Memory Care In Charleston, SC
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Find the Best Memory Care Near Charleston, SC
Charleston, SC, memory care facilities are residential senior living options for aging adults with cognitive decline. These properties employ professionally certified caregivers 24/7 to provide gentle reminders, redirection, and calm the anxious outbursts and escape-seeking behaviors many seniors with dementia experience. Some memory care communities are part of an assisted living property, while others are stand-alone properties exclusively focused on memory care.
Types of Memory Care
Memory care facilities in Charleston accept residents with dementia. While Alzheimer’s Disease is the condition most people are familiar with, dementia diagnoses can vary with different characteristics. Caregivers in memory care can help aging adults who have been diagnosed with:
- Lewy Body Dementia
- Frontotemporal dementia
- Mixed Dementia
- Alzheimer’s Disease
Many memory care properties offer treatment for other types of memory concerns. Some residents may have a chronic health condition that leads to cognitive decline or dementia symptoms, such as:
- Parkinson’s disease
- Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease
- Huntington’s disease
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
Charleston memory care properties are designed for mobility ease and the needs of elderly adults, with open floor plans and wide walkways. Directions to the dining room, bathrooms, and recreation areas are clearly marked to help residents navigate with less confusion. Many seniors with dementia are susceptible to bright light or noise, so lighting is usually muted and background noise kept to a minimum. Security is also essential to prevent wandering. Many facilities use electronic key locks and cameras to secure exterior doors, the kitchen, and fitness and therapy areas.
Many of the services and programs provided in memory care facilities are intended to help residents retain their cognitive abilities as much as possible and enhance their quality of life. Speech, physical, and occupational therapies are often administered on-site, reducing the number of trips off property for residents. Music and art therapy helps seniors bring forth memories and provides enjoyment. Some communities use pet therapy to help residents feel a sense of purpose, or aromatherapy in individual rooms for a calming effect.
Your Charleston, SC Senior Living Advisor
Allison Lanford
Serving communities in Charleston, Berkeley, Dorchester and Colleton counties, including Mt. Pleasant, Daniel Island, Sullivan’s Island, Isle of Palms, Summerville, James Island, John’s Island, Folly Beach, North Charleston, Hanahan, Goose Creek, Moncks Corner, Edisto Island and Walterboro.
I am the owner of Assisted Living Locators of Charleston and I work with families to navigate the process of finding Senior Care for themselves or their loved ones. I grew up in Spartanburg, graduated from the College of Charleston, and have called Charleston my home for over 25 years. Throughout my career, I have had the privilege of working with nonprofit organizations focused on helping communities and families. Now, as a Senior Care Advisor, my aim is to empower families during this important transition by providing expert guidance, insight, and support. Whether guiding you through In-Home Care, Independent Living, Assisted Living, or Memory Care placement, my goal is to make a difficult and often emotional process as simple, stress-free and well-informed as possible, all at no cost to you.
What is the Cost of Memory Care in Charleston, SC
The cost of memory care in Charleston is $4,616 on average per month. Each property will varies a little from the average based on its location in the city and the services included with monthly fees. Some properties have different pricing tiers with different services included, while others bundle all care and amenities into one price. However, memory care facilities are usually more per month than other senior living options due to the higher level of staff training and additional services.
Charleston memory care residents may have either a private or semi-private room and are provided housekeeping and laundry services. Healthy meals, made with the nutritional needs of elderly adults in mind, are served in a community dining room. Room service meal delivery or help eating is given to residents who need it. Caregivers are available night and day to assist with the activities of daily living (ADLs), which many seniors require, like:
- Choosing clothes and dressing
- Showering, grooming, and combing hair
- Mobility assistance, including lifts and transfers from wheelchair to bed or sitting to standing
- Toileting or incontinence care
- Medication management
- Escorted transportation to off-site doctor’s appointments
Memory care properties in Charleston create care plans for each resident to ensure continuity of care. These include the specific dementia diagnosis and physician recommendations for treatment, plus any additional health concerns caregivers should monitor. Some care plans can include regular ADLs residents need assistance with, such as a two-person lift. However, all residents are provided immediate help with any ADL as needed, even without a note in the care plan.
What Should Every Senior Know About Living in Charleston, SC?
Charleston is a coastal city located along the Atlantic Ocean. It’s one of the oldest cities in the country, established in 1670, and is rich in Colonial and American history. Seniors living here may reap the benefits of living in a larger city, such as more options for health care and more accommodations for families who come to visit. They also benefit from state income tax breaks for older adults, including an exemption for Social Security income and a $15,000/ year deduction for other types of retirement income.
Charleston Weather & Climate
Charleston weather is characterized by long, warm, and humid summers, with more than 200 days of sunshine each year and July high temperatures averaging in the low 90s. Winters are mild, with January low temperatures averaging 39 degrees. Charleston is possibly at risk for tropical storms and hurricanes, however.
Local Hospitals & Notable Medical Care
Charleston seniors have several options for world-class medical care, like Trident Medical Center, which boasts award-winning heart health treatment. Or, they may visit the Medical University of South Carolina, which is the leading academic research facility in the state and offers innovative care options for many different conditions.
Transportation
The Charleston Area Regional Transportation Authority (CHARTA) operates fixed-route bus lines around the city and its suburbs and provides paratransit services for seniors who qualify.
Arts, Culture & Recreation
Families visiting their loved one in Charleston memory care may enjoy escorting them to the beach or a local park. Some seniors might like to visit Fort Sumter national park, a Civil War monument, or American history museums near the Historic Charleston Harbor.
How Do I Pay for Memory Care in Charleston, SC?
When you begin exploring memory care options for your loved one, you may wonder how much to pay in fees. A local Charleston memory care advisor can provide information about common programs many families use to help pay for their loved one’s memory care.
Veteran's Benefits
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs offers two programs to help pay for memory care accommodations and services. The Improved Pension Program may help pay for long-term care, while the Aid and Assistance Benefit may cover services. These programs are open to military veterans and their surviving spouses. A representative at a Charleston VA Center can help you apply for your veteran.
Home Equity
If your senior has paid off their home mortgage, they may use the equity they’ve built up in the home to pay for memory care. Ask a local memory care advisor how to use home equity for memory care accommodations.
Spend Down
South Carolina Medicaid has an income cap for eligibility of $2,523 per person, per month. Seniors whose monthly income exceeds this are likely eligible for Medicaid by participating in the “spend down” program. They spend the difference between their monthly income and the income cap on medical care and medications, then they may become eligible for Medicaid enrollment. Ask your local Charleston memory care advocate for more information on the Medicaid spend-down process.
Medicare
Traditional Medicare, Medicare Part A and Part B, doesn’t cover memory care. However, Medicare recipients can choose one or more Supplemental Medicare plans, which may help pay for services in a memory care community. Check your loved one’s insurance coverage to see if they have one of these plans.
Medicaid
Medicaid recipients are likely eligible for South Carolina’s Home and Community Based Waiver, a facility wavier that allows seniors who qualify to receive care and services in a memory care facility instead of a nursing home. Ask your local memory care advisor how you can apply for this program on behalf of your senior.
Care assessment tool
Access our free senior care assessment tool, which can help you evaluate the specific needs and requirements of you or your loved one. By answering a series of questions, you’ll receive personalised recommendations and insights to aid in the decision-making process.
Take the AssessmentFAQ About Memory Care in Charleston, SC
Memory care facilities are purposefully designed to address the needs of aging adults with dementia. While some medication management is offered, these facilities do not provide on-site nursing care. Nursing homes, however, are for people who have medical needs that require constant monitoring and care, such as chronic disease, or who are recovering from a severe illness or surgery.
Charleston memory care advisors can help you from the outset, including answering questions about memory care and how to arrange accommodations for your loved one. They also may arrange tours, either in-person or virtual, for your top selections and can help you weigh the benefits of each facility to find a suitable one.
Each memory care community is different and not all of them are suitable fit for your loved one. Local memory care advocates recommend touring at least three just to get a general idea of what memory care is like. You may realize that you and your loved one have specific preferences for a memory care community after visiting a couple. Your memory care advisor can help you find properties closer to your preferences.
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