Assisted Living in Greenville, SC

Assisted Living Costs in Greenville

According to Genworth’s 2018 Cost of Care survey, the average monthly cost of assisted living in Greenville ($3,843) is just below the national average of $4,000 but about 10 percent higher than the state average of $3,500. Most of the state falls below the national average with the exception of the Myrtle Beach area at $4,526. Florence ($2,275) and Spartanburg ($2,310) are the least expensive cities for assisted living in South Carolina. 

Cost of Assisted Living Comparison Chart

Greenville: $3,843
National average: $4,000
State average: $3,500
Spartanburg: $2,310
Sumter: $3,000
Columbia: $3,808
Florence: $2,275
Myrtle Beach Area: $4,526
Charleston Area: $3,925

Care Cost Comparison

Senior care costs are highly dependent on the level of care an individual needs. The average monthly cost of assisted living in Greenville is $3,092 less than a semiprivate room in a nursing home, and if an individual is mobile, needs very little daily care or intermittent nursing skills, then assisted living may be a good fit. Home health assistance ($3,766) costs about the same as assisted living, but expenses such as rent, groceries, transportation and utilities must be accounted for. These costs are typically included in assisted living fees. 

Cost of Homemaker/Home Health Aide Comparison Chart

Assisted living: $3,843
Homemaker services: $3,766
Home health aide: $3,766
Adult day health: $1,343
Nursing home care (semiprivate room): $6,935

Financial Assistance for Assisted Living in Greenville

Medicaid in South Carolina

South Carolina’s Medicaid program is called Healthy Connections. It’s managed by the South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (SCDHHS), and it helps low-income families and individuals who are disabled or over the age of 65 receive medical care. Healthy Connections pays for some or all medical bills and can financially assist with nursing facility care. If an individual receives Social Security Income (SSI), they automatically qualify for Medicaid. 

Eligibility requirements include:

• Must be a U.S. citizen or qualified alien
• Must reside in South Carolina
• Must be Age 65 or older, blind or disabled
• Must have a monthly income of $1,012 or less or an annual income of $12,140 or less (single)
• Must have a combined monthly income of $1,372 or less or an annual income of $16,460 (couple)

It takes approximately 45 days for Healthy Connections to determine eligibility, although it may take longer for some applicant categories. Individuals will be notified when a determination has been made, and if approved, they will receive their benefits card within one week. 

In addition to the Healthy Connections Medicaid program, there are also waivers to help with the costs of assisted living, but these programs are capped and individuals may be assigned to a waiting list. 

The Community Choices waiver enables individuals with care requirements that qualify them for a nursing home to live at home or an assisted living facility, as long as the costs don’t exceed those of a nursing home. Family members, including adult children, are eligible to be paid to take care of their aging loved one as long as they pass the necessary background checks approved by South Carolina. 

Other services offered  by this program include adult day care, home modifications, personal support and medical equipment and supplies. 

To qualify for the Community Choices waiver, an individual must be: 

• A South Carolina resident
• Age 65 and older
• In need of a nursing home level of care 
• An applicant with an income of $2,313 or less, with countable assets of no more than $2,000 (single)
• An applicant with a maximum combined income of $3,160.50 and countable assets of less than $2,000 (couple)

Individuals should apply to Healthy Connections Medicaid and Community Choices even if they’re unsure of eligibility but need health care or financial help. Seniors can apply online, at their local county office or call the customer service line at (888) 549-0820. 

Other Financial Assistance Programs for Assisted Living

Optional State Supplementation

Optional State Supplementation Program (OSS) is a state-funded program that is managed by the South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (SCDHHS). This program is intended to support the health and care of seniors who reside in an assisted living facility and improve their quality of life, preventing early entry into a nursing home. 

The advantages of this program is that members receive full Medicaid benefits and cash payments for room and board, along with a small allowance for personal needs.

To qualify for OSS, an individual must be a U.S. citizen or qualified alien, a resident in South Carolina, age 65 and older, a resident in an assisted living facility that is enrolled with SCDHHS and must have a monthly income that doesn’t exceed $1,456 or $2,000 in resources.

Older Americans Act in South Carolina 

The Older Americans Act (OAA) is a federal program that provides funded money to designated Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) for various services to seniors living outside of nursing homes. These services include congregate meals, caregiver support, transportation, case management and assistance with senior benefit programs. 

For eligibility, individuals must be age 60 and above and reside in South Carolina. Funding for OAA is limited and distributed to individuals who are prioritized as the most in need. 

To learn more information and apply for this program, please call the Appalachia Area Agency at (864) 242-9733.

Elderlife Bridge Loans

Bridge loans were created to ease the gap of financial strain when transitioning into an assisted living facility while waiting on other resources to come through. Elderlife lends immediate financial support to Individuals in as little as 24 hours and pays directly to facilities or home care agencies. An adviser guides seniors through the application process and helps to determine exactly how much is needed and what the monthly payments will be. 

This loan allows up to six cosigners, which lessens the need for a strong credit score from any one borrower and enables others to share the cost of paying back the loan.

To be eligible for an Elderlife bridge loan, participants must have: 

• A strong credit score (if only one person is applying)
• An alternate funding source to pay back the loan (sale of home, veteran’s pension, etc.)

For more information regarding Elderlife, call (888) 228-4500 or apply online. 

Assisted Living Resources in Greenville

Area Agency on Aging 

AAA offers assistance to seniors that enable them to be independent and choose their own care paths. Various services include assistance with state and federally funded programs, low-income assistance and prescription coverage. 

New Horizon Family Health Services, Inc. 
975 West Faris Road, Greenville, SC 29605
(864) 729-8330

Appalachian Area Agency on Aging
30 Century Circle, Greenville, SC 29607
(864) 242-9733

Senior Centers in Greenville

Senior centers are a resource hub for older adults in the community to socialize and participate in programs, such as social, recreational and educational activities, meals and nutrition, health and wellness and financial and benefits counseling.

Freetown Community Center
200 Alice Ave, Greenville, SC 29611
(864) 295-3567

Mt. Pleasant Community Center
710 South Fairfield Rd, Greenville, SC 29605
(864) 299-3220

Slater Community Center
5 Whitney St, Slater, SC 29683
(864) 288-6470

Veteran’s Affairs

The Veteran’s Administration is a medical and financial resource for veterans in Greenville and the surrounding areas who have low-income and are transitioning to assisted living facilities. For more information concerning benefits and what may be available, please visit or contact the locations below. 

Greenville County Veterans
301 University Ridge, Suite 5900, Greenville, SC 29601 
(864) 467-7230

Anderson County Veterans Affairs
3030 North Highway 81, Anderson, SC 29621
(864) 224-5450

Spartanburg County Veterans
610 Chesnee Hwy, Spartanburg, SC 29303
(864) 596-2553