It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always.
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic Old Town Hall 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 Pawleys Island, 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.
“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 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”
“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”
“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 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”
“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 Pawleys Island Nature Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Chive Blossom Cafe or visit Pawleys Island Historic District, 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 Pawleys 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.
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 Pawleys 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.
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 Pawleys 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.
One South Carolina community made Travel + Leisure’s list of 10 best places to retire in the Southeast and it wasn’t Charleston.It was Litchfield Beach, 80 miles north of Charleston and 20 miles south of Myrtle Beach.Nestled between Huntington State Park and Pawleys Island (actually just across an inlet), Litchfield is an unincorporated community of about 10,000 people that swells with vacationers in the summer.With 2 m...
One South Carolina community made Travel + Leisure’s list of 10 best places to retire in the Southeast and it wasn’t Charleston.
It was Litchfield Beach, 80 miles north of Charleston and 20 miles south of Myrtle Beach.
Nestled between Huntington State Park and Pawleys Island (actually just across an inlet), Litchfield is an unincorporated community of about 10,000 people that swells with vacationers in the summer.
With 2 miles of oceanfront, Litchfield offers homes as well as condos and other lodging, golf and tennis and restaurants from seafood to BBQ.
Travel + Leisure noted the median home value in Georgetown County is $262,300, compared to Charleston’s $650,000. The magazine also said a benefit for retirees is there are 27 hospitals and 165 health care facilities in the surrounding area.
Travel + Leisure used data from Investopedia, an online financial services research company, to look at the cost of living for two adults, average monthly taxes, additional state-level tax regulations, distance to a major airport, climate risk, health care facilities, and local arts and culture opportunities.
The southern region was identified as Delaware to Florida and west to Arkansas and Louisiana.
Litchfield Beach was also named one of America’s top 10 beaches in 2020 by TripAdvisor.
It was ranked ninth. The website called Litchfield South Carolina’s “most stunning stretch of coastline in a quiet setting.”
Litchfield was established in 1978.
“Soft sand and sea oats take center stage as beaches are more sparsely populated here,” Visit Myrtle Beach said on its website. “Thus, a long walk along the shore is a perfect way to erase all of life’s cares.”
Also named by Travel + Leisure as best places to retire were Waycross, Georgia; Danville, Virginia; Wheeling, West Virginia; Natchez, Mississippi; Tryon, North Carolina; Alexandria, Louisiana; Sebring, Florida; Paducah, Kentucky and Paris, Tennessee.
PAWLEYS ISLAND — A Pawleys Island doctor and his practices have agreed to pay $400,000 to resolve allegations of medical fraud spanning from May 2016 to November 2021.Dr. Gerald Congdon and his practices, Coastal Urgent Care LLC and Coastal Wellness Cente...
PAWLEYS ISLAND — A Pawleys Island doctor and his practices have agreed to pay $400,000 to resolve allegations of medical fraud spanning from May 2016 to November 2021.
Dr. Gerald Congdon and his practices, Coastal Urgent Care LLC and Coastal Wellness Center LLC, allegedly referred patients to a laboratory in Anderson in exchange for thousands of dollars, the U.S. Department of Justice announced March 6.
They disguised the funds as office space rental and phlebotomy payments, according to a news release from the DOJ.
Congdon said the lab did sublease office space from him.
“I don’t know what happened there, but two years ago I was contacted by the Department of Justice and they said that they didn’t want doctors leasing their office space to lab companies,” he said. “And they demanded the money back.”
Congdon and his practices are part of a $1.9 million settlement involving several other physicians and companies who allegedly received money in exchange for ordering tests at the Anderson laboratory.
They’re accused of committing kickback schemes, which involve receiving remuneration (money, gifts or other incentives), in exchange for referring items or services covered by Medicare and other federally funded healthcare programs.
Kickback laws aim to ensure medical providers make decisions based on their patients’ best interests and not financial incentives.
Dr. Gbenga Aluko of Charlotte and Dr. Anup Banerjee of Gastonia and their medical practices have agreed to pay to settle allegations similar to those Congdon faces.
Additionally, Omar Hussain of South Miami and his health care marketing company Curis Healthcare have agreed to pay nearly $818,000 for arranging Medicare and TRICARE referrals to the Anderson lab from April 2020 to August 2021.
They will also pay $240,000 in conjunction with the Chicago-based Saeed Medical Group.
The kickback schemes allegedly violated federal law and led to false or fraudulent laboratory testing claims being sent to Medicare and TRICARE.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of South Carolina, the Civil Division’s Commercial Litigation Branch, the Fraud Section, the FBI and other federal agencies collaborated to pursue the settlements.
“The public puts immense trust in medical professionals, and disdain for the rule of law damages that trust and erodes their credibility,” Special Agent in Charge Steve Jensen of the FBI Columbia Field Office said in a statement. “These settlements should serve as a reminder that the FBI and its partners are committed to holding medical practitioners accountable for kickbacks.”
Georgetown County is considering creating a new zoning district to assure locals that area golf courses won’t be closed and turned into high-density developments.It’s called a neighborhood amenity district, and the new zoning category will allow for golf courses, open spaces, recreation uses, parks or gardens. The new zoning district would pertain to Pawleys Island’s Litchfield Country Club and Founders Club, which many county residents have long ...
Georgetown County is considering creating a new zoning district to assure locals that area golf courses won’t be closed and turned into high-density developments.
It’s called a neighborhood amenity district, and the new zoning category will allow for golf courses, open spaces, recreation uses, parks or gardens. The new zoning district would pertain to Pawleys Island’s Litchfield Country Club and Founders Club, which many county residents have long worried could be re-developed despite the owner of the two golf courses having no plans to close them.
The two courses are some of the oldest along the Grand Strand. Both opened in the 1960s before Georgetown County adopted zoning policies in the 1970s.
The county’s planning commission will take up the matter at its April 2025 meeting before going to the council, where it must pass on three readings.
The new amenity district will go into effect in June 2025 if it passes on its third and final reading at the council’s June meeting, barring they defer the plan.
However, some Georgetown locals are concerned about the proposed zoning district, with some saying it doesn’t remove the possibility of future development altogether. In an interview with The Sun News, Director of Planning and Code Enforcement Holly Richardson said the new neighborhood amenity district makes re-developing the two golf courses less attractive.
Much consternation regarding Litchfield Country Club and Founders Club stems from the current zoning for both properties.
Most golf courses in Georgetown County are planned developments that offer strong deterrence to builders looking to re-imagine them as residential communities.
However, Litchfield Country Club and Founders Club aren’t zoned planned developments but as R-10, which does allow for four single-family homes per acre. Richardson added that the new neighborhood amenity district limits building to one house for five acres, granting fewer units per acre than either course’s current zoning allows.
Richardson also said that development in a neighborhood amenity center must be near an existing right-of-way road.
The proposed zoning district doesn’t assuage local advocacy groups’ concerns. To them, the new district gives future developers a path to one day close the golf courses and build new communities.
A Litchfield resident for 35 years, Cindy Person is the chief legal counsel and executive director for Keep It Green Advocacy, a nonprofit legal organization that works with the public advocacy non-profit Keep It Green. The two organizations work together to preserve the Lower Waccamaw Neck region’s golf courses and quality of life. Both non-profits are keen on preventing the Pawleys Island area from turning into Myrtle Beach South.
Person said the organization is engaged in litigation with the county regarding developments it approved that the group alleges don’t fit the county’s comprehensive plan, including the Magic Oaks luxury home project near Pawleys Island. Keep It Green doesn’t want any residential housing allowed for either golf course. Person said the zoning district doesn’t go far enough to protect either.
“Our point is, you don’t have to allow residential development. Why are you doing that? Please don’t do that,” She added. “Create one that doesn’t allow residential or commercial.”
Person said the county’s comprehensive plan didn’t allow residential development on either Litchfield Country Club or Founders Club before being updated in 2024. However, the 2024 update to the plan and the land use element did allow for limited residential.
To Person, the new neighborhood amenity district further opens the door for replacing the golf courses despite reducing the density of development allowed.
“The county has a track record of not really protecting the citizens of the county. We feel the county has an agenda of protecting development rights in the Waccamaw Neck,” Person added. “The number one way to accomplish what they say is the goal is to not allow it in the first place.”
In an April 1, 2025, interview with The Sun News, Richardson said that the county is changing the zoning proposal because of residents’ concerns. Some residents worried the plan’s language being vague could allow for future commercial development on both golf courses. Richardson said the county will look to tweak some language in the proposal to help make it more clear.
Residents’ worries regarding the proposed neighborhood amenity district allowing for future construction come despite the courses’ owner having no plans to close them.
Richardson said the county had not received any proposals for re-developing the two golf courses in question, and residents in the area would receive notification if there were plans. She added that any developer seeking to build on the golf courses would have to submit applications for permits but didn’t need the planning commission or county council’s approval to proceed.
“We haven’t received any redevelopment plans for either of them,” she added. “This is just anticipation if something were to happen.”
Meanwhile, the course’s ownership is uninterested in shutting down the two properties and replacing them with residential development.
Myrtle Beach-based Founders Group International owns the golf courses and other notable ones along the Grand Strand, like Pine Lakes and TPC Myrtle Beach. In an interview with The Sun News, Chris King, a spokesperson for Founders Group, said there are zero plans to develop either golf course.
Despite Founders Group’s assurances, Person said the company’s previous decisions concern her. Founders Group closed Indian Wells Golf Club in Garden City in 2019 for redevelopment, but the course sits overgrown, and its future use is still unclear.
Founders Group also demolished the former Litchfield Racquet Club near the Litchfield Country Club and submitted plans to re-develop the property for residential development. Those efforts failed, and now pickleball courts reside where the racquet club once was. Person said the demolition of the tennis courts and attempts to re-zone and develop the property led to the creation of Keep It Green.
“They seem to be doing well from the standpoint of (the golf courses are) busy, so hopefully that’s a good thing,” Person added. “But it doesn’t give residents the protection that we would like to see.”
Locals started discussing the two courses’ futures as the county began discussing the county’s future potential growth.
Georgetown County began discussing its comprehensive plan in mid-2024, with one initial proposed Land Use Element allowing for increasing building density in areas near Pawleys Island and MarshWalk. Locals raised concerns, and the county amended the proposal by decreasing the permitted density for future developers and adding wording protecting golf courses from being turned into large communities.
Richardson said the county used that language shielding golf courses from being re-developed to craft the neighborhood amenity district. She added that the future use land element included limited residential because the county needs a contingency for the land in case the courses ever close. An abandoned, overgrown property would be a blight on the area, and Richardson said the plan gave the properties potential secondary uses that would prevent that scenario.
“If they are to be re-developed, it should be with significant open space, very low density, with clusters that maintain existing water features and natural features,” Richardson added.
For Person, the conservation element of the comprehensive plan didn’t go far enough. The county could have barred allowing any residential development but didn’t.
“We want a zoning district that does not allow residential or commercial,” Person said. “It’s a golf course. Make a zoning district called golf course.”
This story was originally published April 2, 2025 at 6:00 AM.
The Sun News
Ben Morse is the Retail and Leisure Reporter for The Sun News. Morse covers local business and Coastal Carolina University football and was awarded third place in the 2023 South Carolina Press Association News Contest for sports beat reporting and second place for sports video in the all-daily division. Morse previously worked for The Island Packet, covering local government. Morse graduated from American University in 2023 with a Bachelor’s Degree in journalism and economics and is originally from Prospect, Kentucky.
PAWLEYS ISLAND, S.C. (March 30, 2025) – The University of North Alabama men's golf team heads to Pawleys Island, S.C. starting March 31 for the Golfweek/Any Given Tuesday Invite at True Blue Golf Resort. This is the final tournament in March and one of two final tournaments before the ASUN Championship.Tournament Information Golfweek/Any Given Tuesday Invite hosted by Golfweek True Blue Golf Resort Pawleys Island, S.C.18 Holes on Monday, March 31 18 Holes on Tuesday, April 1 18 Holes on Wednesday, April 2...
PAWLEYS ISLAND, S.C. (March 30, 2025) – The University of North Alabama men's golf team heads to Pawleys Island, S.C. starting March 31 for the Golfweek/Any Given Tuesday Invite at True Blue Golf Resort. This is the final tournament in March and one of two final tournaments before the ASUN Championship.
Tournament Information Golfweek/Any Given Tuesday Invite hosted by Golfweek True Blue Golf Resort Pawleys Island, S.C.
18 Holes on Monday, March 31 18 Holes on Tuesday, April 1 18 Holes on Wednesday, April 2
NOTES
LAST TIME OUT: The University of North Alabama men's golf team finished the Bridgestone Collegiate Invitational on Tuesday at the Silverado Resort (North) in Napa, Calif. in ninth place. The Lions finished 16-over as a team. Junior Xing Luo finished tied for second with a one-under final day for a 208-stroke score. This score ties the third-best of his career which came in the 2024 Turtle Point Invite. Luo led all players with 16 birdies for the tournament and was first in par-4s at eight-under for the three rounds.
THE BREAKDOWN: Golfweek is hosting the tournament that will see 16 teams in the tournament. The three days will follow a double tee time start. The course is a par 72 and spans 6,971 yards.
THE FIELD: A total of 16 teams will participate in this tournament. There are a mixture of teams in this one, the most notable being ASUN foe West Georgia and in-state rival Jacksonville State. Big names such as UConn, Xavier, Marshall and St. John's accompany the trip. New faces such as Fairleigh Dickinson, Valparaiso and Long Island will compete with the Lions. Other teams are as follows: SIUE, Stephen F. Austin State, Georgia State, Kansas City, Mercer and USC Upstate.
TOP DAWG: North Alabama recently moved to 91st in the Scoreboard powered by Clippd rankings. The Lions are the highest-ranking team in the tournament this time around. They are the only team inside the top-100 of the nation. The next closest two are Jacksonville State at No. 132 and Xavier at No. 133.
MARCHING THROUGH MARCH: This is the fourth tournament that starts in the month of March. This one is held at Pawleys Island, S.C. for the Golfweek/Any Given Tuesday Invite beginning on March 31. Between the last two tournaments, the Lions have traveled 12 continuous days as they went from Napa, Calif. straight to Pawleys Island, S.C. This is one of two final tournaments before the ASUN Championship in April.
RECORD BREAKING: Following a second-place finish on Tuesday, March 25, University of junior Xing Luo won the Atlantic Sun Conference Men's Golfer of the Week award, announced Thursday. With four career weekly awards, Luo breaks Jackson Wedgeworth's record for the most individual weekly awards in the Division I era. Wedgeworth held the title since 2020 after he earned his third. This is Luo's second award this semester and third during the 2024-2025 season.
Starting Lineup: TEAM 1. Xing Luo — Jr. — Katy, Texas 2. Chase Kaiser — Sr. — Natchez, Miss. 3. Sebastian Bengtsson — Jr. — Helsingborg, Sweden 4. Andrew Ferworn — So. — Houston, Texas 5. Blake Henriques — Jr. — Canton, Ga.
NEXT MATCH: Following the Golfweek/Any Given Tuesday, North Alabama travels to the Tiger Intercollegiate in Columbia, Mo. on April 7 hosted by Missouri at The Club at Old Hawthorne. This will be the final tournament this season before the ASUN Championship.
For more information on North Alabama Athletics, visit www.roarlions.com and follow UNA Athletics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Discover Charleston-area favorites and lesser-known oceanfront communities.The South Carolina coast is full of laid-back beach towns with wide stretches of sand, palm-lined bike paths, quaint boardwalks, and restaurants cooking up fresh-caught Lowcountry fare. I’ve spent much of my life frequenting the Palmetto State’s beach towns—visiting Kiawah Island every year and even living in Charleston for a period. Using my own experience and the expertise of a few locals, we narrowed down the list to the 10 best beach towns...
Discover Charleston-area favorites and lesser-known oceanfront communities.
The South Carolina coast is full of laid-back beach towns with wide stretches of sand, palm-lined bike paths, quaint boardwalks, and restaurants cooking up fresh-caught Lowcountry fare. I’ve spent much of my life frequenting the Palmetto State’s beach towns—visiting Kiawah Island every year and even living in Charleston for a period. Using my own experience and the expertise of a few locals, we narrowed down the list to the 10 best beach towns in South Carolina. See if your favorite made the cut below.
I’ve spent countless days on Isle of Palms, a small barrier island about 15 miles from downtown Charleston. It's one of the more family-friendly beach destinations in the area, and many visitors opt to stay at Wild Dunes Resort or rent a roomy oceanfront home. No matter where you are on the island, though, its leisurely pace, wide beach, and classic small-town vibes will entice visitors of all ages. One of my favorite things to do on “IOP,” as the locals call it, is to grab dinner at Islander 71 and watch the boats come in and out of the marina. I’d also recommend checking out the live music schedule at The Windjammer—or picking up a frosé (frozen rosé) to-go from The Co-Op.
In South Carolina, a beach town should evoke a nostalgic mix of humidity, salt water, and the distinctly earthy smell of pluff mud emanating from the salt marshes. Kiawah Island meets all of these criteria—and then some. A majority of the island functions as a gated private community, accessible only to residents, their guests, and those with reservations. However, there are a couple of areas open to the public if you want to do a day trip, namely Kiawah Beachwalker Park and the shopping center Freshfields Village. At the latter, you can load up on all your vacation essentials: groceries, beach reads, bathing suits, and more.
Myrtle Beach may technically be a city, but it has all of the trappings of your classic beach town. There’s a bustling boardwalk, golf courses, go-karts, souvenir shopping, and, of course, a number of public beaches. “I’ve always been drawn to the nostalgia that you can find on Myrtle Beach,” says Betsy Fuller, owner of A Maker’s Post, a gift shop on Sullivan's Island. “One of my favorite movies, 'Shag,' is set there, and whenever I watch it, I daydream about going back to visit the beach town in the 1950s.”
While it might be synonymous with spring break crowds and families on summer vacation, this is a destination that always delivers beach fun—whether you’re hoping to spend the day by the water or keeping your schedule full from sunup to sundown.
25 Best Things to Do in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Relaxation is paramount when you’re visiting Pawleys Island, a barrier island beach town located between Myrtle Beach and Charleston. This is the type of place where time slows down, you’re encouraged to log off and enjoy the natural splendor of South Carolina’s coast. Spend your days crabbing, surfing (if the waves permit), fishing, golfing, or dining on classic Lowcountry staples like okra soup or shrimp and grits; just don’t forget to save time for the art of doing absolutely nothing. For a particularly romantic getaway, book a room at The Pelican Inn, an eight-bedroom bed-and-breakfast with a charming wraparound porch.
"As someone who lives 10 minutes from Folly Beach, I certainly feel like I'm on vacation where I live,” says Katie Hirsch, the former director and chief curator of the Halsey Institute of Contemporary Art. One of the closest beach towns to Charleston, it’s a great option for a day trip if you’re visiting the Holy City; just be sure to arrive on the earlier side if you want to beat the crowds and have an easier time parking. Plus, “if you're an early riser,” says Hirsch, you might want to “try finding shark teeth during a morning beach walk.” She also recommends grabbing some food at local favorite Jack of Cups Saloon for “unexpected bites inspired by Asian cuisine.”
"Hilton Head Island is one of the best places to escape to if you want to be near a beach town but want a different environment from Charleston,” explains Hirsch. “It has modern touches but still keeps its Southern charm, appealing to both tourists and locals alike.”
The historic island is known for its golf courses and bike trails, but offers a wide variety of things to do. Gullah heritage tours, boat rides, paddleboarding, and birding are all itinerary contenders, and Hirsch also says the destination has “some of the best thrift stores.” If that’s up your alley, save an afternoon for exploring the goods at The Bargain Box, My Sister’s Closet, and The Church Mouse.
Sullivan’s Island continues to be a favorite South Carolina beach town—especially for Charlestonians. “The beach is very relaxed, and the marsh views are second to none,” says Fuller. “If you’re visiting, I’d recommend taking a long beach walk [and exiting] at Station 22.5, so you can head into ‘town,’ aka Middle Street, to do a little shopping.” This part of Sullivan’s Island is popular for its various eateries; there’s everything from Mexican and barbecue to burgers and seafood. Fuller recommends getting a table at High Thyme or The Obstinate Daughter, then grabbing a nightcap at Dunleavy’s Pub.
12 Best Beach Towns on the East Coast, According to Locals
The second-oldest city in South Carolina, Beaufort is often compared to Charleston; it’s historic, beautiful, and filled with oak trees and amazing architecture. Its proximity to the water is also a perk. Like Charleston, you’ll have to drive a bit out of the main hub to get to the beach. If you don’t mind parking your beach chair by Battery Creek, rather than the Atlantic Ocean, make your way to the Sands Beach on the southern end of Port Royal. The beach is free to the public, and there’s plenty to keep the whole family entertained, including a boardwalk, an observation tower, and shark-teeth-hunting opportunities. For a true oceanfront spot, you’ll need to drive half an hour to Hunting Island State Park, where five miles of beautiful beaches live alongside marshes, a saltwater lagoon, and maritime forests.
Murrells Inlet, or the “Seafood Capital of South Carolina,” makes this list for a few reasons. For starters, the historic fishing village has a feature known as MarshWalk. Spanning a half-mile along a natural saltwater estuary, the wooden boardwalk is home to several restaurants, including Bovine’s, Wahoo’s Fish House, and The Claw House. Head five minutes down the road and you'll arrive at the far-from-crowded Huntington Beach State Park, where you can find three miles of pristine sands to lie on. If you have some time, stop by Brookgreen Gardens, a 9,127 site that also includes a zoo and sculpture garden.
Located on Edisto Island, Edisto Beach isn’t your typical, buzzy beach town—and that’s the beauty of it. There are no stoplights, high rises, or chain restaurants on the island, and the town wholeheartedly embraces the magic of slow living. Visitors can explore the 4.5 miles of coastline, take a dip in the ocean, and search for shells, shark teeth, and other fossils that may wash up on shore. Biking, kayaking, and dolphin tours are also popular vacation activities. But if there’s absolutely one thing you can’t miss while visiting Edisto Beach, it's the glorious sunsets. Bring a blanket to Edisto Beach State Park, sit back, and enjoy the show.
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