care agencies provide additional medical services, such as injections, and they cost $48 more, on average, than home care providers. The most affordable option for senior care in the area is adult day health at $1,274 per month. Assisted living facilities in West Columbia cost $4,299 on average per month, while nursing homes are the costliest senior care option at a median monthly rate of $7,148 for a semiprivate room.

Home Care

$4,242

Home Health Care

$4,290

Adult Day Health

$1,274

Assisted Living

$4,299

Nursing Home Care (semi-private room)

$7,148

Note: Data for West Columbia was unavailable, so data for the nearest city, Columbia, was used instead.  

Financial Assistance for Home Care in West Columbia, SC

Given the high cost of in-home care, many people use one or more forms of financial assistance to cover the expenses. Below, we explain some of the most common sources of financial help for paying for in-home care. If none of these options are available to you, you can reach out to your Area Agency on Aging or Aging and Disability Resource Center to learn about local resources.

Long-Term Care Insurance: Long-Term Care Insurance covers expenses related to senior care, including in-home care. Depending on the policy type, beneficiaries may receive a cash payment to use towards long-term care or reimbursement for qualifying long-term care expenses. Note that there are limitations- typically a maximum benefit of $150 per day- and exact coverage terms vary depending on the exact policy, so always check the details.

Medicare: Medicare does not cover in-home care because it is classified as custodial, or non-medical, care. However, some Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement plans, which offer expanded benefits, may cover in-home custodial care.

Medicaid: Medicaid coverage of in-home care varies between different states because it is not a federally mandated benefit. Currently, all states cover some in-home care either through their standard Medicaid or a waiver program. The specific coverage rules are set individually by each state.

Veterans’ Benefits: The Aid and Attendance benefit is a monthly cash payment that beneficiaries can use to pay for senior care, including in-home care services. To qualify for A&A, Veterans must already receive the VA pension and meet several additional requirements, including needing assistance with the activities of daily living.Contact the Department of Veterans Affairs to learn more.

Reverse Mortgages: Home Equity Conversion Mortgages (HECMs) are federally insured loans that are available to homeowners age 62 and over. Reverse mortgages allow you to access a portion of your home’s equity in cash, tax free. Many seniors use reverse mortgages to finance their care expenses, including in-home care. Note that although there are no monthly payments due on reverse mortgage loans, borrowers do have to repay the loan once the last surviving homeowner passes away, moves, or sells the home.

Free & Low-Cost Home Care Resources in West Columbia, SC

Seniors in West Columbia have access to several programs created to help them remain in their homes for as long as it’s feasible.

ResourceContactService
Central Midlands Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC)(866) 394-4166The Central Midlands ADRC is the Area Agency on Aging serving seniors in West Columbia and Lexington County. Older adults can get in touch with the Information and Referral line for advice on available services and other local benefits.
Insurance Counseling Assistance and Referral for Elders(877)744-5130I-CARE is a program offered by the Central Midlands ADRC that offers free insurance counseling for seniors. Additionally, eligible seniors can receive financial help with the costs of their Medicare bills through initiatives like Extra Help and the Medicare Savings Program.
Weatherization Assistance Program(803) 734-0662This program can help fund home improvements to reduce energy consumption and make it more cost-effective for seniors to continue living at home. Weatherization is available to older adults aged 60 and over, and the amount awarded depends on household income.
Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)(803) 734-0662This federal program is overseen by the state’s Office of Economic Opportunity and can help low-income seniors pay for their energy bills. Eligibility for the program is determined based on income and other factors.
Lexington County Senior Programs(803) 359-4048The Lexington County Recreation and Aging Commission has many helpful programs to help seniors continue to live at home. Homebound seniors over 60 might benefit from home-delivered meals. The county can also provide free home care for low-income older adults. Other services include free legal advice, transportation to medical appointments and social lunches at local senior centers.

Determining Your Loved One’s Need for In-Home Care

Aging can be a difficult process, and loved ones may not always ask for help – oftentimes it’s up to their family to evaluate their need for help around the house. While no two situations are exactly alike, this checklist can help you and your loved ones determine when it’s time to start the search for a home care provider.

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Checklist for determining the need for in-home care
Checklist for determining the need for in-home care

Guidelines for Talking About In-Home Care

If you’ve determined that your loved one needs the assistance of a care provider in their home, it may be time for a difficult conversation. Handled correctly, however, this process can bring a family together and ensure that everyone’s concerns are addressed. Use this PDF as a starting point to help the conversation stay as positive and productive as possible.

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Talking with family and others about a loved one's needs
Talking with family and others about a loved one's needs

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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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