10 Best Memory Care Facilities in Greenville, SC
If you’re looking for memory care for your loved one, you’re not alone. By 2030, the U.S. Census Bureau expects more than 1 million seniors over the age of 65 to call South Carolina home. If that prediction is correct, it would make the state rank in the top 15 for the largest population of seniors. The South Carolina Department on Aging’s Alzheimer’s Resource Coordination Center reports that 11% of that population is already living with Alzheimer’s, and that number jumps to more than half for seniors who are 85 and older.
A Place for Mom can help you find a caring and safe memory care facility for your loved one. With 18 partner memory care facilities within 10 miles of the heart of Greenville, there are plenty of options available so you can find the perfect fit that you and your loved one feel the most comfortable with.
This guide covers facility listings, costs, and various ways to pay for memory care. We will also dive into what you can expect from a Greenville memory care facility, including laws and regulations they must follow. We’ll cover health care and transportation options, and we’ll touch on local activities and sights so you and your loved one can enjoy spending time in the natural beauty of Greenville together.
Greenville Memory Care Facilities | 832 Reviews
It is best place for my husband at this stage of his disease. Overall appearance, arrangement of room and common areas/garden access.
Everyone here is knowledgeable, helpful and professional. They knew exactly what requirements were required to get my mother situated and made it a smooth transition. My mom is loved, respected and taken...
Very friendly staff and helpful has treated my mom with love and care and would recommend taking a tour of this facility. Staff and aides have been very helpful in extending extra care for my mom. Physical...
My dad spent the last 3 ½ years at the Blake. I can’t say enough about the wonderful care and attention he received while living at the Blake. He always felt safe and comfortable in this facility. His...
Waterstone has been a learning experience for us as this is our first assisted living facility interaction. You learn that no place is perfect but you have to look for what is better than the rest. This...
All 5! What we like the most about The Springs at Simpsonville is the staff members who work there and the location of the community. We would recommend them to others who may need a place for their loved...
They were superior to the places she stayed before then, here, and in Washington. [name removed] needed Memory Care and Brookstone excelled in their treatment of Memory Care folks fully without constraint as...
A couple staff members could improve on their patience and attitude but for the most part the staff is very friendly and attentive to the residents. Yes, I would recommend Oakview Park to other families....
I would have to say 5 on all of them. We have been very pleased with Pine Grove and have had no complaints. They always have activities planned, it is very clean and all of the staff are super friendly and...
The employees are great . I'm thinking about getting a job there. Feels like home and has really helped my father in-law physically and emotionally.
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I would say all 5's except for meals. She said some of the meals she doesn't like. The chicken is sometimes dry for example. They do give a choice for other options which is nice. Overall she loves living at...
What we like most about the Harmony at Five Forks are the people who are there, they are super nice and there is a lot of different things to do. Based on the experience we have had so far, we would...
I chose The Residences at Greer because it is small and close to my home in case there is an emergency. The staff loves their residents. They take great care of them and very understanding. They go through...
I could not recommend Hilltop of Greenville Memory Care highly enough. And, in fact, I have! Of course, no place is perfect, but they have done everything possible to make my husband comfortable, feel safe,...
I would give the Pearl 5 stars in everything except dining. When I visit my mom I take her to lunch so I have never been there for dining. Overall I love it. Having my mom's previous facility as a comparison...
They're good to my mom. They try to do everything they can to keep her comfortable and happy. And that's all I could ask for. We've had no problems, and I'm happy to have her at Greenville Glen.
I can't thank Terra Bella Thornblade enough for all they've done to care for us. We became aware that our loved one's former facility was no longer safe. We immediately began looking for a new home for...
We chose TerraBella Summit because of the staff friendliness and the overall cleanliness of the facility. It really is a fantastic place, staff is very attentive. Just need more staff
Overall, it has been a good experience. We picked this community because it was cleaner, more upscale, better care, better meals, and much better staff.
So many of the staff are terrific. Think upper management could be more responsive/honest. During the recent hurricane, emergency generators went out leaving some residents without electricity for a week,...
Taking into consideration they are shorthanded, the only thing is that they are lacking in communication. We had some things that they said would be done, but it wasn't done and calls weren't returned....
It is wonderful they are absolutely fantastic all around and have been very helpful to my husband. He is now in hospice and that portion is also absolutely outstanding.
We chose Southern Oaks because they were the only assisted living facility we looked at that said they would be willing to accommodate my uncle’s need for CPAP oxygen. In addition to that, I like that the...
Our methodology
How we rank order the Greenville community options above
We developed a proprietary recommendation system that orders Greenville community options based on factors we know are important to seniors and their families:
- Proximity to your search location
- Availability of recent, high-quality reviews
- The amount of detailed community information available
Where we source our information
14,000+ communities
We collect proprietary data from our network of 14,000+ senior living communities in the U.S., with regular refreshes of data and information
350,000+ reviews
We have 387,000+ reviews from senior living residents and family members that provide first-hand accounts about senior living communities
- Costs of memory care in the Greenville area
- What families are saying about memory care in Greenville
- How people pay for memory care in Greenville
- Understand South Carolina laws and regulations for memory care facilities
- What to expect from memory care in Greenville
- Greenville memory care services and amenities
- Explore senior care with confidence
- Unfamiliar with Greenville? Highlights for seniors
- Health care for seniors in Greenville
- Transportation for seniors in Greenville
- Senior activities in Greenville
Costs of memory care in the Greenville area
The average monthly cost for Greenville memory care is $3,931, according to A Place for Mom’s proprietary data.[03] That includes not only room and board, but also three meals a day, transportation to medical appointments, laundry and housekeeping services, and access to various activities and amenities.
The below chart shows the average baseline memory care costs in Greenville without accounting for add-on fees.
Average monthly cost of Memory Care in Greenville, SC vs. nearby cities
Average monthly cost of Memory Care in Greenville, SC vs. the state and national average
Average monthly cost of Memory Care in Greenville vs. other types of senior living
Median monthly costs of Memory Care in Greenville, SC by room type
Average cost of Memory Care in Greenville over time
What families are saying about memory care in Greenville
Recent reviews for memory care in Greenville
Hilltop of Greenville Memory Care
Ashlan Village in Lyman, SC
The Springs at Simpsonville
Greenville review score based on 228 family reviews
This proprietary review score is based on 228 reviews of 29 Greenville memory care communities. All reviews were submitted in the past two years by verified community residents and family members.Greenville review score compared against nearby cities
Review subcategories for Greenville memory care
When memory care residents and family members submit a review on our site, they rate each community on categories such as cleanliness, activities, meals, and more. The chart below is based on 228 reviews of 29 Greenville memory care communities. This chart helps you compare Greenville resident and family memory care satisfaction rates against national averages. Use it to assess your needs and develop criteria for your own search. If you know that one of these categories is important to you or your loved one, our senior living advisors can help you find communities to match your needs.How people pay for memory care in Greenville
Seniors often use a mix of public and private funds to pay for memory care. Personal savings, long-term care insurance, Medicaid, Medicare, and VA benefits are some of the sources seniors pull from. The below tabs cover private and public payment options.
Social Security benefits, pensions, and investment returns are some of the private sources of income seniors use to pay for memory care.
Other ways seniors use private funds to pay for memory care include the following:
Number of Veterans who live in Greenville
Percentage of Greenville Veterans who are 75+
A memory care facility can be costly, but the VA Pension or the VA Survivors Pension for qualified veterans can help. The Aid and Attendance benefit can be used in addition to the pension for veterans who meet eligibility requirements.[05] This benefit is exclusively for veterans who require long-term care. Surviving spouses might also be eligible for Aid and Attendance benefits.
Navigating the benefits process is often complicated, so it is advisable to reach out to the available resources for help. You can make an appointment at the Greenville County Office of Veterans Affairs to get help determining whether your loved one is eligible for benefits. The regional benefit office of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs offers claims assistance, too.
Veterans Service Officers are experts in assisting with the benefits process and answering your questions. These vetted volunteers are available through Veterans Service Organizations including the American Legion.
Greenville’s Upstate Warrior Solution is another great organization that has advocates who are ready to connect senior veterans with a variety of helpful resources. You can start the process of getting help by completing this form.
Resources for Greenville veterans
Greenville County Office of Veterans Affairs
301 University Ridge
Suite 5900
Greenville, SC 29601
Phone: 864-467-7230
Fax: 864-467-7677
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. (Mondays and Fridays are by appointment only.)
Columbia VA Regional Benefit Office
6437 Garners Ferry Road
Columbia, SC 29209
Phone: 800-827-1000
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. (Opens at 8:30 a.m. on Wednesdays.)
Upstate Warrior Solution
Rupert Huse Veteran Center
770 Pelham Road
Suite 102
Greenville, SC 29615
Phone: 864-520-2073
Fax: 864-520-2078
Hours: Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Friday, 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.
James F. Daniel, Jr. American Legion Post 3
430 N Main St.
Greenville, SC 29601
Phone: 864-271-2000
Fax: 864-271-8793
Email: talp3sc@outlook.com
Healthy Connections is South Carolina’s Medicaid program, which is specifically for low-income seniors. Healthy Connections doesn’t pay for a stay in a memory care facility, but it will help with medical costs.
Seniors in a memory care facility can use Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waivers to help with some of their health care needs. Seniors can apply for HCBS waivers online. The South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services will decide whether seniors are eligible. For qualified seniors, the Community Choices waiver lets them use providers who have been approved through the program for limited skilled nursing and personal care.
To apply for Medicaid, use this online application. If a senior is approved to receive benefits, an annual review will be required to stay in the program.
Dual Medicaid/Medicare program
Healthy Connections Prime is coordinated care for both Medicaid and Medicare. For seniors who are at least 65 years old, this dual program is offered in just 15 states, including South Carolina. The Healthy Connections Prime ombudsman can guide qualified seniors through the dual program.
The Appalachian Council of Governments and SC Thrive are two other helpful resources when it comes to benefits guidance.
Greenville resident Medicaid resources
Greenville’s Healthy Connections Eligibility Office
352 Halton Road
Greenville, SC 29607
Phone: 864-467-7926
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
SC Thrive
120 Research Drive
Columbia, SC 29203
Phone: 800-726-8774
Email: contact@scthrive.org
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
The Appalachian Council of Governments
30 Century Circle
Columbia, SC 29607
Phone: 864-242-9733
Email: info@scacog.org
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Healthy Connections Prime Advocate (Ombudsman)
1301 Gervais St.
Suite 350
Columbia, SC 29201
Phone: 844-477-4632
Email: primeadvocate@aging.sc.gov
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Medicare, the federal health care program for seniors who are at least 65 years old, will not cover custodial care (which includes daily living activities, such as bathing and dressing) in a memory care facility. But Medicare will help cover medically necessary health care for a senior who lives in a memory care facility.[06] There are some additional programs to consider when looking into memory care that could provide additional help.
- Medicare savings programs: Medicare savings programs can assist with the premiums, deductibles, and copayments associated with Medicare Part A and Part B. There are four Medicare savings programs you can look into, and each has its own eligibility requirements.
- Extra Help: Low-income seniors with limited resources could qualify for Extra Help, which can cover prescription drug costs.
Seniors can enroll in Medicare online, or you can call the Social Security Administration. To get help with this process, the federally funded South Carolina State Health Insurance Program (SHIP) provides no-cost assistance with Medicare applications.
Dual Medicaid/Medicare program
Healthy Connections Prime is coordinated care for both Medicaid and Medicare. For seniors who are at least 65 years old, this dual program is offered in just 15 states, including South Carolina. The Healthy Connections Prime ombudsman can guide qualified seniors through the dual program.
The Appalachian Council of Governments and SC Thrive are two other helpful resources when it comes to benefits guidance.
Greenville resident Medicare resources
Social Security Administration – Greenville
319 Pelham Road
Greenville, SC 29615
Phone: 877-274-5423
Hours: Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
SC Thrive
120 Research Drive
Columbia, SC 29203
Phone: 800-726-8774
Email: contact@scthrive.org
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
The Appalachian Council of Governments
30 Century Circle
Columbia, SC 29607
Phone: 864-242-9733
Email: info@scacog.org
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Healthy Connections Prime Advocate (Ombudsman)
1301 Gervais St.
Suite 350
Columbia, SC 29201
Phone: 844-477-4632
Email: primeadvocate@aging.sc.gov
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Understand South Carolina laws and regulations for memory care facilities
Memory care and assisted living facilities in the state are licensed and regulated by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC). There is a long list of requirements that these community residential care facilities must meet in order to get a license and keep it.
Guidelines for licensing ensure all residents have an individual care plan within their first week in the facility. The plan has to outline their nutritional, medical, and physical needs. It must also detail how often they’ll be getting help and from whom. DHEC mandates that facilities provide transportation for residents to doctor’s appointments or any other medical needs.
Regulations are also specific about staffing levels, as well as what sort of training staff members have to receive.
During the daytime, there must be at least one staff member for every eight residents. At night, that ratio is one staff member per 30 residents. Someone is also required to be awake at all hours of the day and night.
Staff members’ training must include the following:
- How accidents must be reported
- First aid basics and CPR
- How to check and record vital signs
- How to manage medication
- How to manage and care for people with contagious illnesses
- How to handle a variety of behaviors (such as aggression or exit-seeking behaviors)
- How to use restraints properly
- How to respond in case of emergency
- How to handle confidential information and records
The DHEC has to be notified within three days if there is a change in administration at a facility. The South Carolina Bill of Rights for Residents of Long-Term Care Facilities also has to be followed.
DHEC checks to make sure rules and regulations are being followed with unannounced inspections, which happen at least once a year. The inspection reports are available by searching online. You can search by typing in a location, or you can use the map view to see the various facilities. Either way, you’ll be able to access PDFs of the inspection reports.
The state’s Omnibus Adult Protection Act provides protection for seniors from abuse or neglect. It also spells out exactly which state agencies are responsible for following up and taking action.
South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control contact information
2600 Bull St.
Columbia, SC 29201
Phone: 803-898-3432
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
COVID-19 regulations for Greenville memory care facilities
Greenville no longer has any specific mandates around COVID-19. The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control requires visitation to be allowed but also expects facilities to do a good job of taking precautions.
Vaccinations. COVID-19 vaccinations are recommended but not required.
Masking. Masking is suggested when deemed necessary to prevent transmission.
What to expect from memory care in Greenville
There are four standalone memory care facilities in Greenville within a 10-mile radius of downtown. An additional 14 communities offer a combination of care experiences, and all have plenty of options and amenities to make your loved one feel right at home.
Standalone memory care and combination care
If you’re looking for only memory care, then one of the four standalone options might be the right choice for your loved one.
However, there are 12 facilities within 10 miles of downtown Greenville that combine both memory care and assisted living on the same premises. And two more are even broader in scope and combine memory care, assisted living, and independent living options. Reaching out a bit further geographically, you can also find three additional facilities in a 25-mile radius of downtown: two assisted living and memory care combination facilities and one facility that incorporates memory care, assisted living, and independent living on the same premises.
Combination care might be the right choice for your loved one if they would like to stay in the same community even as their care needs change. In these combination facilities, residents can enjoy the comfort of being in a familiar environment while still getting the more specialized care they might need over the long term.
Memory care specialization
You can expect your loved one to be well cared for by staff members who are specially trained in working with people with memory loss. Someone will always be awake 24 hours a day to ensure the safety of your loved one. About a third of the facilities have a wander management system that gives residents the freedom to roam within a safe space. A personal alarm will alert staff if anyone wanders outside of the designated area. And nearly all the facilities have an enclosed courtyard so residents can get some fresh air and enjoy the outdoors safely.
Amenities and socialization
Memory care facilities, especially those paired with assisted living and independent living, provide a wide range of events and activities for residents. With an activity director on staff at all facilities, there won’t be a shortage of things to do. Birthdays and holidays will be celebrated in style in the common areas. And nearly all our partner facilities offer an arts-and-crafts center for expressing creativity, and residents can relax and socialize in TV lounges, movie rooms, and libraries.
Greenville memory care services and amenities
Availability of select care services in Greenville memory care
Availability of select dementia care services in Greenville memory care
Availability of select dietary accommodations in Greenville memory care
Availability of select dining options in Greenville memory care
Availability of select programs and activities in Greenville memory care
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Unfamiliar with Greenville? Highlights for seniors
Health care for seniors in Greenville
Greenville is home to several health care systems, including two of the area’s largest employers.[07] With highly rated care in a variety of areas, including geriatric care, there are plenty of options for you and your loved one to choose from.
Prisma Health Greenville Memorial Hospital
Comprehensive care for memory health can be found at this facility’s Centers for Success in Aging. An interdisciplinary team provides evaluations, care plans, education, and support for caregivers.
Prisma Health Patewood Hospital
Patewood is considered one of the 100 best hospitals for joint replacement, as it received the Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval for hip, knee, and shoulder replacements. It is the only hospital in South Carolina to have a distinction in all three.
Bon Secours St. Francis Health System
With two hospitals in its system — downtown and eastside — there are options for whatever care you need. The system is ranked sixth in the state and first in the Upstate region (which covers 10 counties).
Transportation for seniors in Greenville
Nearly all of A Place for Mom’s partner memory care facilities provide complimentary transportation, so your loved one will be able to safely get to doctor’s appointments.
While public transportation isn’t a safe option for seniors in memory care to take on their own, it can be helpful for visiting family and friends who want to get around or accompany their loved one in beautiful Greenville.
One option for public transportation is Greenlink. This city bus system has 11 fixed routes with wheelchair accessibility on every bus. Senior Solutions offers rides for medical appointments and errands for any senior in the Upstate. The drivers have all been certified in securing wheelchairs, passenger safety, and first aid.
Senior activities in Greenville
For families and friends looking to take their loved ones out on the town, there are plenty of options to choose from. You can take in some beautiful sights in the downtown area, where you’ll find Falls Park on the Reedy. In addition to beautiful waterfalls, you can stroll the accessible Swamp Rabbit Trail, which has a mile-long paved section that’s extra-smooth for wheelchairs and powered mobility scooters.
For a little reminiscing, visit the Upcountry History Museum, where you can borrow a wheelchair for your loved one (or use their own, of course). In addition to senior discounts, the museum features open captioning on its orientation films and exhibit videos. It also loans out magnifiers so those with visual impairments can fully enjoy all the exhibits.
Another historical option for you and your loved one is driving to see some of the 13 African-American cultural sites, which include historic churches and schools.
The Peace Center is a great spot for taking in the performing arts. Not only is the center accessible, but you can also reserve patron assistance services in advance. This can include special drop-off for people with mobility issues and courtesy transport chairs from curbside to theater seating. Assistive listening devices, as well as sign language interpreters, are also available. Service animals are welcome as long as you let the box office know in advance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Summit Place, Brookstone Terrace of Woodruff and The Springs at Simpsonville are the top-rated Memory Care facilities near Greenville, SC. These Memory Care facilities received the highest rankings based on verified family reviews. See full list of communities.
The average cost of Memory Care in Greenville is $4,192 per month. This cost may vary based on location, amenities, floorplan, level of care and other factors.
References
Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina. (2017). 2021 Annual Report: South Carolina Alzheimer’s Disease Registry.
South Carolina Department on Aging. (2023.) Alzheimer’s Resource Coordination Center.
A Place for Mom. (2023). A Place for Mom proprietary data.
United States Census Bureau. (2021). Veteran Status (S2101) [Data Set]. American Community Survey.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. (2023). VA Aid and Attendance Benefits and Housebound Allowance.
U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. (2023). Home Health Services.
Upstate SC Alliance. (2022). Data Resources: Major Employers.
U.S. News & World Report. (2023). Bon Secours St. Francis Health System-Greenville.
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