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Aiken is known as an equine town with multiple steeplechase races each year and 43 polo fields. Active seniors have plenty of places to hike and explore, including Hopelands Gardens, Hitchcock Woods and Aiken State Park, and cultural places include the Aiken County Historical Museum and Aiken Center for the Arts. Summers are hot and humid with average highs around 92 degrees Fahrenheit, while winters are mild with January lows around 34 degrees. The city has close to 171,000 individuals with 20% aged 65 and older. For seniors who require help with daily living tasks, there are eight assisted living communities within the city limits.
Assisted living is an excellent choice for aging adults seeking a community environment and easily accessible support with daily activities. According to the Genworth Financial 2021 Cost of Care Survey, the average monthly cost of assisted living care in Aiken is $3,606 — nearly identical to South Carolina’s average, but 20% lower than the U.S. average.
In the following guide, we’ll see how assisted living costs compare across South Carolina cities. We’ll also summarize the offerings of some free senior support programs in the area and discuss some ways to apply for care-related financial aid.
Hundreds of thousands of American seniors utilize assisted living, a figure that is only growing. For these seniors, assisted living combines residential housing,assistance in daily activities, and some healthcare. These communities also strive to provide an atmosphere that is comfortable and engaging for their residents… Read More >
COVID-19 restrictions and rules for Assisted Living Facilities are typically set by the state – to see the rules in your state, you can read our guide to Assisted Living in South Carolina. Keep in mind that there may be other policies that communities put in place to protect their residents, so you should contact your local community for more information. Additionally, you can contact your local Area Agency on Aging to learn more – find contact information here.
The average monthly cost of assisted living care in Aiken is $3,606.
The cost of assisted living care in Aiken is comparable to South Carolina’s state average of $3,612 per month and is roughly $900 under the national average price of $4,500 per month.
South Carolina prices for assisted living care are highest in the Hilton Head Island area ($4,500). Myrtle Beach is roughly $450 more expensive than Aiken ($4,070), and Charleston has a similar cost of $3,945. Columbia is less expensive than Aiken, with residents paying $3,270 monthly for assisted living care. The lowest cost in South Carolina is in Sumter ($2,663), nearly $950 less expensive than Aiken.
NOTE: Data for Aiken was unavailable, so data for the nearest city, Augusta, Georgia, was used instead.
Since not everyone can afford to pay for assisted living out-of-pocket, it’s important to find alternative methods to help make assisted living more affordable. Some of these options include:
For more information about your options for making assisted living more affordable, visit our guide to Assisted Living in South Carolina.
| Contact | Description | |
| Aiken Area Council on Aging | (803) 648-5447 | The Aiken Area Council on Aging is a nonprofit organization that helps area residents 55 and older locate products, programs and services to promote a healthy lifestyle. Some of these services include transportation, meals, a personal emergency response system and assistance with mobility equipment. |
| Aiken Veteran’s Affairs Office | (803) 642-1545 | The VA connects area veterans to professional counseling and assistance when they’re applying for state and federal benefits. The office can also assist families in applying for pensions and locating national cemeteries. |
| Aiken Senior Life Services | (803) 648-5447 | Aiken Senior Life Services is a private nonprofit organization that helps seniors remain independent. Services include meal delivery, transportation, group activities and matching active seniors with volunteer opportunities. |
| Senior Fun | (803) 642-7634 | Senior Fun connects seniors in the area with various activities to help them remain healthy and fit. This includes SilverSneaker Fitness, which offers yoga classes, strength and mobility classes, basketball, line dancing and pickleball. Other activities include card games, bingo, line dancing and scheduled parties for special events. |
| McGrath Computer Learning Center | (803) 641-3741 | McGrath Computer Learning is an all-volunteer organization that helps seniors learn how to effectively use the computer and other technologies. The organization provides classes on Macs and PCs and Android and Apple devices, including phones and tablets. Classes include items like getting to know your phone, file management, computer security and learning how to store and manage items in iCloud. The organization also teaches seniors how to send and receive emails to stay in touch with family and friends. |
Assisted Living Facilities in the Aiken area are required to follow a set of rules and regulations that are determined at the state level. For an overview of those rules and regulations, see the information below. For more specific information, talk with your local community or Area Agency on Aging.
