Aiken is the seat of Aiken County, located on the border with Georgia and only 25 minutes from downtown Augusta. The 2020 Census revealed 26% of the city’s 32,000 residents are in the 65+ age group, an almost 10% increase on the national average. Aiken’s above-average popularity with seniors may be because of the friendly tax laws that ensure they hold on to more of their incomes, the excellent medical services in and near the city and the below-average cost of living. Aiken also has an abundance of parks, stores and restaurants, in addition to hosting world-class equestrian events and many other annual festivals.

Assisted living is a type of care suitable for reasonably active seniors who need assistance with daily tasks, such as housekeeping, making meals and managing medications. They’re also a great choice for seniors who enjoy the social benefits of residential care. The average monthly fee in Aiken is $3,090, which is considerably less than the state and national averages of $3,988 and $4,300, respectively.

This guide discusses senior care costs in more detail and considers the pros and cons of living in Aiken. It also lists some senior-friendly resources in the area.

Directory of Assisted Living Facilities in Aiken, SC

Hitchcock Square

102 Crepe Myrtle Ct, Aiken, SC, 29803

It is lovely and very homey. It feels like you’re in someone’s home and not in an institution. It’s perfect for mom. They’re very kind and the population is under 50 residents. So, it’s very one-on-on … (read more)
It is lovely and very homey. It feels like you’re in someone’s home and not in an institution. It’s perfect for mom. They’re very kind and the population is under 50 residents. So, it’s very one-on-on … (read more)

Silver Bluff Grove Senior Living

1385 Silver Bluff RD, Aiken, SC, 29803

Silver Bluff Groveis located in a wooded area of Aiken, South Carolina, just a short drive from the Gem Lakes Recreation Area and the Aiken Mall. Visitors say this facility is beautiful, with peacefu … (read more)
Silver Bluff Groveis located in a wooded area of Aiken, South Carolina, just a short drive from the Gem Lakes Recreation Area and the Aiken Mall. Visitors say this facility is beautiful, with peacefu … (read more)

Shadow Oaks

108 Gregg Avenue, Aiken, SC, 29801

Shadow Oaks is located in Aiken, South Carolina, close to Aiken Regional Medical Centers, Walmart Supercenter and numerous restaurants. Visitors describe the facility as upscale and beautiful, and the … (read more)
Shadow Oaks is located in Aiken, South Carolina, close to Aiken Regional Medical Centers, Walmart Supercenter and numerous restaurants. Visitors describe the facility as upscale and beautiful, and the … (read more)

Trinity on Laurens

213 Laurens Street, Aiken, SC, 29801

I toured Trinity on Laurens. It was a well-laid out. The rooms were smaller overall like they will only fit a twin bed, and you couldn’t fit a full-sized bed, so most people use the beds at the facili … (read more)
I toured Trinity on Laurens. It was a well-laid out. The rooms were smaller overall like they will only fit a twin bed, and you couldn’t fit a full-sized bed, so most people use the beds at the facili … (read more)

The Hills of Cumberland Village

3215 Wise Creek Lane, Aiken, SC, 29801

This facility has 24 residents, each with their own private rooms and baths. There are one room offerings as well as several 2 room suites. The furnishings are very lovely as is the artwork. There is … (read more)
This facility has 24 residents, each with their own private rooms and baths. There are one room offerings as well as several 2 room suites. The furnishings are very lovely as is the artwork. There is … (read more)

Benton House of Aiken

530 Benton House Way, Aiken, SC, 29803

Benton House of Aiken had all the chandeliers and marble floor units. It was the most expensive and the biggest, but it just wasn’t for Mom at all. They were putting their best foot forward and it see … (read more)
Benton House of Aiken had all the chandeliers and marble floor units. It was the most expensive and the biggest, but it just wasn’t for Mom at all. They were putting their best foot forward and it see … (read more)

2017

Sodalis Martinez

515 The Pass, Martinez, GA, 30907

Sodalis Martinez could be a potential place for my husband. We liked the lady that we talked to, Ashley. We found her to be very nice and caring. They were fairly casual, which we liked as well. They … (read more)
Sodalis Martinez could be a potential place for my husband. We liked the lady that we talked to, Ashley. We found her to be very nice and caring. They were fairly casual, which we liked as well. They … (read more)

Augusta Gardens

3725 Wheeler Rd, Augusta, GA, 30909

My father is now a resident of Augusta Gardens. I like the atmosphere and the help that I encountered, the people that work there were enthusiastic. His room is clean and organized, and there’s suffic … (read more)
My father is now a resident of Augusta Gardens. I like the atmosphere and the help that I encountered, the people that work there were enthusiastic. His room is clean and organized, and there’s suffic … (read more)

2013

Brookdale Augusta

326 Boy Scout Road, Augusta, GA, 30909

Located in the city of Augusta, Georgia, Brookdale Augusta offers assisted living residences and services to seniors. "Homey" and "clean" are two words residents and their loved ones use to describe t … (read more)
Located in the city of Augusta, Georgia, Brookdale Augusta offers assisted living residences and services to seniors. "Homey" and "clean" are two words residents and their loved ones use to describe t … (read more)

2013

Brandon Wilde

4275 Owens Road, Evans, GA, 30809

I toured the Brandon Wilde, it’s a classy, first-rate place. I met some of the staff, and they’re outstanding. People were playing cards, doing puzzles, and working together. It’s a positive atmospher … (read more)
I toured the Brandon Wilde, it’s a classy, first-rate place. I met some of the staff, and they’re outstanding. People were playing cards, doing puzzles, and working together. It’s a positive atmospher … (read more)

Thrive at Augusta

313 Furys Ferry Rd, Martinez, GA, 30907

Thrive at Augusta was a very nice facility and relatively new. They had a dedicated workout room, a crafts room, and outdoor spaces. They did give us a pie from their chef, and it was very good. They … (read more)
Thrive at Augusta was a very nice facility and relatively new. They had a dedicated workout room, a crafts room, and outdoor spaces. They did give us a pie from their chef, and it was very good. They … (read more)

2014

Brookdale North Augusta

105 North Hills Drive, North Augusta, SC, 29841

Brookdale North Augusta was very attractive. It was a very small group, and it’s set back off the road, so it would be quiet. I liked it a lot. The staff was very informative, friendly, and thorough. … (read more)
Brookdale North Augusta was very attractive. It was a very small group, and it’s set back off the road, so it would be quiet. I liked it a lot. The staff was very informative, friendly, and thorough. … (read more)

Hammond Square

128 Walnut Ln, North Augusta, SC, 29860

I looked here. The staff was friendly and very knowledgeable. They provide me with a wealth of information and even did a follow-up, which was kind of them. The rooms were nice and spacious, and they … (read more)
I looked here. The staff was friendly and very knowledgeable. They provide me with a wealth of information and even did a follow-up, which was kind of them. The rooms were nice and spacious, and they … (read more)

The Oaks at Evans

353 North Belair Road, Evans, GA, 30809

I looked at the Oaks at Evans. Overall, the experience was very good. They were very helpful and gave me a lot of information. The facility was very well kept and organized. I was impressed with it, m … (read more)
I looked at the Oaks at Evans. Overall, the experience was very good. They were very helpful and gave me a lot of information. The facility was very well kept and organized. I was impressed with it, m … (read more)

2021, 2022

Claiborne at West Lake

557 Furys Ferry Rd, Martinez, GA, 30907

Claiborne at West Lake was a fairly new facility, about four years old. It had all the amenities that we were looking for. We met Kristin and we liked her. They had a lot of different floor plan optio … (read more)
Claiborne at West Lake was a fairly new facility, about four years old. It had all the amenities that we were looking for. We met Kristin and we liked her. They had a lot of different floor plan optio … (read more)

Benton House of Augusta

204 Frazier Ct, Augusta, GA, 30909

Benton House is situated in Augusta, Georgia near Interstate Parkway and a variety of restaurants and shops. Visitors are often impressed with the facilities, which include high-end materials such as … (read more)
Benton House is situated in Augusta, Georgia near Interstate Parkway and a variety of restaurants and shops. Visitors are often impressed with the facilities, which include high-end materials such as … (read more)

Agape Living

1840 Phinizy Rd, Augusta, GA, 30906

Agape Living is a bright, clean and cheery assisted living facility nestled in Augusta, Georgia, close to Phinizy Road. Relatives express gratitude to the efficient and competent manager for … (read more)
Agape Living is a bright, clean and cheery assisted living facility nestled in Augusta, Georgia, close to Phinizy Road. Relatives express gratitude to the efficient and competent manager for … (read more)

Camelia Walk

3949 Evans to Lock Road, Evans, GA, 30809

The price that you charge, you should provide more than a hot dog or spaghetti noodles with a dab of sauce. How about the salad that has wilted lettuce. My mother inlaw has complained several times a … (read more)
The price that you charge, you should provide more than a hot dog or spaghetti noodles with a dab of sauce. How about the salad that has wilted lettuce. My mother inlaw has complained several times a … (read more)

Plaza Personal Care Center

724 greene street, Augusta, GA, 30901


Waverly Gardens of Evans- CLOSED

550 Gibbs Rd , Evans, GA, 30809

I went to Waverly Gardens of Evans. My mother didn’t like that community at all. It was a small community, a small number of residents. The facilities were small, kind of outdated, had no modern conve … (read more)
I went to Waverly Gardens of Evans. My mother didn’t like that community at all. It was a small community, a small number of residents. The facilities were small, kind of outdated, had no modern conve … (read more)

What to Consider About Assisted Living in Aiken

The Bureau of Health Facility Licensing, a division of the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control, regulates and licenses assisted living facilities in the state. Its work includes making unannounced inspections and liaising with other departments, such as the Long-Term Care Ombudsman, to ensure facilities continue to operate at a high standard.

Benefits and Drawbacks of Assisted Living in Aiken

  • Aiken’s average cost of living index of 85.7 is below the 88.5 average for South Carolina and the 100 average for the country. This suggests seniors’ incomes can go further in the city, despite health costs being above average, as most other costs are lower than normal.
  • Winter in Aiken can be cold, with the average temperature in January being around 34 degrees. However, for most of the year, the weather is fine, rising to around 92 degrees for most of July. Rainfall is above normal, at 48 inches per year, but the benefit is above-average water quality and soil packed with enough nutrients to keep the surrounding landscape rich and green.
  • Aiken’s crime statistics don’t reflect well on the city. Violent crime is above the state average by just over half a percentage point, while property crime is almost 20 points higher. Seniors worried about these figures may want to consider neighborhoods with statistically less crime, such as Springdale and College Acres. Those considering assisted living may be pleased to know that many include surveillance cameras and security features as standard.
  • Aiken Regional Medical Centers, rated high-performing by U.S. News & World Report, is the primary health care facility in the city. There are also a significant number of Medicare-registered physicians and other health professionals, ensuring seniors have greater choice over who manages their health care. Within a 30-minute journey, seniors also have access to Augusta’s many hospitals, such as Augusta University Medical Center
  • South Carolina’s senior-friendly approach to taxation ensures retirees on Social Security don’t need to pay state taxes on their benefits. Additionally, retirees aged 65 and older receiving income from their own plans can deduct up to $10,000 of their annual income.

Paying for Assisted Living in Aiken

The data published in the 2020 Genworth Cost of Care Survey shows Aiken to be one of the most affordable locations in South Carolina for seniors in assisted living facilities. At $3,090, fees are below the averages for the state and the country. They’re also lower than some of South Carolina’s most populous cities, such as Columbia, where the average fee is $4,299, and Savannah, where it’s $5,475. An exception is Greenville, where fees are typically $2,800 per month.

The Cost of Assisted Living in Nearby Cities

$3090

Aiken

$3988

South Carolina

$4300

The United States

$4299

Columbia

$5475

Savannah

$2800

Greenville

The Cost of Other Types of Senior Care

Adult day centers are the only type of senior care in Aiken that’s more affordable than assisted living, with average fees of $1,490. Homemaker agencies typically charge $4,195 for standard home care services, while seniors who need additional medical care from a home health aide can get both services for around the same fee. The most expensive type of care in Aiken is provided by nursing homes, which often charge around $6,509 for a semiprivate room and an additional $426 per month for a private one.

$4195

Homemaker Services

$4195

Home Health Aide

$1490

Adult Day Health Care

$3090

Assisted Living Facility

$6509

Nursing Home Facility (semiprivate room)

$6935

Nursing Home Facility (private room)

Note: Care cost data for Aiken was not available, so data for the closest city, Augusta, Georgia, was used instead.

Financial Assistance for Assisted Living in Aiken

Aiken and the state of South Carolina provide public assistance for seniors who need help paying for an assisted living facility through the Medicaid State Plan. Eligibility for the program is open to seniors over the age of 60 who meet all Medicaid program criteria and those who are receiving the Optional State Supplement (OSS) to the federal Supplemental Security Income program (SSI). Family supplementation for private rooms is not allowed.

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

Financial Assistance for Assisted Living 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 Aiken

Aiken’s seniors can call on the support of numerous organizations and agencies dedicated to supporting residents in their later years. These resources show how to get support if a care provider fails to provide quality care, where to get free and low-cost transport to travel around the city and how to get medical assistance if the senior is a veteran.

Resource

Contact

Service

(800) 868-9095

The Long-Term Care Ombudsman is a division of the South Carolina Department of Aging that advocates for the rights of seniors residing in care homes. The ombudsman's role involves raising standards within the state's residential care facilities and educating seniors about their rights. Additionally, ombudsmen investigate complaints made by seniors, their families and third parties and attempt to resolve them on the complainant's behalf.

(803) 634-9638

Located within Immanuel Baptist Church in nearby North Augusta, Dana's Recovery Room provides gently used and refurbished medical equipment for those in need. All loaned equipment is free of charge. Examples of what's available include wheelchairs, walkers, blood pressure monitors, shower benches and bedside toilets. However, as the church depends on donations, the equipment required may not be available at the time of the senior's request.

(706) 733-0188

Aiken VA Clinic is a primary care facility for U.S. military veterans, their spouses and dependents. It also has a cardiology department with surgeons who perform cardiovascular surgeries. Additionally, the mental health department can assist with a wide range of psychological issues and there's a weight management resource for those with eating issues. Although not housed within the building, the area's veteran services officer can help seniors apply for the state and federal benefits to which they're entitled.

(866) 845-1550

Lower Savannah Council of Governments operates the Aging, Disability and Transportation Resource Center. Some of the center's benefits for seniors include access to legal advisors to help with noncriminal matters, such as protection from possible elder abuse and exploitation. The center also helps finance various transit services in the area, which provide low-cost transportation options for older and disabled residents.

Assisted Living Laws and Regulations in Aiken

Aiken-area assisted living communities must adhere to the comprehensive set of state laws and regulations that all assisted living communities 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