Best Nursing Homes in South Carolina

Overview of Sprenger Healthcare of Bluffton Assisted Living

Licensed as a 58-bed Community Residential Care Facility (CRCF), Sprenger Healthcare of Bluffton Assisted Living in Okatie, South Carolina, serves older adults throughout the Bluffton and Hilton Head Island region with assisted living, memory care, and rehabilitation. Administered by Teresa Griffing, the community is owned by Sprenger Healthcare of Bluffton Inc., as part of the larger Sprenger Healthcare network, which provides access to the resources and operational experience of a regional healthcare provider.

Operating under the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), the community’s quality measures place it in the highest performance tier of Significantly Above Average for long-term residents. Meanwhile, hospitalization rates measured 0.39 per 1,000 resident days, substantially lower than the South Carolina average of 2.03. Short-stay residents also received an Above Average overall rating, including a fall-with-major-injury rate of 0.0% and a successful return-to-home rate of 62.5%, both outperforming state benchmarks.

Clinical staffing indicators show registered nurse coverage above state averages, with RN care time averaging 43 minutes per resident per day and weekend RN coverage averaging 30 minutes daily. These staffing levels may provide families with additional reassurance regarding continuity of care beyond standard weekday hours. Nurse aide and licensed practical nurse staffing levels were slightly below state averages, which may be relevant for families comparing day-to-day personal assistance coverage. Physical therapy time averaged three minutes per resident per day, below statewide benchmarks, while emergency department visit rates for both long-stay and short-stay residents exceeded state averages.

Rehabilitation programs, respite care, home health support, on-site nurse practitioner services, and both on-site and outpatient therapy options are offered, along with a care team consisting of licensed nurses and certified nursing assistants. This blend of rehabilitation resources, nursing support, and wellness-focused amenities positions the community as both a post-acute recovery option and a longer-term assisted living setting. Additionally, the culinary program highlights chef-designed menus with contemporary and locally inspired cuisine served in formal dining settings.

With strong long-stay quality outcomes, elevated RN staffing levels, and location within the growing Bluffton and Hilton Head coastal corridor, Sprenger Healthcare of Bluffton Assisted Living is best for older adults who require a higher level of clinical oversight, especially those transitioning from hospitalization or skilled nursing care who may benefit from structured rehabilitation and ongoing medical support in South Carolina’s Lowcountry region.

Overview of Palmettos of Garden City

Palmettos of Garden City is a senior living community in Murrells Inlet, South Carolina, serving older adults throughout the South Strand area of Horry County with assisted living and skilled nursing services within a 90-bed capacity. Licensed as a Community Residential Care Facility (CRCF), the community is owned and operated by Palmettos of Garden City LLC and administered by Teriann Cronin. Medicare, Medicaid, and private-pay are also accepted, providing broader financial accessibility for families with varying coverage and long-term care planning needs.

Its occupancy rate of 85.5% exceeds the South Carolina average of 82.1%, indicating steady local demand and limited availability. Additionally, CMS quality ratings place the community slightly above the South Carolina average overall, with particularly strong performance in quality measures and health inspections. Staffing levels also align with statewide averages.

Since 2022, the community has received 15 health citations across three inspections, slightly above the South Carolina average of 13.7 citations. However, all cited deficiencies were categorized as moderate in severity, with no critical or serious citations recorded. This absence of higher-level deficiencies is notable when compared with the statewide average, which includes at least one critical citation. Moreover, a civil money penalty was issued in January 2025, substantially lower than the South Carolina average penalty amount, and no payment denials were identified.

Several quality-of-care indicators perform favorably compared with state averages. Notably, no residents were reported as experiencing depressive symptoms, influenza vaccination rates exceeded statewide averages, and measures related to weight loss and antipsychotic medication use, which is considerably favorable against South Carolina norms. However, families are encouraged to discuss fall rates involving major injury and declines in daily living activities, both of which were measured above state averages.

24-hour staffing support, chef-prepared meals, restaurant-style dining, landscaped courtyards, wellness programming, and an on-site salon are among the services offered in this pet-friendly community. Nursing staff includes registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, and certified nursing assistants, all employed directly by the community without the use of agency nursing contractors, which may help support greater continuity of care and staff familiarity with residents. Its location in Murrels Inlet also offers convenient access to coastal healthcare resources while maintaining proximity to the South Strand lifestyle.

Featuring a variety of payment acceptance, stable staffing structure, and quality measure performance within the local market, Palmettos of Garden City is a strong fit for older adults requiring skilled nursing services, rehabilitation support, or long-term assisted living care, particularly for those utilizing Medicare or Medicaid benefits.

Owned by NHC Healthcare/North Grove LLC and run by administrator Andrew R. Nelson, White Oak at North Grove covers long-term care, memory care, and rehab therapies in a 132-bed private building. The facility handles specialized programs like amputee, stroke, and orthopedic recovery, keeping admissions open 24/7 with therapy available seven days a week. The client group is a mix of 49% private-pay and 47% Medicare admissions, with just 3% relying on Medicaid. Residents stay for an average of 81 days, and the property runs a high occupancy rate of 93%, bringing in a 2023 operating profit of $832.3 thousand on $19 million in revenue.

Government health logs show standard daily care times, with overall nursing hours averaging 3 hours and 59 minutes per resident, matching the South Carolina state average. However, the staffing setup is uneven; while nurse aide hours hit state baselines, registered nurse coverage dips to 28 minutes on weekdays and a low 16 minutes on weekends.

Clinical records point to excellent results for short-term stays, including a successful community discharge rate that outpaces the state average by 23% and low rates of antipsychotic drug use. On the other side, tracking files reveal some clear struggles for permanent residents, whose rates of functional decline, walking difficulties, and serious injuries from falls track higher than state averages. On the regulatory side, the property holds a low fine history with a single $10,000 penalty on record.

Prospective residents looking into local rehab options can use these public health tracking reports to balance the facility’s extensive therapy setup against its long-term numbers. Since the state paperwork confirms very strong short-term recovery outcomes and seven-day therapy access alongside thin weekend RN hours and elevated long-stay mobility decline, the records fit a stay focused on post-acute rehabilitation.

Overview of Veteran Village

Dedicated exclusively to honorably discharged veterans who meet state residency rules, Veteran Village is a 104-bed nursing home run by the South Carolina Department of Veterans Affairs. Administrator Shonda Young manages daily operations, and the building features entirely private rooms. The resident demographic splits between 56% Medicare admissions for short-term rehab and 44% private-pay individuals who typically stay long-term, driving a high average stay of 1,279 days. The facility sees immense local demand with a 97.4% occupancy rate, bringing in a 2024 operating surplus of $1.1 million on $18 million in revenue.

Government health tracking logs detail top-tier staffing numbers, with overall nursing care averaging 7 hours and 59 minutes per resident daily to rank first in South Carolina. This structure includes 49 minutes of daily registered nurse time, 1 hour and 43 minutes for LPNs, and 3 hours and 40 minutes from nurse aides, maintaining robust clinical continuity through the weekends.

Quality archives show excellent outcomes for permanent residents, who experience low rates of depression, steady walking abilities, and fewer serious injuries from falls than state baselines. However, the data points to a few distinct clinical hurdles, noting that long-stay resident pressure ulcers and hospital readmission rates track higher than the state averages, while the home compiled $48,000 in federal fines across 12 penalties over the past three years.

Families looking for dedicated veteran care options can use these public health tracking data points to review the provider’s overall operations. Since the official records highlight the highest daily nursing hours in the state and excellent physical stability scores alongside a historical fine list and higher pressure ulcer risks, the documentation fits a highly staffed, long-term institutional environment.

Overview of West Village Post Acute

West Village Post Acute is a private 132-bed nursing home run by administrator Mark Millett and owner Jeffrey Waters through Greenville Skilled Nursing LLC. The facility handles 24-hour skilled nursing, short-term rehab, complex wound care, and respite services, featuring a large therapy gym and outdoor courtyards. Long-term Medicaid residents make up about 85.8% of the current building population, though new admissions are split between 62% private-pay, 27% Medicaid, and 11% Medicare clients. The property runs an 89.2% occupancy rate with an average overall stay of 233 days, reporting a 2023 net operating loss of $768.4 thousand on $16 million in revenue.

Government health databases point to lean staffing patterns, with daily care averaging 3 hours and 22 minutes per resident, which falls 18% below the South Carolina baseline. To manage daily care, the home relies heavily on outside staffing agencies, bringing in contractors to cover 38% of registered nurse hours and 66% of LPN shifts. Clinical quality records show a big divide between different types of stays. Permanent residents see strong numbers for physical mobility, daily activity preservation, and general health stability.

The short-term rehab numbers drop significantly below state metrics, with logs revealing higher hospital readmission rates, low pneumococcal vaccination numbers, and a major injury rate from short-stay falls that tracks 491% worse than the state average. On the regulatory side, the property holds a clean record with zero federal financial penalties over the past three years.

Prospective representatives researching local long-term care choices can look over these public records to see how the home manages different patient groups. Since the public data shows strong functional preservation for long-stay residents alongside zero recent fines, thin nursing hours, and higher injury risks during short-term rehab, the paperwork points to a building that functions best as a permanent residential setup.

Overview of Wellmore of Lexington

Wellmore of Lexington is a 174-bed continuing care retirement campus managed by administrator Crystal C. Butcher and operated by Wellmore of Lexington LLC. The facility blends independent living, assisted living, memory care, and 24-hour skilled nursing, leaning heavily on a short-term rehabilitation model. Admissions mirror this post-acute focus, with 76% using Medicare and 24% paying privately, generating a brief 51-day average stay. On-site features include an indoor therapy pool, a spa and salon, fine dining rooms, and dedicated workout spaces. However, the property faces severe occupancy challenges, sitting at 64.4%, and logged a 2023 operating loss of $1.6 million on $9.8 million in revenue.

Public health summaries show standard to solid daily attention, with overall nursing care averaging 4 hours and 9 minutes per resident to run slightly ahead of the South South Carolina baseline. This model keeps registered nurse coverage 32% above state averages, though the building relies on outside staffing agencies to fill about a quarter of its hours. Clinical tracking records detail a sharp split in patient outcomes; permanent residents maintain a zero percent depression rate and steady daily activity habits, but they experience high rates of pressure ulcers and urinary tract infections.

Short-stay rehab metrics also run behind state targets, with reports noting higher rates of emergency hospital readmissions and a major injury rate from short-term falls that tracks 60% worse than the state average. The operator’s regulatory history includes a low $16,000 in total federal fines over the past three years.

Interested individuals weighing local short-term rehab or extended senior care options can utilize these government tracking dossiers to view the provider’s overall operations. Since the public data notes above-average daily nursing times and strong behavioral health scores alongside clear multi-year financial losses, thin occupancy, and higher short-stay fall risks, the documentation calls for balancing the property’s amenities against its clinical trends.

Overview of Medford Nursing Center

Medford Nursing Center is an 88-bed skilled nursing facility owned by Medford Nursing Center LLC in Darlington, South Carolina. Administered by Tyler A. Lofe and accepting Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay, the facility in Darlington County serves primarily long-term care residents, with an average stay of 215 days and nearly 78 percent of the current census on Medicaid. Occupancy is at 92 percent, ranking 18th of 121 South Carolina nursing homes, well above the state average.

CMS scores Medford Nursing Center 4 stars, with a health inspection sub-rating 81.8 percent above South Carolina average, placing the facility among the lowest-citation providers statewide. 3 total health citations across 2 inspections since 2023, compared to a South Carolina average of 13.7, rank the facility 5th of 113 statewide by total citations and 7th by citations per inspection. Zero critical or serious citations have been recorded, and all three citations were moderate and corrected, with no penalties assessed in the past three years. CNA hours at 2 hours and 48 minutes per resident per day are 26 percent above South Carolina average of 2 hours and 13 minutes, reflecting strong direct care staffing. Long-stay quality measures are rated below average overall, driven primarily by hospitalization and ED visit rates that significantly exceed state benchmarks. Long-stay residents are hospitalized at a rate of 4.60 per 1,000 resident days, 127 percent above South Carolina average of 2.03, and ED visits at 4.45 per 1,000 days are 133 percent above the state figure. These are the most significant data points for families evaluating long-stay placement and warrant inquiry with clinical leadership about acute event management and early intervention protocols. Several individual measures are favorable, including an incontinence rate 60 percent below the state average and no depressive symptoms recorded among long-stay residents. Short-stay return to home at 38.0 percent is 25 percent below South Carolina average of 50.6 percent.

Medford Nursing Center fits Darlington County families in a long-term care context who prioritize a facility with an exceptionally clean inspection record. Families should discuss the elevated hospitalization and ED visit rates with clinical staff before deciding.

Seneca Health and Rehabilitation Center is a 132-bed skilled nursing and rehabilitation facility in Seneca, South Carolina. Owned by Seneca Facility LLC and administered by Kathleen S. Wilson, the community is situated in Oconee County and accredited by The Joint Commission. Medicaid, Medicare, and private pay are accepted. The facility primarily serves long-term care residents, with 61 percent Medicaid admissions and an average stay of 115 days.
CMS rates Seneca Health and Rehabilitation Center at 1 star, 66 percent below the South Carolina average, with all four sub-categories trailing the state benchmark. The health inspection rating is 27 percent below the state average. 18 total health citations were recorded across four inspections since 2021, above the South Carolina average of 13.7. Two serious citations stand out, placing the facility 16th of 23 South Carolina nursing homes in that category and 567 percent above the state average of 0.3 serious citations. Top deficiency categories include quality of life and care, infection control, and resident rights. The most recent inspection in February 2025 produced three infection control citations and a nutrition citation, all corrected. Two civil money penalties totaling $5,000 were assessed in September and October 2023, below the South Carolina average of $34,000, with no payment denials. Meanwhile, staffing runs below state benchmarks across most categories. Total nursing hours reach 3 hours and 28 minutes per resident per day, 15 percent below the South Carolina average of 4 hours and 5 minutes. RN hours at 23 minutes per day are 39 percent below the state average of 38 minutes, and weekend RN coverage at 13 minutes per day is 46 percent below the South Carolina benchmark. Long-stay hospitalization and ED visit rates are better than the South Carolina average, a meaningful upside in a facility serving primarily long-stay residents. Walking ability decline at 36.7 percent of long-stay residents is 126 percent worse than the state average, and the short-stay re-hospitalization rate of 36.2 percent is 47 percent above the 24.7 percent state figure.
Seneca Health and Rehabilitation Center serves Oconee County families primarily in a long-term care capacity. Families considering placement should ask directly about the two serious citations, staffing levels, and current infection control and care planning practices.

Overview of Lodge at Wellmore

Lodge at Wellmore is a 60-bed skilled nursing and short-term rehabilitation facility owned by Wellmore of Tega Cay LLC in Tega Cay, South Carolina, part of the Wellmore of Tega Cay luxury continuing care retirement campus in York County. Administered by David M. Dunn, the facility accepts Medicare and private pay and serves primarily short-stay residents, with 62 percent Medicare admissions and an average stay of 39 days.
CMS grades Lodge at Wellmore 3 stars, with a staffing rating 69.5 percent above South Carolina average and a quality measures rating 14.6 percent above state benchmark. Total nursing hours reach 5 hours 4 minutes per resident per day, placing the facility 10th of 112 South Carolina skilled nursing facilities. All six staffing metrics exceed state averages, including weekend total nursing at 4 hours and 49 minutes per day, 44 percent above South Carolina benchmark, and CNA hours at 2 hours 53 minutes per day, 30 percent above state average. Long-stay quality measures are rated significantly above average: hospitalizations at 1.02 per 1,000 resident days are 50 percent better than South Carolina’s 2.03 average, and pressure ulcers at 1.9 percent are 68 percent below the state figure. Return to home for short-stay residents at 64.7 percent is 28 percent better than South Carolina’s 50.6 percent average. The health inspection rating is 27 percent below South Carolina average. 7 total health citations since 2023 include 2 critical and 1 serious citation, all in the quality of care category and all subsequently corrected. 5 civil money penalties totaling $40,000 have been assessed between June 2023 and February 2025, slightly above the South Carolina average of $34,000. Falls with major injury for both short-stay (2.4 percent, 205 percent above state average) and long-stay residents, and a UTI rate of 5.9 percent among long-stay residents (257 percent above state average), are the clearest quality concerns in the outcome data.
Amenities feature on-site rehabilitation services, fine dining, a salon and spa, and a cafe and bar.
Lodge at Wellmore suits York County families and those near Charlotte seeking post-acute rehabilitation in a luxury CCRC setting. Families should discuss the quality of care citations and falls prevention protocols with the facility before placement.

Prince George Healthcare Center is a 148-bed skilled nursing facility administered by Helen L. Cribb in Georgetown, Georgetown County, South Carolina. Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay accepted. Owned by Palmetto Prince George Operating LLC, the facility serves primarily long-term care residents, with an average stay of 239 days and 89.5 percent of the current census on Medicaid. Occupancy stands at 92 percent, ranked 14th of 121 South Carolina nursing homes and well above the 82.1 percent state average.

CMS rates Prince George Healthcare Center 4 stars, 36.5 percent above the South Carolina average, with quality measures sub-rating 43.3 percent above the state benchmark. 15 total health citations have been recorded across three inspections since 2021, slightly above the South Carolina average of 13.7, though the severity profile is notably clean: zero critical and serious citations within five years, with all citations at moderate or minor level. No penalties assessed in the past three years. The per-inspection average of 5 citations exceeds the state average of 3.44, ranking 95th of 113. 4 of 15 citations arose from inspections that included complaint components. Several long-stay quality measures are meaningfully better than the South Carolina average, including falls with major injury at 2.1 percent (30 percent better), UTI rate at 0.6 percent (65 percent better), and weight loss at 3.3 percent (46 percent better). Depressive symptoms at 21.9 percent and antipsychotic use at 21.6 percent are substantially above state benchmarks and warrant direct inquiry with clinical leadership. Total nursing hours at 3 hours and 12 minutes per resident per day are 22 percent below the South Carolina average of 4 hours and 5 minutes, though the CMS case-mix-adjusted staffing rating is at the state average.

Prince George Healthcare Center suits Georgetown County families seeking long-term skilled nursing care with a strong CMS rating and a clean severity record across all inspections, reflecting consistent community demand. Families should discuss depressive symptom management and antipsychotic prescribing practices with clinical leadership before continuing.