Senior Living Apartments in Charleston, SC

Paying rent at a senior apartment usually comes out of your own pocket, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t ways to make sure you can find savings elsewhere to leave more breathing room in your budget. While programs like Medicaid, Medicare, or long-term care insurance won’t help with senior apartment rent, they can pay for the medical care you might need while living there.

Here, we’ll discuss private payment methods and how VA benefits, public assistance, as well as Medicaid and Medicare might be able to help.

Senior apartments in South Carolina are not required to be licensed as they do not offer nursing or medical care of any kind. They typically provide independent living for adults who are 55 and older, and they may offer amenities such as housekeeping services, transportation, and social activities.

The laws and regulations for senior apartments in Charleston are generally the same as those throughout South Carolina. Some of the primary laws that apply to senior apartments in Charleston include the following:

• The Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination in the sale, rental, and financing of housing based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, or ability. This law applies to all housing providers, including senior apartment communities.
• The South Carolina Residential Landlord and Tenant Act establishes the rights and responsibilities of landlords and tenants in rental agreements. This law covers issues such as rent, security deposits, repairs and maintenance, and eviction procedures. It also says landlords are required to keep rental properties in safe and habitable conditions. Tenants must notify landlords of any repairs that are needed, and landlords are required to make repairs within a reasonable time frame.
• Adult Protection laws are in place to protect vulnerable adults, including seniors, from abuse, neglect, and exploitation. These laws require certain professionals, such as health care providers and law enforcement officers, to report suspected abuse or neglect to the appropriate authorities.

Senior apartments that accept Housing Choice Vouchers must meet Housing Quality Standards (HQS) set by the federal government and pass Real Estate Assessment Center (REAC) inspections every 9 to 15 months. Contact the HUD office to request inspection reports.

South Carolina Department of Health contact information

South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control
2600 Bull St.
Columbia, SC 29201
Phone: 855-472-3432
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.

COVID-19 regulations for Charleston senior apartments communities

There are no specific COVID-19 mandates for senior apartments in Charleston, but the city does provide some guidelines and provides coronavirus updates here, which are in line with the CDC recommendations for prevention.

From studio to 2-bedroom options, there is sure to be a size and floor plan that fits your needs in Charleston. You can expect hassle-free living with on-site maintenance, added security features, and plenty of extras.

Unique amenities

Since Charleston is a coastal city, you can find some unique amenities in Charleston senior apartments that give a nod to that waterfront lifestyle. Some senior apartments in Charleston have large marshfront relaxation decks, crab docks, kayak docks, and even kayak storage available. You’ll also be able to enjoy amenities like lawn games, swimming pools, and fitness centers. Pickleball courts, shuffleboard, and private movie theaters are also common.

A luxury lifestyle

Charleston’s senior apartment market is mostly high-end. Apartments generally feature stainless steel kitchen appliances, French-door refrigerators, granite countertops, brushed-nickel finishes, custom cabinets, and designer lighting. Plenty of storage, accessibility (like walk-in showers), and even extra perks like assigned golf cart parking.

Getting around town is primarily going to require a car of your own. Charleston doesn’t have a robust public transportation system, scoring just 24 on a scale of 100, according to Walk Score, which rates cities on how well their public transit is set up to get people around.^[04] The city offers buses operating on several fixed routes through the Charleston Area Regional Transportation Authority (CARTA). There are also three Downtown Area Shuttle (DASH) routes. CARTA provides several free ride days for seniors who are 55+ to encourage seniors to learn the bus system.

CARTA OnDemand offers seniors who are at least 55 years old up to 20 trips per month on fixed routes within this service area for as little as $4 because the program subsidizes the rest of the fare. This program is a partnership between the city and Uber. Current Tel-A-Ride paratransit customers automatically qualify.

There are some private options available to Charleston residents who need to get around town:

• A Golden Ride
• Charleston Black Cab Company
• Custom Care Carriage
• Let’s Go Transportation
• Charleston Cab Company
• Charleston Water Taxi

If you’d like to get around on foot, the most walkable areas in Charleston are the Radcliffeborough, Cannonborough, and Elliotborough neighborhoods.^[04] Biking is an option, as there are some trails and urban infrastructure for bicycles. The city of Charleston provides this guide around safety and laws for bikes.

From the architectural splendor of Charleston’s Rainbow Row to the waterfront beauty of Charleston Harbor and everything in between, there is so much beauty and vibrance to take in!

A city with a rich history

Founded in 1670, it’s no surprise that Charleston has plenty of things to see and do for resident history buffs. Walking tours or horse-drawn carriage tours are a great way to take it all in. Visit the Nathaniel Russell House Museum to get a glimpse inside of a fully restored late Colonial-era mansion.

You can take in America’s first museum, The Charleston Museum, as it celebrates its 250th anniversary. The Old Slave Mart Museum in Charleston is the first African-American slave museum and is especially meaningful as it is often staffed by people who trace their roots to America’s slavery heritage.

Charleston’s Fort Sumter has an infamous place in history as the location of the opening shot of the Civil War. Touring the site is not fully accessible, but many portions are. To get there, you have to ride a ferry boat. While there is a ramp system for those who use wheelchairs, the tides can sometimes prohibit the use of the ramps. It’s best to call ahead to make sure ramps are in use when you want to visit.

Spending time taking in the sights of Charleston wouldn’t be complete without a stop at the historic Charleston City Market, which operates every day of the week. The night market operates on Friday and Saturday evenings to give everyone the opportunity to find Southern staples and the well-known sweetgrass baskets.

Make room for the arts

The Gibbes Museum of Art features visual arts, special exhibits, lectures, and even art sales. Parts of the museum are free, while other parts require a ticket. The museum offers this accessibility guide to ensure an enjoyable experience for everyone.

Charleston’s Gaillard Center hosts an assortment of performing arts, from ballet to live music to comedy. The center is fully accessible and offers assisted listening devices and sensory-friendly experiences. Another spot for live music is the Charleston Music Hall. There are six accessible seating locations; you can view them on this seating chart. The Black Fedora Comedy Mystery Theatre makes for a fun night out, too.

No shortage of natural beauty to enjoy

Charleston’s Waterfront Park is so much more than an ordinary park! With eight acres of gorgeous manicured greenspace along more than 1,000 feet of coastline, this landmark is an experience for the senses. Take a stroll along the many paths or down the pier, relax on a bench or family-sized swing, and check out the beautiful fountains.

If you love being active outside, there are plenty of great places to fish. The James Island County Park fishing dock is one of many fishing holes to keep in mind in addition to Waterfront Park. Sailing is big business at Charleston Harbor, and many places offer sailing tours. Take in the Lowcountry wetlands by renting a canoe or a kayak.

For land lovers, there are gorgeous fairways to consider, with seven golf courses in Charleston. Head out to Folly Beach to kick back on the six miles of sandy shore, listen to the waves, and catch some sun.

Senior centers for good times with friends

• Waring senior center: This senior center, located on the St. Francis campus, features a resources center with computer access, an exercise studio, a café, and outdoor pickleball courts.
• Senior centers at Dorchester and Northwood: These centers in North Charleston both have pickleball courts, several activity rooms, and a coffee bar. They both feature programs to encourage social interaction among the seniors who visit.
• Lowcountry senior center: Located on James Island, this facility boasts outdoor walking trails with fitness stations nestled in the beautiful live oaks.