As a historic port city, Charleston beautifully blends history, culture, and Southern charm. The cobblestone streets, waterfront views, and famous landmarks give Charleston a depth of offerings to its residents.
If you or your loved one is looking for a nursing home, assisted living, or memory care in Charleston, there are plenty of options to fit the bill. While nursing homes provide 24-hour skilled nursing care, the term is also used by many to describe assisted living and memory care communities. If you or your loved one needs daily assistance but not actual round-the-clock medical care, an assisted living or memory care facility might be the best option.
In this guide, we’ll introduce you to our 13 assisted living and memory care partner facilities in Charleston. They’re all within a 10-mile radius of the city center, which includes North Charleston, Folly Beach, and Mount Pleasant. We’ll also cover how to fund this type of care, the laws and regulations that govern it, and other specifics to the area — like health care and transportation options.
The staff is wonderful, as well as the caregivers. For the most part, my family has a great rapport with the caregivers, and they are very attentive to our sister. We also have a great rapport with the...
We chose Harmony at West Ashely because it is a larger and newer facility. I thought that would lead to more opportunities for mom There's been more turn-over in staff than I would have liked.
We chose Brookdale West Ashley because of the cost for what we were getting. But also the smaller size was helpful due to the proximity of other rooms like dining, PT, library. Nothing was very far to get...
I would say the staff is friendly and the private rooms are big comparatively. As with any place, changes take a bit of time and getting all shifts on the same page. Comparatively, they are still head and...
I would rate all areas 5. Palms of Mt Pleasant is a good place. Staff goes above and beyond to help the residents and families. Yes, we would recommend this community to other families. The staff at Palms...
Dealing with dementia patients has gotta be the hardest job in the world. I think everyone that works there is great and kind and helpful. Big should out to [name removed], he really helped us out a lot...
I have nothing but good things to say about Atria Mount Pleasant! During our initial tour we were very impressed with the tour guide. She knew every resident's name and their story. She gave us suggestions...
I feel that the staff really cares about my dad. The staff always seems very helpful and happy to be of help. I know dad is safe at Mt. Pleasant Gardens! I also love to see the frequent activities and...
Most of the staff cares deeply about the residents. I've been surprised by how much still have to follow up and advocate for my Dad. But I love seeing how they love my dad! The activities director and...
It's a delightful place with southern beach charm !The room was great spacious being able to look out the windows and see the hummingbird feeders in the birdhouse feeders in the garden beds was spectacular...
If we could give the overall value for cost a 10 we would! What we really like the most about the community is the location. The location of Oaks at Daniel Island is highly accessible. Most everything is...
I am so very thankful for the loving care Mom (age 86 - COPD and dementia) receives at Carter-May Home. She was in Pinewood in Goose Creek, SC for about a year and a half until they raised her level of care...
All of the interactions we had with the staff were very positive, they know all the residents by name and they were very caring towards our loved one. Even though our loved one did not participate in the...
We love Kempton of Charleston. The facility is great especially if you have access to driving. The location is isolated and there is not enough activities and things going on away from the facility so my...
The staff is amazing they are so kind and caring and take wonderful care of my 97-year-old aunt. Through out the pandemic they have done everything they can to keep the residences safe, healthy and happy. I...
The stay has been very good so far at Riverside. He is happy with his therapy services. He is using it and making progress! They are all friendly! Has had some really good nurses! Every time I go there the...
Sweetgrass has been wonderful home for my father! The size is what first attracted me to Sweetgrass and it has met all my expectations! Being small your loved one will get the individual attention they...
Mom has been a resident of this community for awhile now. I just want to say Ashley Landing is great. All of the staff is friendly and welcoming. The food is excellent and there is always something going...
I chose this facility for my mom from the various experiences that I have had with assisted living facilities for the last 10 years. The transitions went smoothly at first and due to my mom's needs and her...
I thought overall they did a good job here, but they weren't quite up to the level of care that my loved one needed. It was a nice facility, everything was well kept and clean, and the staff were all...
My mom was here after she fell and fractured her hip. I thought they were very good. I was satisfied. They were more conscious - they put pads around the bed like what you would use if you were doing...
We developed a proprietary recommendation system that orders Charleston community options based on factors we know are important to seniors and their families:
We collect proprietary data from our network of 14,000+ senior living communities in the U.S., with regular refreshes of data and information
We have 387,000+ reviews from senior living residents and family members that provide first-hand accounts about senior living communities
The monthly median cost for a semi-private room in a Charleston nursing home is $7,513, and $8,152 for a private room.[01] These facilities provide 24/7 skilled nursing care for people who have medical conditions that require that level of constant care, much like the care one would receive in a hospital.
The average total monthly cost for a Charleston assisted living facility is $4,283, while a memory care facility in Charleston is $4,242 a month.[02] This figure is a total that includes amenities, services, and — for memory care residents — specialized 24/7 care for those with Alzheimer’s or dementia.
Paying for a nursing home or an assisted living or memory care facility often comes from private funds. However, there are public programs that can help, as well as private funding streams you might not be considering.
In the tabs below, we’ll discuss private pay methods, VA benefits, Medicaid, and Medicare and how each of those might help.
The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) licenses Charleston nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and memory care facilities (also called Alzheimer’s special care units). Both assisted living and memory care facilities in South Carolina are licensed as Community Residential Care Facilities (CRCF).
All of these facilities have state regulations that govern them and are subject to regular inspections. Additionally, nursing homes are subject to federal regulations if they receive funds from Medicare or Medicaid.
Assisted living facilities and memory care facilities have to follow the South Carolina licensing regulations for CRCFs. These cover staffing requirements and training, emergency procedures, as well as the care expected to be provided for residents, including food service guidelines.
Residents of nursing homes, assisted living, and memory care facilities are also protected by the South Carolina Bill of Rights for Residents of Long-Term Care Facilities. Staff at all these facilities also receive training in upholding those rights and ensuring the dignity of residents.
Nursing homes are subject to more rigorous staffing regulations compared to assisted living or memory care facilities because they are required to have medical personnel. A medical director who is a licensed physician is mandated to oversee the medical care within the facility. Additionally, specific guidelines dictate the minimum number of licensed nurses required to be present on staff.
Staff members in memory care facilities must receive specialized training to understand how to properly provide care for residents with Alzheimer’s or dementia. This specialized training should occur annually and should encompass effective communication with residents who have memory loss, understanding and management of behaviors associated with memory impairment, appropriate activities for residents, and safety measures specific to those with memory loss.
The Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) in Charleston conducts unannounced annual inspections of long-term care facilities to ensure compliance with South Carolina’s licensing requirements. These inspections are mandatory and essential to ensure that regulations are followed. If interested, you can access the DHEC’s inspection reports either online or by contacting the DHEC directly.
South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control
2600 Bull St.
Columbia, SC 29201
Phone: 855-472-3432
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.
The city of Charleston provides COVID-19 prevention guidelines, but it doesn’t have any mandates. The city posts the latest coronavirus updates here.
While we don’t partner with any nursing homes, A Place for Mom does partner with 13 assisted living and memory care facilities in Charleston. Two of those are standalone assisted living facilities, while three are standalone memory care facilities. Eight facilities offer both assisted living and memory care on one campus — half of those also have independent living as an option.
You or your loved one can expect a home-like environment awash with Southern charm and beauty. Chores like laundry and housekeeping are taken care of, while staff members are always on hand to give extra help with daily activities like getting dressed or moving around. Socialization opportunities abound, from planned outings to the Charleston Market or hanging out with friends in the movie room. Happy hours, live music, bingo games, and holiday parties are just a few of the ways you or your loved one can enjoy a relaxing lifestyle.
A calm and safe environment is the top priority for residents of memory care facilities. With nearly all of our partners offering enclosed courtyards, residents can securely enjoy the beautiful Charleston weather and outdoor activities. Staff members will be on hand at all hours of the day and night to calm anxieties and care for those with Alzheimer’s or dementia who become disoriented.
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If you or your loved one lives at an assisted living or memory care facility, getting to and from appointments and running errands won’t be too much of a chore. Transportation is provided for free at 77% of our partner facilities, and 23% offer transportation at cost. Those with memory loss will need to travel with a caregiver.
Charleston has a special collaboration with Uber, offering 55+ seniors $4 rides within a designated service area through CARTA OnDemand. Personal care attendants are permitted to ride along for free but must be approved in advance through the application process for the Tel-A-Ride paratransit program. A similar application process applies to your loved one.
In addition, seniors can opt for other transportation options such as the Charleston Black Cab Company, the Charleston Cab Company, or the senior-specific option called A Golden Ride when going out and about.
Exploring historical sites and museums, such as the Charleston Museum or the Historic Charleston Foundation, which offer interactive exhibits and programs that showcase the city’s rich history, can make for a great outing.
For a sweet treat or to check out local art and crafts, a visit to the Charleston City Market could be a fun stop. Watching the locals weave the famous sweetgrass baskets is also a unique experience.
If a relaxing stroll is preferred, Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, with over 400 acres of beautiful gardens, offers tours on foot, by boat, or on a train. While the train and boat are both accessible, the guided house tour has several staircases, making it less accessible than other areas.
Charleston’s Waterfront Park is another beautiful spot to enjoy the natural coastal scenery, with numerous benches and shaded areas for rest breaks. Folly Beach is also a wonderful place to take in the coastal views.
Ashley Gardens Transitional Assisted Living and Memory Care, The Claiborne at Brickyard Crossing and The Palms of Mt. Pleasant are the top-rated Nursing Homes facilities near Charleston, SC. These Nursing Homes facilities received the highest rankings based on verified family reviews. See full list of communities.
The average cost of Nursing Homes in Charleston is $4,527 per month. This cost may vary based on location, amenities, floorplan, level of care and other factors.
Genworth Financial. (2021). Cost of Care Survey.
A Place for Mom. (2023). A Place for Mom proprietary data.
U.S. News & World Report. (2023). MUSC Health University Medical Center.
U.S. News & World Report. (2023). Roper Hospital.
Ask an A Place for Mom local advisor at no cost.
Genworth Financial. (2021). Cost of Care Survey.
A Place for Mom. (2023). A Place for Mom proprietary data.
U.S. News & World Report. (2023). MUSC Health University Medical Center.
U.S. News & World Report. (2023). Roper Hospital.