From grand Southern-style architecture to buildings situated on Charleston’s scenic coastline, assisted living facilities in the Palmetto state have a welcoming feel. There’s plenty to see and do with Charleston boasting a mix of relaxing ocean-side vibes and big-city bustle.
If you’re ready to slow down and have things like laundry, cooking, and housekeeping taken off your plate — or need a little help with daily activities — assisted living is the perfect option for you.
In this guide, we’ll look at our 10 assisted living facility partners within a 10-mile radius of the center of Charleston. We’ll also provide information about ways to pay for assisted living, laws and regulations you can expect facilities to follow, as well as health care, transportation, and local activity options.
From grand Southern-style architecture to buildings situated on Charleston’s scenic coastline, assisted living facilities in the Palmetto state have a welcoming feel. There’s plenty to see and do with Charleston boasting a mix of relaxing ocean-side vibes and big-city bustle.Read more
If you’re ready to slow down and have things like laundry, cooking, and housekeeping taken off your plate — or need a little help with daily activities — assisted living is the perfect option for you.
In this guide, we’ll look at our 10 assisted living facility partners within a 10-mile radius of the center of Charleston. We’ll also provide information about ways to pay for assisted living, laws and regulations you can expect facilities to follow, as well as health care, transportation, and local activity options.
My family member has been at Ashley Gardens for a year and a half, and I have been very pleased with the care he has received. Everyone from the director to the chef knows the residents by name and always...
My stepfather was a difficult resident and his adjustment to the move made him a challenge. The staff regularly reassured us that they were prepared and able to help him. I say 4 only because it is an older...
She always complains about the food. Breakfast usually is the meal she likes the least. I know she would sometimes like cereal with milk. I don't think she lets the staff know that she doesn't like the...
We picked this community because of, references from local people, one a nurse who knew families that had members there. I would recommend to others.
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...
The staff is caring with the residents, as I see so far. The housekeeping is up to par. Every time I go there, the place is clean and orderly. So far, they have kept me informed of my mom's status and how...
[Name removed], the driver and piano player and man about town, went above and beyond in accommodating my dad. My parents really came to rely on him for navigating my dad's transports while he was still...
All facilities need to see family involvement. I would tell others to speak up kindly when you're concerned. Advocacy is important anywhere. I do think they could improve on the food. They could provide...
When I was looking around for a place two years ago, this was the cleanest one that I came across. It is still clean and organized. The staff keeps me well informed of happenings and/or issues. They use...
My father was previously a resident at Shem Creek Health Center at South Bay and everything about his experience at this facility was great. They took excellent care of my daddy for the few months that he...
We picked this community because of the atmosphere, cost of placement, and caring, supportive staff. I would recommend to others.
My mother was struggling in a senior independent living community in FL. I needed to find a place locally near my home in Daniel Island South Carolina. I called aplaceformom.com. [name removed] was truly...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
The average total cost for an assisted living facility in Charleston is $4,283 a month.[01] This price tag includes amenities, services, and 24-hour assistance and care.
The graphic below is a look at the average baseline costs of an assisted living facility without any additional fees or add-on extras.
Average monthly costs
Charleston, SC
The money to pay for assisted living primarily comes from private sources. However, there are ways to save money to ensure you have enough to finance an assisted living stay.
We’ll take a look at private payment methods, as well as how VA benefits, Medicaid, and Medicare might help.
From Social Security benefits to investment returns, private pay means any source that helps you cover assisted living expenses. Some of the following are also useful income streams:
Number of veterans who live in Charleston, according to the U.S. Census Bureau
About 20% of Charleston veterans are 75+
Charleston is home to thousands of retirement-age veterans who could benefit from VA help to cover their assisted living expenses.
Many veterans and their dependents could be eligible for the VA Pension. Another benefit to look into is the Aid and Attendance benefit. A&A is specifically for veterans who need assistance with daily activities, have impaired vision, are bed-fast, or are in a nursing home. The Aid and Attendance benefit is provided on top of the monthly VA Pension. The regional VA office is the place to apply.
It’s difficult to be familiar with all the ins and outs VA benefits, which is why you can rely on trained veterans services officers to help you through the process. It’s free to get their help, and they are easy to find at veterans services organizations (VSOs) and VA offices.
The South Carolina Veteran Coalition brings VSOs, nonprofits, government officials, and other organizations together to help veterans more easily connect to available resources. The Combined Arms portal is your starting point to tap into this resource.
Resources for Charleston veterans
The South Carolina Department of Veterans’ Affairs
1800 St. Julian Place, Suite 305
Charleston, SC 29204
Phone: 803-734-4014
Email: va@scdva.sc.gov
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Charleston County Veterans Affairs Office
Veterans services officers: Anne S. Owen and Leslie D. Kemp
4045 Bridge View Drive
North Charleston, SC 29405
Phone: 843-874-6360
Email: vaoffice@charlestoncounty.org
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
American Legion Post 241
Veterans services officer: Perry W. James, IV
3151 Rivers Ave.
North Charleston, SC 29405
Phone: 803-351-0811
American Legion Post 179
1748 Ashley Hall Road
Charleston, SC 29414
Phone: 843-991-6308
VFW Post 445
1639 Camp Road
Charleston, SC 29412
Phone: 843-795-9419
VFW Post 5091
4257 Spruill Ave.
North Charleston, SC 29405
Phone: 843-744-2089
Disabled American Veterans
VA Regional Office
6437 Garners Ferry Road
Columbia, SC 29209
Phone: 803-647-2422
Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 780
520 Folly Road
Charleston, SC 29412
Phone: 843-762-7546
Medicaid is for low-income seniors who need help covering health care expenses. While Medicaid won’t cover an assisted living stay, it can absolutely help with health care expenses and medical care you might need while at an assisted living facility.
Eligible seniors can get in-home health care and support at their assisted living facility if it is medically needed. The Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waiver program is the way to get that coverage. South Carolina has three different waivers:
You don’t have to go it alone when trying to figure out if you are eligible for Medicaid in South Carolina. There are many resources that can help you. They are as follows:
Lastly, if you are dually eligible for Medicaid and Medicare, you can tap into Healthy Connections Prime, a program specifically for seniors 65 and older who qualify for both. The Healthy Connections Prime ombudsman can provide guidance to those with dual eligibility.
Charleston resident Medicaid resources
Healthy Connections Local Eligibility Office
3685 Rivers Ave., Suite 102
North Charleston, SC 29405
Phone: 888-549-0820
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Saturday, 9 – noon
SC Thrive
Phone: 800-726-8774
Email: contact@scthrive.org
Trident Area Agency on Aging
5895 Core Road., Suite 419
North Charleston, SC 29406
Phone: 843-554-2275
Email: info@tridentaaa.org
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
South Carolina Department on Aging
1301 Gervais St., Suite 350
Columbia, SC 29201
Phone: 800-868-9095
Healthy Connections Prime Ombudsman
Phone: 844-477-4632
Email: primeadvocate@aging.sc.gov
Assisted living is not covered by Medicare. However, this federal health insurance program for seniors who are at least 65 years old, will help cover the cost of medical care no matter where you live.
Another way to get help is to apply for a Medicare Savings Program in South Carolina called Qualified Medicare Beneficiaries (QMB). If you’re eligible, QMB will help pay for Medicare premiums, copayments, and deductibles. There are income limits at play.
Medicare coverage is available to those 65+, but you don’t have to figure out how to access it by yourself. The South Carolina State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) is a great first stop. This program has no-cost counseling available for anyone in need of help understanding and applying for Medicare. The South Carolina Department on Aging operates SHIP, and connecting with this program can help you get enrolled in other programs for low-income seniors as well. The GetCareSC website is another great place to get connected with assistance and have your questions answered. You can sign up for Medicare online or at your local Social Security Administration office.
For seniors dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid, the Healthy Connections Prime program is for you. There are only a few states that offer coordinated care for dually eligible seniors, and if you need help navigating this program, the Health Connections Prime ombudsman is an excellent resource.
Charleston resident Medicare resources
Social Security Administration Office
1463 Tobias Gadson Blvd.
Charleston, SC 29407
Phone: 800-772-1213
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
South Carolina Department on Aging
State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP)
1301 Gervais St., Suite 350
Columbia, SC 29201
Phone: 800-868-9095
Healthy Connections Prime Ombudsman
Phone: 844-477-4632
Email: primeadvocate@aging.sc.gov
Assisted living facilities in South Carolina are licensed as Community Residential Care Facilities by The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC). In addition to ensuring facilities adhere to the South Carolina licensing regulations for assisted living facilities, assisted living residents are also protected by the state’s Bill of Rights for Residents of Long-Term Care Facilities.
The regulations govern everything from the design and construction of the facility itself to maintenance requirements. Emergency procedures, disaster preparedness, and fire prevention are also covered.
The assisted living facility must have a licensed administrator. Minimum staff-to-resident ratios are also outlined: There must be at least one staff member for every eight residents during peak hours. That number goes up to one for every 30 residents during non-peak hours, and someone is required to be awake at all times.
Staff training must cover medication management, first aid, CPR, dealing with accidents or injuries, and anything specific to a resident’s diagnoses (such as specialized training for memory care).
Facilities must assess the needs of residents within 72 hours of their admittance, as well as provide an individualized care plan within the first week. The plan should include assistance the resident will need and how they will receive it. It must outline necessary visits from health care providers, nutritional needs, and which recreational and social activities suit the needs of the resident.
The DHEC is responsible for the unannounced annual inspections of long-term care facilities in Charleston. These inspections are required as part of South Carolina’s licensing requirements. The DHEC ensures long-term care facilities follow all regulations. The DHEC’s inspection reports can be found by searching online or reaching out to the DHEC.
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.
Charleston does not have COVID-19 mandates for assisted living facilities to follow. The city offers these guidelines as best practices and gives coronavirus updates here.
Vaccinations. Per CDC guidelines, vaccinations are recommended.
Masking. Masks are advised in public settings.
Facility cleanliness. High-traffic areas should be disinfected frequently.
Social distancing. It is recommended that contact with those who are exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 be avoided.
CDC guidelines. The Charleston guidelines match the recommendations from the CDC.
A Place for Mom partners with two standalone assisted living communities in Charleston. The rest of our partner facilities also include memory care. Four of our 10 partner facilities include independent living options, too.
No matter which assisted living facility you choose, they all have plenty of extras to make any stay a comfortable one. With an activity director on staff at nearly all our partner facilities, you can enjoy activities like art classes, happy hours, live musical performances, and day trips to Charleston’s beautiful historic and coastal sights. In many communities, you can join in on trivia games in the cozy common areas or catch a movie with friends in the movie lounge.
In our partner assisted living facilities, making sure your needs are taken care of is a top priority. Someone will always be awake 24/7 if you need assistance of any kind. Your needs will be covered by visiting podiatrists, physical and occupational therapists, and speech therapists available at almost all our partner facilities. More than half of our partners have a doctor on call as well. That’s all in addition to the regular staff ready to meet your needs.
In our partner assisted living facilities, worrying about what to make for dinner is no longer a concern. You can expect three chef-prepared meals a day to be served to you in a restaurant-style setting. You can socialize over Southern staples or enjoy a meal in a private dining room in some facilities with visiting family and friends. If you have special preferences, that’s no problem. More than half of our partners offer vegetarian or low/no sodium options.
Number of seniors over the age of 65 currently living in Charleston
Medical University of South Carolina Health
Recognized in 22 types of care by U.S. News & World Report, this hospital delivers on its promise of great health care.
Roper is nationally ranked by U.S. News & World Report for its rehabilitation program. It’s also rated as high performing in 12 other procedures and conditions.
Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center
The VA Medical Center in Charleston, along with several VA clinics in the surrounding area, take care of the health care needs of Charleston’s veterans.
Getting around Charleston is best done by car, but in our partner assisted living facilities, you won’t need one. Almost all of them offer complimentary transportation, while 30% offer it at cost.
Charleston also has some public transportation options; however, the city only scores 24 on a scale of 100 in this area, according to Walk Score.[04] A walk score grades a city on its walkability with 100 being the highest score. Charleston Area Regional Transportation Authority (CARTA) is the fixed-route bus system in the city, while the Downtown Area Shuttle (DASH) has routes specific to the downtown area. CARTA plans free ride days for seniors once per quarter to encourage those who are 55+ to use the bus system.
For just $4 per ride, CARTA OnDemand offers routes within this specific service area for seniors who are at least 55 years old. The remainder of the fee is subsidized in this partnership between Uber and Charleston. Those who qualify for Tel-A-Ride paratransit will also be eligible for CARTA OnDemand.
You can always call the Charleston Black Cab Company or the Charleston Cab Company for a ride, as well as some senior-specific options like A Golden Ride.
In some areas, Charleston is pedestrian-friendly, but not everywhere. Some urban infrastructure for bicycles and trails exists.
Stretching along the coast, Charleston was established more than three centuries ago. Notes of the past are captured in the city’s architecture, culture, and activities. While there are plenty of modern things to do, history is at the heart of this Southern city.
Charleston’s Rainbow Row was once the heart of Charleston’s commerce and trade; it’s now a designated historic landmark and a great place for a walking or horse-drawn carriage tour. The late Colonial-era Nathaniel Russell House Museum is a beautiful place to step into the past.
You can learn about Charleston’s roots at America’s first museum and the Old Slave Mart Museum. Take a ferry to Fort Sumter where the Civil War began on April 12, 1861 when the Confederates fired the first shot on the federal garrison. It’s important to note that many parts of the Fort are accessible, but not all of it. The ferry to get there is also accessible; however, the tides can sometimes prevent the ramp system from being used. Call ahead to be sure.
Established in 1807, the Charleston City Market is another must-see. Open daily, you can find all types of Southern staples, art, and the highly sought after hand woven sweetgrass baskets the area is known for.
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens is more than 400 acres of beautiful gardens and one of the South’s oldest plantations. Visitors can take a garden tour or a nature tour by train or boat. The train and the boat are both accessible. However, the guided house tour is not because of all the stairs.
Charleston’s Waterfront Park is another beautiful place to enjoy nature. With eight acres of natural beauty and waterfront views, there’s something beautiful for everyone to enjoy. Walking paths are strewn with benches to rest and take in the views. The park even has intimate garden rooms with seating and plenty of shade.
For waterfront views, sun, and sand, head out to Folly Beach. The barrier island offers six miles of beaches, shops, and restaurants. While you’re there, check out the Porgy House, where Charles Gershwin wrote his famous folk opera Porgy and Bess in the home of authors Dubose and Dorothy Heyward.
The South Carolina Aquarium is a great place to go with visiting family and especially grandkids to learn about sea turtles or pet a stingray. Accessibility is central to the experience: Wheelchairs can be checked out for free, special sensory resources are available, and service animals are allowed.
Fans of art will enjoy The Gibbes Museum of Art, which offers this accessibility guide to ensure you have a great experience at its exhibits and programs. Charleston’s Gaillard Center offers the opportunity to enjoy ballet, live music, or even comedy at a fully accessible venue. Charleston Music Hall is another spot to take in live music, with six accessible seating areas available.
Ashley Gardens Transitional Assisted Living and Memory Care, The Palms of Mt. Pleasant and Somerby of Mount Pleasant are the top-rated Assisted Living facilities near Charleston, SC. These Assisted Living facilities received the highest rankings based on verified family reviews. See full list of communities.
The average cost of Assisted Living in Charleston is 4499.27 per month. This cost may vary based on location, amenities, floorplan, level of care and other factors.
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.
WalkScore. (2023). Living in Charleston.
Ask an A Place for Mom local advisor at no cost.
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.
WalkScore. (2023). Living in Charleston.