2006 State Report > Our Health > Long-Term Care > Assisted Living
Our Health: Assisted Living
Assisted living facilities provide housing and services to people who need some degree of long-term care, but who do not require intensive medical services. Such facilities differ from typical nursing facilities in that they emphasize the independence of their residents. In South Carolina, the Department of Health and Environmental Control Division of Health Licensing licenses all assisted living/residential care facilities in the state. The services provided by assisted living facilities typically include meals, housekeeping, transportation to medical appointments, social and recreation activities, and access to health and medical services.
The average daily fee for assisted living facilities in the state is $67. Long term care insurance may cover assisted living fees, but most residents must pay the fees themselves. There is no Medicaid coverage in South Carolina for assisted living or residential care. Those eligible for Medicaid, however, can receive Optional State Supplementation (OSS) – a monthly program for residential care, based on need. In fiscal year 2004, the OSS program served 5,494 unduplicated recipients with total expenditures of $14,986,554.
Most descriptions of assisted living subscribe to a philosophy of assisted living. Facilities that are members of the South Carolina Association of Residential Care Homes subscribe to a ten-point philosophy of care:
- Offering cost effective quality care that is personalized for individual needs;
- Fostering independence for each resident;
- Treating each resident with dignity and respect;
- Promoting the individuality of each resident;
- Allowing each resident choice of care and lifestyle;
- Protecting each resident's right to privacy;
- Nurturing the spirit of each resident;
- Involving family and friends, as appropriate, in care planning and implementation;
- Providing a safe, residential environment;
- Making the Assisted Living residence a valuable community asset.
Source: South Carolina Association of Residential Care Homes.