Nursing Homes in South Carolina

South Carolina Nursing Home Regulations

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is a federal agency that regulates and provides ratings for nursing homes and skilled nursing facilities. CMS offers guidance to state Medicaid services regarding rules for facilities that are Medicaid-certified. Medicare provides a national nursing home website to view the audit and licensing history of Medicare-approved nursing homes.

Each state regulates senior living communities differently, but you can use APFM’s guide to assisted living regulations to learn more about access to facility records in South Carolina.

In South Carolina, nursing homes — also called convalescent homes or skilled nursing facilities — are intended for seniors who require 24-hour monitoring and medical assistance. These communities are designed to promote independence among seniors who require constant nursing care to perform activities of daily living (ADLs), but do not require hospital-level care.

Cost of Living

Overall, the cost of living in South Carolina is considered to be slightly more affordable than the national average. All index scores are based on a scale with the national average set at 100.

Price Indexes

• Cost of Living: 98
• Groceries: 102
• Housing: 85
• Utilities: 108
• Transportation: 88

Demographics

About 18% of South Carolina’s population are seniors. In the 2016 presidential election, South Carolina leaned conservative. However, many of its counties with larger cities, like Columbia and Charleston, tend to be more progressive.

2016 Presidential Election

• 41% voted Democratic
• 55% voted Republican
• 4% voted third party

Population

• Median age: 40
• Over the age of 55: 31%
• 2018 population: 5,084,127
• 2020 population: 5,212,317
• Estimated 2025 population: 5,547,113

Miscellaneous

• 47% regularly attend a religious service
• 26% consider themselves atheist, agnostic, or a non-believer
• The state has a total of 8,051 congregations
• There are 658 Masonic lodges in the state

Climate and Weather

South Carolina’s climate is classified as humid subtropical, meaning the state has four distinct seasons including warm summers and cold to mild winters. The higher elevations of the Upstate region lead to less moisture in the air, whereas humidity and precipitation are higher along the state’s eastern coastline.

Humidity and Precipitation

• Average humidity level: 69%
• Average monthly precipitation: 4”
• Average maximum monthly precipitation: 8” (August)

Air Quality

• Average air quality index rating: 35 (Good)
• Average maximum air quality rating: 43 in April (Good)

Seasonal Temperatures

• Average temperature: 62°F
• Average summer temperature: 79°F
• Typical summer high: 95°F (July)
• Typical summer low: 59°F (June)
• Average winter temperature: 46°F
• Typical winter high: 66°F (February)
• Typical winter low: 26°F (January)