Page 12 of Best Nursing Homes in South Carolina

Why trust this guide? Our editorial team analyzed 133 nursing homes in SC using CMS data, inspection records, complaints, amenities, and facility-level details. How we rank nursing homes in SC
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Last updated
We analyzed These are the facilities in South Carolina our team has analyzed — not a count of every nursing home provider in South Carolina.
133 homes
Other senior care options in South Carolina:
Avg Overall CMS Rating: 2.8/ 5The average Overall CMS Rating for all CMS-certified nursing homes in South Carolina. Ratings combine health inspections, staffing, and quality measures, with inspections weighted most. Individual facilities can vary widely from this average.
National Average: 3.2/ 5
Avg Staffing Rating: 2.9/ 5The average Staffing Rating across all CMS-certified nursing homes in South Carolina. Reflects nursing staff hours per resident per day (including RNs), adjusted for residents' care needs. Individual facilities can vary widely from this average.
National Average: 3.4/ 5
Avg Health Insp. Rating: 2.7/ 5The average Health Inspection Rating across all CMS-certified nursing homes in South Carolina. Based on each facility's recent inspections and complaint investigations, weighing the number, scope, and severity of deficiencies. Individual facilities can vary widely from this average.
National Average: 3.0/ 5

Compare Nursing Homes around South Carolina

Info below is compiled from CMS reports & the SC Dept. of Public Health (DPH), senior community websites & trusted data sources such as Walk Score & BBB.

Communities are listed from highest to lowest based on our ranking methodology.

The facility name. Click to view the full profile page on Assisted Living Magazine, including photos, services, and contact info.
CMS (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, the federal agency that regulates nursing homes) Overall 5-star rating — a composite of Health Inspection, Staffing, and Quality Measures scores. 5 stars = top 10% nationally. 1 star = bottom 10%. The single most important number to start with when comparing facilities.
Care Types in This Table AL (Assisted Living): Housing with help for daily activities like bathing, dressing, and medication, without 24-hour skilled nursing. NH (Nursing Home): 24/7 skilled nursing care for residents with complex, ongoing medical needs. SNF (Skilled Nursing Facility): Round-the-clock nursing care, often for recovery after surgery, injury, or illness. MC (Memory Care): Secured, specialized care for people living with Alzheimer's or dementia. RC (Respite Care): Short-term temporary care that gives family caregivers a break. IL (Independent Living): Community living with dining, activities, and transportation for active seniors who need little personal care. HOS (Hospice Care): Comfort-focused care for those with a terminal illness, prioritizing quality of life over treatment. CCRC( (Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRC)):
Neighborhood or city area where the facility is located. Proximity to family, hospitals, and green space matters for both quality of life and ease of visitation. Consider drive time and transit access when evaluating location.
Licensed bed capacity. Larger facilities (300+ beds) often have more specialized programs but can feel institutional. Smaller homes (under 150 beds) tend to deliver more personalized care. Compare with Avg Res/Day to understand how full the facility typically runs.
Percentage of licensed beds filled on an average day. Color indicates financial health: green (90%+) = operationally strong, typically profitable. Amber (80–89%) = stable but leaving revenue on the table. Orange (70–79%) = financial strain likely, may struggle with fixed costs. Red (<70%) = significant distress, closure or ownership change risk increases sharply.
This facility's occupancy rate compared to the statewide average for similar facilities. A positive number means above-average demand. Facilities running 5%+ above the state average are typically the most sought-after in their market — a strong proxy for reputation.
CMS-adjusted total nurse hours per resident per day (RN + LPN + CNA combined). The national average is approximately 3.5 hrs. Higher is better — more direct care time per resident. Below 3.0 is a red flag. CMS weights RN hours more heavily because RNs handle complex clinical decisions that CNAs cannot.
CMS Health Inspection star rating (1–5 stars), based on the 3 most recent annual state surveys plus any complaint investigations. This is the hardest rating to manipulate — it reflects real surveyor findings on-site. 5 stars = fewest deficiencies found. 1 star = most. It carries the heaviest weight in the Overall CMS rating.
CMS Staffing star rating (1–5 stars), based on daily nurse staffing hours submitted to CMS via verified payroll data. Compares RN, LPN, and CNA coverage relative to resident acuity level. 5 stars = well above expected staffing. Weekend staffing is evaluated separately, as that's where many facilities quietly reduce coverage.
CMS Quality Measures star rating (1–5 stars), based on 15 clinical outcome metrics including fall rates, pressure ulcers, antipsychotic drug use, and hospital readmissions. Captures actual resident health outcomes, not just compliance. High QM combined with low Health Inspection scores can indicate a facility with strong care but weak documentation practices.
Registered Nurse hours per resident/day compared to the statewide average. RNs are the highest-skilled nursing staff — they assess residents, manage medications, and respond to emergencies. A value of +50% means RN coverage is 50% above the state norm. Negative values are a concern for residents with complex or acute medical needs.
Total nursing staff hours (RN + LPN + CNA combined) per resident/day vs. the statewide average. A broader measure than RN vs State — it captures the entire care team. A facility can have high total staffing but low RN hours, meaning more aides and fewer nurses. Read both columns together for the full picture.
Total dollar amount of federal monetary fines (civil money penalties) issued by CMS in the past 3 years. Fines are only levied for serious violations — typically actual harm to residents, repeated uncorrected deficiencies, or systemic non-compliance. Even a single fine is noteworthy. Multiple fines strongly suggest a pattern, not isolated incidents.
Total health deficiency citations from the most recent standard inspection cycle. Minor citations (scope A–C) are common and often administrative in nature. Higher counts aren't always disqualifying, but should be read alongside Severe Citations to understand actual harm levels. Under 10 is strong for a large facility; 30+ warrants a closer look.
Average deficiency citations per CMS inspection (survey) in the reporting window — total citations divided by the number of inspections. Lower is better; compare alongside total Citations and Severe Citations for context.
Citations at CMS scope/severity level G or higher — G–I means actual harm occurred; J–L means residents were placed in immediate jeopardy. (D–F is potential for harm only). Examples include unaddressed falls, medication errors causing injury, neglect, or abuse.
Average number of residents in the building on any given day, derived from annual census data. Reflects true operating scale — a 400-bed facility running 200 residents/day operates very differently from one at 390. Higher resident counts generally mean more funded staffing hours.
Better Business Bureau rating (A+ to F). Reflects complaint history, business transparency, and how family disputes were resolved. A+ means no significant unresolved complaints. A blank (—) means the facility isn't BBB-accredited, which is common for healthcare providers and not necessarily a negative signal.
Walk Score® (0–100). Measures walkability of the surrounding area. 90–100 = Walker's Paradise. 70–89 = Very Walkable. 50–69 = Somewhat Walkable. Below 50 = Car-Dependent. Higher scores benefit family visitors, resident outings, and staff commuting.
The licensed owner or operator of record filed with CMS — the individual or organization legally accountable for the facility. Searching the operator name across other facilities can reveal chain or multi-site ownership, which matters: chain-operated homes tend to have more variable quality outcomes than independently run facilities.
What the home actually collects for resident care, after contractual allowances, bad debt and discounts — not gross billings. Taken from the latest complete annual cost report, so it is comparable across homes reporting the same period. Revenue alone doesn't indicate care quality, but it funds staffing and capital reinvestment. Pair with Payroll %. Figures are from each facility's most recent complete fiscal year — hover a value for the exact year; a * marks homes that report an older period than most facilities.
Staff salaries plus wage-related benefits from the latest complete annual cost report. Contract and agency labour is counted separately, under other operating costs, so a home leaning on agency staff can show a low figure here. Payroll is the cost most directly tied to care quality — compare with Payroll % for full context. Figures are from each facility's most recent complete fiscal year — hover a value for the exact year; a * marks homes that report an older period than most facilities.
Payroll as a share of NET PATIENT REVENUE (not gross revenue). Both figures come from the same cost-report year. A higher figure means more of each revenue dollar goes to staff pay. Read with the Staffing star rating to judge whether spend translates into coverage — and note that homes whose patient revenue covers only part of their operation can read implausibly high. The South Carolina average is: 62.8% Figures are from each facility's most recent complete fiscal year — hover a value for the exact year; a * marks homes that report an older period than most facilities.
CMS Certification Number: the unique federal identifier for this skilled nursing provider.
Edisto Post Acute
NH
HOS
SNF
Orangeburg
113
Facility 113
SC AVG 90
Rank #82 / 304
92.3%
Facility 92.3%
SC AVG 86.4%
Rank #39 / 92
+7%
3.21
Facility 3.21
SC AVG 4.00
Rank #103 / 117
-45%-20%
$0
Facility $0
SC AVG $34.8k
Rank #1 / 120
18
Facility 18
SC AVG 13.7
Rank #94 / 119
3.0
Facility 3.0
SC AVG 3.4
Rank #54 / 119
2104--Mark Jennings
$10.8MFiscal year ending 12/2023
Facility $10.8MFiscal year ending 12/2023
SC AVG $12.1M
Rank #56 / 113
$5.9MFiscal year ending 12/2023
Facility $5.9MFiscal year ending 12/2023
SC AVG $7.3M
Rank #73 / 113
54.5%Fiscal year ending 12/2023
Facility 54.5%Fiscal year ending 12/2023
SC AVG 62.8%
Rank #73 / 113
425116
Sedgewood Manor Health Care Center
NH
SNF
Hopkins
38
Facility 38
SC AVG 90
Rank #287 / 304
76.3%
Facility 76.3%
SC AVG 86.4%
Rank #81 / 92
-12%
3.83
Facility 3.83
SC AVG 4.00
Rank #66 / 117
+14%-4%
$0
Facility $0
SC AVG $34.8k
Rank #1 / 120
11
Facility 11
SC AVG 13.7
Rank #57 / 119
3.7
Facility 3.7
SC AVG 3.4
Rank #74 / 119
-29--Joseph Hunt
$3.2MFiscal year ending 12/2023
Facility $3.2MFiscal year ending 12/2023
SC AVG $12.1M
Rank #110 / 113
$2.1MFiscal year ending 12/2023
Facility $2.1MFiscal year ending 12/2023
SC AVG $7.3M
Rank #109 / 113
66.4%Fiscal year ending 12/2023
Facility 66.4%Fiscal year ending 12/2023
SC AVG 62.8%
Rank #31 / 113
425370
Brookview Healthcare Center
NH
RC
SNF
Gaffney
132
Facility 132
SC AVG 90
Rank #36 / 304
89.4%
Facility 89.4%
SC AVG 86.4%
Rank #60 / 92
+3%
3.54
Facility 3.54
SC AVG 4.00
Rank #81 / 117
-47%-12%
$42.6k
Facility $42.6k
SC AVG $34.8k
Rank #111 / 120
9
Facility 9
SC AVG 13.7
Rank #44 / 119
1.5
Facility 1.5
SC AVG 3.4
Rank #7 / 119
4118A--Lionstone Hz Opco Holdings LLC$6.7M*Fiscal year ending 12/2021These figures are from this home's most recent complete cost report — an older period than most facilities report. Compare with that in mind.$4.1M*Fiscal year ending 12/2021These figures are from this home's most recent complete cost report — an older period than most facilities report. Compare with that in mind.61.6%*Fiscal year ending 12/2021These figures are from this home's most recent complete cost report — an older period than most facilities report. Compare with that in mind.425062
Sumter East Health and Rehabilitation Center
NH
SNF
Sumter
176
Facility 176
SC AVG 90
Rank #10 / 304
95.1%
Facility 95.1%
SC AVG 86.4%
Rank #19 / 92
+10%
3.19
Facility 3.19
SC AVG 4.00
Rank #103 / 117
-46%-20%
$33.1k
Facility $33.1k
SC AVG $34.8k
Rank #107 / 120
27
Facility 27
SC AVG 13.7
Rank #111 / 119
3.9
Facility 3.9
SC AVG 3.4
Rank #82 / 119
4167--Scsnf Investment Group LLC
$13.1MFiscal year ending 12/2023
Facility $13.1MFiscal year ending 12/2023
SC AVG $12.1M
Rank #31 / 113
$6.9MFiscal year ending 12/2023
Facility $6.9MFiscal year ending 12/2023
SC AVG $7.3M
Rank #54 / 113
52.6%Fiscal year ending 12/2023
Facility 52.6%Fiscal year ending 12/2023
SC AVG 62.8%
Rank #84 / 113
425107
The Brian Center Nursing Care – St. Andrews
NH
Columbia (Seven Oaks)
108
Facility 108
SC AVG 90
Rank #96 / 304
28.7%
Facility 28.7%
SC AVG 86.4%
Rank #91 / 92
-67%
4.02
Facility 4.02
SC AVG 4.00
Rank #58 / 117
+36%+1%
$41.0k
Facility $41.0k
SC AVG $34.8k
Rank #110 / 120
41
Facility 41
SC AVG 13.7
Rank #118 / 119
6.8
Facility 6.8
SC AVG 3.4
Rank #117 / 119
431A+
14
Facility 14
SC AVG 34
Rank #176 / 221
-
$7.9MFiscal year ending 12/2023
Facility $7.9MFiscal year ending 12/2023
SC AVG $12.1M
Rank #85 / 113
$4.6MFiscal year ending 12/2023
Facility $4.6MFiscal year ending 12/2023
SC AVG $7.3M
Rank #91 / 113
58.5%Fiscal year ending 12/2023
Facility 58.5%Fiscal year ending 12/2023
SC AVG 62.8%
Rank #60 / 113
425129
Brookdale Anderson-
NH
AL
CCRC(
IL
MC
SNF
Anderson
160
Facility 160
SC AVG 90
Rank #20 / 304
--------------
43
Facility 43
SC AVG 34
Rank #69 / 221
$5.9M*Fiscal year ending 12/2022These figures are from this home's most recent complete cost report — an older period than most facilities report. Compare with that in mind.$3.3M*Fiscal year ending 12/2022These figures are from this home's most recent complete cost report — an older period than most facilities report. Compare with that in mind.56.1%*Fiscal year ending 12/2022These figures are from this home's most recent complete cost report — an older period than most facilities report. Compare with that in mind.425398

Rank badges are statewide: each community is ranked against every SC community we track that reports that metric, not just the 133 on this page.

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Overview of Retreat at Wellmore of Lexington

Retreat at Wellmore of Lexington is a nonprofit nursing home in Lexington, South Carolina, that offers skilled nursing, rehabilitation, and respite care. Owned by Wellmore of Lexington LLC, as part of the broader Wellmore of Lexington Life Plan campus, this 60-bed community is administered by Marion Griffin Burgess.

Staffing levels consistently exceed South Carolina averages across nearly every major category, starting with registered nurse coverage that averages 50 minutes per resident per day, well above statewide benchmarks. Licensed practical nurse and nurse aide staffing also surpass state averages. Weekend nursing coverage remains particularly strong, with both total nursing hours and weekend RN availability exceeding the South Carolina average. Physical therapy staffing is the only category that falls modestly below benchmark levels, with a difference that is relatively limited compared to its other staffing profile.

On the other hand, quality measure performance presents a more mixed picture, with long-stay emergency department visit rates performing significantly better than the South Carolina average. Short-stay residents also demonstrate strong improvement in self-care ability at discharge. However, several post-acute rehabilitation metrics warrant closer review, including short-stay rehospitalization rates, emergency department utilization, and falls with major injury, which all exceed state averages. Successful return-to-home rates are also slightly below benchmark levels.

Studio to two-bedroom layouts with private bathrooms are offered, along with a variety of shared spaces. Concierge assistance, housekeeping, and weekly laundry service are also available, as well as a 24-hour emergency response system and pet-friendly policies. Since the skilled nursing component is integrated into a full Life Plan campus, residents have access to other levels of care within the same community environment.

Retreat at Wellmore of Lexington appeals to older adults in Lexington County seeking an upscale residential atmosphere, above-average staffing levels, and long-term continuity within a Life Plan community setting. However, interested families are encouraged to carefully consider post-acute rehabilitation services, a strong staffing profile, and premium amenities against the mixed rehabilitation outcome measures when making care decisions.

Contact Retreat at Wellmore of Lexington

Overview of Union Post Acute

Union Post Acute is a nursing home in Union, South Carolina, providing 24-hour skilled nursing care, short-term rehabilitation, and long-term support services. The community is owned by Union Community Healthcare LLC and administered by Christopher Patrie with an 88-bed capacity.

Services include post-acute rehabilitation, short-term recovery programming, licensed nursing support, certified nursing assistants, and continuous 24-hour staffing coverage. Focusing on post-hospital recovery and rehabilitation services, the community is a potential option for those transitioning from acute medical care who require continued skilled nursing oversight and therapy support.

Located in Union County in the Upstate South Carolina region, the community serves a smaller local market where skilled nursing and rehabilitation options may be more limited than in larger metropolitan areas. Its mid-sized 88-bed capacity also provides a balance between personalized attention and the clinical resources needed to support rehabilitation and long-term nursing care programs.

Union Post Acute is well-suited for older adults in Union County and surrounding Upstate communities who require skilled nursing services, post-acute rehabilitation, or long-term care following hospitalization or illness.

Contact Union Post Acute

Overview of Ashley River Healthcare

Ashley River Healthcare is a nursing home in Charleston, South Carolina, that provides 24-hour skilled nursing care, short-term rehabilitation, and long-term support services. Operated by Orange Grove Healthcare Inc., the community is also affiliated with the Ensign Services network. Participating in both Medicare and Medicaid programs, the community has confirmed physician oversight and 24-hour staffing support.

Available services include in-house rehabilitation therapy, skilled nursing support, and a “Stay Active” wellness program intended to encourage engagement and mobility among residents. Acceptance of both Medicare and Medicaid also widens accessibility for those with varying financial and coverage needs. Its connection to the Ensign Services network also provides operational support through standardized clinical practices, compliance resources, and staff development programs.

In comparison with the Charleston skilled nursing market, two nearby nursing communities report strong CMS performance metrics. Bishop Gadsden Episcopal Retirement Community holds a 5-star overall CMS rating and staffing levels reported above the South Carolina average, while Kempton of Charleston also maintains a 5-star CMS rating. These communities serve as useful benchmarks for families comparing local skilled nursing and rehabilitation options.

Offering skilled nursing services, post-acute rehabilitation, or long-term care support under Medicare or Medicaid coverage, Ashley River Healthcare is a suitable option for older adults in the Charleston area.

Contact Ashley River Healthcare

Overview of Brookdale Anderson

Nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Brookdale Anderson is a luxury senior living community in Anderson, South Carolina, offering independent living and assisted living on one campus. The community provides elegant accommodations, restaurant-style dining, and opportunities to live a worry-free retirement filled with adventures. Residents enjoy spacious and comfortable apartments, thoughtful amenities, and quality care that allows aging in place, with 24/7 emergency staff available.

Brookdale Anderson’s dining program offers healthy and delicious menu choices, with resident feedback and favorite recipes incorporated. The community supports residents in pursuing their interests, hobbies, and passions, with activities like game nights, bingo, happy hours, exercise classes, and more. Independent living residents trade home ownership worries for the comforts of home and opportunities to socialize, while assisted living provides redefined independence through services like medication management and housekeeping, with collaborative care partnerships supporting wellness.

Contact Brookdale Anderson

Overview of Brookdale Greenwood

Awarded #1 in Customer Satisfaction, Brookdale Union Hills provides an exceptional residential assisted living experience. The home strives to enhance the quality of life of seniors needing quality assistance. They offer options that cater to each individual’s needs. As a Brookdale Senior Living Group member, Greenwood guarantees a resident-centered atmosphere for seniors, promoting a comfortable living situation.
The lifestyle at Brookdale is designed to make lives safe and convenient for everyone. Its all-inclusive amenities and services include spacious common areas, recreational rooms, housekeeping, and transportation services. Management prides itself on its approach to modern assisted living care, which is unparalleled thanks to its remarkable care staff that never fails to offer compassionate care.

Contact Brookdale Greenwood

Overview of Patewood Post-Acute

Patewood Post-Acute Nursing and rehabilitation center is focused on providing the best possible care to those in need. The multi-awarded nursing home promotes an environment where residents continuously grow as individuals in a nurturing atmosphere where the potential of all seniors is maximized for a better quality of life. Patewood is dedicated to providing a unique customized solution to the needs of its residents for a speedy recovery. 

The nursing home compares the individual needs of its residents before providing a specific care plan tailored just for them. The specialties provided are centered on the rehabilitative therapies needed such as physical, occupational, and speech offered. Skilled nursing services include wound care, catheter care, ileostomy care, and restorative nursing. Hospice care, dementia care, and social services are also offered.

Contact Patewood Post-Acute

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 Revela at Mt. Pleasant Assisted Living

Experience the joys of Revela at Mt. Pleasant’s assisted living community, and take the first step towards a fulfilling and engaging lifestyle. Nestled in the coastal beauty of Mt. Pleasant, SC, Mt. Pleasant is an assisted living community that was thoughtfully designed with senior residents’ lifestyles in mind, offering modern studio homes and tailored amenities to create an enriching senior living experience. The studio apartments feature hardwood flooring and expansive windows that provide picturesque views of the lush Charleston surroundings. Senior residents get access to an array of community amenities and services that elevate their daily living, including delightful restaurant-style dining, a community library, and the convenience of an on-site beauty salon.

Located just a short distance from Charleston, residents can indulge in day trips to the downtown area or local spots like Shem Creek Park. Transportation services make it easy to explore the local culture, and with a prime location off Route 17, accessing the area’s attractions becomes a breeze.

Contact Revela at Mt. Pleasant Assisted Living

Overview of Brookdale Columbia

Nestled within the charming city of Columbia, South Carolina, Brookdale Columbia offers a vibrant assisted living community that resembles a destination resort. Residents can savor the freedom and independence they deserve, with a care team available to assist with daily living tasks like bathing, dressing, and medication management. The community handles the cooking, cleaning, and household chores, allowing residents to spend more time pursuing their passions.

Spacious accommodations, common rooms, and luxury amenities such as an on-campus beauty salon, library, and fireside living room create a resort-like atmosphere. Residents can explore Columbia’s rich history, thriving arts and culture scene, and abundant outdoor activities. The community’s activities calendar offers opportunities to connect with neighbors, from walking clubs and Bible studies to competitive card games and excursions. Residents can also enjoy delicious, restaurant-style dining with daily menu options tailored to their preferences.

Contact Brookdale Columbia

Overview of The Heritage at Lowman Rehabilitation and Healthcare

The Heritage at Lowman Rehabilitation and Healthcare is a nonprofit continuing care community in Chapin, South Carolina, offering independent living, assisted living, memory care, rehabilitation, and skilled nursing care within a comprehensive Life Plan setting. Operated under Lutheran Homes of South Carolina Inc., the community includes a 176-bed skilled nursing component and ranks among the larger retirement and healthcare campuses serving the greater Columbia, Chapin, and Lexington County region.

As part of Lutheran Homes of South Carolina, the community benefits from the support of a longstanding nonprofit organization with a faith-centered mission and established experience in older adult services. Its multiple levels of care also allow residents to transition within the same residential environment as their health needs evolve.

Services include licensed nurses and certified nursing assistants, rehabilitation programming, memory support services, volunteer opportunities, and various community engagement programs. With the availability of independent living, assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing within one setting, the community creates continuity that appeals to residents and families seeking long-term stability and coordinated support over time.

Located in the growing Lake Murray and Chapin corridor of Lexington County, the community is set in an area that has become increasingly popular among older adults seeking residential living options near Columbia while maintaining access to healthcare, recreation, and community amenities. Its setting also attracts those looking for a balance between suburban residential living and access to larger metropolitan medical resources.

The Heritage at Lowman Rehabilitation and Healthcare is well-suited for older adults and families in the Chapin, Irmo, and greater Lake Murray region seeking a nonprofit Life Plan community with a faith-informed mission and multiple levels of care.

Contact The Heritage at Lowman Rehabilitation and Healthcare

Ranking Methodology

How we rank these nursing homes

Every nursing home above is evaluated across five weighted categories using CMS data including Care Compare, Payroll-Based Journal, and Medicare Cost Reports.

  • CMS data
  • 5 weighted categories
  • Updated quarterly
Full methodology

Weighting overview

  • 35%
    Care Quality
  • 20%
    Staffing
  • 20%
    Regulatory
  • 20%
    Operational
  • 5%
    Environment
01

Care Quality 35%

The largest single share of every ranking. CMS star ratings and quality measures that reflect actual care delivered to residents.

  • Includes
  • Overall Rating
  • Health Inspection
  • QM Rating
  • Long-Stay QM
  • Short-Stay QM
02

Staffing Adequacy 20%

The strongest predictor of resident outcomes. Volume and stability of nursing care, drawn from CMS Payroll-Based Journal.

  • Includes
  • Nurse Hrs/Res/Day
  • RN vs State
  • Total Nurse Staff Hrs vs State
  • RN Turnover
03

Regulatory & Safety Record 20%

Inspection patterns that star ratings can mask. We weight per-inspection rates more heavily than raw counts.

  • Includes
  • Citations
  • Citations/Inspection
  • Severe Citations
  • Fines
  • Accreditations
04

Operational & Financial Stability 20%

Stable operations and sound finances are leading indicators of consistent care over time.

  • Includes
  • Occupancy vs State
  • Avg Length of Stay
  • Revenue
  • Payroll %
  • Years in Operation
  • Admin Tenure
05

Environment & Accessibility 5%

Context that matters to families but doesn't directly measure clinical care. Weighted lower for nursing homes than for assisted or independent living.

  • Includes
  • Walk Score
  • BBB Rating
No paid rankings Facilities cannot pay to influence placement.
How we're paid: If we help you find a home and you move in, that home may pay us a referral fee. This never affects where they rank or what you pay. Learn more
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Frequently Asked Questions about Nursing Homes in South Carolina

What's the difference between assisted living and a nursing home in South Carolina?

Assisted living in South Carolina is a residential model focused on housing, hospitality, and help with daily activities. Nursing homes (skilled nursing facilities) provide 24/7 medical care from licensed nurses for residents with significant health needs, and are regulated more strictly under both state and federal CMS rules.

Does South Carolina Medicaid cover nursing home care?

Yes — South Carolina Medicaid covers nursing home care for residents who meet income, asset, and medical-need eligibility requirements. Most CMS-certified nursing homes accept Medicaid as a primary payer once long-term-care eligibility is established.

What is nursing home care?

Nursing homes (also called skilled nursing facilities) provide 24/7 medical care from licensed nurses, rehabilitation services, and long-term custodial care for residents with significant health or functional needs.

How many nursing homes are listed on this page?

This page features 133 nursing homes in South Carolina. Use the filters and comparison tools above to compare ratings, amenities, and pricing.

How do I choose the right nursing home in South Carolina?

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 South Carolina, 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 nursing homes in South Carolina?

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.