Murrells Inlet, South Carolina

Respite Care in Murrells Inlet, SC

A few hours, a day or a weekend of cover so the family member doing the caring can rest, work, see a doctor or travel. Post what you need in Murrells Inlet for free and hire a caregiver directly, with no agency mark-up.

A woman and an older man talking across a wooden table at home
Local figures

Respite Care in Murrells Inlet, SC: the local picture

3,846
residents 65 or older (38% of Murrells Inlet)
82%
of residents 65+ in households live with someone, often a family caregiver
31%
of residents 65+ report a disability (29% in Georgetown County)
15
Medicare-certified hospices serve Murrells Inlet ZIP codes

Most older adults in Murrells Inlet live with someone: 82% of residents 65 and older in households do. When one of them needs care, the person they live with usually provides most of it, and respite is what keeps that sustainable.

About 1,191 Murrells Inlet residents aged 65 or older report a disability (31%) (29% in Georgetown County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

Medicare lists 15 hospices serving Murrells Inlet ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.

Murrells Inlet compared with Georgetown County and South Carolina

Census figureMurrells InletGeorgetown CountySouth Carolina
Residents 65+ with a disability31%29%33%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone18%23%27%
Residents 65 or older38%31%19%
Residents 85 or older2.2%2.4%1.8%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)6.7%8.3%11%
Households with no vehicle0.9%5.2%5.7%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+$69,976$61,818—

Older residents in towns around Murrells Inlet

TownDistanceResidents 65+65+ with a disability
Garden City, SC3.8 mi4,87233%
Surfside Beach, SC5.8 mi1,23528%
Litchfield Beach, SC6.6 mi4,35627%
Socastee, SC9.4 mi4,94546%
Forestbrook, SC13 mi2,05826%
Myrtle Beach, SC14 mi9,07928%

Hospices serving Murrells Inlet

HospiceOfficeDistancePhone
Ardent Hospice & Palliative Care Of SC, IncMurrells Inlet, SC0.5 mi(843) 256-3197
Heartland Hospice ServicesMyrtle Beach, SC13 mi(843) 444-0813
Medical Services Of America Hospice - CoastalMyrtle Beach, SC13 mi(803) 957-0500
Tidelands Community Hospice/Tidelands Community HoGeorgetown, SC18 mi(843) 546-3410
Lower Cape Fear LifecareMyrtle Beach, SC20 mi(843) 848-6480

Nursing homes near Murrells Inlet (ask about short stays)

Nursing homeTownDistanceCMS overall ratingCertified bedsPhone
Nhc Healthcare - Garden CityGarden City, SC4.2 mi4 of 5148(843) 650-2213
Lakes At LitchfieldPawleys Island, SC6.4 mi5 of 524(843) 235-9393
Angel Oak Nursing And Rehabilitation Center, LLCMyrtle Beach, SC9.9 mi4 of 588(843) 293-1137
Pruitthealth- Conway At Conway Medical CenterConway, SC16 mi4 of 588(843) 347-8179

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

What it covers

What a respite caregiver can help with

  • Taking over the usual routine while you are away
  • Meals, medication reminders and personal care
  • Company and activities
  • Overnight cover for a weekend or a trip
Cost

What respite care costs in Murrells Inlet

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 22% of the $5,831 monthly median income of Murrells Inlet 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 respite caregiver

Family caregivers carry most long-term care in the U.S., and burnout is a common reason a home arrangement breaks down. The federal National Family Caregiver Support Program funds respite through local Area Agencies on Aging, and the ARCH National Respite Locator lists respite programs by state.

Questions worth asking: Can you do a short paid visit first, while I am home? Are you available at short notice if I am ill? Can you stay overnight, and what do you charge for it? More in our respite care guide.

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

Questions

Respite Care in Murrells Inlet: common questions

Which hospices serve Murrells Inlet?

Medicare lists 15 hospices for Murrells Inlet ZIP codes, including Ardent Hospice & Palliative Care Of SC, Inc, Heartland Hospice Services, Medical Services Of America Hospice - Coastal.

How much does respite care cost in Murrells Inlet?

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 22% of the $5,831 monthly median income of Murrells Inlet 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).

Does Medicaid or Medicare pay for respite care?

Medicare pays for short inpatient respite stays only for people on its hospice benefit (Medicare.gov); the hospices on this page serve Murrells Inlet. Many state Medicaid home and community-based programs, veterans’ programs and the National Family Caregiver Support Program fund respite. Our guide Medicaid programs for family caregivers: who can be paid, and the rules in 12 states covers South Carolina.

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.

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