Memory Care Communities in Summerville, South Carolina

In Summerville, memory care residents pay $4,931 per month for care, which is over $400 higher than the state median of $4,515 but affordable compared to the national rate of $5,625. In Hilton Head Island, rates are equal to the national average, and in the Myrtle Beach area, seniors pay $5,088. Sumter has the state’s most affordable dementia care rates at $3,329. 

Memory care services in Summerville are provided in assisted living facilities with Alzheimer’s special care units or programs. On average, memory care costs 20-30% more than standard assisted living. No nationwide cost data sources list rates for memory care services, so the following estimates are based on assisted living fees in the Genworth 2021 Cost of Care Survey, increased by 25%. 

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.

Summerville seniors have multiple care options to choose from depending on their needs. Adult day health care is the most cost-effective option at $1,381. Assisted living services average $3,945, and memory care is about $1,000 more at $4,931. Older adults who obtain in-home care pay $5,005 for basic homemaker services and specialized home health aide care. Nursing homes charge $7,513 for semiprivate accommodations and $8,152 for private rooms.  

In Summerville, memory care facilities are licensed as assisted living facilities and must comply with regulations set by the South Carolina Board of Health and Environmental Control, Division of Health Licensing. This agency conducts background checks on all prospective caregivers and investigates complaints of noncompliance with regulations. 

• Summerville is among the more expensive South Carolina cities to live in, but its overall cost of living is consistent with the national average. Utility and transportation expenses tend to be higher here than elsewhere in the state, but memory care facilities typically figure costs such as these into their monthly rates.
• Property crime is more prevalent in Summerville than in the typical U.S. city, ranking 49.9 on a 100-point crime index compared to the national score of 35.4. However, according to the most recent FBI data, the number of incidents has been trending downward for years. Violent crime is unusual here, which may provide peace of mind for families seeking local long-term residential dementia services for loved ones.  
• With year-round high temperatures ranging from 59-92 degrees, Summerville is one of the warmer places in South Carolina. The town only sees about an inch of annual snowfall, which may be good for older adults who rely on mobility aids. However, summers tend to be very humid. To keep residents comfortable, many memory care facilities have individual climate controls in residents’ units.  
• Health care options are somewhat limited in Summerville and may be a consideration for those managing chronic conditions such as dementia. Summerville Medical Center, a 124-bed acute-care hospital, is located in the town itself, and 11 more hospitals are located within 50 miles. There are 60 doctors per capita compared to the national average of 210.  
• South Carolina is tax-friendly toward retirees, which may help seniors afford long-term care services in Summerville. Older adults don’t pay state income taxes on Social Security benefits, and they can claim a large taxable income deduction for other types of retirement income.