South Carolina Continuing Care

Depending on your location and specific needs your options for CCRCs in South Carolina may vary. Since many sponsors of CCRCs include religious, fraternal and community organizations, and other companies involved with developing these retirement communities, they often instill their philosophies and ideals within the communities. Be sure to shop around to find the best fit for your continuing care option.

Not sure what a CCCR is? Continuing care retirement communities are retirement communities with accommodations for independent living, assisted living, and nursing home care, offering residents a continuum of care. The communities ensure a dignified place for your or your senior to stay. Although there is no overarching federal agency that regulates retirement communities, the private non-profit organization CARF-CCAC provides a voluntary process for individual CCRCs to become accredited.

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Recreation and Attractions in South Carolina

South Carolina’s landscape varies quite a bit, from the Blue Ridge Mountains and marshes of the Low country to its beaches by the Atlantic Ocean. The state boasts America’s First Museum in Charleston, featuring some of South Carolina’s most historic and significant artifacts and exhibits.

South Carolina's Climate, Geography, and Culture

You cannot discuss South Carolina history without the history of the Gullah people of South Carolina. Enslaved from West Africa for their expertise in rice production and brought to the coastal plain and Sea Islands, descendants of the Gullah people in South Carolina maintain a vibrant range of art, music, and cuisine today. South Carolina has warm, moist and long summers with temperatures in the 90s. The winters are brief and moderate with typical temperatures between the 50-60 degree range. The average temperature is 64 degrees with an average low temperature of 54 degrees and an average high temperature of 75 degrees. The spring and fall temperatures are between the 60-80 range of degrees. South Carolina commonly has tornadoes, most consistently through spring, but November is also a peak period for tornadoes. Their southern hospitality is welcoming during your retirement.

South Carolina has warm, moist and long summers with temperatures in the 90s. The winters are brief and moderate with typical temperatures between the 50s and 60s. The average temperature is 64 degrees with an average low temperature of 54 degrees and an average high temperature of 75 degrees. The spring and fall temperatures are between the 6s and 80s. South Carolina commonly has tornadoes, most consistently through spring, but November is also a peak period for tornadoes. When it comes to South Carolinians, their southern hospitality and warmth is something to look forward to during your retirement.

South Carolina's CCRCs Regulations and Laws

Continued Care homes in South Carolina are subject to a list of rules, regulations, and laws that can be found on the South Carolina Department of Health. These rules and regulations include regular facility inspections, intense employee background checks, and strict health codes.

Crime and Safety in South Carolina 

Statewide, crime rates are slightly higher than the national average. Violent crimes are reported at 4.98 per thousand residents with property crimes at 34.60. Despite these statistics, there are many safe places to consider when locating a continuing care retirement community for you or your elderly loved one. Listed below are some of the safest cities in South Carolina. 

LocationViolent Crimes Per 1,000 ResidentsProperty Crimes Per 1,000 Residents
Edgefield2.3610.06
Wellford1.2412.36
Tega City.2515.7
 

(source: safewise.com)

Payment and Costs for CCRCs in South Carolina 

The payment plans will differ at each CCRC, however, large entrance fees are to be expected and can range anywhere from $30,000 to $500,000 and even up to $1 million at a single time depending on your contract and location. The national average cost of an entrance fee based on the most recent data is $248,000, and this price is expected to continue to fluctuate based on local housing prices. 

The type of contract entered into by the resident will include a monthly maintenance fee costing between $300 and $4,500 or more depending on which services are utilized. Some residents may choose a buy-in option, meaning they join the community through buying an actual property. Whether you buy a property or not, it’s still necessary to look out for any additional maintenance or service fees before signing a contract. 

The difference in prices is largely a result of the type of contract residents enter into, as well as their individual health care costs and possible Medicare or Medicaid coverage.

  1. Extensive Contracts – Guarantee a lifetime of housing and care at any and all levels provided by the community. This includes monthly fees in exchange for a wide range of services. Because there is a relatively lower degree of risk, the upfront costs are much higher.
    1. Entry Fee: $160,000 - $600,000
    2. Monthly Fee: $2,500 - $5,400
  2. Modified Contracts – Modified contracts only extended to a set number of days. After exceeding this limit, services are paid for out of pocket by the resident. Monthly fees are also still charged at an ongoing rate.
    1. Entry Fee: $80,000 - $750,000
    2. Monthly Fee: $1,500 - $2,500
  3. Fee-For-Service Contracts – Residents only pay for the services they currently use, however, are not safeguarded from any future changes in pricing or service availability. Most of the financial burden is born by the resident, depending on Medicare or Medicaid eligibility. These are considered to be the contracts with the highest risk, even though their upfront costs are the lowest.
    1. Entry Fee: $100,000 - $500,000
    2. Monthly Fee: $1,300 - $4,300
  4. Rental Agreements – Allow residents the ability to rent a housing unit on a monthly or annual basis. This type of contract does not guarantee access to healthcare on a fee-for-service basis, unlike other agreements.
    1. Entry Fee: $1,800 - $30,000
    2. Monthly Fee: $900 - $10,700
  5. Equity Agreements – Shares of the community or association are afforded to individuals by the transferal of actual home, condominium, or town home ownership within the CCRC. Healthcare services can still be purchased for additional fees. Through an equity agreement, the property’s appreciation benefits the individual or their estate as specified by the terms of the contract. This type of agreement relies heavily on the fluctuations of real estate in the area.

From a Report by The U.S. Government Accountability Office.

Senior Rights for Continued Care in South Carolina

There are various state and federal laws in place to ensure that your senior is treated with dignity while still retaining their US rights. Your rights should also be displayed when you enter the continued care community. If these rights are violated, don’t hesitate to contact a legal advisor familiar with senior law. Coupled with South Carolina’s diverse attractions and high-quality communities, your move to a CCRC can be the perfect chance to retire comfortably.

SC CCRCs Medical Record Rules and Regulations

Since the goal of continued care is to aid residents in living independently, most communities will require a health screening in order for individuals to be admitted. Many times an applicant’s health records are required in tandem with physical examination given by a physician selected by the particular CCRC. Unfortunately, if your senior is deemed too frail, they might not be accepted in the CCRC.

Residents receiving nursing home care or any other type of medical attention in South Carolina are entitled to a comprehensive and accurate record of their diagnosis and treatment. State and federal laws provide that residents have access to their records and health information, as well as the right to know when disclosures have been made. Otherwise, these records are to remain confidential for up to 10 years and can be accessed by submitting a request and providing a small fee.

Finding the perfect senior care community is only part of making your loved one’s senior living transition smooth. At SeniorCaring, we know that it is also equally important to be aware of what other community services and resources are available to your family’s senior. Choose your location and find local resources for your senior.