Dementia Care in Darlington, SC: In-Home Alzheimer's Care

Local figures

Dementia Care in Darlington, SC: the local picture

229

residents 85 or older (3.7% of all residents)

1,581

residents 65 or older (26% of Darlington)

44%

of residents 65+ report a disability (35% in Darlington County)

6+

Medicare-certified nursing homes within 25 miles

Darlington has about 229 residents aged 85 or older among 1,581 aged 65 or older. The risk of Alzheimer’s rises steeply with age, and the Alzheimer’s Association estimates that about a third of people 85 and older have Alzheimer’s dementia.

44% of residents 65 and older report a disability (35% in Darlington County). The Census counts cognitive difficulty as one kind, alongside hearing, vision, walking, self-care and living independently.

36% of older Darlington residents in households live alone. For someone with memory loss who lives alone, a few hours of daily check-ins are often the first step.

Darlington compared with Darlington County and South Carolina

Census figure	Darlington	Darlington County	South Carolina
Residents 85 or older	3.7%	1.8%	1.8%
Residents 65 or older	26%	20%	19%
Residents 65+ with a disability	44%	35%	33%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	36%	30%	27%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	22%	15%	11%
Residents 5+ who speak a language other than English at home	2.3%	3.3%	8.4%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$35,882	$38,835	—

Older residents in towns around Darlington

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	Residents 85+
Florence, SC	9.5 mi	7,201	593
Hartsville, SC	13 mi	1,138	148
North Hartsville, SC	14 mi	615	0
Bishopville, SC	22 mi	703	57
Bennettsville, SC	25 mi	1,410	190
Cheraw, SC	28 mi	944	130

Nursing homes near Darlington

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Oakhaven Nursing Center	Darlington, SC	0.3 mi	5 of 5	88	(843) 398-7041
Medford Nursing Center	Darlington, SC	0.9 mi	4 of 5	88	(843) 398-7000
Bethea Baptist Healthcare Center	Darlington, SC	3.3 mi	3 of 5	88	(843) 393-2867
Presbyterian Communities Of South Carolina-Florenc	Florence, SC	5.1 mi	5 of 5	25	(843) 665-2222
Honorage Nursing Center	Florence, SC	7.2 mi	5 of 5	88	(843) 665-6172
Carlyle Senior Care Of Florence	Florence, SC	7.9 mi	1 of 5	88	(843) 669-4374

Hospices serving Darlington

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
United Hospice Of The Pee Dee	Florence, SC	9.7 mi	(843) 662-8633
Amedisys Hospice Of South Carolina	Florence, SC	9.7 mi	(803) 774-4036
Mcleod Hcs - Hospice Of The Pee Dee	Florence, SC	9.7 mi	(843) 777-2564
Medical Services Of America Hospice - Coastal	Myrtle Beach, SC	69 mi	(803) 957-0500

Straight-line miles from the center of Darlington. Medicare (CMS) data, October 2026; call ahead to confirm. We are not affiliated with these providers.

What it covers

What a dementia caregiver can help with

Keeping a predictable daily routine
Gentle help with bathing, dressing and toileting
Meals, hydration and medication reminders
Calming approaches for sundowning, agitation and repeated questions

Cost

What dementia care costs in Darlington

At the South Carolina median aide wage of $14.48 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,255 a month in wages, which is 42% of the $2,990 monthly median income of Darlington households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. South Carolina has no state minimum wage law, so the federal minimum of $7.25 an hour applies to employers covered by the Fair Labor Standards Act (U.S. Department of Labor).

Hiring directly, you agree the rate with the caregiver and usually become the household employer (U.S. Department of Labor rules). Some families qualify for programs that pay for care at home; see Medicaid programs for family caregivers: who can be paid, and the rules in 12 states.

Before you hire

What to know before hiring a dementia caregiver

An estimated 7.2 million Americans aged 65 and older are living with Alzheimer’s dementia, according to the Alzheimer’s Association 2025 Facts and Figures. Most live at home, cared for by family. The Association’s 24/7 Helpline (1-800-272-3900) is free.

Questions worth asking: Tell me about someone with dementia you cared for. What worked? What do you do when a client becomes agitated in the late afternoon? How do you keep someone safe who tries to leave the house? More in our dementia care guide.

CaregiverConnect does not run background checks. Check identity, references and any certification yourself before anyone starts. The Safety Center explains how.

Questions

Dementia Care in Darlington: common questions

What nursing homes are near Darlington?

The closest Medicare-certified nursing homes are Oakhaven Nursing Center in Darlington (0.3 mi, 5 of 5 overall); Medford Nursing Center in Darlington (0.9 mi, 4 of 5 overall); Bethea Baptist Healthcare Center in Darlington (3.3 mi, 3 of 5 overall). Ratings are from Medicare Care Compare.

How much does dementia care cost in Darlington?

At the South Carolina median aide wage of $14.48 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,255 a month in wages, which is 42% of the $2,990 monthly median income of Darlington households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. South Carolina has no state minimum wage law, so the federal minimum of $7.25 an hour applies to employers covered by the Fair Labor Standards Act (U.S. Department of Labor).

When does someone with dementia need care at home?

Common signs are missed meals or medication, getting lost in familiar places, unsafe cooking or driving, and a family caregiver who is exhausted. Many families start with a few hours a day and add hours, nights or live-in help as the disease progresses.

More near Darlington

More senior care near Darlington

Dementia Care in nearby cities

Other care in Darlington

More for Darlington families

Sources

Census ACS 2020–2024 5-year; CMS provider data (October 25, 2026); U.S. DOL state minimum wages (July 1, 2026); BLS OEWS May 2025 aide wages, which cover employed aides rather than private rates.

In-Home Dementia and Alzheimer's Care in Darlington, SC