South Carolina Faces Surge in Senior Population - More People Using Long-Term Care Insurance Benefits

If you live in South Carolina, you've probably noticed more gray hair at the grocery store, the golf course and your own family gatherings. That's not just a feeling — it's a documented shift reshaping the state.

South Carolina's population is aging rapidly, driven by two forces working together: longtime residents reaching retirement age, and a steady influx of retirees drawn to the state's warm climate and slower pace of life.

According to the South Carolina Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Office, the state's official demographer, residents age 65 and older made up 13.7 percent of South Carolina's population in 2010 and 18.1 percent by 2020. That share is projected to climb to 21.4 percent by 2030 and 22.5 percent by 2040. South Carolina's median age is also rising, expected to increase from 40 to 42 over the next decade as the last of the baby boomers cross into their senior years.

This growth is outpacing the state's working-age population. Adults 18 to 64 made up 62.7 percent of South Carolinians in 2010; by 2030, that share is projected to fall to around 58 percent, even as the number of older residents keeps climbing.

The result is a surge in demand for long-term care services, from in-home care and adult day programs to assisted living facilities, nursing homes and memory care units — a strain that is already stretching the state's caregiving workforce and infrastructure.

Aging Adults Facing Challenges

Nearly four in 10 South Carolinians age 65 and older live alone, and about the same share live with a disability. According to a 2023 report from the South Carolina Institute of Medicine and Public Health, released in partnership with the South Carolina Department on Aging, 37 percent of South Carolinians 65 and older live alone, roughly flat with the national average, while 35 percent live with a disability, slightly above the national average.

Beyond disability alone, functional limitations are common among South Carolina's seniors. According to America's Health Rankings, 32.1 percent of South Carolinians age 65 and older report a cognitive, visual, auditory, ambulatory, self-care or independent-living difficulty, close to the national average of 32.5 percent.

"Social connection is a major health determinant that is not typically discussed," says Maya Pack, Executive Director of the South Carolina Institute of Medicine and Public Health (IMPH).

There is substantial evidence that shows a strong correlation between social isolation and major physical and mental health challenges and their associated costs." — Maya Pack.

Nationally, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services estimates that 56 percent of Americans turning 65 will need some level of long-term care in their lifetime, based on the federal definition of needing help with two or more activities of daily living or supervision due to cognitive impairment.

The South Carolina Department on Aging is preparing for the state's growing senior population. As covered earlier, South Carolinians 65 and older made up 18.1 percent of the population in 2020, a share projected to climb to 21.4 percent by 2030 — meaning the state's care infrastructure has a narrowing window to scale up.

LTC Insurance Benefits Paying Record Amount of Benefits

Regrettably, the surge in demand for long-term care services is accompanied by a growing financial crisis. The cost of these services has become an insurmountable burden for many families. However, a growing number of South Carolinians are using benefits from their Long-Term Care Insurance policies to help pay for the costs of long-term care services, including in-home care.

• What is Long-Term Care Insurance? What Does It Cover?

In the most recent AHIP Long-Term Care Insurance Coverage report (2025), $237,638,550 in benefits were paid from traditional Long-Term Care Insurance policies. This number does not reflect benefits paid from hybrid and other types of policies that pay benefits similar to LTC Insurance. 

These numbers have likely surged, with 2026 reports showing that top insurance companies paid more than $16 billion in Long-Term Care Insurance benefits across the country in just one year. This highlights the growing importance of LTC Insurance in the U.S. health care system, South Carolina included.

Historically, $2,699,634,550 in Long-Term Care Insurance benefits have been paid to policyholders of traditional policies in South Carolina since this type of insurance was developed. Without LTC Insurance, South Carolinians would have been forced to pay for long-term care services out of pocket or have family members provide care.

Traditional health insurance, including Medicare, covers only short-term skilled care, leaving Long-Term Care Insurance and Medicaid as options beyond family resources. Medicaid will only pay for long-term care for those with limited income and assets.

Long-Term Care Costs Exploding in South Carolina

The LTC News Cost of Care Calculator provides insights into both the present and projected expenses for various types of long-term care services across every state and the District of Columbia, focusing on metropolitan areas within each state. Although the median average cost of long-term care in South Carolina currently falls below the national average, these costs are escalating rapidly due to increased demand for care, rising labor expenses, and other inflationary pressures.

• Long-Term Care Costs in South Carolina

Most long-term care is delivered at an individual's home, the home of a family member, or in assisted living. The average statewide median cost of in-home care, based on a 44-hour week, is now $5,005 a month ($60,060 annually.) However, with inflationary pressure, in 2046, that cost is expected to be $8,602 per month or $103,224 a year. In metro areas, that cost will be much higher. 

Base assisted living costs average $4,357 statewide. However, surcharges can add $1800 or more per month to the base cost. In twenty years, that base cost is expected to average $7,420 a month before surcharges. Memory care is even more.

Nursing home costs are very high, averaging $9,353 for a private room today and $15,994 a month in twenty years. 

However, in metro areas within South Carolina, higher labor costs and other economic pressures increase the cost of long-term care services well above the state average. 

Compare these median statewide average home care costs to these metro areas in South Carolina:

Location	Monthly Cost
State Average	$5,045
Charleston	$5,919
Charlotte (SC side)	$5,918
Greenville	$5,308
Hilton Head Island	$5,811

South Carolina's Long-Term Care Partnership: A Shield for Family Assets

As South Carolina grapples with its rapidly aging population and the rising cost of long-term care, the state offers residents a valuable tool to safeguard their assets: the South Carolina Long-Term Care Partnership Program. This program does more than pay for long-term care: it gives policyholders a lasting asset protection advantage that continues even after benefits are used up.

Here's how the Partnership Program empowers South Carolina residents:

Dollar-for-Dollar Asset Protection: The program's key feature is dollar-for-dollar asset disregard. For every dollar paid out in benefits from a qualified LTC Insurance policy, an equal dollar amount of your assets is disregarded when South Carolina determines Medicaid eligibility. For individuals with more modest assets they can buy a smaller LTC Insurance policy and shelter assets legally and still qualify for Medicaid to cover long-term care costs beyond their policy's benefits. LTC Insurance partnership protection can make a significant difference for many families in South Carolina.

Substantial Protection, Even with Smaller Policies: This feature makes the program valuable even for people considering smaller, more affordable policies. Say you purchase a policy with a $50,000 benefit pool. Once those benefits are exhausted (a larger amount as inflation will grow those benefits,) Medicaid would disregard an equal amount of your assets during eligibility review, helping preserve a meaningful share of your savings.

Larger policies benefit the same way, just at scale: a partnership policy that pays out $700,000 in benefits protects $700,000 in assets from Medicaid's eligibility calculation and from estate recovery after death.

Peace of Mind for Seniors and Families: A Partnership policy offers a two-part benefit: it helps cover long-term care costs directly, and it protects savings that might otherwise be spent down to qualify for Medicaid. Families gain the ability to plan for long-term care with more confidence, knowing their savings won't be entirely consumed by care expenses.

Qualified Partnership policies must meet South Carolina's specific requirements, including inflation protection tied to the buyer's age at purchase: compound inflation protection is required under age 61, some inflation protection is required between ages 61 and 75, and no inflation protection is required at 76 or older. Consulting with a qualified LTC Insurance specialist is essential to determine whether a Partnership policy fits your needs and financial situation.

For those with substantial assets to protect, unlimited-benefit LTC Insurance policies may be a better fit, and hybrid policies that include a death benefit are also available.

Is LTC Insurance a Good Choice for South Carolina Residents?

For South Carolina residents looking to protect their retirement income and assets to maintain a lifestyle they are accustomed to and preserve a legacy for their loved ones, Long-Term Care Insurance emerges as an affordable solution.

• Long-Term Care Insurance Cost: Factors, Considerations and Price Ranges

However, LTC Insurance might not be appropriate for individuals with limited resources, who could quickly become eligible for Medicaid's long-term care benefits in South Carolina.

LTC Insurance provides tax-free benefits to support a spectrum of quality care services. Policyholders can adjust their policy benefits to align with their needs and budget. Premium costs are based on variables such as age, health condition, gender, and marital status. Working with an experienced, independent LTC Insurance specialist can help you customize a plan and pinpoint the most cost-effective policies among the various providers.

The state of South Carolina offers a variety of LTC Insurance options, including traditional policies, which may be partnership-certified, hybrid policies with a death benefit, and short-term cash indemnity policies.

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Applying for Long-Term Care Insurance

Coverage is generally secured in one's 40s and 50s when premiums are lower and health is better. However, depending on individual health circumstances, affordable solutions may still be found for those in their 60s and later.

How To Apply For Long-Term Care Insurance

Finding Quality Care in South Carolina

Discover the LTC News Caregiver Directory, your go-to resource for finding quality long-term care options in South Carolina. This extensive directory features detailed information on over 80,000 providers, including home care, adult day care centers, assisted living, memory care, and nursing homes. With the convenience of location-based searching, this free tool simplifies the process of securing quality care for your loved one.

Should your family member have Long-Term Care Insurance, you'll find more choices available. Many providers will inquire about Long-Term Care Insurance early on, opening the door to quality care options in your desired setting.

Preparing Your Family for the Inevitable Aging Process

Every South Carolina family will face the realities of aging, making it crucial to plan ahead to protect your finances and lighten the load on your loved ones. Putting off conversations about long-term care or overlooking affordable Long-Term Care Insurance options can lead to significant financial and emotional strain.

By integrating Long-Term Care Insurance into your retirement plan, you'll gain peace of mind for the future. This strategic move safeguards your savings, including your 401k and other assets, allowing your family to focus on providing love and support rather than bearing the full weight of caregiving responsibilities.

LTC Insurance works for the people of South Carolina, and it can also work for you. 

Frequently Asked Questions About Long-Term Care in South Carolina

Why is South Carolina's aging population increasing demand for long-term care?

South Carolina is one of the nation's fastest-growing retirement destinations. At the same time, longtime residents are living longer and reaching retirement age. As a result, the number of adults age 65 and older is expected to continue rising over the coming decades, increasing demand for in-home care, assisted living, memory care, and nursing homes.

How likely am I to need long-term care?

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 56 percent of Americans turning age 65 will require long-term services and supports that meet the federal definition of needing assistance with at least two Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) or supervision because of cognitive impairment. Planning before retirement can help protect your savings and provide more care choices.

What are long-term care costs in South Carolina in 2026?

The 2026 statewide median monthly costs are approximately:

• Home care (44-hour week): $5,045
• Assisted living (base rate): $4,357 before additional care charges
• Private nursing home room: $9,353

Costs in Charleston, Hilton Head, Greenville, and other metro areas are generally higher than the statewide averages.

How much could long-term care cost in South Carolina by 2046?

If current trends continue, the projected monthly median costs in twenty years are expected to reach approximately:

• Home care: $8,602
• Assisted living (base rate): $7,420, before additional care surcharges
• Private nursing home room: $15,994

These projections illustrate how inflation, caregiver shortages, and increased demand can dramatically increase the financial impact of aging.

Does Medicare pay for long-term care?

No. Medicare generally covers only short-term skilled nursing or rehabilitation after a qualifying hospital stay and when medical requirements are met. It does not pay for ongoing custodial care, supervision due to dementia, or assistance with everyday activities over an extended period. Many families instead rely on personal savings, Long-Term Care Insurance, or Medicaid if they qualify financially.

What does Long-Term Care Insurance cover?

Qualified Long-Term Care Insurance policies can provide tax-free benefits for care received in:

• Your own home
• A family member's home
• Adult day care
• Assisted living
• Memory care
• Nursing homes
• Hospice care (when covered by the policy)

Many policies also include care coordination and professional case management services. Benefits begin once the policy's eligibility requirements are met.

What is the South Carolina Long-Term Care Partnership Program?

The South Carolina Long-Term Care Partnership Program combines Long-Term Care Insurance with dollar-for-dollar Medicaid asset protection. Every dollar your qualified policy pays in benefits protects an equal amount of your assets if you later need Medicaid after exhausting your policy benefits. This protection can also help preserve assets from Medicaid estate recovery.

When is the best time to purchase Long-Term Care Insurance?

Most people obtain Long-Term Care Insurance between ages 47 and 67, when premiums are generally lower and qualifying medically is easier. Waiting until retirement or after health problems develop may reduce available options or increase costs.

Can I still qualify for Long-Term Care Insurance in my 60s?

Yes. Many healthy adults in their 60s still qualify for affordable coverage. Eligibility depends primarily on your current health, medical history, and medications rather than age alone. An independent Long-Term Care Insurance specialist can compare underwriting guidelines from multiple insurance companies to identify the best options.

Where can I find quality long-term care providers in South Carolina?

The LTC News Caregiver Directory helps families locate home care agencies, adult day care centers, assisted living communities, memory care residences, and nursing homes throughout South Carolina. The directory includes more than 80,000 providers nationwide and is free to use.

Why do many care providers ask if someone has Long-Term Care Insurance?

Long-Term Care Insurance gives families greater financial flexibility and often expands access to quality providers. Many home care agencies, assisted living communities, and nursing homes ask about coverage early because policy benefits help pay for care while allowing families to preserve retirement income and assets instead of paying entirely out of pocket.