Residents of the Palmetto State spend around two-thirds of their year enjoying pleasant weather and sunshine. Columbia itself is also a fast-growing city, but it manages to keep up the charming and friendly feel locals and visitors love so much.
If your loved one is experiencing memory loss, you can help them find a pleasant and accepting home in Columbia. In Columbia, memory care facilities refer to specialized living arrangements for seniors who are living with Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, or other memory-related conditions. These communities provide seniors with safe and secure environments that accommodate the nuanced needs of residents with memory loss.
In particular, Columbia’s memory care facilities provide their residents with services such as medication management, personal care or mobility assistance, and 24-hour supervision. Many also host activities for residents that can enhance memory, as well as an array of social activities and events that encourage residents to socialize and get cognitive stimulation.
In this guide, we’ll introduce you to the memory care options your loved one has in Columbia, all of which are located within a 10-mile radius of downtown. We’ll also share information surrounding the average monthly fee of living in one of Columbia’s memory care facilities, available payment methods, important laws and regulations specific to memory care facilities in the area, an overview of Columbia’s memory care market, and the many perks the city offers its seniors — from noted health care options to transportation and stimulating activities.
What we like the most about Fairforest Grove is the friendly staff who appear to know our loved one and recognize us each time we visit; appears to be taking care of our loved one; cleanliness; different...
People were really good to mama ..Clean with lots to do. Just didnt like paying for services not provided. Mama had a broken arm. So help would have been good.
Our family has been very happy with the facility and we had a great first impression. It did not seem like a "nursing home" - it is clean, it smelled nice and there are a lot of open spaces. The residents...
The overall experience is very positive. My only concern is that I wish there was a safe and secured outdoor space that residents can use to go walking, do gardening, get fresh air or doing activities...
The friendliness of the staff does vary greatly amongst the staff with some receiving's 1s and some others receiving 5s. What we like the most about the Brookdale Harbison community is the size of facility,...
I chose the community due to close to my home and the staff was welcoming. The cost was reasonable for my Dads needs now and in the future along with the cleanness.
After visiting several places in the Columbia area, I made the decision to place my dear friend at The Palmettos. That was in March 2020. Two and a half years later, I am still confident that I made the...
A PLACE FOR MOM was extremely friendly and helpful. Could not have found a place for mom without their help. I would recommend to others. We picked this community because of the cost, and it was friendly.
My father really enjoyed himself here everyone was very nice and helpful treated us like family would recommend to anyone.
This is a great community and you should come and visit. They have activities like art work, work out classes, walking, dinner parties, movies, bridge and more for the residents to do. I even entered a...
My mother in law is still adjusting to living at this community. The staff have been fabulous and have helped every step of the way. The entire staff watch out for her. She likes the food and they do offer...
My Aunt has been at the Haven for around seven months. She came from another place where she had UTI's all the time. We are still paying bills from those. Here she has not had one. The place is set up...
Laurel Crest is more expensive, but they had better care than where my loved one is now. The staff to resident ratio was better here and we got much more personalized care. They pay attention the the...
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According to proprietary data gathered by A Place for Mom, residents of Columbia’s memory care facilities pay an average cost of $4,017 monthly.[02] This average actual monthly cost includes all associated fees and service fee add-ons, which means it reflects an array of floor plans, amenities, and other variables. Depending on the facility, it will also encompass health care services such as comprehensive memory care, incontinence care, and medication management.[02]
The graphic below outlines baseline costs for the area’s memory care facilities. These costs don’t include add-on fees that may be incurred with additional services.
There are several ways residents and their loved ones can pay for memory care fees in Columbia. Although some residents prefer to pay using private income sources, others use additional benefits to help cover these fees. Here, we’ll explore all the payment options residents and loved ones have available to them: private payment, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits, Medicaid, and Medicare.
In South Carolina, memory care facilities are required by state law to be licensed as Community Residential Care Facilities (CRCF), which are also referred to as assisted living. Facilities obtain this license from the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC).
In turn, South Carolina’s memory care facilities must adhere to regulations set by the DHEC to be eligible for a license, including the following:
The DHEC itself also conducts regular inspections to make sure Columbia’s memory care facilities comply with these rules, including unannounced visits. During these facility inspections, the DHEC will read through a community’s records and gauge the quality of the care offered to residents. Inspectors might also choose to interview staff members, residents, and loved ones.
The frequency of these inspections is not set in stone and depends on a handful of different factors; these include a facility’s past compliance as well as the type of care provided there. Facilities that have been found to be in violation in the past may be inspected more frequently.
As inspections are within the public record but are not available online, individuals are free to contact the DHEC directly to request records. You can, however, search here to see if a facility is licensed.
2600 Bull St.
Columbia, SC 29201
Phone: 855-472-3432
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
South Carolina’s community residential care facilities — which includes Columbia’s memory care facilities — do have specific COVID-19 guidance provided by the state’s DHEC.
We’ll list some of the DHEC’s recommendations below. These pointers are updated as of late September 2021, but a full version of the DHEC’s guidance is available here:
Those living with Alzheimer’s, other forms of dementia, or another memory loss-related condition can find individualized care at one of Columbia’s dedicated memory care facilities, four of which are partnered with A Place for Mom.[02]
Of course, memory care facilities in Columbia are sure to provide thoughtful amenities and services that cater to the unique needs and challenges of residents with memory loss. These communities offer individualized care and attention as well as a range of activities meant to boost cognitive function, improve memory retention, and give opportunities for social interaction.
Here are some examples of memory loss-specific services and amenities that some of the area’s memory care facilities offer:[02]
Seniors and their loved ones will be happy to know that all of the memory care communities in Columbia partnered with A Place for Mom offer a variety of care types under one roof:[02]
Living within these combination care facilities ensures that should their care needs change, seniors can access whatever care they need whenever they need it.
Columbia’s memory care communities also offer a wide breadth of amenities that are useful for keeping seniors with memory loss conditions engaged — from opportunities to socialize and enjoy something new to relaxing common areas like movie rooms, libraries, games rooms, or arts and crafts centers. Calming butterfly and hummingbird gardens are even available at some facilities.
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Columbia offers two medical care centers that are lauded for their wide array of high-quality services.
Columbia isn’t a walkable city, nor is there a robust public transportation system — meaning it’s an area best traveled by car. However, driving is hazardous for those in memory care facilities and not recommended.
It’s helpful to know that all Columbia memory care facilities partnered with A Place for Mom offer complimentary transportation services for residents[01], with 25% of them offering transportation at cost. Seniors with disabilities can also take advantage of Columbia’s Dial-A-Ride Transit (DART) Service as long as they have a caregiver with them. DART operates a fleet of wheelchair-accessible buses, and each $4 fare comes with a personal care attendant. Besides this, the service places no restrictions on usage, and its buses run Monday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (except for Thanksgiving and Christmas). You must apply for a DART card to use the service.
Another transportation option is Senior Express. This transit system has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau and takes seniors wherever they need to go — whether that’s to errands or outings such as the grocery store, religious functions, doctor’s appointments, or the airport. Senior Express operates on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Note that caregivers should still be present for seniors using this service.
Columbia is a laid-back city that still offers up plenty for its residents to do — and this includes a variety of activities that are suitable for seniors with memory loss and their loved ones. In fact, while the area’s memory care facilities generally provide plenty of in-house activities that give seniors a chance to socialize and flex their cognitive muscles, some of the area’s memory care facilities will even take residents out on day trips and outings.[02]
Considering it’s sunny for most of the year in Columbia, there’s plenty of time to soak up the sunshine. Visiting loved ones could take their seniors out for a trip to the Riverbanks Zoo and Garden, which is home to more than 3,000 animals in lush exhibits. Riverbanks offers its visitors a wide array of sensory experiences to enjoy, as well as guided tours and animal encounters that can be attended by people with disabilities. Besides this, certain themed areas like the Walled Garden offer peaceful and tranquil environments for seniors with memory loss.
The Robert Mills House and Gardens — a historic site featuring a restored mansion and several outdoor gardens — is another calming choice for seniors due to its quiet environment and variety of accessibility features. Wide paths make walking easier, plus there are plenty of seating areas around the property.
Families who are looking for more of a relaxing park experience can check out Saluda Shoals Park. Saluda Shoals has a gorgeous river walkway, but it also provides great accessibility, offering up accessible kayaking, fishing, trails, and even disability-minded events. Sesquicentennial State Park — or “Sesqui,” as it’s known by locals — might be another stop for families who love to get outside. It’s known for its trails, fishing, and boating, and it’s also home to a large lake. Lake Murray also offers boat tours as well as accessible trails and fishing piers.
There are plenty of accessible museums in Soda City as well. Koger Center for the Arts is where you’ll find music and other performances that can be great for the soul — not to mention therapeutic for seniors with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia. Besides this, the Columbia Museum of Art offers engaging and interactive exhibits that are sure to be a hit with family and friends, and the South Carolina State Museum will teach you all about the Palmetto State’s history. Its planetarium also hosts shows and astronomy programs.
Of course, loved ones can also bring their seniors to a variety of activities tailored to those living with memory loss. First, the Lourie Center offers memory care programs and activities for seniors with dementia. These programs might include music, art, or reminiscence therapy. Caregivers themselves might also be interested in checking out Leeza’s Care Connection, which has a chapter in Columbia. The organization’s mission is to support caregivers, and it hosts a variety of relevant events and support programs, from Tai Chi to a men’s coffee club.
Fairforest Grove Senior Living, Forest Lake Manor and Harbison Shores are the top-rated Memory Care facilities near Columbia, SC. These Memory Care facilities received the highest rankings based on verified family reviews. See full list of communities.
The average cost of Memory Care in Columbia is $3,997 per month. This cost may vary based on location, amenities, floorplan, level of care and other factors.
The 25 memory care facilities near you in Columbia, South Carolina typically provide housing, therapies, and care tailored to those who have Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia. To find memory care in Columbia, South Carolina, browse our detailed listings showing photos, floor plans, amenities, activities, and reviews from real families.
Browse A Place for Mom’s listings for memory care in Columbia, South Carolina, to take a virtual tour. Our local senior living experts can arrange for a live tour of these communities as well.
The cost of memory care facilities in Columbia, South Carolina ranges from $1700 to $7450. The average Memory Care cost in Columbia, South Carolina is $3,997. Prices often vary based on care provided, amenities, unit size, and more.
The cost of memory care in Columbia, South Carolina typically starts at $1700. A Place for Mom’s local, expert senior living advisors can help you find affordable memory care facilities near you and offer advice on how to lower costs and pay for care with VA benefits or public payment options.
Payscale. (n.d.). Cost of Living in Columbia, South Carolina.
A Place for Mom. (2023). A Place for Mom proprietary data.
United States Census Bureau. (2021). Population Estimates 2021: Columbia, South Carolina [Data set].
U.S. News and World Report. (n.d.). Lexington Medical Center.
Ask an A Place for Mom local advisor at no cost.
Payscale. (n.d.). Cost of Living in Columbia, South Carolina.
A Place for Mom. (2023). A Place for Mom proprietary data.
United States Census Bureau. (2021). Population Estimates 2021: Columbia, South Carolina [Data set].
U.S. News and World Report. (n.d.). Lexington Medical Center.