Surrounded by the natural beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains and overflowing with rich culture and history, it’s no wonder more than 88,000 seniors call Greenville, South Carolina, home. It’s a relaxing, engaging place for seniors to live and find the care they need.
Nursing homes provide both nursing and long-term care options. But if you’re looking for a Greenville nursing home near you, you might actually need services associated with senior living communities that specialize in memory care or assisted living.
Memory care facilities offer around-the-clock specialized care and long-term housing for seniors experiencing memory loss. Meanwhile, assisted living facilities offer support for seniors who are relatively active but need some help with activities of daily living.
If this is the kind of care you’re looking for, A Place for Mom partners with 20 senior care facilities, including those that specialize in memory care and assisted living, within 10 miles of Greenville’s charming downtown area that centers around Falls Park.
This guide dives into what you and your loved one can expect from senior care communities, ways to pay for care, and laws and regulations. We’ll also cover health care and transportation options, as well as local activities you and your loved one might enjoy.
Everyone here is knowledgeable, helpful and professional. They knew exactly what requirements were required to get my mother situated and made it a smooth transition. My mom is loved, respected and taken...
It is best place for my husband at this stage of his disease. Overall appearance, arrangement of room and common areas/garden access.
Very friendly staff and helpful has treated my mom with love and care and would recommend taking a tour of this facility. Staff and aides have been very helpful in extending extra care for my mom. Physical...
My dad spent the last 3 ½ years at the Blake. I can’t say enough about the wonderful care and attention he received while living at the Blake. He always felt safe and comfortable in this facility. His...
Waterstone has been a learning experience for us as this is our first assisted living facility interaction. You learn that no place is perfect but you have to look for what is better than the rest. This...
All 5! What we like the most about The Springs at Simpsonville is the staff members who work there and the location of the community. We would recommend them to others who may need a place for their loved...
They were superior to the places she stayed before then, here, and in Washington. [name removed] needed Memory Care and Brookstone excelled in their treatment of Memory Care folks fully without constraint as...
A couple staff members could improve on their patience and attitude but for the most part the staff is very friendly and attentive to the residents. Yes, I would recommend Oakview Park to other families....
I would have to say 5 on all of them. We have been very pleased with Pine Grove and have had no complaints. They always have activities planned, it is very clean and all of the staff are super friendly and...
The employees are great . I'm thinking about getting a job there. Feels like home and has really helped my father in-law physically and emotionally.
I would say all 5's except for meals. She said some of the meals she doesn't like. The chicken is sometimes dry for example. They do give a choice for other options which is nice. Overall she loves living at...
What we like most about the Harmony at Five Forks are the people who are there, they are super nice and there is a lot of different things to do. Based on the experience we have had so far, we would...
I chose The Residences at Greer because it is small and close to my home in case there is an emergency. The staff loves their residents. They take great care of them and very understanding. They go through...
I could not recommend Hilltop of Greenville Memory Care highly enough. And, in fact, I have! Of course, no place is perfect, but they have done everything possible to make my husband comfortable, feel safe,...
I would give the Pearl 5 stars in everything except dining. When I visit my mom I take her to lunch so I have never been there for dining. Overall I love it. Having my mom's previous facility as a comparison...
I can't thank Terra Bella Thornblade enough for all they've done to care for us. We became aware that our loved one's former facility was no longer safe. We immediately began looking for a new home for...
They're good to my mom. They try to do everything they can to keep her comfortable and happy. And that's all I could ask for. We've had no problems, and I'm happy to have her at Greenville Glen.
We chose TerraBella Summit because of the staff friendliness and the overall cleanliness of the facility. It really is a fantastic place, staff is very attentive. Just need more staff
Overall, it has been a good experience. We picked this community because it was cleaner, more upscale, better care, better meals, and much better staff.
So many of the staff are terrific. Think upper management could be more responsive/honest. During the recent hurricane, emergency generators went out leaving some residents without electricity for a week,...
Based off of our personal experience, I would recommend The palmettos of Mauldin to other families looking for care for their loved ones.
Taking into consideration they are shorthanded, the only thing is that they are lacking in communication. We had some things that they said would be done, but it wasn't done and calls weren't returned....
It is wonderful they are absolutely fantastic all around and have been very helpful to my husband. He is now in hospice and that portion is also absolutely outstanding.
My dad currently resides there on the front rehab hall. The staff and managers have been phenomenal! They're very attentive, knowledgeable and efficient. We had a few minor issues when my dad first arrived...
We developed a proprietary recommendation system that orders Greenville 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
A private room in a Greenville-area skilled nursing home that provides around-the-clock care costs an average of $3,743 per month.[02] This cost includes all service fees and add-ons, but individual costs vary depending on floor plan and amenities. If you’re specifically looking into Greenville assisted living facilities, the average monthly cost is $3,949, according to A Place for Mom’s proprietary data. For Greenville memory care facilities, the average cost is $3,931.[03]
These costs go beyond simply having a place to stay. They also include access to transportation, laundry and housekeeping services, and a wide range of activities and amenities. They also include holistic care (such as diabetes, memory, incontinence, and rehabilitative care, for example) and medication management. Wheelchair-accessible rooms, delicious meals, and common areas for socializing can also be expected in these senior care facilities.
Finding skilled care for seniors in Greenville requires family members to invest both time and finances. Here, you’ll find information about your options for payment. Some seniors and their families opt to use some public and some private funds to pay for senior care facilities. Personal savings, long-term care insurance, Medicaid, Medicare, and VA benefits are some of the most common sources. The tabs below will discuss private and public payment options.
Pensions, Social Security benefits, and investment returns are a few of the private sources of income seniors use to pay for assisted living or memory care.
Other ways seniors use private funds to pay for assisted living or memory care include the following:
Veterans who need to fund their stay at a senior care facility, including assisted living or memory care facilities, can check their eligibility for the VA’s Aid and Attendance program, which adds additional funds to the monthly VA Pension payment. Navigating the application process can be difficult, so connecting with experts who can help is key. There are local veteran service officers and veteran service organizations that can guide you.
A good place to start is at the Greenville County Office of Veterans Affairs. The regional U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs benefits office provides claims assistance as well. Greenville’s Upstate Warrior Solution is a nonprofit organization that connects veterans with resources through the Upstate Veterans Alliance Network (UVAN). This form is the starting point for finding help there. The American Legion has volunteer advocates available to help, too.
Resources for Greenville veterans
Greenville County Office of Veterans Affairs
301 University Ridge
Suite 5900
Greenville, SC 29601
Phone: 864-467-7230
Fax: 864-467-7677
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. (Mondays and Fridays are by appointment only.)
Columbia VA Regional Benefit Office
6437 Garners Ferry Road
Columbia, SC 29209
Phone: 800-827-1000
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. (Opens at 8:30 a.m. on Wednesdays.)
Upstate Warrior Solution
Rupert Huse Veteran Center
770 Pelham Road
Suite 102
Greenville, SC 29615
Phone: 864-520-2073
Fax: 864-520-2078
Hours: Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Friday, 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.
James F. Daniel, Jr. American Legion Post 3
430 N Main St.
Greenville, SC 29601
Phone: 864-271-2000
Fax: 864-271-8793
Email: talp3sc@outlook.com
Healthy Connections is the name of the Medicaid program in South Carolina. It doesn’t pay for a stay in an assisted living or memory care facility, but it will help cover medical bills for those who meet a certain low-income requirement. You can apply for Medicaid online or by contacting Greenville’s Healthy Connections eligibility office. If your loved one needs the level of care generally provided in a nursing home, the Program for All-Inclusive Care of the Elderly (PACE) helps seniors who are at least 55 years old access nursing home-type services in other community settings.
Seniors in an assisted living or memory care facility can apply for Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waivers through the South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. You or your loved one can apply for the HCBS waiver online. The Community Choices waiver allows for personal care and skilled nursing to be administered by approved providers.
South Carolina is one of just a handful of states with a dual coordinated care program for those who qualify for both Medicaid and Medicare. The program is called Healthy Connections Prime. The Department on Aging’s ombudsman is the expert on guiding seniors through this unique program.
SC Thrive and the Appalachian Council of Governments (Greenville’s Area Agency on Aging) are also indispensable resources that can help you and your loved one navigate these government programs.
Greenville resident Medicaid resources
Greenville’s Healthy Connections Eligibility Office
352 Halton Road
Greenville, SC 29607
Phone: 864-467-7926
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
SC Thrive
120 Research Drive
Columbia, SC 29203
Phone: 800-726-8774
Email: contact@scthrive.org
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
The Appalachian Council of Governments
30 Century Circle
Columbia, SC 29607
Phone: 864-242-9733
Email: info@scacog.org
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Healthy Connections Prime Advocate (Ombudsman)
1301 Gervais St.
Suite 350
Columbia, SC 29201
Phone: 844-477-4632
Email: primeadvocate@aging.sc.gov
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Medicare, the federal health insurance program for people 65 and over, doesn’t cover custodial care, such as room and board or rent for a long-term senior care facility. It does, however, cover medically necessary care, such as wound care or physical therapy. Medicare Part A will cover care in a skilled nursing facility, but not on a long-term basis.
There are four Medicare Savings Programs that cover some costs for eligible seniors in assisted living or memory care facilities. These programs help pay for premiums, deductibles, and copayments. The Extra Help program takes care of some prescription drug costs.
Your loved one can apply for Medicare online or in person at the local Social Security Administration office. The process can be confusing and complicated, so don’t hesitate to contact the South Carolina State Health Insurance Program (SHIP) for free application help.
South Carolina is one of just a handful of states with a dual coordinated care program for those who qualify for both Medicaid and Medicare. The program is called Healthy Connections Prime. The Department on Aging’s ombudsman is the expert on guiding seniors through this unique program.
SC Thrive and the Appalachian Council of Governments (Greenville’s Area Agency on Aging) are also indispensable resources that can help you and your loved one navigate these government programs.
Greenville resident Medicare resources
Social Security Administration – Greenville
319 Pelham Road
Greenville, SC 29615
Phone: 877-274-5423
Hours: Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
SC Thrive
120 Research Drive
Columbia, SC 29203
Phone: 800-726-8774
Email: contact@scthrive.org
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
The Appalachian Council of Governments
30 Century Circle
Columbia, SC 29607
Phone: 864-242-9733
Email: info@scacog.org
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Healthy Connections Prime Advocate (Ombudsman)
1301 Gervais St.
Suite 350
Columbia, SC 29201
Phone: 844-477-4632
Email: primeadvocate@aging.sc.gov
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) Standards for Licensing Nursing Homes govern Greenville nursing home facilities. Assisted living and memory care facilities — referred to as community residential care facilities — fall under these guidelines for licensing. These long lists of rules and regulations cover everything from staffing and training requirements to expectations around resident care. Many of the regulations are the same across all types of facilities, such as the following:
Nursing home regulations involve more stringent requirements for staffing because medical personnel is required, unlike at standalone assisted living or memory care facilities. Nursing homes must have a medical director who is a doctor to coordinate the facility’s medical care. There are also rules around the number of licensed nurses required to be on staff.
All facilities must also adhere to the South Carolina Bill of Rights for Residents of Long-Term Care Facilities. The South Carolina Omnibus Adult Protection Act is also in place as another layer of protection for seniors from abuse or neglect.
All facilities must be inspected in order to obtain their license. DHEC will drop in unannounced to ensure compliance with regulations. Reports from these inspections can be found online. Downloadable PDFs of the inspection reports are available by searching a facility name or by toggling on the map view.
South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control contact information
2600 Bull St.
Columbia, SC 29201
Phone: 803-898-3432
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
There are no Greenville COVID-19 mandates in place. The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control requires visitation to be allowed but also expects facilities to do a good job of taking precautions. These federal guidelines were recently updated for nursing homes.
Vaccinations. COVID-19 vaccinations are strongly encouraged for both staff and residents.
Masking. If a person has knowingly been exposed to COVID-19, it is recommended that they wear a mask to prevent transmission.
Facility cleanliness. Staff members are expected to wash hands and sanitize surfaces regularly to prevent infection and transmission.
It’s not easy to pick the right senior care facility for a loved one. However, seniors in Greenville have a variety of top-notch options that offer both great care and fabulous amenities.
Residents of senior care facilities can expect 24/7 medical care. Some of our partner facilities offer skilled nursing. For the facilities that don’t, medication management and other types of specialized care are standard — such as incontinence and diabetic care.
If your loved one wants to live in an assisted living facility, we partner with two standalone facilities in Greenville. There are four partner standalone memory care facilities in Greenville if your loved one needs that type of care. And aging-in-place options are plentiful, too, with an additional 14 options that offer a combination of types of care in one facility — including assisted living, memory care, and independent living.
If your loved one needs care for memory loss, you can rest assured they’ll be in good hands with staff members who have been specially trained. Safety is of the utmost importance in our partner memory care facilities, so a staff member will always be awake and available, no matter the time of day. Many memory care facilities have wander management systems and personal alarms in place, which provides your loved one with freedom to explore within a safe area — and gives you peace of mind. Enclosed courtyards are an important safety feature of most facilities so residents can safely get outside and enjoy some fresh air.
Thanks to on-staff activity directors, senior care facilities always have an event calendar full of engaging options — so there’s never a dull moment! Facilities host a wide variety of activities, from devotional services and live performances to chair yoga and happy hours. In common areas, these facilities host celebrations for holidays and residents’ birthdays. Libraries, movie rooms, game rooms, and arts-and-crafts spaces provide plenty of environments for relaxing, socializing, and having fun.
Delicious meals are prepared for residents and served in a comfortable restaurant-style setting. Special diets can be accommodated, from low-sugar to low-sodium to gluten-free and everything in between. Private dining rooms can often be provided if you and your loved one would like to dine together during a visit.
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Median annual income for Greenville seniors 65 and older [05]
The health care system in Greenville is also the area’s largest employer.[06] With multiple locations, there are great options that have your loved one’s health care needs covered.
Prisma Health Greenville Memorial Hospital
At this facility, stroke care has been recognized as top-notch by the American Stroke Association. Colon cancer surgery and heart failure care are two more areas bringing in accolades. This hospital is considered a high performer in both areas.
Prisma Health Patewood Hospital
Patewood has earned the distinction of being one of the 100 best hospitals for joint replacement. With the Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval, it is the only hospital in the state to have been recognized for this achievement in three different types of joint replacement surgery.
Bon Secours St. Francis Health System
With locations downtown and on the east side, this highly ranked health care system has plenty of options for finding top-notch care.
While all of our partner facilities provide transportation to appointments, visiting family and friends have options, too.
Walking around in Greenville — unless you’re downtown — isn’t easy.[08] But you can use Greenlink, the city bus system, which has 11 fixed routes and offers wheelchair accessibility. Ride-hailing services, such as Lyft or Uber, are also an option.
Activities are plentiful at our partner senior care facilities, but sometimes a special outing with a loved one is a welcome treat for residents. Falls Park on the Reedy, the heart of Greenville, features a suspension bridge and waterfalls. Swamp Rabbit Trail is another great spot for getting some fresh air. There is a mile-long paved section that makes an outing in a wheelchair or scooter especially easy. You can also check out the animals at the nearby Greenville Zoo.
For those who appreciate fine arts, the Greenville County Museum of Art would be a relaxing stop. It boasts an Andrew Wyeth watercolor collection and paintings by contemporary artist Jasper Johns. Walking canes and wheelchairs are available for visitor use. If you or your loved one are visually impaired, you can call ahead to request a special tour.
The Peace Center is a great accessible location that features performing arts. Patron assistance services can be reserved in advance, which include curbside drop-off. If you let the center know ahead of time, a service animal is also welcome. Sign language interpreters and helpful assisted listening devices can also be requested.
History buffs would enjoy a trip to the Upcountry History Museum or a drive to see the 13 African-American cultural sites in the area.
Summit Place, The Springs at Simpsonville and Brookstone Terrace of Woodruff are the top-rated Nursing Homes facilities near Greenville, 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 Greenville is $4,231 per month. This cost may vary based on location, amenities, floorplan, level of care and other factors.
United States Census Bureau. (2021). Age and Sex (S0101) [Data Set]. American Community Survey.
Genworth Financial. (2021). Cost of Care Survey.
A Place for Mom. (2023). A Place for Mom proprietary data.
United States Census Bureau. (2021). Veteran Status (S2101) [Data Set]. American Community Survey.
United States Census Bureau. (2021). Median Income in the Past 12 Months (in 2021 Inflation-Adjusted Dollars) (S1903) [Data Set]. American Community Survey.
Upstate SC Alliance. (2022). Data Resources: Major Employers.
U.S. News & World Report. (2023). Bon Secours St. Francis Health System-Greenville.
WalkScore. (2023). Living in Greenville.
Ask an A Place for Mom local advisor at no cost.
United States Census Bureau. (2021). Age and Sex (S0101) [Data Set]. American Community Survey.
Genworth Financial. (2021). Cost of Care Survey.
A Place for Mom. (2023). A Place for Mom proprietary data.
United States Census Bureau. (2021). Veteran Status (S2101) [Data Set]. American Community Survey.
United States Census Bureau. (2021). Median Income in the Past 12 Months (in 2021 Inflation-Adjusted Dollars) (S1903) [Data Set]. American Community Survey.
Upstate SC Alliance. (2022). Data Resources: Major Employers.
U.S. News & World Report. (2023). Bon Secours St. Francis Health System-Greenville.
WalkScore. (2023). Living in Greenville.