It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always.
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic Charles Towne Landing State Historic Site gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Charleston, SC is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
“Best Senior Service Care in Charleston to work for. Christine and Rick are very positive”
“Very Professional and excellent staff.”
“Our family has been using the services of Always Best Care for the past six”
“I cannot say enough wonderful things about Always Best Care Charleston! I am truly blessed”
“Always Best Care caregivers have been taking care of Dad for over a year. We”
“Like most I was not prepared for the transition to being the responsible one for”
“We have had several senior services for my Mother that we were really not happy”
“Good Afternoon! I hope you're doing well! I wanted you to know that my dad”
“The absolute best caregiving company to work for hands down! Rick and Christine are genuine,”
“This is a great company to work for. All their caregivers are dedicated and caring.”
“These people are lifesavers! We searched for months to find an in-home care agency for”
“Always Best Care has constantly provided quality care services for my wife over many months”
“Couldn’t imagine a better team of people to take care of my loved ones. Rick”
“Rick and Christine, of Always Best Care Charleston, are the exact people I would trust”
“I've known Christine and Ricky Johnson for more than 30 years and would highly recommend”
“I joined Always Best Care as the Director of Operations about 3 months ago. I”
“I have known Christine and Rick for years. Their actions and words repeatedly demonstrate their”
“I couldn't be happier that Ricky and Christine Johnson have joined Always Best Care Senior”
“How fortunate the Charleston community is to have Always Best Care to serve the needs”
“I have known Christine and Rick Johnson both professionally and personally for over 20 years”
“Best Senior Service Care in Charleston to work for. Christine and Rick are very positive and supportive and for that I love my Job.”
“Very Professional and excellent staff.”
“Our family has been using the services of Always Best Care for the past six months and are grateful for the assistance provided to my elderly parents. Initially Rick, one of the owners, met with us along with my parents to closely assess their needs. His warm, friendly manner was helpful in persuading my father to give the assistance a try for two days per week. Rick listened carefully to choose the best match in caregivers, and we could not be more satisfied than we are with our parents' caregiver. She has quickly become essential in their lives and makes a huge difference in whether or not they can remain in their home. Her manner with my parents is professional, but loving, always--- always--- going the extra mile to meet their needs. She is knowledgeable, hard-working, caring, and trusted to do what is in their best interest. We are thankful that someone told us about Always Best Care and ever grateful for our caregiver.”
“I cannot say enough wonderful things about Always Best Care Charleston! I am truly blessed to be a part of such a wonderful team! Christine and Rick are very dedicated to the work that they are doing, and it shows in everything they do. I have never had the pleasure of working for a company with more passionate and involved owners. They show up for their clients and caregivers in every way possible. They go above and beyond to treat everyone like family and enrich the lives of those around them. I am so grateful to be able to be a part of this journey and cannot wait to see all the great things they will accomplish!”
“Always Best Care caregivers have been taking care of Dad for over a year. We appreciate Christine and Rick very much. Quentin, Ann, Alexus , you and others have been a joy to have in our home and doing whatever needs to be done. You show your care and concern for Dad’s physical and emotional well being and you have become part of our family. I really rely on you when we can’t be home and know Dad is in good hands!!! Keep up the good work!!! Love you all.”
“Like most I was not prepared for the transition to being the responsible one for my Mom. Looking back there were signs of memory decline but after emergency surgery and move to rehab the combative paranoid person my sweet, witty, well read , soft spoken Mom became was shocking. Medication and skilled care were prescribed. Several missteps were made with both. Mom’s dark side resulted in first skilled care company dropping us which I totally understood. I was very straight with Christine and Rick regarding Mom’s recent ‘trips out on the ledge’. Rather than politely taking a pass on us...they spent 2 hours in person with us, 3 cumulative hours on the phone asking me questions and strategizing how to avoid the triggers that put Mom ‘on the ledge’, and 2 twelve hour days observing, testing and tweaking strategies. We are approaching 2 months with no major or reportable incidents. I don’t know how long this again found quality of life will last. I am thankful that one of the nurses referred me to ABC. I am tremendously thankful to be their client for the remainder of this journey.”
“We have had several senior services for my Mother that we were really not happy with, then we found Rick and his staff with Always Best Care. There name says it all ... always the best care. Their staff are warm, caring and assist my Mother seven days a week, and she loves seeing Rick. I couldn't ask for better care & highly recommend them to anyone who needs this type of service.”
“Good Afternoon! I hope you're doing well! I wanted you to know that my dad LOVES Rick and so does Amya!! I can't thank you guys enough for all that you guys are doing, not only for my father but me! Rick went out of his way today and that truly meant a lot :) My dad is so happy and that makes me happy! you guys rock!! thank you!!!”
“The absolute best caregiving company to work for hands down! Rick and Christine are genuine, loving individuals which make them amazing business owners/ bosses. They do not hesitate to make their employees and clients happy. I’m so thankful to have met these amazing people and be apart of their outstanding company.”
“This is a great company to work for. All their caregivers are dedicated and caring.”
“These people are lifesavers! We searched for months to find an in-home care agency for my aging mother. Previous agencies we used had high turnover and repeated no-shows, leaving us scrambling to adjust and worried sick about Covid exposure from a revolving door of caregivers. Christine and her staff came to our rescue and changed all that. Their caregivers were patient, loving, dedicated and RELIABLE. They provide service at the highest level and we would wholeheartedly recommend them to others. My mother deserves the best care and I wouldn't use anyone else.”
“Always Best Care has constantly provided quality care services for my wife over many months of required assistance. The caregivers provide professional services with a loving touch. They have always addressed any questions or concerns immediately with kindness. The administration checks with me, periodically, for a review and any input for improvement. I highly recommend this company.”
“Couldn’t imagine a better team of people to take care of my loved ones. Rick and Christine are the kindest and most genuine people. Their years of work in the customer service industry truly show through the care they provide to others. Aside from the physical and emotional care they provide, which is most important, they are reliable, punctual, trustworthy, and their connections with others last a lifetime. Everyone is family with Rick and Christine.”
“Rick and Christine, of Always Best Care Charleston, are the exact people I would trust and choose to care for my aging loved ones. They are loving, patient, knowledgeable and extremely detail oriented. They have decades of experience in the customer service industry and truly value the relationships with each of their clients.”
“I've known Christine and Ricky Johnson for more than 30 years and would highly recommend their services! They've built businesses from the ground up and this one is / will be a perfect fit for them and their clients. They come from, and have created, a large family where assisting others is part of their everyday lives. Their caring nature, solid work ethic and integrity will be highlighted through Always Best Care Senior Services Charleston and will be to the benefit of clients' loved ones.”
“I joined Always Best Care as the Director of Operations about 3 months ago. I bring 15 years experience in senior living to this brand new non medical home care company. We have put together an excellent team of personal assistant’s and are ready to accept new clients.”
“I have known Christine and Rick for years. Their actions and words repeatedly demonstrate their high expectation of what it takes to nurture a loving family and to be active members of a positive, supportive community. Both clients and employees will benefit from their consistent standard of compassionate honesty & integrity as well as the positive energy they bring to every encounter. I recommend them without reservation.”
“I couldn't be happier that Ricky and Christine Johnson have joined Always Best Care Senior Services. From years of experience in dedicated customer service to the love and care of their own (and extended) family, this is a wonderful fit! The Johnson's tireless work ethic, attention to detail and heart for people should give family members of clients absolute confidence and trust in their care. Bravo!”
“How fortunate the Charleston community is to have Always Best Care to serve the needs of seniors. Rick and Christine Johnson, known for their dedication to helping others, have prayerfully commited to finding and nurturing the best team possible to assist them on this mission. Thank you, Rick and Christine, for offering families peace of mind for the care of loved ones.”
“I have known Christine and Rick Johnson both professionally and personally for over 20 years now. I know them to be caring and loving. I with no reservations would have them care for my 93 year old father, If I still lived in the Charleston area. I can not state a higher praise to their character and integrity than that. Allen Sandridge”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Hampton Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Magnolias or visit Middleton Place, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Charleston, SC, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Charleston, SC understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Charleston, SC 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
A long-held tradition since 1866, the annual celebration of Juneteenth was made a federal holiday in 2021 by President Joe Biden. This year, Charleston can expect plenty of fun and educational regional events highlighting the works of Black-owned businesses and honoring African American traditions.Beyond Emancipation Day, communities will be excited to find that a whole week of activities has been planned by local community leaders. J19 Week returns for another year of honoring Charleston's Black voices with memorable festivities....
A long-held tradition since 1866, the annual celebration of Juneteenth was made a federal holiday in 2021 by President Joe Biden. This year, Charleston can expect plenty of fun and educational regional events highlighting the works of Black-owned businesses and honoring African American traditions.
Beyond Emancipation Day, communities will be excited to find that a whole week of activities has been planned by local community leaders. J19 Week returns for another year of honoring Charleston's Black voices with memorable festivities.
"This year’s fifth anniversary is more than a milestone — it’s a movement," said Latisha Manigault, cofounder of J19 Week. "We’re proud to see this celebration grow each year as more people connect with the history of Juneteenth and the beauty of the Gullah Geechee culture. J19 Week is about unity, empowerment and honoring the journey."
Vice President Sean Smith added, "This isn’t just a festival — it’s a family. Whether you’re a longtime supporter or a first-time attendee, J19 Week is where everyone can feel seen, celebrated and inspired. We invite the entire community to come out and be part of this incredible experience."
Among events, Liberty Hill will be honored with a unifying parade followed by a celebration perfect for those looking to honor Black artisans, preview some of their community's local vendors and hear from leaders in this historic African American community.
"We hope people will better understand our history and why we celebrate the significance of our freedom. And really build up a sense of hope, setting goals for our future, paying homage to our ancestors and their resilience and that sense of camaraderie that we can impart to our children," stated Hester McFadden, president of the Liberty Hill Historical and Genealogical Society.
With everything from jazz concerts to family-style cookouts, there is something for everyone to enjoy. Here's how to celebrate Juneteenth in the Lowcountry.
What: Celebrate Juneteenth with your community in a space dedicated to reflection, healing and joy. Grammy-nominated artist Mumu Fresh joins other artists and storytellers in an evening of music, food and fun.
When: Noon-5 p.m. June 19
Where: International African American Museum, 14 Wharfside St., Charleston
Price: Free
More Info: tinyurl.com/3tsek3hu
What: Experience a proper block party presented by MOJA Arts Fest in celebration of Juneteenth. There will be local artisan and food vendors to peruse, live entertainment from Motown singer Charles Grant, live painting by Kolpeace, performances by the Harambee Dance Company and more.
When: 6-9 p.m. June 19
Where: Ann Street (Between King and Meeting streets)
Price: Free
More Info: tinyurl.com/5erenxnu
What: Enjoy a night of tasty hors d'oeuvres and some Lowcountry tunes from featured jazz artist Marcus Johnson as well as Reggie Graves and the Theory Band.
When: 7-10 p.m. June 19
Where: The Admiral House, 1100 Navy Way, North Charleston
Price: $32-$81
More Info: tinyurl.com/2tp5nj2y
What: Magnolia hosts their upcoming Juneteenth speaker series with Polly Sheppard, a survivor of the Mother Emanuel AME Church shooting, another speaker series with author Margaret Seidler and artist John W. Jones, an interactive historic slave cabins tour and a solemn reading of the names lost to slavery at Magnolia Gardens with special a cappella performances.
When: 6 p.m. June 19-6:30 p.m. June 21
Where: Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, 3550 Ashley River Road, Charleston
Price: Free
More Info: tinyurl.com/262jxm82
NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) - A relatively new nonprofit is working to provide affordable housing to Lowcountry and Palmetto State adults with nowhere else to turn.The organization Berry Manor Boarding Home specializes in both memory care and supportive housing. They provide affordable, long-term, nonmedical residential care to elderly, disabled and memory-impaired adults—including U.S. Veterans and people suffering from conditions like Alzheimer’s and dementia.Founder Deanna Miller-Berry says what they’re d...
NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) - A relatively new nonprofit is working to provide affordable housing to Lowcountry and Palmetto State adults with nowhere else to turn.
The organization Berry Manor Boarding Home specializes in both memory care and supportive housing. They provide affordable, long-term, nonmedical residential care to elderly, disabled and memory-impaired adults—including U.S. Veterans and people suffering from conditions like Alzheimer’s and dementia.
Founder Deanna Miller-Berry says what they’re doing is a completely new approach to addressing the needs of people who are falling through the gaps of the health care system. Veterans without support from Veterans Affairs and seniors with pending disability claims are at the top of her client list.
“The whole premise of our program is making sure when these families trust their loved ones to us, they know that they’re going to be loved,” Miller-Berry says. “They know they’re going to be cared for and we’re going to make sure they get the health care that they need. Between good, old-fashioned science with basic, holistic foundations of community and love, this is what we are building.”
This week, Miller-Berry and her team are opening up their eighth home, this one in North Charleston. At least six people will live in the home.
Every day, a small, but dedicated, staff will spend hours at each home, cooking meals, reminding residents to take their medications and helping them set up home health care.
Miller-Berry says communal living is the key to making this system work. Many of the seniors are on fixed incomes that are too low to afford housing, health care and necessities.
She says they provide those things, like food and beds, in a home-style setting that helps clients with memory issues connect with their environment. While they leave the actual medical care to outside nurses and doctors, Miller-Berry says having a community can work wonders on health.
“We pride ourselves on making sure that we provide an atmosphere that’s conducive for healing. We use a very holistic approach, which is old-school traditional love. Literally,” Miller-Berry says. We take the time to be able to pour into them in a way that makes them feel like they’re still a part of society and they’re still contributing to building what we call all our new community of folks.
The nonprofit is rapidly expanding with new homes popping up throughout the state all the time. Berry-Miller says she expects to go from the current eight homes to 17 homes by the end of the year.
Copyright 2025 WCSC. All rights reserved.
Top Chef contestant Shuai Wang does not think of himself as a competitive person. "I'm one of those people who thinks everyone deserves a trophy for participating," he says.And yet, the Charleston chef did really well on the television cooking show - making it all the way to the finale."Prior to going on Top Chef, I felt very stuck," Wang says. He thought he'd peaked. But being in competition mode, learning from other chefs, he says, "it kind of just rejuvenated my creativity...
Top Chef contestant Shuai Wang does not think of himself as a competitive person. "I'm one of those people who thinks everyone deserves a trophy for participating," he says.
And yet, the Charleston chef did really well on the television cooking show - making it all the way to the finale.
"Prior to going on Top Chef, I felt very stuck," Wang says. He thought he'd peaked. But being in competition mode, learning from other chefs, he says, "it kind of just rejuvenated my creativity." In one episode, he cooked with ants that he'd foraged and gently toasted. They tasted like lemons, he said, "such a wonderful, zingy flavor."
When he's not off filming a reality show, Shuai Wang is usually in North Charleston, South Carolina, with his wife and business partner, Corrie Wang. The couple met working at a restaurant in New York City. They moved south 10 years ago and had a food truck before opening their first restaurant, Jackrabbit Filly, named after their zodiac signs, and then a second restaurant, King BBQ.
Catie Dull/NPR
Catie Dull/NPR
It opened a year and half ago in a building that was, at various times, an ad agency, a church and a lunch counter, says Shuai. It's a beautiful space, with lots of personal touches. A pair of lions standing guard out front and the tile ceiling were custom made and shipped from Beijing, where Shuai was born. Framed portraits of the couple's dogs line the hallway. Red Chinese tassels hang from the ceiling and the walls are painted jade green - for good fortune.
The Wangs call their menu "Chinatown BBQ made with southern smoke." It, too, is full of personal touches. Krab rangoon with buttermilk hush puppies and hot honey. Chinese BBQ egg rolls with habanero duck sauce. "I cook from nostalgia," Chef Wang says.
Catie Dull/NPR
Catie Dull/NPR
The first dish Shuai cooks for NPR rings that bell - crispy, smoked duck on top of noodles with bok choy.
"That's just my fondest memory of growing up in New York," he says, "my parents taking me to Flushing on the weekends, or late nights after work, going down to Chinatown."
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Catie Dull/NPR
Shuai Wang remembers that when he was a young boy in Beijing, Communist China was still handing out food rations. So his grandma, who helped raise him, had to stretch her portion of rice and allotment of lard to feed the family.
He likens it to how enslaved families in the South improvised using the scraps they were left with to make a meal.
"That's why I feel so connected with Southern food, right?" he says. "That's where collard greens came from. The field peas, the butter beans."
Wang immigrated to the United States when he was nine, where his mom took over the cooking. He calls her the "OG Top Chef." But he didn't find his own love of cooking until high school. "I had to take a culinary class in my last two years to make up credits for all the classes that I 'accidentally missed,'" he laughs.
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The next plate he makes - chili tofu, a take on mapo tofu - is an homage to Shuai and Corrie's relationship. "That's the first dish that Corrie and I shared on our first date," Shuai explains. "I immediately scooped it up and put it in my mouth, not thinking that it would be a million degrees. And I spat it right out onto my plate, and everywhere."
Corrie didn't leave, and that's how they knew it was meant to be. "We're both like, crying… everything's so spicy and hot," adds Corrie. "It was a great time."
Catie Dull/NPR
This version of chili tofu is done in a fancy, Hamburger Helper, Asian-Italian style, with soft tofu, a sweet, spicy, tangy chili sauce and local ground pork on a bed of pasta, topped with mozzarella cheese. Tofu and mozzarella sound a little funky? Somehow, it really works.
"I get crazy ideas," Shuai Wang says. "I have a million and one crazy ideas. Sometimes they work, sometimes they don't, you know?"
Catie Dull/NPR
Corrie Wang says she's seen a natural progression as they've developed the restaurants where Shuai is "just creating legit Chinese food" rather than making gimmicky dishes.
"I just realized I really just want to embrace myself and my culture and cook Chinese food," he says.
After his Top Chef stint, Shuai is taking all his crazy ideas, his heritage and a renewed spirit of adventure and creativity into the future. "I realized oh, I didn't peak," he says. "Chinese food has 500 years of history. I've explored very little of it."
MOUNT PLEASANT — The S.C. Shrimpers Association is suing the 40 unidentified Charleston-area restaurants that were recently found to be selling imported shrimp following a genetic study by a Texas-based research firm.The federal complaint, filed June 13 on behalf of the association by attorney Gedney Howe IV, accuses the restaurants of false advertising and violating ...
MOUNT PLEASANT — The S.C. Shrimpers Association is suing the 40 unidentified Charleston-area restaurants that were recently found to be selling imported shrimp following a genetic study by a Texas-based research firm.
The federal complaint, filed June 13 on behalf of the association by attorney Gedney Howe IV, accuses the restaurants of false advertising and violating South Carolina's Unfair Trade Practices Act.
That statute states that knowingly misrepresenting food as a South Carolina-produced product is an unfair trade practice.
Joined by representatives and chefs from nearby restaurants, Howe and association leaders announced the lawsuit from the humid docks of Shem Creek.
"These boys don't want a lot. They just want to be able to work and earn a living and continue the work that their parents and grandparents that came before them did," Howe said.
The defendants, called John Doe Restaurants 1-40 in the complaint, were secretly tested by SeaD Consulting, a Texas-based research firm, in late May.
A team took small samples of cooked shrimp sold by the restaurants, some of which were labeled on menus as being wild-caught in the United States. Some locations were selected for using shrimp boats and other imagery. The 40 establishments named in the lawsuit were found to be selling imported shrimp, not U.S.-caught shrimp.
Because SeaD Consulting did not release the names of the 40 restaurants they claimed were misleading consumers on June 10, it’s unclear if all the defendants were publicly advertising local, wild-caught shrimp but serving the imported product.
A representative for SeaD Consulting said the company had not seen the lawsuit and declined to comment.
The complaint alleges that passing off imported, farm-raised shrimp as wild-caught threatens to "irreparably harm the strong reputation and customer goodwill" earned by South Carolina shrimpers.
Rocky Magwood, president of the S.C. Shrimpers Association and a fourth-generation shrimper, said he has spent his entire life fighting to keep the industry alive. He hopes the testing results, and the subsequent lawsuit, can change the tide for the dying industry.
"Now that we we have some proof ... hopefully we can get something to come out of this, because it's wrong," Magwood said. "It's been a long time coming."
The association is seeking monetary damages, an amount to be determined at trial, as well as an injunction against the 40 restaurants. The injunction would prohibit restaurants from labeling imported or farm-raised shrimp as wild-caught or local, Howe said.
For many, the genetic testing results published June 10 by SeaD Consulting were shocking. For others, the fact that only four of the 44 restaurants sampled served wild-caught shrimp came as no surprise.
Kerry Marhefka, a biologist and member of the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council, suspected that if every restaurant in the tri-county area were to be tested, the ratio would be about the same.
"It's a huge problem, and it's not just shrimp," Marhefka said.
There are reasons for serving imported seafood, Marhefka said, whether it's access or cost of goods. But the issue in this case, she said, is whether some restaurateurs are lying about what's on their menus.
"Don't try to pass off to the public that it's local when it's not," Marhefka said. "The key is to be honest."
She does have one concern about the study: By not naming the supposed offenders, researchers have put the entire restaurant industry on the defensive to say they are not one of the 40, Marhefka said.
Allison Cagle, an owner of The Wreck of the Richard and Charlene restaurant off Shem Creek, said the seafood establishment tucked away on Haddrell Street in Mount Pleasant has "only ever served locally sourced shrimp right here from our South Carolina shrimpers."
"While we were very happy with the testing, finally, it was the manner in which the results were reported, I was kind of shocked," she said. "The exclusion felt purposeful, even though I'm quite sure it wasn't, but there are a lot of people in this area serving nothing but great locally-sourced shrimp."
Local purveyors like Tarvin Seafood have taken to social media to highlight the many restaurants that do serve local shrimp. Still, the news has sent waves of chatter through the dining community.
"I know a lot of restaurants here in Charleston are probably using the shrimp that are being outsourced. They get at a cheaper price, but at the end of the day, it's hurting our families that are around here," said Grant Smith, director of restaurants for Miller's All Day.
Parker Milner contributed to this report.
CHARLESTON — Fixing the structural issues that forced Dockside condominium tower residents to evacuate could cost $151 million, the building's homeowner association now estimates.In February, some 200 residents were forced from their homes inside Charleston's tallest building — other than a church steeple — and also from the surrounding townhomes ...
CHARLESTON — Fixing the structural issues that forced Dockside condominium tower residents to evacuate could cost $151 million, the building's homeowner association now estimates.
In February, some 200 residents were forced from their homes inside Charleston's tallest building — other than a church steeple — and also from the surrounding townhomes after engineers found the condo tower unsafe.
The evacuated owners are still in the process of gathering their possessions from the 19-story building, but will soon have to make a difficult decision: repair or sell.
A spokeswoman for the building's association board said all owners will first consider whether to repair the structural issues. No date has been set for holding that vote, but the spokeswoman said it would likely take place early this summer.
The costly repair bill would be apportioned across all owners. That includes not only the tower's 112 condominiums, but also the surrounding 21 townhomes, which don't have the same structural deficiencies — an argument made in a lawsuit challenging the evacuation order.
Each owner's share of the bill is based on their ownership percentage of the building, which varies condo to condo. A larger apartment might bear more than 1 percent share, meaning that owner would pay more than $1.5 million for the repairs.
Up until recently, the condos typically sold for upward of $500,000.
In some cases, the repairs could cost some owner three times what they paid for their home.
It's unclear exactly what the $151 million projected price tag would cover.
But a March letter from the engineers hired by the condo association laid out several next steps that include installation of temporary shoring, asbestos remediation, further testing and design of the necessary retrofits.
Engineers from Wiss, Janney and Elstner, a national construction engineering firm that Dockside hired after a condo in Florida collapsed killing 98 people, found that the concrete slabs that make up Dockside's upper stories aren’t strong or thick enough to carry the weight of the building, its furnishings and residents. Any additional load could cause the building's columns to burst through the slab.
Engineers call this "punching shear failure."
Brandon E. Ross, professor at the Glenn Department of Civil Engineering at Clemson University, explained the concept in layman's terms using a pencil and a Styrofoam plate. A pencil standing vertically represents a building's columns, and the plate is the slab floor. Excessive pressure on the plate causes the pencil to punch through and the plate to collapse.
That's what happened to Champlain Towers South in Florida, according to WJE, the same firm now assessing Dockside. A primary structural element failed on the ground floor, resulting in the failure of adjoining elements that ultimately caused the eastern half of the 12-story tower to pancake.
The structural defects in Dockside stem from the building's construction more than 50 years ago, and are not the result of degradation over time.
But there are ways to address punching shear issues, Ross said.
"Basically, punching shear is all about how strong is the connection between the floors and the columns, and you need to improve that," he said. "Some ways that they can do that is go to the top of the column, right underneath the floor, and add additional structure around the column."
That could take the form of steel angles, carbon fiber wraps, or a cap or crown around the top of the column, the professor described.
"Basically, you're creating a pedestal at the top of the column for the slab to sit on," he said.
Returning to his pencil and plate analogy, he continued: "It would be like if you glued a quarter to the top of the pencil before you tried to push it through the Styrofoam. You've spread out the column. You made it bigger, so to speak, and that makes it harder for the slab to punch through. It increases the punching capacity."
According to the March letter, WJE has already designed conceptual "collars and corbels" that will serve a similar function as Ross' quarter.
In order to access the column, the existing floor and ceiling finishes must be removed from around each of Dockside's 702 columns, according to WJE. This demolition work prompts the asbestos remediation, which can be costly on its own because it requires special permitting and expertise to remove and contain the cancer-causing fibers.
This also indicates why the evacuation was necessary, aside from the concerns over safety should the building collapse. Many of the columns are inside condos where residents were living.
There has been no timeline given for repairs.
The WJE letter said it would take nine months to a year for their engineers to preform additional testing, and that is only after temporary supports are installed and the demo is done.
No demolition or repair work is likely to start until all residents have removed their belongings. The protracted move-out, two apartments at a time, is expected to take through the end of June.
If the former residents decide not to save the harbor front property at 330 Concord Street, just south of Union Pier, they could vote to sell to a developer.
But all owners would have to agree to the sale.
Reach Ali Rockett at 843-901-1708. Follow her on Twitter @AliRockettPC.
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