South Carolina senior home care agencies and services directory

South Carolina Home Care

Home care in South Carolina is designed to provide varying levels of care to seniors who need anything from weekly assistance to 24-hour nursing care. The goal is to provide individuals with care in a familiar setting, allowing them to remain as independent as possible. There are about 421 home care agencies in South Carolina and the average monthly cost is around $3,527.

Home Care in South Carolina - Cost Comparison

Seniors may need home care for a variety of different situations and conditions. It could be that an individual is recovering from a surgery, an illness, or requires assistance due to dementia and Alzheimer’s related needs.

To get the professional help you or your loved one needs, you’ll have to decide whether a licensed medical professional or a non-medical paraprofessional would be a more appropriate fit. With the latter option, services are more likely to include things like housekeeping and linen services, general shopping, transportation, meal prep, and help with other instrumental activities of daily living.

There are a number of cities throughout South Carolina that have senior home care agencies but the median monthly cost ranges from:

Highest Cost: Hilton Head $4,048
Lowest Cost: Sumter $3,337

City	Homemaker Services Monthly Costs	Home Health Aide Monthly Costs
Charleston	$3,909	$3,909
Columbia	$3,516	$3,670
Florence	$3,409	$3,432
Hilton Head Island	$4,004	$4,004
Myrtle Beach	$3,623	$3,623
Sumter	$3,325	$3,325
Rest of State	$3,194	$3,337

Recreation & Attractions in South Carolina

South Carolina has many unique attractions and exciting opportunities for recreation. For those who enjoy a life by the sea, Broadway at the Beach, John's Island, and good ol' Myrtle Beach are great places to get away. Fort Sumter attracts visitors as well with its high walls and heavy, impressive masonry.

You can also enjoy Brookgreen Gardens with over 1,455 sculptures and well over 2,000 species of plant life. More popular destinations include the Caribbean Village, Charleston Square, the Hard Rock Cafe, and Margaritaville.

As a senior, there are still many places to go and things to see in South Carolina. Senior centers throughout the state provide senior-oriented activities such as dancing, exercise classes, game nights, and book clubs. Specialized senior trips are also available to places such as Brookgreen Gardens, Hunting Island State Park, or Broadway at the Beach.

South Carolina's Climate, Geography & Culture

The climate in SC is humid with long, hot summers and mild winters. Average high summer temperatures are around 91 degrees with winter low temperatures around 34 degrees. With 216 days of sunshine throughout the year and high levels of humidity, the summer can get uncomfortable at times. Precipitation falls for approximately 100 days of the year resulting in an average of 48 inches of rain and 2 inches of snow annually.

As a state with a deep history of ties to the Confederacy, South Carolina's culture is constantly evolving with its diverse residents. The northern folk appeal of the Blue Ridge Mountains is undeniable, while marshes fill out the Lowcountry which blend into the Atlantic coastline and modern beach towns. South Carolina is also home to the Gullah people, who were enslaved from West Africa for their expertise in rice production. Their music, traditions, and food still influence the vibrancy of the state today.

Crime & Safety in South Carolina

It can be helpful to know which areas of South Carolina are less crime-infested than others. Overall, violent and property crimes are slightly more common here than in other parts of the U.S., but that is not to say there aren't safe, conscious communities to be found. Here are some of the safest places throughout South Carolina:

Location	Violent Crimes Per 1,000 Residents	Property Crimes Per 1,000 Residents
Edgefield	2.36	10.06
Wellford	1.24	12.36
Tega City	0.25	15.70

(source: safewise.com)

South Carolina's Home Care Regulations & Laws

All Medicare-certified home health care agencies in South Carolina are only able to employ those who have been sufficiently trained and evaluated by their respective state's approved programs. 34 states and the District of Columbia require a federal minimal of 75 hours of training, followed by 16 hours of practical experience and 12 hours of continuing education every 12 month period.

Payment Options for South Carolina Home Care

Paying for home care is possible through a variety of different methods, with some more financially plausible than others. After you’ve determined the general price of home care near you, understanding how to pay is next.

Firstly, Medicare does not pay for non-medical in-home care services. Mostly, it is used for its Supplemental Insurances to cover Medicare copayments and deductibles. In order to qualify for Medicare coverage for in-home care, it must be deemed medically necessary.

Most of the time, seniors will choose to pay for their home care privately using their own savings, assets, or pensions. If these options are unavailable to you, it may be reasonable to consider paying through a reverse mortgage, by opening a home equity line of credit, or by converting your life insurance policy to cash.

For veterans of the U.S., the Improved Pension and Homebound and Aid & Attendance Pension may be used to help pay for or cover the entire costs of home care. To learn whether you or a loved one qualifies for these benefits, contact your local Veterans’ Association or Area Agency on Aging.

Finally, Medicaid is an insurance program for low-income seniors and their families that can be used to pay for non-medical home care, home health care, and other home support programs. Since Medicaid rules are state-specific, your eligibility and benefits will change based on location.

Senior & Elderly Rights for Home Care in South Carolina

Seniors receiving home care in South Carolina from a Medicare-approved home health agency retain a series of guaranteed rights and protections with the intention of keeping your needs met. You’ll be informed that you reserve the right to choose your own home care agency and which services you'll utilize. Your personal privacy and property are to be respected at all times by your caregiver.

If there comes a point where you will lack the ability to make reasonable or informed decisions about your home health care, you can appoint a family member or legal guardian to act on your behalf. Notably, you still retain your rights afforded to you by the Constitution and Bill of Rights. In the case of these rights are violated, contact an elder law professional to help you and your family understand the proper legal actions to take.

SC Home Care: Medical Record Rules & Regulations

You are entitled to receive copies of your medical records by submitting written or verbal requests to you healthcare provider. Although it may be argued otherwise, you request must be honored within 30 days - any delay beyond this point must be accompanied by a written statement detailing the reasoning for this extention.

Reviewing your records is a way to ensure all the information is accurate. If you need to make corrections, this can be done with th oversight of your healthcare provider or physician.