Florence, South Carolina, is a smaller city equidistant from Columbia, the state’s capital, and Myrtle Beach, a popular tourist destination along the Atlantic Coast. Florence residents can enjoy the low-key pace of a smaller town while still having ready access to the specialized medical care of Columbia or Charlotte, North Carolina, and the fun and excitement of one of South Carolina’s busy beach towns. A cost of living nearly 20 points lower than the national average and no state tax on Social Security income and generous tax breaks on other sources of income makes Florence an attractive place for elderly people with a limited budget. The weather in Florence, at the heart of the Pee Dee River region, is warm and humid in the summer, but winters are mild and pleasant.
Assisted living in Florence, SC, is a great option for seniors who need help with daily tasks, but don’t require the level of care that’s available in a nursing home. Assisted living communities offer a range of services, including help with meal preparation, housekeeping, medication management, and more. The average monthly rate for assisted living in Florence is $3,456, which is lower than the national and state average.
In this guide, you will find a cost comparison between Florence and other South Carolina cities, as well as resources to help with managing assisted living.
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 monthly cost of assisted living in Florence is $3,556.
According to the 2021 Genworth Cost of Care Survey, the average monthly cost of assisted living in Florence is $3,556, which is $56 lower than the state average and $944 lower than the national average.
In Florence, assisted living is surprisingly affordable, with prices averaging around $3,550 per month. But if you want to move to the coastal city of Charleston, you’ll need to be prepared to spend more as monthly costs top off at $400 more. Greenville is another popular city with prices that are about $200 more than Florence. Columbia, the state capital, is slightly cheaper with costs at around $300 less per month. Myrtle Beach is the most expensive of these cities, with prices averaging just over $500 more than Florence per month.
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 | |
Pee Dee Area Agency on Aging | (843) 383-8632 | The Pee Dee AAA helps local seniors find long-term care options, apply for or negotiate government health care and Social Security benefits, and work with insurance to help policyholders. Other functions of the agency advocate for caregivers of the elderly, including finding respite care and group support. |
Florence Veterans Affairs | (843) 665-3045 | Military veterans may receive personal assistance finding the benefits they’re entitled to from the US Department of Veterans Affairs. Other services include finding medical care for veterans and organizing transportation to the VA clinic for those who need it. |
South Carolina Bar Association Legal Aid For Seniors | (803) 799-6653 | Seniors who meet income eligibility may receive free assistance with civil cases, drafting of wills and other legal documents, or representation for divorce or bankruptcy filings. Some lawyers may also help with cases of elder abuse and neglect. |
Senior Citizens Association | (843) 669-6761 | The Senior Citizens Association is intended to help those in the community flourish socially, with hobby groups and games, weekly luncheons and holiday celebrations, and opportunities for members to explore different interests like gardening or crafts. This facility also has a small fitness center and space for group exercise classes appropriate for older participants. |
Pee Dee Regional Transportation Authority | (843) 665-2227 | The Pee Dee RTS operates buses and shuttles in Florence and throughout the Pee Dee River area. Most transportation operates during business hours within the town, while handicapped transit is appointment -based. There are also daily transportation shuttles to Columbia and Lake City/ Myrtle Beach. |
Assisted Living Facilities in the Florence 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.