Dementia, and specifically Alzheimers, is a serious, growing problem. In fact, 1 out of every 10 adults over the age of 65 has Alzheimer’s dementia. As North Charleston’s senior population continues to grow (27% growth between 2015 and 2020), so does the concern about aging and the risk of cognitive impairment.
In North Charleston, the number of deaths for those 65 and older caused or partly caused by Alzheimer’s disease decreased 6% between 2015 and 2020. Additionally, the number of deaths from all causes for that same age group increased by 17%, showing that while Alzheimer’s is a serious concern in the region, the associated deaths have decreased recently. Overall, the percentage of seniors’ deaths related to Alzheimer’s is higher than the rest of the nation (7.84% in North Charleston vs. 6.46% in the U.S.).
To help families and caregivers of those with Alzheimer’s or other forms of cognitive impairment find the support and care their loved ones need, we applied our unique methodology and spent dozens of hours researching senior living communities in North Charleston. In addition to an overview of the communities’ best features, this guide highlights the best memory care facilities in the city, and gives information about pricing, types of care provided, residents’ reviews, and more.
According to the Alzheimer’s Association, 83% of all caregivers are unpaid family members, relatives, or other friends, and nearly half of all care is for older adults with some form of dementia. Caregiving, especially when it involves Alzheimer’s or dementia, is extremely exhausting and time consuming, leading many caregivers to feel isolated and overwhelmed.
As a loved one continues to progress through the stages of dementia and his or her cognitive abilities continue to decline, behavioral problems, safety, and general care often become more than one caregiver can handle. This is when it’s important to find extra help, and residential facilities that have specialized memory care programs are often the best solution.
In addition to providing a safe environment, memory care programs seek to delay or halt cognitive decline while providing the opportunity for a social, independent lifestyle.
To choose the best memory care facilities in North Charleston, our team of researchers started by using our unique methodology to develop a list of contenders. We further refined the list in the next phase of our process by completing hands-on research for each one of the companies that we developed. Finally, we compiled online reviews from residents and families and wrote summaries of each facility that made it through our selection process.
Overall, our team:
Conveniently located in a quiet, tree-lined neighborhood, Brookdale West Ashley is less than 15 minutes from the MUSC Health University Medical Center. This community's Clare Bridge memory care program, developed by a renowned gerontologist and based on the latest scientific research, helps seniors with dementia feel a sense of purpose and belonging by providing structured activities in a welcoming environment. Older adults with early-stage dementia can benefit from the Clare Bridge Crossings program with its life story sharing designed to boost self-esteem and lift depression. Those with late-stage memory loss can opt for the Clare Bridge Solace program, which provides extra programming to stimulate sensory awareness and promote joy. Many life enrichment activities, such as brain games and chair yoga, are available to support residents' physical and emotional health. Amenities include a beauty salon, library and game room.
People praise the compassionate staff and homelike atmosphere. A resident's son writes, "My mother moved into Brookdale West Ashley, and she's doing great. It's like a home, and it has that homey feel to it. Their staff is good and very professional, very loving and caring. Their activities person is excellent. I love the place."
Oaks at Charleston enjoys a tranquil setting on a mature residential street in Charleston's West Ashley neighborhood and is just 5 minutes from Bon Secours St. Francis Hospital. Its modern ranch-style building is pet-friendly, features an accessible single-floor layout and has covered porches with Southern-style rocking chairs. Indoor amenities include a rehab gym for physical, occupational and speech therapy sessions, a salon and barbershop, movie theater, bistro and other inviting common areas for recreational and social activities. The secure memory care wing has its own landscaped courtyard for gardening, outdoor strolls and nature viewing. Memory care residents are supported through individual care plans and person-centered lifestyle programs. Available activities include arts and crafts, live entertainment, weekly religious services and scheduled outings. Residents can enjoy an enriched dining experience through chef-prepared meals and healthy snacks.
A delighted family member highly approves of Oaks at Charleston and says, "The facility is clean and I feel she is safe. Crazy number of activities so never get bored. The kitchen prepares excellent meals, honestly my aunt hasn't eaten this well in a very long time. I recommend this facility wholeheartedly as I have no worries about her care."
Located a short distance from downtown Charleston, Harmony at West Ashley provides a full spectrum of care in a lively environment. Its memory care neighborhood, Harmony Square, features around-the-clock care and support from an experienced team. Using an individualized approach, professionally trained caregivers help with the activities of daily living and medication management. A licensed nurse is available to monitor health needs, and an emergency response call system ensures that help is easy to contact at all times. Following the Reflections program, residents living with Alzheimer's and related dementias take part in engaging, family-focused activities each day. Echoes in Time art therapy and Rhythms music therapy keep seniors stimulated and engage the senses, while purposefully designed health and wellness programs help them stay fit. The Harmony Square Neighborhood also features secure outdoor areas, so seniors can safely stroll or relax outdoors.
Visitors like the welcoming ambiance and staff. "The facility is very clean and organized and there are many activities and events for the residents to enjoy," says one reviewer. "The atmosphere is fun and friendly and the food is good too! I feel comfortable knowing my parents are happy and safe with their neighbors and staff."
The Palmettos of Charleston provides a high level of care with a strong commitment to National HealthCare Corporation (NHC) values. By recognizing each memory care resident as an individual and delivering 24-hour tailored assistance from staff nurses, every senior receives the support they need. Each personalized care plan includes help with personal hygiene, dressing, socialization, medication coordination, continence management and mobility and transferring. Both optical and podiatrist services are available on-site by appointment. For off-site appointments and outings, complimentary transportation is available. Registered dietitians and chefs put together delicious menus with restaurant-style service at every meal and accommodations for special diets. Spacious gathering areas let seniors connect, with sunrooms, living rooms, porches and lounges available. Entertainment options include a movie theater, hobby center and recreation room. Outside, residents can stroll through the lush gardens and courtyards.
Loved ones appreciate the attentive team at The Palmettos of Charleston. "I have never met a more kind and caring group of people," says one reviewer. "All management and staff are committed to providing and safe and loving environment for my 98 year old aunt. I know she is in good hands. I would recommend The Palmettos to anyone looking."
Ashley Gardens Memory Care sits on a wooded campus in Charleston, South Carolina, minutes from Bon Secours St. Francis Hospital. The community is entirely devoted to memory care residents, who also receive assisted living services. Ashley Gardens draws on the Montessori method to help dementia residents recover lost skills and reconnect with the world around them. The method stresses sensory stimulation, emotional support and social connection, as well as spiritual support and physical and intellectual activities. Virtual reality therapy allows residents to "travel" and experience new things safely. All meals are based on the Rush University MIND diet to encourage brain health. Residents live in attractive private and semiprivate apartments, and paved paths allow them to take safe walks on the campus. The full activities calendar includes weekly worship.
Relatives like the fact that Ashley Gardens is focused on seniors with dementia: "All the staff are very knowledgeable, from the maintenance team all the way up," one reviewer notes. They also note that it doesn't feel like an institution, saying, "It is like stepping into someone's living room." Residents are kept busy and engaged. "The staff encouraged my father to interact," says one relative.
Wellmore of Daniel Island is a memory care, assisted living, rehabilitation and skilled nursing community in North Charleston, South Carolina. Its memory care program, Reflections, focuses on family engagement and resident comfort and safety. The program is individually curated for residents and their families with the help of a licensed nurse trained in dementia and memory issues. Several levels of care are offered in one unit so that residents do not have to move as their care needs change. A secure outdoor area helps keep residents safe, while a regular rotation of familiar 24/7 staff helps to create a routine and a sense of stability for those with Alzheimer's or dementia. Residents can enjoy social and wellness activities, all overseen by trained nurses.
Wellmore's memory care services and caring staff help give residents' loved ones peace of mind. One reviewer says, "My husband was admitted to memory care at Wellmore. He is still in an adjustment period, and the staff are very attentive to his needs. My husband does not always like to participate in activities; however, the activity director(s) have been extremely creative with individualizing activities which make him feel useful and/or afford him to be outside where he loves to be."
Benton House of West Ashley provides award-winning memory care in the heart of Charleston, South Carolina. Its Beacon neighborhood is a specially designed environment for residents living with Alzheimer's and related dementias. With an easy-to-navigate layout, plenty of space to move freely and an enclosed courtyard with gardens and walking paths, it offers a homelike feel for seniors. Experienced caregivers are available 24/7 and help create a familiar routine by assisting residents with bathing, dressing, mobility and medication while engaging them in daily activities and meals, which occur around the same time each day. Exciting programs and events are a regular occurrence, with options ranging from fitness classes and bingo to ice cream tastings, social events and themed meals. Dining is an experience, with monthly parties, happy hours, resident recipe nights and a rotating menu of flavorful menu options every day.
Visiting relatives appreciate the compassionate team members. "Staff is friendly and caring and their attention to [my mother's] needs has exceeded my expectations," says a resident's daughter. "When I have a question, they are responsive. There are plenty of activities to keep her mentally/physically active and social and they have welcomed her as a new family member."
Located in James Island, just outside of Charleston, Indigo Hall Assisted Living and Memory Care provides holistic care to residents living with Alzheimer's and dementia. Residents are supervised at all times by licensed nursing staff specifically trained in memory care. Therapies and treatments designed for cognitive stimulation include art, music and storytelling. The community uses circadian lighting, which follows day and night light cycles, to decrease anxiety and help memory care residents sleep better. Games, field trips and singalongs keep residents active and engaged. The memory care environment, which is designed for the safety of the residents, features enhanced security indoors and an enclosed courtyard outdoors. Chef-prepared meals may be scheduled to fit individual needs, and residents can relax in the community's spa and salon.
Reviewers appreciate Indigo Hall Assisted Living and Memory Care for its beautiful modern layout and caring, responsive staff. One family member says, "I work with the team of this community often, and I am impressed with their attention to detail and dedication to creating the whole experience for their residents and their resident's families."
Mount Pleasant Gardens' Alzheimer's Special Care Center is nestled among oaks, palmettos and willows, surrounding residents and guests with natural Southern beauty. The staff is trained to render specialized care tailored to each resident's unique, changing needs while encouraging independence, starting with a pre-admission home visit and assessment. Mount Pleasant Gardens uses a holistic approach to care, partnering with other health care providers and family members to help meet the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual needs of each resident. The signature family-centered Meaningful Moments program is designed to engage the residents and cultivate a joy-filled atmosphere. Fully supervised social opportunities include arts and crafts, movie nights, outings, family gatherings and holiday celebrations. An electronically monitored security system helps ensure safety as well. Support groups and referral services are also available for family members.
Reviewers appreciate the community's genuine care and commitment to treating each resident with dignity while keeping them safe. One family member commented, "The staff at MPG was outstanding and the new, light and cheery facility made my mom feel like it was not a senior care home!"
Atria Mount Pleasant combines around-the-clock care with a vibrant atmosphere just 10 miles outside Charleston. Its Life Guidance memory care neighborhood was purposefully designed for those living with Alzheimer's and other dementias. It features an easy-to-navigate layout and secured entryways and exits, offering residents peace of mind. All care plans are tailored to the individual, so seniors receive 24/7 support with tasks such as grooming, mobility, bathing and toileting from specially trained team members who are knowledgeable about dementia symptoms and how best to help residents. Physical, occupational and speech therapy are available on-site. Each day features a lively calendar of Engage Life programming, so seniors can stay stimulated through art classes, lectures, exercise programs, social events and outings tailored to what they enjoy most. Family-style dining features fresh, nutritious choices with restaurant service at all meals.
Visitors are impressed by the ambiance and amenities. "Beautiful country club setting!! Very friendly staff and very inviting entry upon coming in the Atria," one says. "I would stay there and I went to visit my Aunt. Her room was spacious. Visit and you will see all the amenities and want your loved one there."
Somerby of Mount Pleasant is a luxury continuing care community that offers a retreat-like atmosphere to residents. There are two memory care neighborhoods within the senior community, both of which are gated to ensure residents are safe and unable to wander away unaccompanied. Within the immediate memory care community are several walking paths, exercise stations, a library and an on-site salon. Residents receive access to 24/7 caregivers and are served chef-prepared meals in a restaurant-style dining room that encourages socialization. In addition to medication management and health care from an on-site nurse, all residents are checked on daily to ensure they are safe and thriving.
The reviews of Somerby of Mount Pleasant are highly complimentary, with one reviewer describing it as "nice, clean and pretty," adding that the community offered "lots of activities." Another reviewer with a family member states, "There always seems to be someone around, and she is well taken care of."
The Palms of Mount Pleasant provides quality memory care in North Charleston, near several hospitals. A staff of trained caregivers looks after residents living in the secure memory care wing, and the Bridge to Rediscovery memory care program offers daily activities to keep them mentally engaged. Staff members assist residents with personal hygiene and getting dressed, and registered nurses on-site assist with medications. The community also offers recreational and occupational therapy.
Loved ones praise the community's care for residents with dementia. One family member says, "It's very scary leaving your loved ones in the care of others but the Palms has been a pleasant surprise. They have been very compassionate with [my mother] and our family during a very difficult time."
Shem Creek Health Center at South Bay at Mount Pleasant is an upscale, modern senior living community that specializes in providing supportive health care to aging seniors within the community. The senior living community is conveniently located on a large medical campus, making it easy for residents to access medical care. In addition to skilled nursing and medication management, seniors receive help with the daily activities of living according to their personalized care plans. Memory care residents are kept busy with cognitive activities and social activities to stimulate their minds and keep them engaged daily.
Reviews for Shem Creek Health Center at South Bay at Mount Pleasant are positive. One family member writes, "The facility looks modern, spacious and full of amenities that will fulfill my parent's needs and more." Another reviewer states her father is receiving "great care."
Harmony at Wescott is located in a residential neighborhood of Summerville, South Carolina, just outside of North Charleston. Residents in the memory care program are supported by a 24/7 team of licensed and trained staff members who monitor their wellness and help with daily living activities in a specially designed environment. The Reflections program uses art and music therapy to stimulate recall and build new connections. An engaging enrichment schedule encourages seniors to share their life stories and foster new friendships within a secure, comfortable atmosphere.
Reviews for this community note that the meals are tasty and activities are enjoyable. One loved one writes, "[My mother-in-law] is in the memory care unit, and we have tried their food, and it was very good. Then they have bingo, crafts and other games as well."
Just outside of North Charleston, South Carolina, The Retreat at Summerville offers a home-like retirement experience for seniors living in its Signature Memory Care Neighborhood. Support for residents with Alzheimer's, dementia or other forms of memory loss is tailored to meet a full spectrum of wellness needs, including a resident's desire to explore intellectual, social or spiritual interests. The daily schedule of activities focuses on sustaining a senior's sense of purpose with a program called Active Reminiscing, which uses pieces of memorabilia relevant to a senior's life as a way to connect them with their environment and companions. Cozy furnishings and a secure outdoor courtyard with a garden area offer seniors several choices for quiet reflection in a calm setting.
Reviewers appreciate the compassionate attention residents receive from staff members. A loved one writes, "My mother is a resident of the memory care facility. She has a private room which is spacious The staff is good about bringing her to the common area where they have kind folks watching after the residents."
Just outside of North Charleston, South Carolina, TerraBella Summerville's location offers seniors convenient proximity to medical centers and professional services. Memory care at TerraBella follows a person-centered approach, integrating the preferences of every resident into daily support for tasks, activities and events. Staff recognize special moments that strengthen residents' sense of well-being, designing engagement opportunities that foster friendships between residents and sustain connections with loved ones and caregivers. Daily means from the Sensations Dining program features tableside service, chef-prepared dishes and menus that offer international and homemade favorites.
Guests and residents compliment the atmosphere and activities. One reviewer writes, "The accommodations were excellent, and the staff was excellent. They have movies. They play cards, bingo, checkers and crafts." Another reviewer says, "Very accommodating to Mom's special needs. Activities director Stephanie is awesome. Food tasty and so much variety. Excellent place."
Near North Charleston, The Blake at Carnes Crossroads is nestled in a quiet neighborhood of Summerville, South Carolina. Licensed, trained 24/7 staff members maintain a low-stress environment and monitor residents through the Vigil Dementia alert system. Assessments are performed regularly by an on-site primary care provider, and the team maintains personalized care plans for every resident. The Never 2 Late enrichment program allows seniors to engage with videos, games and puzzles with a personalized digital device and caring assistant. Structured activities led by dedicated specialists provide multisensory stimulation and incorporate music, art and gardening. Cozily furnished common areas and securely gated grounds let seniors explore their environment safely.
Loved ones praise the atmosphere for its upscale appeal. One reviewer writes, "The Blake at Carnes Crossroads is quite luxurious. The staff were very attentive and friendly, and I thought the surroundings were very pleasant, and I was pretty impressed with the dining options."
In the heart of the city's historic district, Kempton of Charleston provides a comfortable memory care community that's close to the local hospital and several health care services. Licensed, trained staff members are available 24/7, providing compassionate care through the community's Genuine, Engaging & Meaningful Memory Support program. Structured activities are designed to meet the unique needs of seniors with memory-related conditions. Seniors can dine together as a community in a restaurant-style setting. Staff host support group meetings for family and friends of residents who want to learn more about their loved one's memory care.
Reviewers describe a pleasant, clean setting. A resident's loved one writes, "My mother is a resident in Kempton's Memory Care, and it is a lovely environment. Clean, beautifully appointed common areas, and a dining area that is on par with the rest of the building."
Merrill Gardens at Carolina Park is just 20 miles east of North Charleston, South Carolina, and offers seniors compassionate memory care in a tranquil residential setting. Trained staff meet personal medical and care needs 24/7, focusing on developing familiar routines and favorite moments that enrich each resident's day. The memory care residence, Garden House, has its own outdoor area with beautiful landscaping and secure courtyards. Meaningful activities that promote storytelling and sensory exploration are scheduled around everyday tasks, helping seniors reminisce comfortably. A family-friendly environment encourages regular visits from loved ones, who are welcome participants in the daily program of activities. Snacks and meals can be accessed any time, and they're served in a restaurant-style setting, allowing seniors to dine and socialize as a community.
Fun activities and a pleasant atmosphere receive praise. A loved one writes, "They have social times, bridge clubs, Rummikub clubs, regular cards, game boards, they do exercises, and they also have happy hour." A second reviewer writes, "Everything was beautiful. The rooms were very nice and very well laid out. They had studios and shared rooms."
Stratford Place is an assisted living and memory care facility located 18 miles north of Charleston in the Goose Creek community. The team at Stratford draw on 20 years of experience to provide individualized long-term care for residents, with short-term stays available. For those with Alzheimer's and other cognitive issues, Stratford has a separate residence with caregivers who gently guide residents through activities, such as dressing, walking and medication management. They also have amenities that promote active and social lifestyles including a crafts room, piano room, movie theater, library, and salon.
Reviews for Stratford are positive, with rave reviews for both the administrative staff and the community itself. One relative says, "What a wonderful community. I love the small feel of it and that everyone I met was warm and welcoming to my family. I felt very comfortable about placing my loved one there, and I know I will have open communication with them, which is so important!"