As POA and sole caretaker for my mother, am I allowed to pay myself out of her funds as her caregiver in the state of SC?

A POA can be paid for duties of POA IF THAT IS WRITTEN into the POA. But for a POA to enrich themselves in any other way is not going to pass muster under the law. You need to see an Elder Law Attorney in your own state to get straight what can be done in your own state under its rules and how to set it up. It is tricky and not something for a forum to inform you about.

In your situation, I doubt it. You can check with a lawyer but Mom has Dementia so cannot sign any contracts allowing any of her money to be used this way. To be paid for being a POA, it has to be in the POA paperwork.

What Glad says. For heaven's sake whatever you do do not just go ahead and help yourself, you'd be in all kinds of trouble right down to Elder Abuse charges.

You would need a caregiver agreement with your mom. An attorney can prepare it but mom would need to be competent to sign it. See an elder law attorney.