Other senior care options in Charleston:

Best Memory Care in Charleston, SC

Why trust this guide? Our editorial team analyzed 10 memory care communities in Charleston, SC using South Carolina Dept. of Public Health (DPH) data, inspection records, complaints, amenities, and facility-level details. How we rank memory care in SC
Reviewed by
Last updated
Jun 2026
We analyzed
10 homes
Other senior care options in Charleston:
Avg Walk Score: 23/ 100The average Walk Score across facilities in Charleston, SC. A third-party neighborhood walkability score (0–100) measuring convenience and context, not healthcare quality. Individual facilities can vary widely from this average.
National Average: 50/ 100
Avg No. of Beds: 118The average licensed bed capacity across facilities in Charleston, SC. Individual facilities can vary widely from this average.
National Average: 90

Compare Memory Care around Charleston (Metro Area)

The information below is reported by the South Carolina Department of Public Health, Bureau of Healthcare Quality.

Brookdale West Ashley
MC
AL
IL
NH
Charleston (West Ashley)
100
Facility 100
SC AVG 90
Rank #109 / 309
Yes
56
Facility 56
SC AVG 32
Rank #27 / 232
Studio / 1 Bed
Oaks at Charleston
MC
AL
RC
Charleston (West Ashley)
123
Facility 123
SC AVG 90
Rank #59 / 309
Yes
53
Facility 53
SC AVG 32
Rank #36 / 232
Studio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed
Harmony at West Ashley
MC
AL
IL
Charleston (West Ashley)
105
Facility 105
SC AVG 90
Rank #102 / 309
Yes
6
Facility 6
SC AVG 32
Rank #207 / 232
Studio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed
Wellmore of Daniel Island
MC
AL
IL
NC
NH
Charleston (Daniel Island)
174
Facility 174
SC AVG 90
Rank #16 / 309
No
12
Facility 12
SC AVG 32
Rank #185 / 232
-
Kempton of Charleston
MC
AL
NH
Charleston
89
Facility 89
SC AVG 90
Rank #142 / 309
No--
Benton House of West Ashley
MC
AL
Charleston (West Ashley)
-No
2
Facility 2
SC AVG 32
Rank #221 / 232
-
Ashley Gardens Transitional Assisted Living and Memory Care
MC
AL
Charleston (West Ashley)
66
Facility 66
SC AVG 90
Rank #196 / 309
No
11
Facility 11
SC AVG 32
Rank #188 / 232
-
Bishop Gadsden Episcopal Retirement Community
MC
AL
IL
NH
Charleston
123
Facility 123
SC AVG 90
Rank #59 / 309
No--
Indigo Hall
MC
AL
RC
Charleston
179
Facility 179
SC AVG 90
Rank #9 / 309
No--
Bishop Gadsden-Gadsden Glen Center for Health and Rehab
MC
AL
IL
NC
NH
Charleston
100
Facility 100
SC AVG 90
Rank #109 / 309
No--
Dills Bluff Community Residence
Charleston
8
Kempton Of Charleston
NH
Charleston
23
Lenevar Community Residence
RC
Charleston
8
Secessionville Community Residence
RC
Charleston
8
Overview of Brookdale West Ashley

Brookdale West Ashley in Charleston, South Carolina, offers both assisted living and memory care, providing a seamless transition should residents’ needs change over time. The community includes basic utilities and maintenance, a selection of pet-friendly floor plans with great natural light, and 24/7 staff availability for emergencies. Assisted living residents receive help with personal grooming, medication management, and daily living activities, allowing them to spend more time pursuing their interests.

Rooted in a person-centered approach, Brookdale’s memory care program helps seniors with Alzheimer’s or dementia maintain their skills and sense of self through a daily structure of socialization, exercise, and entertainment programs. Residents can be as involved as they choose, with options like Zumba, crafting, resident clubs, yoga, gardening, and Bible studies. The dining program offers menu choices to residents’ feedback and preferences, including dementia-friendly selections to support nutrition and a sense of belonging.

Contact Brookdale West Ashley

Overview of Oaks at Charleston

Oaks at Charleston boasts an elegant and welcoming atmosphere that ensures a kind of service delivered with compassion and respect. The newly built grand retirement home specializes in assisted living and memory care with short-term stays available. The cozy homey environment strives in giving compassionate and loving care to seniors. Oaks may be a new home, but it’s on its way to being the premiere upscale assisted living home in Charleston. 

Management and staff have also been an embodiment of dedication and professionalism to providing healthy and well-balanced holistic wellness for residents. Its boastful community services include medication management, 24-hour availability of caregivers, transportation and housekeeping, and wellness programs. 

Contact Oaks at Charleston

Overview of Harmony at West Ashley

Harmony at West Ashley is an enchanting haven that caters to every resident’s desire for independent living, assisted living, and memory care. A true embodiment of effortless elegance, this community takes pride in its ability to offer its residents a combination of delectable culinary delights and comfort. Bathed in natural light and offering breathtaking views, the community’s apartments are a testimony to its commitment to providing an exceptional living experience. The proximity to the renowned Magnolia Plantation and Gardens is an added advantage, making Harmony at West Ashley a coveted destination for all those seeking a life of respite.

The home also boasts a seamless living experience, with housekeeping, modern full-sized kitchens, and individually controlled central heat and air conditioning. Living in this community is nothing short of a luxurious resort experience, complete with a salon and barber, a 24-hour fitness center, and a cozy pub and bistro. Harmony at West Ashley is a vibrant and stimulating community that offers residents a fulfilling and enriching lifestyle. Every individual is valued, and every moment is treasured, making this community a true home away from home.

Contact Harmony at West Ashley

Overview of Wellmore of Daniel Island

Wellmore of Daniel Island is a dreamlike haven where every retiree can find a home that suits their unique needs and preferences. From assisted living to Alzheimer’s and dementia care, skilled nursing, and short-term rehab, the community takes pride in its ability to offer a full range of care options. Independent living, assisted living, memory care, or skilled nursing, the community has it all, making it the perfect choice for those seeking an unparalleled retirement experience. 
The community’s on-site rehab services and heated indoor therapy and classroom aerobic space are ideal for those who want to stay healthy and active. With 11 unique floor plans to choose from, residents can pick the perfect home that fits their lifestyle and preferences. The proximity to the Magnolia Plantation and Gardens adds to the charm of the community, making it a breathtakingly beautiful destination for all. Fine dining options, activity rooms, living rooms, studies, cafe bars, and even a salon and spa are available to ensure that residents have everything they need to thrive.

Contact Wellmore of Daniel Island

Overview of Kempton of Charleston

Located at 194 Spring St in Charleston, South Carolina, Kempton of Charleston is an 89-bed skilled nursing and rehabilitation community offering assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing services. Spring Street Senior Housing Opco LLC privately owns the facility, which is also part of a Continuing Care Retirement Community, allowing residents to transition among multiple levels of care within a single setting. Kempton holds a 5-star CMS overall rating, about 70.6% above the South Carolina average, with all four sub-ratings at five stars. The staffing picture is particularly strong: registered nurse staffing averages 1 hour and 19 minutes per resident per day, more than double the South Carolina average of 38 minutes. That level of RN staffing signals direct clinical oversight well beyond what most comparable facilities provide. The inspection record is similarly clean. Since 2024, the facility has recorded 4 citations across 2 inspections, compared with a South Carolina average of 13.7. All four citations were moderate, none were critical or serious, and all were corrected. A $6,000 civil money penalty was assessed in February 2024, below the state average of $34,000, with no payment denials on record. Services include a dedicated Alzheimer’s unit, rehabilitation services with contracted physical and speech therapy, distinctive dining, life enrichment programming, and outdoor spaces. The facility accepts Medicare and private pay; no Medicaid. The facility’s occupancy rate is 61%, well below the South Carolina average of 82%, which suggests current availability. Kempton of Charleston’s payer mix and 19-day average Medicare length of stay make it suited for residents seeking short-term post-acute rehabilitation, with private-pay stays running four to five months for those needing assisted living or memory care on a longer-term basis.

Contact Kempton of Charleston

Overview of Benton House of West Ashley

Benton House of West Ashley is an award-winning facility that provides genuine care for assisted living and specialized memory care services in Charleston. The community is designed to be bright and beautiful, a place that residents can truly call home for assisted and memory care living. They also offer an adult day program that provides seniors with numerous opportunities to enjoy themselves through various activities. Benton House offers a unique experience for its residents personalized care that is catered to their needs.

Benton House offers 24-hour access to staff and personal emergency response systems; its unique environment fosters independence while ensuring the safety of each resident. Their memory care unit includes free access to a beautiful outdoor area that provides residents with the freedom to escape the clinical care setting. They also offer access to a one-of-a-kind neighborhood and lifestyle that fosters fitness, relaxation, and new experiences.

Contact Benton House of West Ashley

Overview of Ashley Gardens Transitional Assisted Living and Memory Care

A member of the Sunshine Retirement Community, Ashley Gardens has a solid reputation for offering affordable assisted living and memory care services. The nurturing environment empowers and enhances the quality of life for residents by offering tailored care to each unique individual. Ashley Gardens approaches senior living in a modern way that embraces and enriches its residents’ overall wellness.

A lot of its amenities are centered on attentive support and personal hygiene of its seniors such as assistance with bathing, grooming, and oral care; as well as medication management, housekeeping, and assistance with daily routine. They offer life enrichment programs that focus on assisted living for dementia patients by encouraging an array of stimulating and engaging activities that residents can choose from.

Contact Ashley Gardens Transitional Assisted Living and Memory Care

Overview of Bishop Gadsden-Gadsden Glen Center for Health and Rehab

Bishop Gadsden – Gadsden Glen Center for Health and Rehab is a nursing home in Charleston, South Carolina, that provides memory care, short-term rehabilitation, skilled nursing services, and respite care. Administered by Jonna Cook, the community is operated by Bishop Gadsden Episcopal Retirement Community as a part of the larger retirement campus. With 24-hour staffing, the community serves as the primary health and rehabilitation component within one of Charleston’s most established nonprofit retirement campuses.

Generally, the community holds a 5-star overall CMS rating, the highest designation awarded by CMS. Health inspection performance exceeds South Carolina averages by a significant margin, while staffing levels also outperform state benchmarks. Total nursing coverage across the campus averages approximately 5.57 hours per resident per day.

Inspection history across the broader campus reflects comparatively favorable regulatory performance, with citation counts remaining below South Carolina averages on a per-inspection basis. While the Gadsden Glen Center operates as part of the larger Bishop Gadsden campus, a separate CMS star rating for the specific licensed nursing component was not independently listed in the available source material.

Amenities and services include shared spaces, a wellness center, and fitness programs. Religious services are also available, which aligns with the Episcopal mission and heritage of the broader retirement community. BG Therapy, the community’s in-house rehabilitation program, also supports short-term rehabilitation and recovery services alongside ongoing skilled nursing and respite care.

Located on James Island near Charleston’s medical corridor, the community offers access to healthcare providers, hospitals, and specialist services while maintaining a quieter Lowcountry residential setting.

Known for strong staffing levels, extensive amenities, faith-based values, and a comprehensive continuum of care, Bishop Gadsden – Gadsden Glen Center for Health and Rehab is an excellent option for older adults and families in the Charleston area seeking skilled nursing care, memory support, or post-acute rehabilitation within a well-established nonprofit retirement campus.

Contact Bishop Gadsden-Gadsden Glen Center for Health and Rehab

Overview of Indigo Hall

Indigo Hall is an assisted living community in Charleston, South Carolina, that offers personal care, memory care, and respite care. Licensed as a 179-bed Community Residential Care Facility (CRCF), the community operates under Indigo Hall Operating Co LLC with Lindsay French as administrator. Serving older adults in the James Island area and throughout the greater Charleston region, the community’s larger size allows for an expanded selection of resident programming, shared amenities, and structured support services within a highly competitive senior living market.

Housekeeping, scheduled transportation, maintenance services, and restaurant-style dining with dietitian-approved meals are provided, along with 24-hour staffing coverage and respite care. A secured perimeter is also in place, providing an added level of protection and supervision for residents living with memory-related conditions. Additionally, its location in James Island offers convenient access to major regional healthcare providers, including MUSC Health and Roper St. Francis.

Featuring extensive amenities, a secured environment, and an individualized dining and care planning approach, Indigo Hall is well positioned for older adults with varying levels of care needs, including those seeking assisted living support as well as those requiring a secured memory care setting while remaining close to Charleston-area resources. Its larger residential scale supports a more active community atmosphere with broader lifestyle programming and social opportunities.

Contact Indigo Hall

Overview of Bishop Gadsden Episcopal Retirement Community
Bishop Gadsden Episcopal Retirement Community is a vibrant life plan community located in Charleston, SC. It offers a range of services including independent living, assisted living, skilled care, and memory support. The community is known for its exceptional architecture, design, and approach to care, providing residents with a fulfilling lifestyle.

Contact Bishop Gadsden Episcopal Retirement Community

Weighting overview

  • 35%
    Resident Experience
  • 25%
    Regulatory
  • 15%
    Visual Media
  • 10%
    Website
  • 10%
    Stability
  • 5%
    Environment
01

Resident & Family Experience 35%

The single largest share of every ranking. Aggregated review sentiment and volume from major platforms — the closest signal to real resident experience.

  • Includes
  • Review Sentiment
  • Review Volume
02

Regulatory & Safety Record 25%

State inspection records, citations, and complaint visits. We weight per-inspection rates more heavily than raw counts.

  • Includes
  • State Inspections
  • Citations/Inspection
  • % Inspections w/ Citations
  • Complaint Visits
  • Accreditations
  • BBB Rating
03

Visual Media & Transparency 15%

Communities that publish high-quality visuals give families a real preview. No photos or tours = a negative transparency signal.

  • Includes
  • Video Tours
  • Virtual Walkthroughs
  • Photo Quantity
  • Photo Quality
04

Website & Operator Transparency 10%

Site quality and whether the operator publishes basic accountability information — staff names, contact details, ownership.

  • Includes
  • Website Content
  • Mobile Usability
  • Staff Info Available
  • Owner Info Available
05

Community Stability 10%

Operational signals indicating whether a community is well-run and meeting demand.

  • Includes
  • Occupancy Rate
  • Bed Options
06

Environment & Pricing 5%

Walkability and pricing transparency. Walk Score is weighted higher for Independent Living than for Memory Care, where most residents do not leave unaccompanied.

  • Includes
  • Walk Score
  • Pricing Transparency
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Frequently Asked Questions about Memory Care in Charleston, SC

What's the difference between assisted living and memory care in South Carolina?

Assisted living in South Carolina supports residents with daily activities (bathing, dressing, medication management) while preserving independence. Memory care is a specialized form of assisted living for residents living with Alzheimer's or dementia, and adds 24/7 secured environments, dementia-trained staff, and structured routines designed to reduce confusion and wandering.

Does South Carolina Medicaid cover memory care?

South Carolina Medicaid does not directly pay room-and-board for memory care, but most states (including South Carolina) offer Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waivers that can offset the cost of care services delivered inside a licensed community. Eligibility, waitlists, and covered services vary — check directly with the state Medicaid agency.

What is memory care?

Memory care is a specialized form of assisted living for residents living with Alzheimer's disease or other forms of dementia, with secured environments, dementia-trained staff, and routines built to reduce confusion and wandering.

How many memory care communities are listed on this page?

This page features 10 memory care communities in Charleston, SC. Use the filters and comparison tools above to compare ratings, amenities, and pricing.

How do I choose the right memory care community in Charleston, SC?

Start by matching the level of care offered to the resident's current and anticipated needs, then compare licensing status, staff-to-resident ratios, recent inspection results, and pricing. Tour at least two or three communities in Charleston, SC, talk to current residents and families, and confirm what is included in the base rate versus billed as add-on services.

What should I look for when visiting memory care communities in Charleston, SC?

Pay attention to staff interactions with residents, cleanliness and odor, food quality at meal times, the activity calendar, and how questions about pricing and care plans are answered. Ask to see the most recent state inspection report, the move-out / level-of-care-change policy, and a sample monthly bill that lists every fee.