DEV | TEST h1 template (view-level fallback) Assisted Living

Columbus residents can combine several private and public assistance options to help pay for assisted living. An assessment of your loved one’s unique financial circumstances will help you determine the best way to pay for room, board, and personal care in assisted living.

Assisted living facilities, or residential care facilities as they are designated in Ohio, must be licensed by the Ohio Department of Health (ODH). The ODH performs facility inspections before licensing the facility and then a minimum of every 15 months after licensure.

A residential care facility is defined as one of the following:

• A facility offering accommodations and care for a minimum of 17 residents who are not related to one another
• A facility offering accommodations and care services to three or more unrelated persons who are dependent on these services and offering skilled nursing to at least one resident

Ohio assisted living staff requirements

While there are no minimum staff requirements for residential care facilities in Ohio, facilities are required to employ the following types of personnel:

• An administrator who is responsible for overseeing the facility’s operations. They must be on-site at least 20 hours per week and available at all times when off the premises.
• If the facility offers personal care, there must be one member of the direct care staff trained in first aid on the premises at all times.
• If the facility provides medication administration, they must have a registered nurse, a physician, or a licensed nurse practitioner certified in medication administration on staff.
• If residents have late-stage cognitive impairment, such as Alzheimer’s or dementia, the facility must have a psychologist or physician either on staff or contracted with the facility.

Staff in Ohio assisted living facilities must undergo proper training for their responsibilities, as outlined in Ohio Administrative Code Rule 3701-16-06.

Ohio assisted living service requirements

Ohio assisted living facilities must provide residents with the following services:

• Assistance with activities of daily living
• Recreation and social activities
• Housekeeping and laundry services
• Provide either three meals per day or a food-safe storage for residents to take care of their own food

Ohio assisted living building standards

Ohio assisted living facilities must uphold building code standards for health and safety. Each facility must be approved by the local certified building department.

Assisted living facilities are required to have their plumbing, electrical, and sanitation systems in safe and working order. They must comply with fire and carbon monoxide safety, have evacuation and disaster preparedness plans, and perform and document regular evacuation drills.

You can access Ohio senior care facility inspection reports through the Health Care Provider Survey Reports. To look up a particular facility’s inspection report using this tool, select the category of care provider from the drop-down menu, then narrow your search by entering the county, the city, or the name of the specific organization you’re searching for.

For additional information on rights and resources, view the Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging Housing Guide for Seniors and Individuals Who Have a Disabilities.

Ohio Department of Health contact information

Ohio Department of Health
246 N. High St.
Columbus, OH 43215
Phone: 614-466-3543

COVID-19 regulations for Columbus assisted living facilities

Ohio assisted living facilities are recommended to implement precautionary measures against COVID-19 in accordance with guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Individual communities may have their own rules in place. The general guidelines are as follows:

Columbus assisted living offers seniors an environment where they can receive personal care services that promote wellness and quality of life, while fostering as much independence as possible. Assisted living communities in the area feature elegantly furnished common areas where residents can relax, socialize over meals and cups of coffee, and participate in enrichment activities.

On-site amenities at our Columbus assisted living partner communities generally feature communal leisure areas and on-site conveniences like the following:

• Beauty salons/barber shops
• TV and movie lounges
• Patios
• Fitness centers
• Library/media centers
• Dining areas
• Cafes/bistros
• Bars/pubs
• Central fireplaces
• Game/craft rooms

At our Columbus assisted living community partners, residents can enjoy cozy private accommodations with convenient features like the following:

• Private balconies or patios
• High-speed internet
• Kitchenettes
• Wheelchair accessible showers
• Multiple floor plan options
• Ground floor units
• Bath tubs
• Cable or satellite TV

Finally, as a resident of Columbus assisted living, Ohio seniors can get the most out of their retirement with many service offerings dedicated to improving their quality of life. From dignified personal care to errands and home upkeep, assisted living services in Columbus typically include the following:

• Ambulatory assistance
• Assistance with activities of daily living
• Incontinence care
• Medication management
• Diabetic care
• Restaurant-style dining
• Maintenance services
• Housekeeping services
• Management staff on-site
• Transportation services
• Laundry and dry cleaning
• Planned events and recreational activities
• Grocery and errand services

Multiple tiers of care on one campus

Out of our partnered Columbus communities offering assisted living, over 82% feature some combination of independent living, assisted living, and memory care, all in the same community. Communities that integrate multiple levels of care enable residents to conveniently transition to a support level that fits them if their needs change, making it ideal for aging in place. Having multiple care types together also offers more variety among residents, often providing more opportunities for friendships and social engagement, regardless of an individual’s specific level of need.

Social opportunities in and around Columbus assisted living

Columbus assisted living offers residents an array of social opportunities, both in the community and in the surrounding neighborhoods. Dubbed “everyone’s neighborhood” for its inclusivity and its variety, downtown Columbus offers events at the Columbus Commons, beautiful views at popular rooftop restaurants, and lovely riverside parks on the Scioto Mile. Downtown Columbus is easy to traverse on foot or through public transportation.

Health care for seniors in Columbus

Columbus is home to two state-of-the-art teaching and general medical hospitals.

Transportation for seniors in Columbus

Of A Place for Mom’s partner assisted living communities in Columbus, 79% offer complimentary transportation services, and 63% offer at-cost transportation to residents. Whether transportation is complimentary or at-cost may depend on whether or not the community offers on-demand or scheduled services. Distance may also affect pricing. For residents in communities without transportation, Columbus is highly walkable and bikeable, and it has great public transportation options.

The Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging (COAA) comprehensive Transportation Guide offers information on free and low-cost transportation dedicated to serving seniors and individuals with disabilities.

For the out-and-about residents, the city of Columbus boasts an award-winning public transportation system, the Central Ohio Transit Authority, or COTA. The American Public Transportation Association awarded COTA its Outstanding Public Transportation System Achievement Award in 2018 and 2020. With buses serving an over 1.2 million people, COTA has innovative trip planning tools and multiple services, like Bike and Ride or Park and Ride. It also features the free Emergency Ride Home system to make sure Columbus residents don’t get stranded. Depending on their own individual needs, some seniors may want to bring a caregiver along for their safety and well-being.

Most errands in the downtown Columbus area can be accomplished on foot. The city has a bike share system called CoGo in addition to other public transportation options. Further outside of downtown, however, Columbus residents are more likely to need a car to get around easily.

Walkscore.com has ranked downtown Columbus as “very walkable” with the following transportation ratings out of 100: