Lakes, waterfalls, and the Blue Ridge Mountains are just a few of the attractions that make Greenville, South Carolina, a beautiful place for seniors to call home.
A Place for Mom has 16 partner assisted living facilities within 10 miles of downtown Greenville, plus another five if you expand your search to a 25-mile radius. Assisted living is perfect for seniors who want or need some extra help with activities of daily living, as well as the opportunity to live in a supportive and social environment. In Greenville assisted living, you can expect housekeeping, laundry, and meals to be taken care of. You’ll also get help with things like medication management and have access to a plethora of fun activities. (Ninety-four percent of our partner facilities have live music performances!
This guide provides a wealth of information to help you in your assisted living decision-making process. It touches on detailed information around costs, ways to pay for care, and laws and regulations that apply to assisted living. Finally, we’ll dive into Greenville’s health care options, transportation, and activities.
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...
Really like the staff so far and although change is hard for older folks, I think they are working to make certain Mom is happy.
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...
Based off of our personal experience, I would recommend The palmettos of Mauldin to other families looking for care for their loved ones.
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...
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.
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 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...
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...
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...
When I was looking for an assisted living facility for my father, I wanted a community that would encompass assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing. The Gables on Pelham has all of these resources...
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.
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.
Staff was terrific! Friendly, extremely helpful and professional! The surroundings are clean, bright and well maintained. Safety of residents are a priority. A large variety of activities to choose from...
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 developed a proprietary recommendation system that orders Greenville community options based on factors we know are important to seniors and their families:
We collect proprietary data from our network of 14,000+ senior living communities in the U.S., with regular refreshes of data and information
We have 387,000+ reviews from senior living residents and family members that provide first-hand accounts about senior living communities
The average monthly cost for Greenville assisted living is $3,949, according to A Place for Mom’s proprietary data.[01] The cost figure for assisted living reflects what residents actually paid at our network facilities and considers a variety of floor plans, amenities, and other variables. Costs include access to in-house care (e.g., ambulatory, diabetic, and incontinence care); medication management; meals; and wheelchair-accessible bedrooms, bathtubs, and showers.
The following chart represents starting costs of assisted living in Greenville and surrounding areas.
Many seniors use a blend of public and private sources of income to afford their stay in assisted living facilities. Personal savings, long-term care insurance, and public or VA benefits are some of the sources seniors pull from. Below is a guide to both private and public payment options.
Social Security benefits, pensions, and investment returns are a few of the private sources of income seniors use to pay for assisted living.
Other ways seniors use private funds to pay for assisted living include the following:
Monthly payments from a VA Pension or the VA Survivors Pension for qualified veterans can be used to help pay for assisted living. Some veterans may also qualify to receive the Aid and Attendance benefit, which is paid on top of the veteran’s pension.[03] This benefit is for eligible veterans who require long-term care. Surviving spouses may also qualify for Aid and Attendance benefits.
The Greenville County Office of Veterans Affairs can help you determine your eligibility status. It’s advisable to call ahead and make an appointment because walk-ins are only allowed Tuesday through Thursday. Regional VA benefit offices offer claims assistance as well.
Advocates are wonderful resources to help senior veterans determine eligibility and guide them through the process. Greenville’s Upstate Warrior Solution is one non-profit organization with advocates ready to help senior vets. The organization is part of the Upstate Veterans Alliance Network (UVAN), which bands together all sorts of resources across the Greenville community and the surrounding area. Complete this form, and someone from Upstate Warrior Solution will contact you. Veterans service officers can help identify benefits and help you with claims. These helpful volunteers can be found at many veterans service organizations (VSOs), such as the American Legion.
Number of veterans who live in Greenville, according to the U.S. Census Bureau
Percentage of Greenville veterans who are 65+, according to the U.S. Census Bureau
Resources for Greenville veterans
Greenville County VA Office
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.
Regional Benefit Office of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
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
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.
American Legion Post 3
430 N Main St.
Greenville, SC 29601
Phone: 864-271-2000
Fax: 864-271-8793
Email: talp3sc@outlook.com
Medicaid — called Healthy Connections in South Carolina — primarily helps lower-income seniors with health care needs, but it doesn’t pay for assisted living room and board. Medicaid can be used to pay for medication and visits to the doctor or hospital.
Seniors who live in an assisted living facility can use Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waivers to help with some of their needs. Seniors can apply for the HCBS waiver online. For eligible seniors, the Community Choices waiver allows them to use approved providers for things like personal care and limited skilled nursing.
Eligibility will be determined by the South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). Medicaid eligibility is determined primarily based on income and assets. Start by using this online application to apply for benefits. Once benefits have been approved, to stay in the Healthy Connections program, an annual review must be completed.
Healthy Connections Prime is coordinated care for seniors who are at least 65 years old and qualify for both Medicaid and Medicare. Dual Medicaid and Medicare programs like this are only available in 15 states. The South Carolina Department on Aging’s ombudsman can help guide seniors who are enrolled in Healthy Connections Prime through the dual program.
The Appalachian Council of Governments (Greenville’s Area Agency on Aging) and SC Thrive are two additional resources that can help seniors with benefits guidance.
Greenville resident Medicaid resources
Greenville’s Healthy Connections Eligibility Office
352 Halton Road
Greenville, SC 29607
Phone: 888-549-0820
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
Area Agency on Aging
30 Century Circle
Greenville, 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)
South Carolina Department on Aging
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 is the federal health care program for seniors who are at least 65 years old. While it won’t cover custodial care costs (such as help with bathing and dressing), it will help with medically necessary care while a senior resides in an assisted living facility.[04] There are a few other programs that might defray additional costs and help you sign up:
Seniors who want to enroll in Medicare online can do so through the Social Security Administration’s website.
Healthy Connections Prime is coordinated care for seniors who are at least 65 years old and qualify for both Medicaid and Medicare. Dual Medicaid and Medicare programs like this are only available in 15 states. The South Carolina Department on Aging’s ombudsman can help guide seniors who are enrolled in Healthy Connections Prime through the dual program.
The Appalachian Council of Governments (Greenville’s Area Agency on Aging) and SC Thrive are two additional resources that can help seniors with benefits guidance.
Greenville resident Medicare resources
Social Security Administration
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
Area Agency on Aging
30 Century Circle
Greenville, 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)
South Carolina Department on Aging
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.
Assisted living facilities in South Carolina are licensed and regulated by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC). If you visit a facility, their license must be displayed in an easy-to-spot public area. There are many requirements to obtain a license and maintain it. Regular unannounced inspections by DHEC ensure regulations are being followed.
Guidelines for assisted living licensing include setting a number of beds that cannot be exceeded. There are also regulations around staffing levels and training requirements. All staff and volunteers have to pass a criminal background check. At least one staff member or volunteer must be on the premises per eight residents during peak hours and one per 30 during non-peak hours. Someone is required to be awake and dressed 24/7. All staff must be trained in the following areas:
All staff and volunteers are required to pass an annual tuberculosis screening. In the case of accidents or incidents, strict guidelines must be followed by all staff in terms of how these instances are reported and recorded. If there is a change in administration, the DHEC must be notified within 72 hours.
An individual care plan must be created for each resident within seven days of moving in. This plan should outline what the resident’s needs are, who will be helping them, and how often they’ll receive that help. The plan will also cover nutritional needs. Transportation must be provided to residents for any health care needs, such as a doctor or dentist visit.
Assisted living facilities must also comply with the South Carolina Bill of Rights for Residents of Long-Term Care Facilities. South Carolina’s Omnibus Adult Protection Act protects seniors from neglect and abuse and outlines the responsibilities of state agencies, including the long-term care ombudsman, to investigate complaints and protect vulnerable adults.
As a general rule, assisted living facilities are inspected at least annually. Inspection reports are available to the public by contacting DHEC. You can search here to see if a facility is licensed.
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.
There are no mandatory COVID-19 regulations for Greenville assisted living facilities. However, The South Carolina DHEC does, however, expect COVID-19 prevention efforts to be in place. Assisted living facilities are required to allow visitation.
Vaccinations. COVID-19 vaccinations are recommended.
Masking. Masking is suggested on an as-needed basis to prevent transmission.
There are two standalone assisted living facilities in the Greenville area within a 10-mile radius of downtown. If you broaden your search a bit further to a 25-mile radius, you will find two more.
Beyond that, there are many more options that combine care experiences (17 within 25 miles of downtown Greenville), and all have plenty of options and amenities to consider.
There are several options for seniors looking for a comprehensive long-term care experience. Within a 25-mile radius of Greenville’s downtown, there are 17 highly ranked assisted living facilities that are combined with memory care units. This flexibility allows seniors to stay in one place should they require additional care in the future.
An activity director is on hand at all partner assisted living facilities to make sure everyone has plenty of opportunities to socialize. You can bet that birthdays and holidays will be celebrated in style. Nearly all of our partner facilities bring in live music and host happy hours. Day trips and outings are coordinated at the majority of our partner facilities, which is especially good news given the beautiful sights Greenville has to offer.
Staying active in both mind and body is made simple at our partner assisted living facilities in Greenville. All of our facilities have visiting physical, occupational, and speech therapists. Nearly all have a visiting podiatrist, too. Many residents also have the opportunity to take part in yoga, chair yoga, stretching classes, or sensory-based programs. Dakim brain fitness programs and trivia games help residents stay sharp. Chef-crafted meals will take care of residents’ nutritional needs, and special diets (such as low or no sodium and vegetarian) are offered at more than three-quarters of in-network facilities.
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Number of seniors over the age of 65 living in Greenville
Percentage of seniors 65 and older within the Greenville population
Median annual income for Greenville seniors 65 and older
As the biggest city within the Upstate — which covers 10 counties — Greenville has plenty of excellent health care options. In fact, Prisma Health and Bon Secours are a couple of the area’s largest employers.[07]
The Upstate’s only comprehensive stroke center, this facility is certified in high-quality stroke care. This hospital also gets high marks in both colon cancer surgery and heart failure care.
This 245-bed hospital provides everything from emergency services to cancer care to outpatient surgery. Health care providers here have ranked in the top 1% nationwide for providing the highest clinical quality year over year.
Patewood prides itself on the patient experience. The facility received high marks in a national survey for patient satisfaction.
This medical complex includes a 93-bed hospital and two medical buildings. Known for cardiology care, it is on Healthgrades’ America’s 50 Best Hospitals list.
Greenville’s acclaimed downtown is highly walkable, but the city overall doesn’t rank well for walkability. The same can be said for biking, so it’s best to get around town on four wheels.[10]
South Carolina requires assisted living facilities to provide access to transportation to health-related appointments, such as doctor appointments, hospital visits, and trips to the dentist. Another option is Senior Solutions. With a fleet of 60 vans, you can get a ride to anything from the grocery store to the beauty salon. This service is for all Upstate seniors.
Public transportation is also available. With 11 fixed routes throughout the county, Greenville’s public transit, Greenlink, can get you almost anywhere. If you like to bike, you can combine biking with a bus ride, as all Greenlink buses accommodate bicycles. Wheelchair accessibility is a feature of all Greenlink buses, too. You can also hop on a free trolley in the downtown area.
The fun starts in Greenville’s vibrant downtown area. Falls Park on the Reedy’s natural beauty is a sight to see. Take in waterfalls, accessible trails, and the artistic suspension bridge, the man-made centerpiece of the park. If you’re up for exploring, you can take a guided tour on a Segway or an electric bike. For something a little more low-key, check out the Mice on Main. Inspired by “Goodnight Moon,” the children’s classic, these bronze statues make up a downtown scavenger hunt.
Take a friend or family member along to one of Greenville’s signature events. Enjoy the sound of bagpipes at the Scottish festival, Gallabrae, in the spring. If art is your thing, check out the spring art fest, Artisphere. Looking for delicious delights? Euphoria is Greenville’s celebration of all things food. There’s even a BMW charity Pro-Am golf tournament for those who like to hit the links in the summer. There’s no shortage of other activities through the Greenville County Parks and Recreation Department. Active seniors can take part in pickleball and a host of other events specifically for 50+ seniors.
Greenville attractions will be on the short list for people who enjoy art and culture. The Upcountry History Museum, which offers senior discounts and special programming, provides a look at area history. There are also 13 African-American cultural sites in the Greenville area you can visit. You can view the art of European Old Masters at the Museum & Gallery. And various performing arts are staged at The Peace Center.
Summit Place, The Springs at Simpsonville and Brookstone Terrace of Woodruff are the top-rated Assisted Living facilities near Greenville, SC. These Assisted Living facilities received the highest rankings based on verified family reviews. See full list of communities.
The average cost of Assisted Living in Greenville is $4,268 per month. This cost may vary based on location, amenities, floorplan, level of care and other factors.
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.
United States Census Bureau. (2021). Age and Sex (S0101) [Data Set]. American Community Survey.
United States Census Bureau. (2021). Median Income in the Past 12 Months (in 2021 Inflation-Adjusted Dollars) (S1903) [Data Set]. American Community Survey.
Upstate SC Alliance. (2022). Data Resources: Major Employers.
US News & World Report. (2023). Prisma Health Greenville Memorial Hospital.
Healthgrades. (2023). St. Francis Downtown.
WalkScore. (2023). Living in Greenville.
Ask an A Place for Mom local advisor at no cost.
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.
United States Census Bureau. (2021). Age and Sex (S0101) [Data Set]. American Community Survey.
United States Census Bureau. (2021). Median Income in the Past 12 Months (in 2021 Inflation-Adjusted Dollars) (S1903) [Data Set]. American Community Survey.
Upstate SC Alliance. (2022). Data Resources: Major Employers.
US News & World Report. (2023). Prisma Health Greenville Memorial Hospital.
Healthgrades. (2023). St. Francis Downtown.
WalkScore. (2023). Living in Greenville.