Agape Care South Carolina: Hospice & Palliative Care on the Grand Strand

A Guide for Families in Georgetown and Horry Counties

Agape Care South Carolina is the state's leading hospice and palliative care provider, with a Myrtle Beach area office serving Georgetown and Horry counties. Operating under the Agape Care Group family of brands, the organization provides care across all four Medicare-recognized levels of hospice — from routine home care to general inpatient care — and is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Its mission is to serve with love, providing comfort and support through compassionate care and meaningful experiences.

History & Ownership

Agape Care South Carolina traces its roots to Hospice Care of South Carolina, founded in 1997 and headquartered in Spartanburg, SC. In January 2020, Hospice Care of South Carolina — then a portfolio company of The Vistria Group (a Chicago-based private investment firm) — acquired Agapé Hospice, which had been founded by Scott Middleton and was headquartered in Columbia, SC.

The combined organization rebranded as Agape Care in September 2020, with Troy Yarborough serving as Chief Executive Officer. At the time of the merger, the organization had approximately 900 employees caring for more than 1,500 patients across 32 branches covering all 46 counties in South Carolina.

In September 2022, Agape Care Group — now a portfolio company of Ridgemont Equity Partners (a Charlotte-based middle market buyout firm) — acquired GHC Hospice, expanding its reach into Georgia. The combined Agape Care Group family of brands includes Agape Care South Carolina, Georgia Hospice Care, and Hospice of the Carolina Foothills (North Carolina), with a care team of approximately 1,450 employees serving 3,600 patients across three states.

In October 2020, Agape Care was selected as one of 20 Medicare-certified hospice providers nationwide to participate in the alpha testing phase of the Hospice Outcomes & Patient Evaluation (HOPE) assessment program developed by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).

Myrtle Beach Area Office

The Myrtle Beach area office serves as a regional hub for Georgetown and Horry counties. Two addresses appear in official sources: 3009-B Church Street and 3009-C Church Street, Myrtle Beach, SC. The office functions as both an area office and a care coordination center.

Counties served: Georgetown County and Horry County

Services Offered

Agape Care South Carolina provides all four levels of hospice care recognized by Medicare, as well as palliative and pediatric programs:

Adult Hospice Care

Specialized end-of-life care for patients in the final phase of illness. Delivered across four care levels:

• Routine Home Care — ongoing care provided in the patient's home or place of residence
• Continuous Home Care — intensive nursing support during a period of crisis to manage acute symptoms at home
• General Inpatient Care (GIP) — short-term, higher-level care with 24/7 nursing staff for symptoms that cannot be managed at home; includes pain management, emotional and spiritual support, and counseling and training for family members
• Respite Care — temporary relief for caregivers; a patient may stay in a Medicare-certified facility for up to five days

Adult Palliative Care

Comfort care that relieves symptoms associated with serious, complex, or chronic illnesses. Available to patients who are still undergoing curative treatments and do not yet qualify for hospice.

Hands of Hope — Pediatric Care

Palliative and concurrent care for any child experiencing a life-limiting illness. This specialized program is available through the Myrtle Beach area office.

Grief & Bereavement Support

Counseling, support groups, and other resources designed to facilitate a safe and healing environment for families before and after the loss of a loved one.

Dementia Capable Care

A clinical specialty program with a care approach that focuses on personhood and the optimization of function and quality of life for patients living with dementia.

Hospice Houses (Statewide Inpatient Facilities)

When a patient's medical needs exceed what home caregivers can provide, Agape Care South Carolina has access to inpatient hospice houses across the state. Each house offers a serene atmosphere, unconditional love and compassion, and 24/7 medical and emotional support:

Hospice house amenities include:

• Comfortable, well-furnished private room with en suite bath and specialized medical equipment
• Shared family room, dining area, convenient parking, and free Wi-Fi
• Delicious meals and snacks provided to patients
• Unrestricted visiting hours
• Pets allowed for visitation

Care Team & Staffing

Agape Care's interdisciplinary care teams include registered nurses (RNs), licensed vocational nurses (LVNs), medical social workers, chaplains, and hospice aides. RNs are required to have a minimum of two years of nursing experience in medical/surgical, home health, hospice, or ICU settings. Medical social workers are required to hold at minimum a bachelor's degree supervised by a master's-level social worker, with preference given to those holding an LCSW. Chaplains with hospice experience are preferred.

The Myrtle Beach area team provides care coordination with the full interdisciplinary team, patients, families, DME suppliers, pharmacies, and referring physicians. All team members perform on-call responsibilities to ensure 24/7 coverage.

What Families Say

Families who have experienced Agape Care South Carolina consistently describe the staff as loving, compassionate, and genuinely devoted to patients and their loved ones. Reviewers frequently highlight:

• Staff who treat patients and families with exceptional kindness and dignity
• Nurses who communicate daily with family members to keep them informed
• Care teams that go the extra mile to ensure comfort during final days
• Compassionate and thorough support after a loved one's passing
• A peaceful, welcoming environment at the hospice houses

Payment & Coverage

Agape Care South Carolina accepts Medicare as a Medicare-certified hospice provider. Under the Medicare hospice benefit, Medicare covers all care related to the terminal illness and related conditions — including nursing visits, medications, medical equipment, and inpatient stays arranged by the hospice team. Patients pay no deductible; small copayments may apply for certain prescriptions and respite stays. Residential care options are also available for patients who need inpatient hospice house care but do not qualify for Medicare coverage.

Contact Information

References

1. Agape Care South Carolina — Myrtle Beach Area Office
2. ACG Hospice — Myrtle Beach Area
3. Agape Care South Carolina — Hospice Houses
4. Agape Care Group South Carolina — Official Website
5. Hospice Care of South Carolina Acquires Agapé Hospice (January 2020)
6. Agapé Hospice and Hospice Care of South Carolina Rebrand as Agape Care (September 2020)
7. Agape Care Group Acquires GHC Hospice (September 2022)
8. Agape Care Selected by CMS for HOPE Assessment Alpha Testing Program (October 2020)
9. SC Home Care & Hospice Association — Horry County Hospice Providers