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Taking care of your Loved One Is What We Do BEST!

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.

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Home Care In Sullivans Island, SC

Home Care Sullivans Island, SC

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 Fort Moultrie National Historical Park 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 Sullivans Island, SC is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.

 In-Home Care Sullivans Island, SC

location Service Areas

The Always Best Care Difference

Since 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.

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TESTIMONIALS

“Best Senior Service Care in Charleston to work for. Christine and Rick are very positive and supportive and for that I love my Job.”

Naquala F.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Very Professional and excellent staff.”

Mary J.
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TESTIMONIALS

“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.”

Merrie F.
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TESTIMONIALS

“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!”

Candice S.
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TESTIMONIALS

“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.”

Milly H.
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TESTIMONIALS

“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.”

Suzanne F.
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TESTIMONIALS

“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.”

ANDREA W.
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TESTIMONIALS

“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!!!”

Michelle H.
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TESTIMONIALS

“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.”

Haley J.
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TESTIMONIALS

“This is a great company to work for. All their caregivers are dedicated and caring.”

Anne L.
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TESTIMONIALS

“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.”

Brad/Barb H.
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TESTIMONIALS

“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.”

Larry B.
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TESTIMONIALS

“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.”

Kaylyn W.
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TESTIMONIALS

“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.”

Tricia J.
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TESTIMONIALS

“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.”

Michelle L.
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TESTIMONIALS

“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.”

Lisa M.
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TESTIMONIALS

“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.”

Corey H.
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TESTIMONIALS

“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!”

Caroline J.
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TESTIMONIALS

“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.”

Diana F.
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TESTIMONIALS

“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”

Allen S.

What is Non-Medical Senior Care in Sullivans Island, SC?

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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.

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When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.

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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.

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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.

 Senior Care Sullivans Island, SC

Types of Elderly Care in Sullivans Island, SC

To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:

Personal Care

Personal 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:

  • Eating
  • Mobility Issues
  • Incontinence
  • Bathing
  • Dressing
  • Grooming

Respite Care Sullivans Island, SC
Home Helper

Home Helper Services

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:

  • Medication Reminders
  • Meal Preparation
  • Pet Care
  • Prescription Refills
  • Morning Wake-Up
  • Walking
  • Reading
 Caregivers Sullivans Island, SC
Companionship Services

Companionship Services

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 J. Marshall Stith Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.

Common companionship services include:

  • Grocery Shopping
  • Transportation to Appointments
  • Nutritional Assistance
  • Conversation
  • Planning Outings
  • Completing Errands
  • Transportation to Community
  • Events and Social Outings
Home Care Sullivans Island, SC
Respite Care

Respite Care Services

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 The Obstinate Daughter or visit S. Head House, 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.

 In-Home Care Sullivans Island, SC

Benefits of Home Care in Sullivans Island, SC

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:

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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Aging in Place: The Preferred Choice for Most Seniors

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.

Here are just a few of the reasons why older men and women prefer to age at home:

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 Sullivans Island, 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.

 Elderly Care Sullivans Island, SC

Affordable 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:

If your loved one qualifies, Medicaid may help reduce in-home care costs. Review your SC's Medicaid program laws and benefits, and make sure your senior's financial and medical needs meet Medicaid eligibility requirements.
Attendance and aid benefits through military service can cover a portion of the costs associated with in-home care for veterans and their spouses.
Many senior care services like in-home care are included in long-term care insurance options. Research different long-term care solutions to find a plan that provides coverage for senior care.
Home care can be included as part of a senior's private insurance plan. Read over your loved one's insurance policy carefully or speak with their insurance provider to determine if in-home care is covered.
Depending on the life insurance plan, you may be able to apply your policy toward long-term care. You may be able to use long-term-care coverage to help pay for in-home elderly care.
 Senior Care Sullivans Island, SC

Compassionate Care. Trusted Caregivers.

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 Sullivans Island, 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.

Assisted Living Referral Services

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.


Respite Care Sullivans Island, SC

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:

  • Housekeeping
  • Laundry
  • Recreational Activities
  • Social Outings
  • Emergency Medical Response
  • Medication Monitoring
  • Family Visitation
  • Personal Care
 Caregivers Sullivans Island, SC

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:

  • Indigo Hall Assisted Living and Memory Care
  • Mount Pleasant Gardens
  • Revela at Mt. Pleasant Assisted Living (Formerly Sandpiper Courtyard Assisted Living)
  • Premier Senior Living
  • Simply Seniors
  • Mathis Ferry Plantation
Home Care Sullivans Island, SC

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.

 In-Home Care Sullivans Island, SC

Taking the First Step with Always Best Care

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

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A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive

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Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider

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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 Sullivans Island, 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.

 Elderly Care Sullivans Island, SC

Latest News in Sullivans Island, SC

Carolinas on alert for coastal flood impacts from powerful nor'easter

FOX Weather Meteorologist Steve Bender breaks down everything you need to know for the nor'easter anticipated to slam the eastern U.S. this weekend, with heavy rain, high winds, and coastal flooding expected.SULLIVAN'S ISLAND, S.C. – The Carolinas are bracing for coastal impacts from a powerful nor'easter expected to blast the East Coast beginning Friday.Gusty winds, heavy rain and coastal impacts such as flooding and beach erosion are possible. (Bayne Froney / FOX Weather)F...

FOX Weather Meteorologist Steve Bender breaks down everything you need to know for the nor'easter anticipated to slam the eastern U.S. this weekend, with heavy rain, high winds, and coastal flooding expected.

SULLIVAN'S ISLAND, S.C. – The Carolinas are bracing for coastal impacts from a powerful nor'easter expected to blast the East Coast beginning Friday.

Gusty winds, heavy rain and coastal impacts such as flooding and beach erosion are possible.

(Bayne Froney / FOX Weather)

For areas in both North and South Carolina already battered by recent rough surf from hurricanes Humberto and Imelda, the threat of more flooding and beach erosion presents a danger to homes already impacted by erosion.

Nine homes collapsed in just a few days along the beach in Buxton and Rodanthe, North Carolina, from late September into early October. In total, 21 homes have collapsed along the Cape Hatteras National Seashore since 2020.

Several other homes at risk of collapse sit abandoned along those beaches.

The impacts from this nor'easter will stretch from the Carolinas into New England through Tuesday.

A Level 2 out of 4 flash flood risk has been issued for coastal North Carolina on Saturday.

FOX Weather Meteorologist Bayne Froney reported from Sullivan's Island, South Carolina, on Thursday, where King Tides were still impacting conditions, bringing rough surf and causing beach erosion.

A cold front brought a drastic temperature shift to the East Coast on Thursday morning.

"We've been dealing with these conditions all day, thanks to that cold front," Froney said. "The surf has been intense all day long."

Overall, rainfall closer to the coast looks to amount to a widespread 2-3 inches through Monday, according to the FOX Forecast Center. Localized rainfall amounts closer to 5 inches are possible as well.

Community members unite for 36th Annual Beach Sweep on Sullivan’s Island

SULLIVAN’S ISLAND, S.C. (WCSC) - The Friends of Charleston National Parks joined South Carolina’s Sea Grant and the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources for their 36th Annual Beach Sweep on Sullivan’s Island by Fort Moultrie to collect trash from beaches.Families and community members across the Lowcountry came out to clean and help protect the beaches on Sullivan’s Island, collecting everything from different plastics to cans.“The mission for today is really just to get everybody out and...

SULLIVAN’S ISLAND, S.C. (WCSC) - The Friends of Charleston National Parks joined South Carolina’s Sea Grant and the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources for their 36th Annual Beach Sweep on Sullivan’s Island by Fort Moultrie to collect trash from beaches.

Families and community members across the Lowcountry came out to clean and help protect the beaches on Sullivan’s Island, collecting everything from different plastics to cans.

“The mission for today is really just to get everybody out and about connected with nature, connected with the beach, and really participate in cleaning up the areas that we all love and to help keep a beautiful future for our beaches and for our public lands,” Friends of Charleston National Parks Member Amy Meola said.

Since 1988, South Carolinians have come together every third Saturday in September to clear trash from our beaches and waterways, just like the 36th Annual Beach Sweep.

“Everybody laughing, smiling, having a great time. You know, we just need more of that in the world,” U.S. Coast Guard Seaman and volunteer Will Jones said.

Volunteers were given a trash bag, gloves and a trash picker to help them with their cleanup.

“If we keep throwing it on the ground and bringing it to the beach. All the wildlife is going to get sick, and we don’t want that,” volunteer Sebastain Killian said.

Many children participated in the beach sweep, showing that anyone can help make an impact.

“Sea turtles have found a lot of plastic bags that they think are jellyfish and are eating them, and it gets caught in their throat,” Girl Scout volunteer Katelyn Rising said.

“We’re all part of a community, and if our whole community works together, we can stop this nonsense,” volunteer Penelope Killian said.

“Good to teach kids about learning and sharing their community at a very young age. So, they know better when they get older,” Girl Scout volunteer Hannah Mayhew said.

Volunteers collected an entire truckload of trash and debris from the beach.

“It’s nothing to pick up some trash, throw it away, recycle, do all the good stuff. Man, take care of the environment, take care of us,” Jones said.

“You don’t have to be an expert. You don’t need to know about pollution or the ocean. It’s just showing up and taking a nice walk, and just picking up some trash, and it makes a bigger difference than you would think.” Meola said.

“Coming together as a community, doing what we can to preserve the lands and preserve the history that they hold so that they stay intact for future generations,” volunteer Hanna Goble said.

Plans in works to transform old Fort Moultrie Post Theater on Sullivan’s Island

SULLIVAN’S ISLAND, S.C. (WCSC) - A Sullivan’s Island stable that has been abandoned for decades may soon get a new lease on life if a new plan is approved.The Sullivan’s Island Design Review Board will consider the final designs for the project involving the nearly century-old Fort Moultrie Post Theater on Wednesday.The landmark has a long history, starting as a military theater. It hosted movie showings, war bond drives and various ceremonies. After the fort was decommissioned in 1947, it became an island ass...

SULLIVAN’S ISLAND, S.C. (WCSC) - A Sullivan’s Island stable that has been abandoned for decades may soon get a new lease on life if a new plan is approved.

The Sullivan’s Island Design Review Board will consider the final designs for the project involving the nearly century-old Fort Moultrie Post Theater on Wednesday.

The landmark has a long history, starting as a military theater. It hosted movie showings, war bond drives and various ceremonies. After the fort was decommissioned in 1947, it became an island asset and later became a private theater that could seat 406 people.

Later, it became a warehouse and has sat vacant for decades.

Cissell Design Studio principal and architect Anthony Cissell hopes to change that by making it into a single-family home while preserving its rich history.

“Our goal with this project is really that when we’re done, this should still look like the landmark building that Sullivan’s Island has known for nearly 100 years,” Cissell said.

However, Cissell said the old building faces modern problems.

“If we were to have a flood right now that were to enter this building, it would damage a lot of the historic woodwork would damage a lot of the spaces,” Cissell said.

That’s why they plan to raise the interior three feet above the surrounding grade.

“There’s a lot of historic wood trim around door openings, and things of that nature that we’re going to be carefully cataloging, moving, and then we’re using in the new design in the same locations wherever possible,” Cissell said.

The current plans have the section closest to the former stage remaining open and as the main centerpiece to the living area.

The entrance to the grand space would also be kept intact, with the original theater doors from the 1930s staying in place, just raised up to protect from flooding.

Cissel said they’re considering applying for the historic tax credit program, which would provide an additional layer of feedback from the state Historic Preservation Office and National Park Service.

BVL Historic Preservation Research specializes in helping its clients take part in that tax program.

“They not only have to sensitively restore the exterior, but they also have to do the interior as well in order to be eligible for the tax credits when all is said and done,” BVL Historic Preservation Research owner and architectural historian Brittany Lavelle Tulla said.

Lavelle Tulla said she’s hoping the project undergoes that intensive process, because buildings like this one are important to the community.

“Sometimes we do see buildings get demolished, and often times it’s not until the building is gone that we understand the power that it has on the street in the situation. The exterior character of that building does have a lot of weight. It’s almost like this anchor on Sullivan’s Island, yes, it pays testimony and it survives as evidence of Sullivan’s Island’s military background, but it also, again, is that unique piece of architecture that keeps Sullivans island, Sullivans Island,” Lavelle Tulla said.

Cissel said he believes that before his team took over the project, the designs were headed in a direction that may have taken away from its unique character and he wanted to reset the goal for the project.

“Let’s stop for a minute, let’s listen to the building and listen to what the building is telling us it wants to be for the next hundred years of its life, and I think that’s what we’ve done,” Cissell said.

A historic marker stands outside the building, indicating that it was completed in May of 1928 at a cost of $19,500.

Cissell said he and the family plan to work with Sullivan’s Island staff to figure out what works best to continue to have some form of historical marker on the property after the project is complete.

Click here to see the design plans in the Sullivan’s Island Design Review Board agenda.

The board will consider final approval for the project on Wednesday.

Sullivan’s Island hears from community on future welcome sign onto island

SULLIVAN’S ISLAND, S.C. (WCSC) - The Town of Sullivan’s Island Public Facilities Committee discussed the future welcome sign onto the island at a meeting on Friday afternoon after facing community backlash against the sign.The town was asked by the to add a temporary sign on the island to acknowledge the role it played in securing American independence as part of the anniversary next year. The controversy comes from the original idea for the welcome sign to read “The Gateway to Liberty Since 1776” to honor the...

SULLIVAN’S ISLAND, S.C. (WCSC) - The Town of Sullivan’s Island Public Facilities Committee discussed the future welcome sign onto the island at a meeting on Friday afternoon after facing community backlash against the sign.

The town was asked by the to add a temporary sign on the island to acknowledge the role it played in securing American independence as part of the anniversary next year. The controversy comes from the original idea for the welcome sign to read “The Gateway to Liberty Since 1776” to honor the Battle of Sullivan’s Island during the Revolutionary War.

Some residents pushed back against it, saying it overlooks a painful part of the island’s history. The National Park Service says were forced to quarantine on Sullivan’s Island in pest houses prior to being sold at markets in downtown Charleston.

Committee officials said all of the meetings prior to the approval of that phrase were open to the public, and they encouraged the community to take part in coming up with what the sign was going to say. They said it was only after the approval that they started to receive communications from residents about the disapproval of the sign’s phrase.

A sign with the original phrase had been ordered, but then was put on pause after the town kept receiving community pushback.

Jody Latham is a town councilmember and said she’s mortified that she didn’t think of the entire history of the island when discussing the original welcome sign phrase.

“Once someone brought it up, I was just adamant that I don’t think we could continue,” Latham said. “I couldn’t continue wholeheartedly, and thankfully, we have a very responsive town council, and they listened to what people said.”

With no time limits on public comment during the meeting, many residents shared their concerns about the phrase and offered suggestions for a new slogan that wouldn’t create division amongst the town.

Some new phrases mentioned include “History lives here” and “Revolution and resilience.”

One resident against the original phrase said, “lands hard and fails to recognize the complex, painful part of our history,” and another said it’s “too broad and narrow of a name.”

A resident who supports the original idea said the “focus shouldn’t be on mistakes made” and how the town “should celebrate the importance of the battle that was fought.”

A few residents also said they thought the phrase encapsulated one of the major victories of the town: the Battle of Sullivan’s Island.

Town officials affirmed to the community that the original phrase is now gone and there will be more opportunities for community input moving forward.

“I think we were wrong on this and we need to find better words,” Ned Higgins, town councilmember and member of the public facilities committee, said.

The temporary welcome sign’s phrase is now back on the drawing board with plans for it to go up before July 4 of next year.

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