Respite Care in North Charleston, 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 North Charleston for free and hire a caregiver directly, with no agency mark-up.
Respite Care in North Charleston, SC: the local picture
Most older adults in North Charleston live with someone: 64% 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 5,385 North Charleston residents aged 65 or older report a disability (37%) (27% in Charleston County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.
Medicare lists 22 hospices serving North Charleston ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.
North Charleston compared with Charleston County and South Carolina
| Census figure | North Charleston | Charleston County | South Carolina |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residents 65+ with a disability | 37% | 27% | 33% |
| Residents 65+ in households who live alone | 36% | 29% | 27% |
| Residents 65 or older | 12% | 18% | 19% |
| Residents 85 or older | 1.2% | 1.9% | 1.8% |
| Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.) | 15% | 8.9% | 11% |
| Households with no vehicle | 7.2% | 5.9% | 5.7% |
| Median income, households headed by someone 65+ | $44,767 | $65,198 | — |
Older residents in towns around North Charleston
| Town | Distance | Residents 65+ | 65+ with a disability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hanahan, SC | 3.8 mi | 2,750 | 44% |
| Goose Creek, SC | 6.2 mi | 5,855 | 38% |
| Ladson, SC | 6.8 mi | 1,645 | 41% |
| Charleston, SC | 8.2 mi | 25,374 | 28% |
| Sangaree, SC | 8.7 mi | 980 | 38% |
| Summerville, SC | 9.0 mi | 8,370 | 39% |
Hospices serving North Charleston
| Hospice | Office | Distance | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hospice Of Charleston | North Charleston, SC | 2.2 mi | (803) 529-3100 |
| Agape Hospice Of The Lowcountry | North Charleston, SC | 6.2 mi | (843) 598-4536 |
| Interim Health Care Hospice Of Charleston | North Charleston, SC | 6.2 mi | (843) 554-1410 |
| Musc Health Hospice At Home By Bayada-Charleston | Charleston, SC | 6.2 mi | (843) 416-4020 |
| Roper St Francis Hospice | Ladson, SC | 6.3 mi | (843) 402-3260 |
Nursing homes near North Charleston (ask about short stays)
| Nursing home | Town | Distance | CMS overall rating | Certified beds | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Reserve Healthcare And Rehabilitation | Charleston, SC | 2.6 mi | 5 of 5 | 135 | (843) 553-0656 |
| White Oak Manor - Charleston | Charleston, SC | 4.0 mi | 4 of 5 | 176 | (843) 797-8282 |
| Life Care Center Of Charleston | N Charleston, SC | 4.3 mi | 3 of 5 | 148 | (843) 764-3500 |
| Riverside Health And Rehab | Charleston, SC | 6.0 mi | 1 of 5 | 160 | (843) 744-2750 |
Straight-line miles from the center of North Charleston. Medicare (CMS) data, October 2026; call ahead to confirm. We are not affiliated with these providers.
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
What respite care costs in North Charleston
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 34% of the $3,731 monthly median income of North Charleston 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.
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.
Respite Care in North Charleston: common questions
Which hospices serve North Charleston?
Medicare lists 22 hospices for North Charleston ZIP codes, including Hospice Of Charleston, Agape Hospice Of The Lowcountry, Interim Health Care Hospice Of Charleston.
How much does respite care cost in North Charleston?
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 34% of the $3,731 monthly median income of North Charleston 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 North Charleston. 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.
More senior care near North Charleston
Respite Care in nearby cities
- Respite Care in Hanahan, SC
- Respite Care in Goose Creek, SC
- Respite Care in Ladson, SC
- Respite Care in Charleston, SC
- Respite Care in Sangaree, SC
- Respite Care in Summerville, SC
- Respite Care in Ravenel, SC
- Respite Care in Mount Pleasant, SC
- Respite Care in Hollywood, SC
- Respite Care in James Island, SC
- Respite Care in Isle of Palms, SC
- Respite Care in Moncks Corner, SC
- Respite Care in Walterboro, SC
- Respite Care in Wyboo, SC
- Respite Care in Andrews, SC
- Respite Care in Beaufort, SC
Other care in North Charleston
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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