Nursing Homes and Senior Care in South Carolina

Nursing Homes by City in South Carolina

The South Carolina cities with the most CMS-certified nursing homes. All 85 cities are listed below the table. Homes in South Carolina average 3.8 hours of nursing care per resident per day; the national median is 3.7 hours.

5-Star Nursing Homes in South Carolina

Homes with CMS's top overall rating, ordered by inspection rating. See all highest-rated nursing homes in South Carolina.

Assisted Living in South Carolina

South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH), Healthcare Quality licenses assisted living in South Carolina. License types: Community Residential Care Facility (CRCF). Use the state's search to check a community's license and inspection history.

• South Carolina assisted living facility search
• South Carolina assisted living rules
• South Carolina assisted living licensing (South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH), Healthcare Quality)

Memory Care Rules in South Carolina

South Carolina's term is "Alzheimer's Special Care Unit or Program"; it isn't a separate license, but rules apply to facilities that offer dementia care. Facilities must give families a written disclosure of their dementia care services.

• Definition (R.60-84, 101.F): "A facility or area within a facility providing a secure, special program or unit for residents with a diagnosis of probable Alzheimer's disease and/or related dementia to prevent or limit access by a resident outside the designated or separated areas, and that advertises, markets, or otherwise promotes the facility as providing specialized care/services for persons with Alzheimer's disease and/or related dementia or both."
• Policies and procedures (R.60-84, 401) "shall address the provision of any special care offered by the facility which would include how the facility shall meet the specialized needs of the affected residents such as Alzheimer's disease and/or related dementia ... in accordance with any laws which pertain to that service offered, e.g., Alzheimer's Special Care Disclosure Act."
• Inservice training (R.60-84, 504.A.5), before resident contact and at least annually: "Depending on the type of residents, care of persons specific to the physical/mental condition being cared for in the facility, e.g., dementia ... to include communication techniques (cueing and mirroring), understanding and coping with behaviors, safety, activities, etc." No minimum dementia training hours are set.
• Staffing (R.60-84, 503.B), all CRCFs: at least one staff member or direct care volunteer for each eight (8) residents during peak hours, and one for each thirty (30) residents during non-peak hours, with a staff member awake and dressed at all times.
• Doors (R.60-84, 1001.G): "Exit doors may be equipped with delayed egress locks as permitted by the codes referenced in Section 1902.A." Exception: "Exit doors may be locked with written approval by the Department."
• Disclosure (S.C. Code Section 44-36-520, Alzheimer's Special Care Disclosure Act): nursing homes, community residential care facilities and adult day care centers that offer Alzheimer's special care must disclose to a responsible party seeking placement the admission, transfer and discharge criteria; care planning; staffing patterns; staff training; physical environment; resident activities; family involvement; and the costs of the specialized services.

• South Carolina memory care rules

Medicaid Long-Term Care in South Carolina

South Carolina's Medicaid program is Healthy Connections Medicaid (South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services). For nursing home Medicaid (2026), the state lists an income limit of $2,982 monthly (300% of the SSI Federal Benefit Rate, January 1, 2026) and an asset limit of $2,000. Residents keep a personal needs allowance of $60 Standard Allowance.

• Community Choices (CC) Waiver: in-home care, adult day and respite. For Medicaid frail elderly age 65 and older and Medicaid members ages 18 to 64 with physical disabilities who meet a nursing facility level of care. Apply through CLTC Centralized Intake at (888) 971-1637 or the online referral. Enrollment 20,534 (September 2026).
• Optional State Supplementation (OSS) Program: assisted living. For individuals residing in approved, licensed Community Residential Care Facilities (CRCF) enrolled with SCDHHS. Monthly net income may not exceed $1,804 per month and resources must not exceed $2,000 (January 1, 2026). Individuals receive full Medicaid benefits and a state-funded cash assistance payment is provided to the facility.

• Healthy Connections Medicaid (South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services) nursing facility coverage
• South Carolina Medicaid long-term care limits

Nursing Home Inspections and Complaints in South Carolina

South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH), Healthcare Quality inspects nursing homes in South Carolina for CMS. To file a complaint, call 1-800-922-6735 or use the state's complaint page.

• South Carolina nursing home inspection lookup
• File a nursing home complaint in South Carolina

South Carolina Long-Term Care Ombudsman

The Long Term Care Ombudsman Program is a free, confidential advocate for residents of nursing homes and assisted living. Ombudsmen help with complaints, residents' rights and problems with care. Call 1-800-868-9095.

• Contact the Long Term Care Ombudsman Program

Aging Services and Caregiver Support in South Carolina

South Carolina Department on Aging runs South Carolina's aging services, delivered through local Area Agencies on Aging. Family caregivers can get help through Family Caregiver Support Program. Adult day services are licensed or certified by South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH), Healthcare Quality.

• South Carolina aging services: South Carolina Department on Aging
• Caregiver support in South Carolina: Family Caregiver Support Program
• South Carolina adult day services

Guides for Your Next Step

See how to choose a nursing home, what memory care is, how Medicaid pays for nursing home care and what Medicare covers. For local help, call the Eldercare Locator at 1-800-677-1116.

Frequently Asked Questions