Columbia makes a great environment for seniors: Given its laid-back and welcoming nature as well as an accessible environment for retirees, moving a loved one into one of Columbia’s nursing home facilities could certainly be a great option for their next phase in life.
However, it’s important to know that the term “nursing home” can sometimes be an umbrella under which multiple types of senior care exist. First, nursing homes are also called skilled nursing facilities, and these communities offer both in-depth nursing services as well as long-term care. In turn, these types of facilities offer residents the highest level of medical care outside of a hospital and are ideal for seniors needing 24/7 care, hospice services, or rehabilitation.
On the other hand, some individuals searching for a nursing home for their loved one might actually be seeking out other types of services — mainly memory care or assisted living. The former provides 24/7 care and supervision tailored to seniors with memory loss conditions, and the latter offers more minimal assistance to seniors who are somewhat active but may require help with activities of daily living.
Although A Place for Mom doesn’t partner with standalone skilled nursing facilities, we do partner with both memory care and assisted living facilities that may offer skilled nursing wings or medical care services. If you’re seeking an assisted living or memory care facility in Columbia, you’ll find six options within a 10-mile radius of downtown that are partnered with A Place for Mom. We’ll also give you an overview of the area’s senior care options as well as information surrounding costs, payment methods, laws and regulations, and highlights Columbia offers its seniors.
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...
It was OK. I think that the rehab was good, but they didn't inform us as to what was going on on a daily basis, and you would go over an no one seemed to know. She went there about three times this year...
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...
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...
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...
We developed a proprietary recommendation system that orders Columbia community options based on factors we know are important to seniors and their families:
We collect proprietary data from our network of 14,000+ senior living communities in the U.S., with regular refreshes of data and information
We have 387,000+ reviews from senior living residents and family members that provide first-hand accounts about senior living communities
The national monthly median cost for nursing home care in a private room is $7,908.[01] A nursing home will provide 24-hour medical care to your loved one. However, not everyone is in need of that level of care.
According to A Place for Mom’s proprietary data shows, residents at our Columbia partner facilities paid an actual average of $3,864 monthly for assisted living and $4,017 for memory care — pricing that reflects associated fees and service fee add-ons paid by seniors.[02]
Depending on the facility, baseline care costs within Columbia’s senior care communities can include special types of care (memory, hospice, diabetes, incontinence, high-acuity, and ambulatory); assistance with personal care; 24-hour supervision; mobility assistance; ancillary services; medication management; an on-call doctor; a visiting podiatrist; and visiting occupational, physical, and speech therapists.[02]
Prospective residents and their loved ones have several options when it comes to paying for a senior care facility. Some might choose private payment methods such as selling a home or taking out a reverse mortgage, while others will also use state and federal benefits they qualify for, including U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits, Medicaid, and Medicare. Either way, you can use the information provided in this section to find the payment method that best suits you or your family.
All nursing homes, assisted living facilities and memory care facilities in South Carolina are regulated, licensed, and inspected by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC).
In particular, these are some of the critical laws and regulations nursing homes must adhere to:
Nursing homes in the state that participate in Medicare and Medicaid must also comply with certain federal regulations similar to the ones outlined above.
Generally, South Carolina’s nursing homes undergo an inspection by the DHEC annually. However, certain facilities that have been noncompliant in the past — or ones that have received complaints — may find themselves inspected more frequently.
During these visits, inspectors gauge a nursing home’s compliance when it comes to state and federal regulations. The facility’s policies and procedures are evaluated, and interviews with staffers, residents, and their loved ones are held. The inspectors will also note the degree of cleanliness and safety in the facility. If the DHEC uncovers any issues during its inspection, it will ask the nursing home to create and carry out corrective plans. They may also receive fines and penalties if this plan is unsuccessful.
If a resident themselves or one of their loved ones is concerned about the quality of care or safety offered in a nursing home, they can also file a complaint with the state’s DHEC. Additionally, all DHEC inspections are available to the public. You can contact the DHEC using the contact details below to request specific facility results. You can also see the inspection reports online.
Some nursing homes in Columbia may also be subject to specific zoning regulations set forth by local governments. Generally, these regulations are laid out so that the city’s nursing homes will be in appropriate areas — think in areas close to medical campuses or convenient to public transportation.
Because these zoning laws can vary widely, it’s best to reach out to the local government office that’s responsible for zoning laws a nursing home falls under if you’re curious about a specific facility.
As mentioned above, assisted living and memory care facilities must also adhere to DHEC guidelines surrounding licensing, adequate staffing, quality care, and similar regulations to South Carolina’s nursing homes. Both fall under the term Community Residential Care Facilities in South Carolina. You should also know that South Carolina’s memory care facilities do need a special designation for these services.
Assisted living facilities must be inspected by the DHEC at least once every two years, and memory care facilities are also inspected — just not on a specific timeline. Additionally, some nursing homes in Columbia may have assisted living or memory care services, meaning a combination of these regulations will still apply to them. You can search here to see if a facility is licensed, but inspection reports are not available online. For that, you’ll have to reach out to the DHEC.
2600 Bull St.
Columbia, SC 29201
Phone: 855-472-3432
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Nursing homes, assisted living and memory care facilities in South Carolina do have specific COVID-19 guidelines provided by the DHEC. Some of the DHEC guidelines are listed below (which are up to date as of September 2021), and the full document is available here.
Of course, opting to make a move to a nursing home isn’t an easy decision to make for yourself or a loved one. However, the laid-back and accessible lifestyle Columbia offers — as well as the variety of options offered by the senior care facilities in the area — means you’ll certainly find a community tailored to the needs and interests of any senior. Here, we’ll share more information about what you can expect from the area’s senior care facilities, whether you’re looking into nursing homes, memory care, or assisted living.
Of the six A Place for Mom-partnered senior care facilities within a 10-mile radius of downtown Columbia, just one offers standalone assisted living services. The rest include a variety of different care:[02]
With this in mind, seniors residing in combined facilities who are concerned about needing an additional layer of care later can rest assured that they’ll be accommodated.
Residents in Columbia’s senior care facilities benefit from the variety of health care services their facilities provide, ensuring a senior’s unique care needs will be addressed.
Individual facilities’ offerings may vary, but services offered by the area’s assisted living and memory care facilities may include staff members awake at all times to help, medication management, incontinence management, diabetic care, as well as visits from doctors, physical or occupational therapists, and podiatrists.
Additionally, residents’ dietary needs and preferences will certainly be catered to: Columbia’s assisted living and memory care facilities offer up a host of dining options, from low- and no-sodium meals to gluten-free and no-sugar-added options.
No matter the type of facility, the wider Columbia senior care market provides residents with amenities that keep them entertained and engaged.
Certain assisted living and memory care facilities have a wide diversity of available activities, including on-site devotional groups; Protestant, Jewish, Catholic, Mormon, and other religious services; art classes; educational speakers; live dance or theater performances; choirs or singing clubs; wine tastings; dances; barbecues and picnics; and much more.
Seniors may also still be able to get active, no matter their abilities: Some facilities offer perks like day trips or outings, community service programs, stretching classes, light therapy, sensory programs, and yoga or chair yoga. If your senior is less of a social butterfly, they might still be able to enjoy facility common areas. These include spots like a courtyard with enclosures, a billiards lounge, a game room, a movie or theater room, salons or barber shops, or libraries, to name a few options.
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Seniors in Columbia will have no shortage of medical experts to rely on. Below, we’ll cover some of the area’s top medical facilities.
Columbia is a city where most people rely on cars to do their errands, meaning getting around by another means can sometimes prove difficult. But seniors and their family members shouldn’t worry: There are safe options for seniors who need to get out and about that don’t require them getting behind a wheel.
First, all Columbia assisted living and memory care facilities partnered with A Place for Mom offer residents complimentary transportation, and one-third offer transport at cost.
Those who have a caregiver with them can also rely on public transportation to get from point A to point B. The city’s Dial-A-Ride Transit (DART) Service is an offshoot of the Comet bus system, and it serves Columbia seniors who are living with disabilities. All of DART’s buses are wheelchair-accessible, and its $4 fares include a care attendant. DART has no restrictions or guidelines when it comes to usage, but the buses do run on a fixed schedule; residents with a DART card can use the service Monday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
For errands or other tasks, seniors can use Columbia’s Senior Express. This service can take a senior or their caregiver around town, whether that’s to a medical appointment, social outing, shopping trip, or something similar. It’s available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
There’s so much to do in Columbia, South Carolina, that it’s hard to know where to begin! From nationally recognized parks to comprehensive and educational museums, you can easily spend a whole day outside or an entire day inside — no matter your interests.
For a calm, quiet, and contemplative day that stimulates the mind, seniors and their family members will love the Columbia Museum of Art. Not only does the museum offer engaging and accessible exhibits, but it also has plenty of programming. The South Carolina State Museum is interactive and engaging while offering accessibility for all who come. It also offers an exhibit for everyone, as its focus spans everything from South Carolina history to astronomy.
With all of this in mind, though, being outdoors is still one of the best ways to spend a day in Columbia. For starters, visitors could take seniors to the Robert Mills House and Gardens. Here, families can enjoy a stately mansion as well as outdoor garden areas. This is an especially calming activity, and mindful accessibility options like wide walking paths create a welcoming environment for seniors and their loved ones. Riverbanks Zoo and Garden is another botanical place of interest that keeps accessibility in mind: Home to over 3,000 animals flanked by greenery, the garden provides lush and calming exhibits as well as tours and animal encounters for people with disabilities.
Looking for more of a walk in the park, though? Families can head to Saluda Shoals Park, an especially accessible local park which is also home to a scenic river walkway. Sesquicentennial State Park is another solid option for families who enjoy a sunny day outside. It’s home to not only trails, but a large lake where you’ll often find locals relaxing. Lake Murray also hosts boat tours and provides accessible trails and piers for fishing.
Once you’re done with your day on the lake, why not head to one of Columbia’s shopping and dining districts for some food and more quality time? Congaree Vista is home to some of the city’s most beloved architecture, while Five Points has a more festive vibe. You could also see vendors at Soda City Market that you won’t find anywhere else in the world, but if you’re looking for a good stroll about town, Devine Street is the place to be.
And who doesn’t love a festive atmosphere? You’ll find it in Columbia every year at the South Carolina State Fair. If you missed that, don’t worry: The Greek Festival is sure to give you a whole day of fun.
If your loved one can’t usually head out of their community, however, rest assured that Columbia’s senior care facilities also offer up engaging activities for residents on-site — and that some even have supervised day trips and outings.
Fairforest Grove Senior Living, Forest Lake Manor and Harbison Shores are the top-rated Nursing Homes facilities near Columbia, SC. These Nursing Homes facilities received the highest rankings based on verified family reviews. See full list of communities.
The average cost of Nursing Homes in Columbia is $3,997 per month. This cost may vary based on location, amenities, floorplan, level of care and other factors.
Genworth. (2021). Cost of Care Survey.
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.
Genworth. (2021). Cost of Care Survey.
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.