Worth Considering
3
Facilities graded B or better with zero fines
Best Nursing Homes in Charleston, South Carolina
3 of 8 nursing homes in Charleston (38%) meet our strict criteria. The South Carolina statewide average is 29%.
3 recommended · 2 caution · 3 avoid · data
City Average
3.3
★
+0.00 vs state
Total Beds
808
across 8 facilities
High Risk Facilities
3
3 Grade F
$313,584 in combined fines
Zero Fines
4
/8
passed all inspections
Nurse Availability
0 min
RN time per resident daily
Below CMS recommendation
Why These 3?
The nursing home market in Charleston, South Carolina, is adequate but has notable concerns, with only 3 out of 8 facilities recommended. Families should be aware of the 3 facilities in the avoid tier, which have incurred a total of $292,056 in fines, highlighting the need for careful selection.
Exceptional (Grade A, Trust Score 90+)
- 1 NHC Healthcare - Charleston (90) — NHC Healthcare - Charleston boasts an impressive Trust Score of 90 and an A grade, paired with a perfect CMS 5★ rating. This facility, with 88 beds and no fines, prioritizes quality care, making it a top choice for those seeking reliable nursing support.
Strong (Grade B+, Trust Score 80-89)
- 2 Bishop Gadsden Episcopal Health Care Center (81) — Bishop Gadsden Episcopal Health Care Center is a highly regarded non-profit facility with a Trust Score of 81 and a solid B+ grade. With a CMS 5★ rating and zero fines, this 41-bed center exemplifies community-focused care, ensuring residents receive compassionate and personalized attention.
Qualified (Grade B, Trust Score 70-79)
- 3 WHITE OAK MANOR - CHARLESTON (75) — WHITE OAK MANOR - CHARLESTON offers a robust 4★ CMS rating and maintains a Trust Score of 75, reflecting its commitment to quality care. This for-profit facility, with 176 beds and no fines, provides a supportive environment, making it a viable option for families seeking dependable nursing services.
The other 5 Charleston facilities didn't qualify — 3 carry Grade D or F ratings and 4 have fines totaling $313K.
Recommended
NHC Healthcare - Charleston boasts an impressive Trust Score of 90 and an A grade, paired with a perfect CMS 5★ rating. This facility, with 88 beds and no fines, prioritizes quality care, making it a top choice for those seeking reliable nursing support.
Bishop Gadsden Episcopal Health Care Center is a highly regarded non-profit facility with a Trust Score of 81 and a solid B+ grade. With a CMS 5★ rating and zero fines, this 41-bed center exemplifies community-focused care, ensuring residents receive compassionate and personalized attention.
WHITE OAK MANOR - CHARLESTON offers a robust 4★ CMS rating and maintains a Trust Score of 75, reflecting its commitment to quality care. This for-profit facility, with 176 beds and no fines, provides a supportive environment, making it a viable option for families seeking dependable nursing services.
Proceed with Caution
These facilities don't meet our recommendation criteria but may still be viable options.
Hidden Gem
Staffing Comparison
Staffing levels are the strongest predictor of care quality
| Metric | Top Facility | Charleston Avg | CMS Minimum |
|---|---|---|---|
| RN Hours / Resident / Day | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.75 |
| CMS Star Rating | 5 stars | 3.3 stars | — |
| Deficiencies / Inspection | 0 | 0.0 | — |
Facilities to Avoid
These facilities have significant quality concerns.
What Disqualified the Other 5?
Our criteria: Trust Grade B or better (score 70+) AND zero fines in 3 years
- Grade F facilities
- 3 Grade F — critical inspection failures
- Facilities with fines
- 4 Have fines totaling $313,584
- Low-scoring facilities
- 1 Scored below B — Trust Scores under 70
- Caution group
- 2 Had good grades but fines disqualified them
Questions Charleston Families Should Ask
Based on what we found in local inspection data
-
1
"What is your current CMS star rating and Trust Score?"
Charleston's city average is 3.3 stars
-
2
"Have you received any fines in the past 3 years?"
4 of 8 Charleston facilities have fines
-
3
"How many RN hours per resident do you provide daily?"
CMS recommends 45 min; Charleston avg is 0 min
-
4
"What were your most recent inspection findings?"
Charleston facilities average 0.0 deficiencies per inspection
Explore Nearby Cities
Houston has strong options, but nearby cities add even more choices
Houston at a Glance
Good News
- 12 facilities meet our strict criteria—20% of the market
- 3 exceptional A-grade facilities with 5-star CMS ratings
- 24 facilities with zero fines in the past 3 years
Be Aware
- 30 facilities carry Grade F—nearly half the market
- $3.2M+ in total fines across 37 facilities
- Worst facility has $448,216 in fines alone
Key Numbers
- Average Trust Score: 48.6 (dragged down by 30 F-grades)
- 82% for-profit, 13% non-profit, 5% government
- 9.4 average deficiencies per facility
Frequently Asked Questions
How many nursing homes in Charleston, SC are recommended?
3 of 8 nursing homes in Charleston (38%) meet our strict criteria of excellent inspection results and a clean record with no fines.
What makes a nursing home in Charleston "recommended"?
A facility earns our recommendation when it achieves a Trust Grade of B or better (score of 70+) AND has zero fines in the past three years. This combination indicates consistent quality care and regulatory compliance.
How should I evaluate nursing homes in Charleston?
Look beyond star ratings. Check for recent fines, abuse citations, staffing levels (especially RN hours), and inspection deficiencies. Visit in person during different times of day to observe care quality firsthand.