If your loved one has a memory-related diagnosis, memory care can provide a lifestyle that is tailored to fit their needs. Professional and specialized care allows your loved one to live a fulfilling and dignified life, with a range of social activities and schedules that cater specifically to them. If you are looking at memory care programs in South Carolina, it is crucial to know if your loved one is qualified for them. Here are the memory care requirements in SC for you to take note of.
Memory Care Regulations in SC
South Carolina provides memory care services through assisted living communities, as well as special care units and programs for Alzheimer’s. These communities are licensed by the South Carolina Board of Health and Environmental Control, which allows them to provide personal care, room and board to at least two adults who are not related to the owner of the community. These communities are mandated by law to comply with licensing standards and to maintain continuous licensing through adherence to the requirements stipulated by local, state and federal laws, codes and regulations.
Scope of Care
Memory care communities provide both accommodation and personal care services. These include housekeeping and assistance with daily living activities (such as grooming, exercise, dining, medication management, transportation and more).
Memory care communities must provide residents with at least three meals and snacks per day, and no more than 14 hours should elapse between evening meals and breakfast the following day. Special diets need to be accommodated, and menus for said diets need to be prepared by professionally-qualified personnel or reviewed by a qualified medical provider.
If you are enrolling your loved one in a memory care community in South Carolina, you can rest easy knowing that these communities are well-regulated, with the care of residents taking the highest level of priority.
Qualification Requirements
While memory care communities in South Carolina can admit residents with a range of abilities and needs, there are some restrictions that these communities have to follow. We discuss these further below.
Residents that Can be Admitted
Residents who may be admitted to memory care communities should be aged at least 18 years old, and they must have one or more of the following:
- Alzheimer’s disease or dementia
- Mental health conditions
- Physical disabilities
- Traumatic brain injuries
Residents who Cannot be Admitted
Residents who may not be admitted in memory care communities include those who:
- Pose a danger to themselves and other residents
- Display aggressive, violent or socially-inappropriate behavior
- Have care needs that cannot be met by the facility
- Require a feeding tube
- Require medication that necessitates frequent adjustments to the dosage
- Require assistance with all daily living activities for a period longer than 14-days
If you have any questions about whether your loved one is qualified for memory care in South Carolina, feel free to contact us for further information. We are proud and honored to provide a memory care program that nourishes our residents’ sense of self, fosters a strong community, and encourages accomplishment and independence.
