10-point philosophy of care:

1. Respect for Dignity and Independence

Every resident deserves to be treated with respect, compassion, and dignity. Care should promote independence, empowering each person to make choices about their daily life.

💬 2. Person-Centered Care

Support is tailored to each resident’s individual preferences, abilities, and life story — not a one-size-fits-all approach.

🏡 3. Home-Like Environment

The residence should feel like home — safe, comfortable, and welcoming — where residents can bring personal belongings and maintain familiar routines.

🤝 4. Autonomy and Choice

Residents are encouraged to participate in decisions about their schedules, meals, activities, and care plans, fostering a sense of control and purpose.

❤️ 5. Holistic Well-Being

Care addresses the whole person — physical, emotional, social, and spiritual needs — not just medical or functional concerns.

👨‍👩‍👧 6. Family and Community Involvement

Families are partners in care. Open communication and shared decision-making help maintain strong resident–family–staff relationships.

🌳 7. Meaningful Engagement and Activity

Residents are offered enriching opportunities for socialization, recreation, and lifelong learning that promote joy and a sense of belonging.

🩺 8. Quality, Safety, and Professionalism

Staff deliver compassionate, evidence-based care in a safe environment that meets or exceeds all regulatory and ethical standards.

🧠 9. Support for Changing Needs

Care plans are flexible and regularly updated to adapt to residents’ changing physical or cognitive abilities — including coordination with hospice or home health when appropriate.

🌟 10. Purpose, Compassion, and Joy in Daily Living

The ultimate goal of assisted living is to enhance quality of life — helping residents live with comfort, meaning, and dignity each day.

• In 2022, about 1,016,400 people lived in residential care communities (which include many assisted living residences). NCBI+2CDC+2

• Approx. 53% of these residents were age 85 or older. CDC+1

• About 67% of residents were female. CDC+2Caring+2

• Racial/ethnic profile: roughly 92% non-Hispanic White among residents of these communities in 2022. NCBI

🩺 Health, functional & care-need characteristics

• Around 75% of residents needed help with bathing, and 71% needed help walking; about 62% needed assistance with three or more activities of daily living (ADLs). NCBI+1

• About 44% of residents had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias. CDC

• High blood pressure was present in about 58% of these residents. NCBI+1

An assisted living residence (sometimes called an assisted living facility or community) looks and feels a bit like a blend between an apartment building, a hotel, and a small healthcare center — depending on the level of care and amenities offered.

Here’s a breakdown of what it typically looks like:

🏠 Exterior and Common Areas

• Building style: Often a large, modern building or a connected set of smaller units, designed to look welcoming and home-like rather than clinical.
• Landscaping: Gardens, walking paths, benches, and sometimes patios or courtyards.
• Entrance/lobby: Comfortable seating, friendly staff at a reception desk, and a warm, hotel-like atmosphere.

🛋️ Inside and Common Spaces

• Dining room: A restaurant-style area where residents gather for meals, sometimes with multiple menu options.
• Lounge or recreation areas: Places for socializing, reading, watching TV, or doing activities like games and crafts.
• Activity rooms: Spaces for fitness classes, art, music, or group events.
• Hair salon or spa: Many have on-site salons or barbershops for convenience.
• Chapel or meditation room: Optional, depending on the community.

🛏️ Resident Apartments or Rooms

• Private or semi-private units: Can range from a single room to full one- or two-bedroom apartments.
• Features: Kitchenette or small kitchen, private bathroom with safety features (grab bars, walk-in showers), emergency call systems, and accessible design.
• Furnishings: Residents usually bring their own furniture and decorations to make it feel like home.

🧑‍⚕️ Care and Support Areas

• Nursing stations or staff offices: Usually discreet, not like a hospital, but available for care coordination.
• Medication management areas: Secure spaces for staff to organize and distribute medications.
• Therapy rooms: In some communities, physical or occupational therapy spaces.

🌟 Atmosphere

• The goal is to feel safe, comfortable, and community-oriented, not institutional. Many residences have bright lighting, cozy décor, and open spaces to encourage social connection.

The Department of Public Health (DPH) is responsible for licensing community residential care facilities, which must renew their licenses each year. General inspections and fire, life, and safety inspections are conducted on alternating years. Inspections are unannounced and may be conducted as deemed by DPH.

Inspectors are required to hold a college degree, and a registered nurse is available to assist with clinical matters. During site visits, inspectors provide technical assistance and use a standardized checklist to guide their reviews. They also conduct resident interviews based on observations made during the inspection. Facilities can request technical assistance at any time, even outside of an inspection.

When issues of noncompliance are identified, the facility must submit a plan of correction to the state licensing agency. The state may also provide consultation services upon request or as deemed necessary.

Each facility is required to maintain a written quality improvement program. This program must:

• Define desired outcomes and establish criteria for evaluating effectiveness.

• Identify and analyze causes of deviations from expected outcomes.

• Develop action plans to prevent future issues.

• Establish measurable quality indicators.

• Review care plans for appropriateness.

• Investigate all incidents, accidents, infections, resident deaths, or other events that may threaten resident health and safety.

• Implement a system for collecting feedback from residents and other stakeholders to evaluate satisfaction with care and services.

Services provided in assisted living residences usually include:

• Three meals a day served in a common dining area 
• Housekeeping services 
• Transportation 
• Assistance with eating, bathing, dressing, toileting and walking 
• Access to health and medical services 
• 24-hour security and staff availability 
• Emergency call systems for each resident(s) unit 
• Health promotion and exercise programs 
• Medication management 
• Personal laundry services 
• Social and recreational activities

Costs vary with the residence, room size, and the types of services needed by the residents. 

• An assisted living residence — a type of long-term housing designed for older adults who need help with daily activities but do not require 24-hour medical care like a nursing home provides — typically serves about 818,000 to over 1,000,000 residents nationwide.

• There are roughly 30,600 to 32,000 such facilities in the U.S., offering about 1.2 million licensed beds.

• On average, a little over two-thirds of residents are women, and more than half are aged 85 or older.

• The median cost for assisted living runs around $4,500–5,500 per month, though this varies widely by state and level of care.

• These residences fill an important niche: providing personal care, assistance with activities of daily living (like bathing, dressing, walking) and some health or medication support — but not the full nursing-home level of care.

Residents or their families typically cover the cost of assisted living using their own financial resources. Depending on an individual’s health insurance or long-term care insurance policy, some expenses may be reimbursed. Certain assisted living communities also offer their own financial assistance programs to help offset costs.

Government funding for assisted living remains limited. However, some state and local governments provide rent or service subsidies for low-income older adults. Others may offer supplemental payments for individuals who receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Medicaid. In some states, Medicaid waiver programs are also used to help cover the cost of assisted living services.

• Reach out to SC Care Patrol for assistance. Free of charge service to families and individuals looking for care or placement. Home CarePatrol of SC: Midlands
• In SC, The SC DPH has a list of the licensed facilities in SC. You may also visit their website at DPH Find A Facility to find the listing online. You will select Community Residential Care from the tab.
• Contact your local area agency on aging. 

Here are some practical tips for cutting costs when paying for assisted living — without compromising care or safety:

💰 1. Compare Facilities Carefully

• Shop around: Prices can vary widely, even within the same city. Compare several facilities and ask for a breakdown of what’s included in the monthly rate.

• Negotiate rates: Some communities offer discounts for shared rooms, longer stays, or if you move in during slower seasons.

🏠 2. Consider Room Options

• Shared accommodations: Choosing a semi-private room instead of a private apartment can significantly lower monthly costs.

• Smaller units: Opting for a studio rather than a one-bedroom can also save hundreds per month.

🧾 3. Ask About “À La Carte” Pricing

• Some facilities charge base rates plus additional fees for extra services (like medication management or transportation).

• If you don’t need all available services, choose only what’s necessary to keep the total cost down.

🪙 4. Use Long-Term Care Insurance or Veteran Benefits

• Long-term care insurance: Check if the policy covers assisted living (many do, at least partially).

• VA Aid & Attendance benefit: Veterans and surviving spouses may qualify for monthly payments that help cover care costs.

🏦 5. Explore State and Federal Assistance Programs

• Some states offer Medicaid waiver programs that cover personal care or medical services within assisted living.

• Supplemental Security Income (SSI): In certain states, residents receiving SSI may qualify for extra payments toward room and board.

• Check with your local Area Agency on Aging (AAA) for help finding state and local subsidy options.

🧓 6. Downsize and Use Home Equity

• Selling a home or using a reverse mortgage (if a spouse remains there) can free up funds to cover monthly costs.

• Downsizing possessions before moving can also reduce storage or moving expenses.

👨‍👩‍👧 7. Involve Family in Planning

• Pooling family resources or sharing caregiving duties (to delay the move until absolutely necessary) can save thousands over time.

• Some families consider “shared care” arrangements—splitting costs of in-home help until assisted living becomes essential.

🧮 8. Review Tax Deductions

• Some assisted living expenses may be tax-deductible as medical costs if the resident requires help with daily activities or has a care plan prescribed by a licensed professional.

• Consult a tax professional to maximize these deductions.

📊 Current statistics for South Carolina

• The average monthly cost of assisted living in South Carolina is about $4,659/month. Paying for Senior Care+2Senior Living Guide+2

• Typical range across the state: ** ~$3,975/month up to ~$5,625/month**, depending on location and level of care. Paying for Senior Care+1

• For example:

  • In Greenville: around $3,743/month. Senior Living Guide+1

  • In Charleston: around $4,920/month. Senior Living Guide+1

💡 Tips to reduce costs in South Carolina

1. Choose a more affordable location

   • Since costs vary by region, consider facilities in areas with lower averages (e.g., outside high-demand metro/coastal zones).

   • Example: A facility in Laurens County is listed around $2,983/month in one data set. Seniors.FYI

2. Opt for room type & service level adjustments

   • Shared or semi-private rooms often cost less than private units.

   • If memory care or high-level support isn’t required yet, choosing standard assisted living vs specialized care can save 20-30%. Paying for Senior Care

3. Use state programs that offset cost

   • The “Optional State Supplementation (OSS)” in SC: For those age 65+, blind or disabled, living in a facility enrolled with South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (SCDHHS)-OSS, there are state-funded cash payments that go toward room and board. SeniorSite

   • Veteran-related programs: If the resident is a veteran (or spouse) check for benefits like the VA Aid & Attendance or other veteran-specific housing options in SC. (e.g., the “Medical Foster Home” program for veterans) Veterans Affairs

4. Check whether Medicaid waiver or state eligibility might apply

   • While full assisted living may not always be covered by Medicaid in SC, there are home and community-based waiver programs. SCDHHS+2DDSN+2

   • Investigate whether the resident qualifies for any programs (income/assets thresholds matter) that may reduce out-of-pocket costs. For example, one eligibility threshold-listing: net income limit for OSS monthly was ~$1,777 (for Jan 1 2025) for individuals. SCDHHS

5. Negotiate and ask about extra charges and inclusions

   • When comparing facilities, ask: What’s included in the monthly rate? What are optional add-ons (meals upgrades, transport, housekeeping, etc)?

   • Choosing a facility where base services cover most needs will reduce “extra” charges.

6. Consider downsizing or liquidating less productive assets

   • If the resident owns a home or other property, selling or renting (while staying eligible for assistance) may free funds for assisted living.

   • Be cautious of asset/liability rules if applying for Medicaid or subsidy programs – consult an advisor.

7. Review tax implications & benefits

   • While this is not SC-specific only, remember that some long-term care costs may qualify as medical deductions for tax purposes.

   • Also note: SC does not tax Social Security benefits, which can free up more income for care. Seniors.FYI+1

8. Use comparison tools & visit multiple facilities

   • Use websites for South Carolina assisted living to compare cost by county/city. For example, one list shows ranges by county (Lexington ~$3,302, York ~$4,205) in SC. Seniors.FYI

   • Visiting multiple locations gives you leverage to negotiate and find best value.