SC DPH delivered its memory care staffing study, required by Proviso 31.48 (2025 Act No. 69, H.4025), on January 1, 2026. If you run or plan memory care, here is what it does and does not tell you.
The survey base
| Measure | Result |
|---|---|
| Licensed facilities | 629 |
| Facilities that responded | 137 (about 22 percent) |
| Respondent mix | 114 community residential care facilities and 23 nursing homes |
| Respondents that provide or offer memory care | About 80 percent |
| People in memory care, statewide | Roughly 3,177 individuals |
| Public comment period | November 4 to 15, 2025 |
| Members of the public who responded | 14 |
What respondents said
Each table shows how many respondents favored each option. The current standard is marked.
CRCF peak hours (7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Alzheimer's units)
| Ratio | Responses |
|---|---|
| 1:6 | 33 |
| 1:8 (current) | 30 |
| 1:4 | 19 |
CRCF non-peak hours
| Ratio | Responses |
|---|---|
| 1:15 | 31 |
| 1:8 | 17 |
| 1:10 | 11 |
| 1:30 (current) | 7 |
Nursing homes: licensed nurses per work area per shift
| Option | Responses |
|---|---|
| Two nurses | 11 |
| One nurse (current) | 5 |
Nursing homes: non-licensed direct care hours per resident per day
| Option | Responses |
|---|---|
| Keep the current 1.63 hours | 10 |
| A higher figure | 12 |
Suggestions for the higher figure ran from 1.85 to 3.5 hours, with five respondents naming 2.0.
What DPH actually recommended
Three things, none with a number: increase minimum staffing ratios (potentially varying by staff type, time of day or acuity), require enhanced memory care training, and add resources and infrastructure for the workforce. The report cites thin margins, turnover and shortages. It does not propose specific licensing text or a new regulation section.
What to do
Current rules still govern:
| Setting | Current standard | Source |
|---|---|---|
| CRCF, peak hours | 1:8 | R.60-84 §503.B (as cited in the report) |
| CRCF, non-peak hours | 1:30 | R.60-84 §503.B (as cited in the report) |
| Nursing homes | 1.63 direct care hours per resident per day plus one licensed nurse per shift per work area | Nursing home proviso |
Use the survey distribution as a planning signal: 1:6 or better at peak is where respondents' views concentrated. Price the cost of that now so a future rule is not a surprise.
Last verified against the linked agency source on October 30, 2026. Regulatory details change; confirm before acting.
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