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 Town Clock, Cannon Barrel in Conway, SC 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 Conway, 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.
“Started in home care services with ABC for my mother recently. Kayla helped make the”
“Great service and communication. Caring staff. Kayla is wonderful. Highly recommend.”
“Got services started with Kayla in the Always Best Care Grandstrand office in SC about”
“Excellent services!! Kayla is great.”
“Always providing exceptional care and compassion to all of our surrounding areas.”
“Lisa helped my family understand the best options for my parents and the resources available.”
“Always Best Care has been a lifesaver for our family. We have worked with them”
“Thank you for the care you gave to my dad. He did not have any”
“Always Best Care provided excellent care when I was discharged from Atrium after surgery- the”
“Lisa and her team at Always Best Care have been a great partner and resource”
“Amazing staff and services. Much appreciated.”
“I will have to say having worked in healthcare myself, Darrell with Always Best Care”
“I am a past client of this provider Always Best Care was just absolutely wonderful. I”
“I love working for this company.”
“I used this nursing service for my cousin Pat who had cancer. I can not”
“I love being able to work with this company, the owners are great people and”
“Services were geared according to need. We were looking at rehab and they were willing”
“I am a past client of this provider Services were geared according to need. We were”
“Nate is an exceptional mentor - he is extremely knowledgeable about senior care and gracious”
“Nate and his staff are wonderful people. It's great to know that when you need”
“I am a past client of this provider I used this nursing service for my cousin”
“Chuck and his personnel are truly the best. They helped us with mom and always”
“Started in home care services with ABC for my mother recently. Kayla helped make the process smooth and eliminated a lot of stress. Caregivers have been excellent and very helpful in day to day care.”
“Great service and communication. Caring staff. Kayla is wonderful. Highly recommend.”
“Got services started with Kayla in the Always Best Care Grandstrand office in SC about getting some assistance for my father. She was very knowledgeable and helped me get everything set up, and took a huge weight off my shoulders and was a consistent supporter throughout the entire process!”
“Excellent services!! Kayla is great.”
“Always providing exceptional care and compassion to all of our surrounding areas.”
“Lisa helped my family understand the best options for my parents and the resources available. She has great contacts and helped guide us thru the process. We received wonderful service. Thanks!”
“Always Best Care has been a lifesaver for our family. We have worked with them twice, both in emergency situations and they have treated us as if we were their only clients. Within an hour of our first call, we had paperwork completed and a caregiver on the way – and that was a holiday weekend. When the second emergency occurred, we knew exactly who to contact. We truly appreciate everything that Lisa, Melissa and the entire team have done for our family.”
“Thank you for the care you gave to my dad. He did not have any family living close to him. My sister and I were relived to know he was well taken care of. The caregivers truly care about your loved ones.”
“Always Best Care provided excellent care when I was discharged from Atrium after surgery- the office staff and caregivers were professional and caring- would definitely recommend if you need care at home-”
“Lisa and her team at Always Best Care have been a great partner and resource in providing services to our patients!”
“Amazing staff and services. Much appreciated.”
“I will have to say having worked in healthcare myself, Darrell with Always Best Care is the best! He truly cares about his clients! He takes personal interest in the client. Darrell works with you until your needs are addressed allowing your loved one to remain as independent as possible in their own home. Thank you Darrell Always Best Care! You have truly made a diffence!”
“I am a past client of this provider Always Best Care was just absolutely wonderful. I needed to qualify people who could deal with my sister with brain cancer. My sister would throw people in and out of her house; it was crazy. She died on December 5th. Always Best Care sent incredible people. I don't know where they came from, but they had one girl who was the only person my sister never attempted to throw out of the house. I'd never hear one bad word about this woman who was actually pulling double shifts at the end because my sister liked her so much. For some reason, this woman understood my sister and brain cancer. Brain cancer is hard to deal with because people could be pretty mean and abusive and they don't know what they're doing really. My sister was also going blind at the same time. It was not easy. I just wanted to say what wonderful care we received from Always Best Care. It was amazing. They were just coming and being there. My sister was crazy, and she didn't want anybody overnight, until she finally let me have someone come in overnight. On that night, she died. She got to die in her home, which is what I'm trying to do because that too was the most important thing of all. Always Best Care was able to staff at short notice and send really good people. I was impressed, and I would highly recommend them. They would help my sister get to the bathroom. She weighed 70 pounds when she died, but she was still able to walk. She had cancers on both her femurs, and her blood pressure was 80/47. They just helped with everything, like fixing her small meals, fixing coffee, and talking to her if she wanted to talk or not talking to her if she didn't want to talk. They were just very great with their help. My sister had brain cancer and she was belligerent. Always Best Care would find people within their staff. Also, it didn't take them long, I didn't have to wait. We had letters from others saying they don't have staff right now. With Always Best Care, I did it over the phone with a woman who was a Godsend. I think the caregiver was sent almost the first day and was there every day except on the weekend when they sent someone else. That person seemed to work out OK, too, which amazed me. For some reason, these people knew how to appease someone who is really crazy. It was the cancer; it was in my sister's head. You have to be tough-skinned and just realize that this is the disease talking to you and not a person. They were able to do that, and I feel very blessed.”
“I love working for this company.”
“I used this nursing service for my cousin Pat who had cancer. I can not express the level of care and compassion that was shown for her. The nurses felt like family! Especially Alicia. You treated my cousin as if she was your family and I can't thank you enough for that. You not only took care of her but us also. I would recommend this service 100%! We only used them for 1 month as my cousin passed quickly. I d not have a single negative remark. Thank you Chuck! Your nurses are amazing.”
“I love being able to work with this company, the owners are great people and support me daily! We have many calls to work on performance and continue to grow and learn!”
“Services were geared according to need. We were looking at rehab and they were willing to see what was needed. Very flexible and focused needs of patient All caregivers were on time We had a great experience”
“I am a past client of this provider Services were geared according to need. We were looking at rehab and they were willing to see what was needed. Very flexible and focused needs of patient All caregivers were on time We had a great experience”
“Nate is an exceptional mentor - he is extremely knowledgeable about senior care and gracious in his willingness to help others succeed.”
“Nate and his staff are wonderful people. It's great to know that when you need someone they will be there for your loved ones and care about their well-being.”
“I am a past client of this provider I used this nursing service for my cousin Pat who had cancer. I can not express the level of care and compassion that was shown for her. The nurses felt like family! Especially Alicia. You treated my cousin as if she was your family and I can't thank you enough for that. You not only took care of her but us also. I would recommend this service 100%! We only used them for 1 month as my cousin passed quickly. I d not have a single negative remark. Thank you Chuck! Your nurses are amazing. Donna O.”
“Chuck and his personnel are truly the best. They helped us with mom and always focused on the care and not a much of processes and forms. I would highly recommend them to all.”
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 Riverfront Park in Conway, SC 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 Rivertown Bistro or visit Horry County Museum, 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 Conway, 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 Conway, 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 Conway, 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.
CONWAY, S.C. (WPDE) — Drivers in Conway will soon see a new traffic signal at the intersection of U.S. 701 and Janette Street, a change aimed at improving safety at what residents described as one of the city’s most dangerous crossings.Conway City Council discussed the project Monday night, including whether to spend an additional $350,000 on a different signal design.The South Carolina Department of Transportation project calls for converting the current two-way stop into a four-way signalized intersection.P...
CONWAY, S.C. (WPDE) — Drivers in Conway will soon see a new traffic signal at the intersection of U.S. 701 and Janette Street, a change aimed at improving safety at what residents described as one of the city’s most dangerous crossings.
Conway City Council discussed the project Monday night, including whether to spend an additional $350,000 on a different signal design.
The South Carolina Department of Transportation project calls for converting the current two-way stop into a four-way signalized intersection.
Plans also include marked crosswalks and pedestrian signals, with the goal of improving safety and access for drivers, pedestrians and cyclists.
A concerned resident told council, “The intersection of Highway 701 and Jeannette Street is one of the most dangerous intersections in the city.”
Council considered two options for the signal: a standard design using cables stretched across the road, or an upgraded mast-arm design that extends over the lanes.
Another concerned resident said, “The additional cost to go to mast arms is $350,000.”
City staff recommended against spending the extra money.
A concerned resident said, “I would certainly prefer that it happen at a busier intersection or closer to the center of town”
Council ultimately voted against the mast-arm upgrade and decided to move forward with the standard cable-supported signal design.
The project will also allow pedestrians to activate the crossing signal themselves using push buttons.
SCDOT said the changes are intended to make the intersection safer and more accessible.
Council also discussed whether grant funding could help pay for the mast-arm option, but members were told it would not apply because the upgrade is considered aesthetic, not functional.
CONWAY, SC (WMBF) - The South Carolina Department of Transportation is preparing to begin work on a new traffic signal in Conway.The signal will be placed at the intersection of Highway 701 and Janette Street, and City Manager Adam Emrick said the intersection is unsafe.“The intersection of Jeannette Street and 701 is one of the most dangerous intersections in the city, and DOT is finally getting it re-engineered and redone,” Emrick said.Current intersection conditionsJanette Street has a stop sign, ...
CONWAY, SC (WMBF) - The South Carolina Department of Transportation is preparing to begin work on a new traffic signal in Conway.
The signal will be placed at the intersection of Highway 701 and Janette Street, and City Manager Adam Emrick said the intersection is unsafe.
“The intersection of Jeannette Street and 701 is one of the most dangerous intersections in the city, and DOT is finally getting it re-engineered and redone,” Emrick said.
Janette Street has a stop sign, which is the only thing between drivers and Highway 701. Drivers turning left onto the highway face nonstop traffic coming from both directions.
Residents who live on Janette Street say pulling onto Highway 701 can be difficult.
“When I’m leaving Janette Street, it’s very scary pulling out of there because one, people speed, and two, a lot of people aren’t paying attention. So, I think it would be a really good addition to this road right here,” resident Autumn B said.
The intersection is a few yards from South Conway Elementary School, where parents wait along Highway 701 to pick up their children.
Resident Irene Green described safety concerns for children crossing near the intersection.
“When they’re trying to get their kids in and out of school, because I’ve seen parents walk from across the street, running through traffic trying to get over here, and then most of the cars don’t even stop for the kids after the parents get them to let them cross back over,” Green said.
Highway 701 local Charlie Brown said drivers do not yield to school buses at the intersection.
“They pass on that road and its dangerous. Very dangerous. So put that light down there and that’ll be the best thing. Because people don’t give these bus drivers no respect,” Brown said.
The Conway City Council voted Monday night unanimously to reject a proposed mast-arm signal upgrade for the intersection. A mast-arm design would have placed the new traffic signals on a large metal arm post, rather than stringing them overhead on wires.
The mast-arm design would have cost an additional $350,000 beyond the standard signal and would have added only an aesthetic upgrade.
Conway Mayor Barbara Jo Blain explained the council’s decision.
“And when we do spend that amount of money, I would certainly prefer that it happened at a busier intersection or closer to the center of town as opposed to something we’ve been already working on going underground perhaps,” Blain said.
Parents at South Conway Elementary School said they want the traffic signal installed but do not need the aesthetic upgrade, as long as their children are safe.
“I think as long as there’s a light there, it gets the job done,” Autumn B said.
Green said she would support the standard signal.
“I would definitely be OK with it because there’s a lot of accidents that happen there also, not even just on school days,” Green said.
Horry County Schools issued a statement supporting the project.
“Horry County Schools appreciates the efforts of SCDOT and the City of Conway to improve safety at U.S. 701 South and Janette Street. A traffic signal at this intersection near South Conway Elementary will make the daily commute safer for the many students who arrive by bus and car. We are grateful to our community partners for their commitment to the safety of our students and families,” said Lisa H. Bourcier, director of strategic communications and community engagement for Horry County Schools.
There is no confirmed date for when construction is expected to begin on the project. SCDOT has not responded to our request for comment at this time.
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CONWAY — Gather around to hear a Halloween tale about how one small Southern town turned a temporary name change into a tourism gamechanger, and the resulting economic impact has been downright frightening.The community, which predates the Revolutionary War, was previously called Kingston (1732-1801) and later Conwayborough (1801-1883). Conway has added another moniker to the mix, albeit on a part-time basis.Rooted in the timber industry for building the ships and structures to settle early America, Conway has found a new...
CONWAY — Gather around to hear a Halloween tale about how one small Southern town turned a temporary name change into a tourism gamechanger, and the resulting economic impact has been downright frightening.
The community, which predates the Revolutionary War, was previously called Kingston (1732-1801) and later Conwayborough (1801-1883). Conway has added another moniker to the mix, albeit on a part-time basis.
Rooted in the timber industry for building the ships and structures to settle early America, Conway has found a new vessel for bringing commerce to the shores of the Waccamaw River by changing its name to the city of Halloween every October and transforming into the spookiest city this side of Transylvania.
Conway has nearly tripled its number of October visitors from 165,000 in 2020 to 456,000 in 2025, when it collected just shy of $400,000 in hospitality taxes for the month. More data shows October now rivals activity for downtown businesses in November and December combined.
"For many downtown businesses, October has eclipsed their Christmas holiday sales with October becoming the busiest month of the year," Conway Downtown Alive Executive Director Hillary Howard said. "Our restaurants operate at full capacity with many seeing a two-hour wait on October evenings."
Frozen treats might not be the easiest sale on a chilly October night, but Stella’s Homemade Ice Cream can’t scoop them fast enough.
New to the neighborhood and Halloween spirit that came with it when it opened at 1101 Fourth Ave. in 2023, Stella’s actually ran out of ice cream and had to bring in some from its Murrells Inlet location before scrambling to make more mid-celebration. Now it has learned to stock up in advance and join in the decorations and fun.
"Ice cream is definitely a summer business, but October is one of our busiest months, which is just the opposite of the Murrells Inlet store," said owner Haley Williamson, who makes five special monster-themed flavors for the festivities. "Having such a strong October really gives us a boost and carries us into the slower winter months."
Emily Smith, owner of Good Day Sunshine artisan boutique, has been located at 1011 Third Ave. for a decade. She said the difference in the number of people stopping by the shop in October has multiplied tenfold over that time.
"Night and day — 10 times what we saw in October just 10 years ago," she said. "Now it's right there neck-and-neck with our Christmas season."
Smith makes Halloween candles that sold out last year and now can be found in curio cabinets around the world.
"Last year we had people from Germany, California, Canada, Mexico — all coming to little old Conway," she said.
Dollars and visitors aren't the only measurable benefits from the name switcheroo; so is name recognition.
City spokeswoman June Wood had to leave straight from work on a recent Friday to embark on a cross-state drive while still wearing her "City of Halloween" shirt that proved to be the talk of the trip.
"Our brand recognition is off the charts," Wood said of the Halloween stunt. "Everywhere I stopped — Buc-ee's, Clemson, everybody was commenting on my shirt and about how they had been here or they wanted to come here for Halloween. It has become larger than itself, which is insane given how it all started."
Conway's journey to becoming Halloween was sparked by an unlikely source of inspiration: Christmas. The city spent years and tax dollars striving to gain tourism traction for its small-town charm and decor during the December holiday season.
"One of the city's biggest goals was to make Southern Living's top 10 list for the best Christmas towns," Wood said. "We went to some of these places on the list — Dahlonega, Ga., McAdenville, N.C. — and we were doing the same things they were doing. The reality was everybody was already doing Christmas.
"So we started thinking about other holidays where we could stand out and how Halloween has so much lore. People get so excited about the arrival of fall weather and football season, and the people who are fans of Halloween really love it. We thought there might be an opportunity."
The city's early Halloween efforts started modestly in 2019 and were limited to hanging plastic jack-o'-lanterns from the oak trees that line Main Street in the downtown district. That small investment paid shockingly strong dividends — even if it meant some small sacrifices for local children.
"We never imagined how hard it would be to find so many plastic pumpkins, but we went to all the local Walmarts and other stores and bought them out," Wood said. "It only cost us about $500, but they were very impactful."
"A lot of our local kids had to go trick-or-treating with paper bags that year," she joked.
The pumpkin patch has spread across the city and is now as recognizable as the autumn leaves changing colors.
"It's like the cherry blossoms in spring," Wood said. "People know it's fall when the pumpkins are blooming in Conway."
The city has since taken decorating to the next level with the whole month of September spent creating the right atmosphere. Conway also goes to great lengths to keep the decor "family scary" — traditional Halloween trappings without the blood and gore.
But if a few hundred bucks for a plastic jack-o'-lantern forest sounds like a good deal, the marketing move of changing the town's name for 31 days proved an even bigger bargain: free. However, it was also a tough sell to some city leaders and residents.
While tinkering with the city logo to create a spookier font and cobweb-draped serifs, the word "Conway" was replaced by "Halloween" and an idea was born.
Despite getting some odd looks from citizens and City Council, the name change gained widespread attention and momentum when it passed in 2022.
"Trying to convince a community to do something crazy is not easy," Wood joked. "But we wanted to do this for economic development, and once everybody saw the benefits they really dived in head first."
Each year the city has expanded its list of offerings: coffin races and ghost tours through the historic district, a haunted pirate ship and river cruise on the waterfront, concerts and a barbecue cookoff outdoors.
Special events include Halloween movie nights in the downtown district, the Monster Mash on Mill Pond kids' festival with pumpkin-painting and other activities, and the Fear Factory featuring three haunted attractions: the Conway Haunted Manor, Elm Street Asylum and Kingston Hollow Spooky Maze.
The city also timed the calendar right this year and get five weekends in October instead of the usual four, including Halloween falling on a Saturday night. That could prove to be another record-setting month for Conway.
Even win-win-win scenarios have a few drawbacks, but Conway’s are "good problems" from an economic standpoint that stem from one simple reality: The monthlong festival has become almost too popular.
With the community welcoming 40,000 to 50,000 guests per weekend to a city of 30,000 residents, the large crowds have created issues with traffic, parking and public safety. A new shuttle system ferrying visitors to and from the downtown district via a parking lot on Marina Drive aims to alleviate all three.
"When you have a lot of people and kids downtown at night and a lot of traffic and cars driving around, there's concern about public safety," Wood said, "but we’re working hard to make sure our visitors have a safe, fun time."
The city's lack of accommodations has also been a hindrance to attracting more overnight visitors, with Conway nearly maxing out its availability with 5,400 room nights in October 2025.
In an interesting twist, hotels in neighboring Myrtle Beach have started marketing to visitors looking to spend their October days at the beach and their nights about 15 miles away in Conway, formerly a tourism afterthought.
"We caught attention on a regional and national level, and Myrtle Beach uses it to encourage people to come during their shoulder season," said Wood, adding that it speaks volumes that Conway is drawing attention from the neighboring tourism behemoth.
"We didn't envision this. It was never our intention to bring in so many people from so far away, but the word is out and it keeps snowballing. People come and they tell their family and friends about it and it just keeps growing. We're proud of what it has become."
The name change and festivities officially open Oct. 1 with the Big BOO-ginning — a Halloween-themed parade through downtown that starts at the Fourth Avenue Riverwalk. The parade route runs along Kingston Street to Third Avenue and Laurel Street to the Town Green, which will host the kickoff celebration.
Festivities include a live concert by Ghoul Vibrations at the Town Green, a costume contest, and food and drink. Attendees can also check out the many displays around town that start Oct. 1, including the Fear Factory Haunted Attractions and the Children's Halloween Pirate Adventure at the Conway Riverwalk.
On Oct. 2-3, Conway comes to life with Smoke on the Waccamaw BBQ Festival and Soup Cookoff at the Billy Gardner Sports Complex. Teams will compete through a haze of smoke to see who makes the best meat, followed by a banquet of soups to take the nip out of the night air. Vendors and activities will be on-hand and visitors can vote for their favorites.
Oct. 2 also starts the popular Halloween Movie Nights on the Terror (a spooky spin on The Terrace outdoor theater at 110 Laurel St.) with the showing of "Hocus Pocus." Guests are encouraged bring chairs or blanket and enjoy hot chocolate, s'mores and more each Friday at 7 p.m.
CONWAY — Driving to Conway High School on Sept. 23, senior Harper Collins noticed city crews removing plastic pumpkins from trees on campus.The move surprised the 17-year-old, who looks forward to Conway's transformation into the City of Halloween each October. The city's signature look includes fake jack-o'-lanterns that hang like Christmas ornaments.Collins was puzzled why the city would take down decorations they had just placed this week."What is the point?" he said of the pumpkin purge. "Why did...
CONWAY — Driving to Conway High School on Sept. 23, senior Harper Collins noticed city crews removing plastic pumpkins from trees on campus.
The move surprised the 17-year-old, who looks forward to Conway's transformation into the City of Halloween each October. The city's signature look includes fake jack-o'-lanterns that hang like Christmas ornaments.
Collins was puzzled why the city would take down decorations they had just placed this week.
"What is the point?" he said of the pumpkin purge. "Why did we do this? Why would we waste the time and energy and the resources to go out and put these up if we're just going to take them down the next day?"
City officials have asked similar questions, but they said Horry County Schools has provided little information.
On Sept. 22, city staff received an email from Joe Burch, the school district's executive director of capital projects, telling the city the decorations in the trees needed to be removed.
A request for a reason went unanswered, city officials said.
"City staff were approached by Conway High School students and staff about placing pumpkins in the trees again this year," the city said in a statement to The Post and Courier. "The pumpkins were installed Monday. On Tuesday, the City was informed that additional approval from Horry County Schools was required, and City staff removed the pumpkins as requested."
School district spokeswoman Lisa Bourcier did not provide a reason why the district wanted the gourds gone.
"We appreciate the intent behind the seasonal decorations at Conway High School," Bourcier said in a text, adding that the school district did allow decorations at another HCS building in the city. "We value our partnership with the City and look forward to working together to ensure future seasonal displays are coordinated appropriately."
Conway's reputation as a Halloween haven has garnered attention from Southern Living and HGTV. The city's downtown becomes a veritable haunted house each fall with 10-foot skeletons and wafting witch hats, drawing thousands of locals and visitors to the county seat on the banks of the Waccamaw River.
The decorations have occasionally sparked opposition, but city officials said the response has been overwhelmingly supportive.
Local businesses and organizations also get in on the festivities. On Sept. 21, the topic of school support came up at a Conway City Council meeting.
"Conway High School is really buying into the city of Halloween," said City Councilwoman Amanda Butler, a special education teacher at the school.
She thanked City Administrator Adam Emrick for visiting the high school last week and speaking with students and teachers about Conway's Halloween rebranding.
"Which really left a big impact on them," she said. "I promise you all, what we do, our students see it and they really are loving what we're doing."
Collins, the student body vice president, agreed.
He said many students support the decorating and believe it fosters school spirit. Last year, city crews not only placed pumpkins in the high school's trees, they stood plastic skeletons inside the athletic complex gates and placed gargoyle replicas atop the ticket booths ahead of the Tigers' Oct. 31 football game.
"It was really cool," Collins said. "The student section dressed up in Halloween costumes and stuff like that for the game. ... We had a good time with that."
After seeing the city take down the decorations, Collins said he approached school leadership and was told "a complaint from higher up" prompted the change. He said he understands some people don't celebrate Halloween, but he questioned the objection to this particular decor.
"It was pumpkins," he said. "That's fall. ... You have an issue with fall?"
Even without the high school participating, there is some evidence of the season near the campus.
Conway's sign in front of the school has a "City of Halloween" banner draped over it.
CONWAY, S.C. (WPDE) — Myrtle Beach and Conway high school football coaches traded the football field for the kitchen Tuesday, competing in a friendly biscuit-making competition ahead of Friday’s annual Victory Bell game.The head coaches participated in the Bojangles biscuit-making competition, with players cheering them on.The competition offered a $2,000 grand prize and the restaurant’s custom trophy, known as the Biscuit Bell.“Well, you know, I think we've always had a huge rivalry. Tho...
CONWAY, S.C. (WPDE) — Myrtle Beach and Conway high school football coaches traded the football field for the kitchen Tuesday, competing in a friendly biscuit-making competition ahead of Friday’s annual Victory Bell game.
The head coaches participated in the Bojangles biscuit-making competition, with players cheering them on.
The competition offered a $2,000 grand prize and the restaurant’s custom trophy, known as the Biscuit Bell.
“Well, you know, I think we've always had a huge rivalry. Those guys it's always been back and forth. You know, it's an exciting time. You know, football season and of playing each other, for the victory bell, which is, you know, been going on since 1968. So, a lot of history and tradition, too. And, you know, we're excited about the game on Friday. And this is a great way to just kind of kick it off,” Myrtle Beach head football coach Mickey Wilson said.
Wilson baked his way to victory this year after losing the competition last year.
Conway High School did not secure the Biscuit Bell but received $1,000 for its athletics department.
“Yeah, well, and most schools love each other. And both schools, both communities love each other. And, you know, obviously on Friday night, we're not gonna love each other quite as much because we're gonna try to win. But, yeah, both teams that have such a great tradition, just a great rivalry of doing things the right way, first class and appreciating each other. So, you know, I think it's going to be a great event for both of us,” Conway head football coach Jody Jenerette said.
The two teams will meet Friday in the annual Victory Bell game.
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