In-Home Care in South Carolina

South Carolina’s senior population is growing and is expected to reach 1.8 million by 2030. Currently, an estimated 18.2% of the state’s 5,190,1705 residents are 65 and over. The state is tax-friendly toward retirees and has a cost of living that’s 11.5% lower than the national average. Older adults may also appreciate the mild winters and abundance of sunny days. The state is home to world-class hospitals, including MUSC Health-University Medical Center and McLeod Loris Seacoast Hospital.

In-home care in South Carolina costs $4,433 per month on average. Although there are similarities, home care and home health care differ. Medication assistance, vital sign monitoring, wound care or other therapies are examples of home health care services. In-home care assists with activities of daily living (ADLs) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs), which range from personal care tasks such as toileting and bathing to more complex tasks like housekeeping, grocery shopping and meal preparation.

This guide has cost information and comparisons for in-home care and other care types in South Carolina. In addition to the average cost of home care in nearby states and South Carolina’s top cities, this guide also contains Medicaid information and free resources for seniors.

According to data from Genworth’s 2021 Cost of Care Survey, home care in South Carolina averages $4,433 per month, which is lower than the national average of $4,957. Virginia has a home care cost of $4,767, while Tennessee is comparable at an estimated $4,576 for in-home care. North Carolina at $4,385 and Georgia at $4,290 per month are slightly less expensive, as is Alabama with an average monthly cost of $3,813 for home care.

Costs for home care in South Carolina’s cities vary by several hundred dollars depending on location. Greenville has an average in-home care cost of $4,671 per month, while Myrtle Beach is slightly lower at $4,576 when it comes to monthly home care costs. Seniors in Florence pay around $4,195 for home care, while Sumter at $4,957 and Hilton Head Island at $5,577 per month are the most expensive areas.

South Carolina’s older adults have other care options besides in-home care. Home health care provides home-based medical services and is slightly more per month at $4,481. Assisted living facilities aid with ADLs in a residential setting and often have amenities such as restaurant-style dining, on-site beauty salons and enriching scheduled activities, at a cost of around $3,612 per month. Around-the-clock supervision and skilled nursing are provided at nursing home facilities, which is the most expensive care type at $7,285 for a semiprivate room.

South Carolina Medicaid covers home care for its senior residents. This program — called Healthy Connections — provides coverage for in-home care and other services through the Community Choices Waiver. Elderly residents who receive this waiver receive all regular Healthy Connections services plus a wide range of other services including but not limited to companion services, personal care, limited skilled nursing, and some types of medical equipment and supplies.

There are several ways you can apply for Medicaid in South Carolina. The South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services recommends online applications as they’re the fastest option.

If you’d prefer to apply by phone, call the Healthy Connections Medicaid Member Contact Center at (888) 549-0820.

In-person applications are taken at Medicaid county offices throughout South Carolina. Call your local office to find out if you need an appointment or can apply on a walk-in basis.

You can also print and mail a paper application, or request one mailed to you by your local county office. Mail your completed application to SCDHHS Central Mail, PO Box 100101, Columbia, SC 29202-3101.

What Information You Will Need

Supporting documentation must be included with your South Carolina Healthy Connections Medicaid Application. Required documents include:

• Proof of identification
• Social Security card
• Proof of income
• Copies of insurance policies
• Bank statements
• Copies of rent and/or mortgage and other bills

In general, Medicare does not cover the cost of non-medical home care. That being said, there are situations in which Medicare provides some coverage for medical home care, referred to as “Home Healthcare.” There are several eligibility restrictions for coverage, including that individuals must be homebound and have a referral from their doctor specifically for home healthcare services.

Below is an overview of some of the skilled medical professionals whose in-home services are typically covered by Medicare – for more in-depth information, refer to our Guide to Home Healthcare.

• Physical Therapists: Physical therapy is used to help patients recover from injuries (broken bones, knee injuries, etc.), treat ongoing conditions such as arthritis, and assist in recovery from surgeries and procedures such as a knee or hip replacement.
• Visiting Nurses: Licensed nurses can provide a number of medical services for those who don’t need to stay in the hospital, but do need regular medical services such as wound care, changing feeding tubes, etc.
• Occupational Therapists: Occupational therapists help seniors regain or maintain the ability to accomplish normal, daily tasks, such as bathing, dressing, eating, and other daily activities.
• Speech Therapists: Speech therapists help seniors who are struggling to adequately communicate due to a stroke, dementia, or any other cause regain the ability to functionally communicate using a variety of means. Additionally, speech therapists help to keep seniors independent by modifying diets, teaching special techniques to swallow safely, and retraining associated muscles.

As mentioned above, in-home care is distinctly different from home healthcare. But, there can be some overlap in services between the two types of care. So, while Medicare doesn’t cover non-medical in-home care, there are in-home care services that may be covered in special circumstances when they’re provided in conjunction with home healthcare (such as an occupational therapist helping with eating or dressing)

To find quality home care providers near you, simply input the zip code or city where you would like to start your search. We have an extensive directory of home care agencies all across the nation that includes in-depth information about each provider and hundreds of thousands of reviews from seniors and their loved ones.