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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.

The Cost of In-Home Care in South Carolina

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.

South Carolina

$4433

The United States

$4957

Virginia

$4767

Alabama

$3813

North Carolina

$4385

Tennessee

$4576

Georgia

$4290

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.

Greenville

$4671

Charleston

$5005

Sumter

$4957

Florence

$4195

Hilton Head Island

$5577

Myrtle Beach

$4576

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.

In-Home Care

$4433

Home Health Care

$4481

Nursing Home Care

$7285

Assisted Living

$3612

Adult Day Health Care

$1408

Does Medicaid Cover Home Care in South Carolina?

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.

Home Care Waiver Programs in South Carolina

Community Choices Waiver (CCW)

The Community Choices Waiver is for Medicaid recipients or those who financially qualify and need a nursing facility level of care. Seniors who meet eligibility requirements can receive the following services:

  • Various levels of personal care
  • Companion services
  • Home adaptations and pest control
  • Nutritional services
  • Limited skilled nursing
  • Adult day health care
  • Respite care
  • Incontinence supplies
  • Personal Emergency Response System (PERS)

If you have questions or want to apply for the Community Choices Waiver, contact your Medicaid caseworker or call South Carolina Healthy Connections customer service at (888) 549-0820.

How to Know If You’re Eligible for Medicaid in South Carolina

South Carolina seniors must meet financial requirements in order to receive Medicaid. For a single senior applicant, annual income can’t be higher than $13,590 and assets can’t total more than $8,400 in value. The income limit for two-person households where both seniors are applying is $18,310, and the asset limit is $12,600.

2022 Medicaid Income Limits for Seniors in South Carolina

Income limits*Asset limits
$13,590$8,400
$18,310$12,600

*Per year

  • Be age 65 or older, or
  • Blind and/or disabled
  • A South Carolina resident
  • A U.S. citizen or qualified non-citizen

How to Apply for Medicaid in South Carolina

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

How to Get Help Applying for Medicaid

There are agencies and offices that can help seniors complete their Medicaid applications. The following resources are available online and by phone to help South Carolina residents navigate the application process.

ProgramContactAreaServedServices provided
South Carolina Healthy Connections Medicaid(888) 549-0820Entire StateIf you or a loved one needs help applying for Medicaid, contact a customer service representative by calling the South Carolina Healthy Connections Medicaid office.
Medicaid.gov(877) 267-2323Entire StateSeniors can also call the national Medicaid office for assistance with their application. This website contains helpful information about the Medicaid program and how to apply, so older adults may find answers to their questions without having to call customer service.
Area Agencies on AgingOnline ResourceLocation-dependentArea Agencies on Aging (AAA) are located throughout South Carolina to serve seniors in all counties. Find your local AAA at the GetCareSC website, then call for Medicaid application assistance. These agencies can also refer seniors for financial assistance and other types of help.

Does Medicare Cover In-Home Care in South Carolina?

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)

Other Financial Assistance Options for In-Home Care in South Carolina

While the above programs help many people finance in-home care, they will not cover all costs for everyone. There are other ways to pay for in-home care, including out-of-pocket arrangements with siblings, annuities, reverse mortgages, private insurance and more. Read Caring.com’s Guide to In-Home Care Costs to learn more about these alternative payment options.

Free and Low-Cost Resources for Seniors in South Carolina

There are free resources for seniors in South Carolina. Older adults can get help paying rent and energy bills, and there’s free legal representation available. The state has nutritional programs for aging adults, along with free transportation services. There are home repair grants for senior homeowners with urgent repair issues.

ResourceContactAreaServedService
South Carolina Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Rental Assistance(202) 708-1112Entire StateSouth Carolina seniors who fall within income limits may qualify for rental assistance through HUD. The website has links to public housing and voucher programs throughout the state to help older adults manage rental costs.
Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)(803) 734-0662Entire StateLow-income seniors may qualify for South Carolina’s LIHEAP, an assistance program that pays energy costs. Seniors can contact their local Community Action Agency for more information or apply.
Single-Family Housing Repair Loans and Grants(803) 253-3093Entire StateThe USDA has grant programs for seniors that cover the cost of necessary home repairs. Applicants must meet eligibility criteria, which include but aren’t limited to income limits.
SCDOA Legal Assistance(800) 868-9095Entire StateSeniors can find legal aid information through the South Carolina Department on Aging. This department provides older adults with free legal resources through partnerships with the SC Bar and SC Bar Pro Bono Program. There are volunteer attorneys who provide representation at no cost for South Carolina’s low-income seniors.
Home Delivered Meals(800) 868-9095Entire StateThrough the Department on Aging, South Carolina seniors can receive free home meal delivery. The nutrition page of the SCDOA site has eligibility information, application links and details about meal delivery and other nutritional programs for older adults.
Transportation Services (SCIWAY)Online ResourceEntire StateSCIWAY is South Carolina’s online directory of free and low-cost resources for residents. There’s a directory of local transit providers that offer free or reduced-rate fares to seniors in South Carolina.

In-Home Care Laws and Regulations in South Carolina

Not everyone is permitted to act as an in-home caregiver in South Carolina. Oversight of caregivers is provided by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control. The below chart summarized the rules and regulations regarding care agencies.

TopicRule
Scope of CareA home care provider is any entity, whether for profit or not for profit, that makes or provides provisions for in-home care, including any service that includes physical, occupational, or speech therapy, medical social services, home health aide services, or other forms of medical therapy.
Care Plan RequirementsCaregivers must create a care plan and receive all the appropriate training required to carry out the tasks required.
Medication ManagementIf applicable, caregivers must offer medication assistance to home care clients.
Staff ScreeningBackground checks are required of all personnel working in a care capacity. Caregivers are required to be able to pass random drug screenings which, at minimum, must be in the form of a five-panel test.
Staff TrainingStaff members are required to be trained in all areas related to performing care. Staff training certificates are required to be dated and signed by both those providing and receiving training. At minimum, training should include basic first aid, medication assistance, mental and physical disability training where possible, confidentiality policies, and documentation and record keeping.
Medicaid CoverageMedicaid programs can be accepted for care when patients qualify for such care in their policies. This will depend on individual care requirements.
Reporting AbuseAbuse in elder care capacities should be reported to the Long-Term Care Ombudsman program at 1-800-868-9095. Abuse can be reported by care agencies, seniors, or their families and advocates.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to Find an In-Home Care Provider in South Carolina

Whether you are looking for yourself or a loved one, finding a quality home care provider can be a stressful process. When you hire an in-home care aide you’re placing a lot of trust in the hands of the person by inviting them into your home, so you’ll want to be diligent in your search. At Caring.com, we’re here to help – we’ve created a helpful checklist below that can help guide you through the process of both determining your needs and finding a home care agency that will provide the best care possible.

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Finding a Home Care Provider Checklist
Finding a Home Care Provider Checklist

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Caring.com is a leading online destination for caregivers seeking information and support as they care for aging parents, spouses, and other loved ones. We offer thousands of original articles, helpful tools, advice from more than 50 leading experts, a community of caregivers, and a comprehensive directory of caregiving services.

 

The material on this site is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for legal, financial, professional, or medical advice or diagnosis or treatment. By using our website, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

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