10 Best Nursing Homes in Columbus, OH

There are several private and public assistance options to pay for Columbus nursing homes, assisted living facilities, or memory care services in Columbus. Taking an inventory of your loved one’s financial situation is key in determining which methods to use to cover care costs.

Even if using private pay methods is an option for your loved one, you’ll still want to check their eligibility for public aid. Your loved one may be eligible for disability-specific assistance, which can help their private pay options go even further toward their care.

The state of Ohio regulates senior care facilities to help ensure the health and safety of their residents. Columbus nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and memory care facilities are all required to be licensed by the Ohio Department of Health (ODH). The ODH performs facility inspections before licensing the facility and a minimum of every 15 months after licensure, regardless of the care type.

Ohio nursing home staff requirements

Ohio nursing homes must meet specific staff requirements that enable them to offer adequate nursing care. Skilled nursing facilities in Ohio must have a registered nurse on staff who operates as a director of the facility. Facilities must also have enough nursing staff (registered nurses and licensed practical nurses) to provide each resident with a minimum average of 2.5 hours of direct care daily. Nursing facilities must also have a nurse on call at any time that one is not on duty.

Ohio nursing home service requirements

Ohio skilled nursing facilities have minimum service requirements they must provide to residents, which include the following:

• A personalized care plan based on a comprehensive assessment of each resident’s physical and psychological needs
• At least three meals daily, prepared with food safety procedures, and assistance with eating if residents require it
• Support for each resident in maintaining their highest level of function
• Supervision of residents who are at risk of falling, wandering/elopement, or both

Ohio assisted living and memory care staff requirements

While there are no minimum staff requirements for assisted living and memory care facilities in Ohio, facilities are required to employ specific types of personnel. Memory care facilities have one additional staff requirement, which is that the facility must have a psychologist or physician either on staff or contracted to oversee the care of residents with late-stage cognitive impairment, such as Alzheimer’s disease or another type of dementia.

Other Ohio staff requirements for both memory care and assisted living facilities are as follows:

• The facility must have an administrator who is responsible for overseeing operations. The administrator must be on-site a minimum of 20 hours per week and available at all times when off the premises.
• The facility must have direct care staff. If the facility provides personal care services, there must be one staff member trained in first aid on-site at all times.
• If the facility offers medication administration, they must have a registered nurse, a physician, or a licensed nurse practitioner on staff who is certified in medication administration.

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 and memory care service requirements

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

• Assistance with activities of daily living
• Social and recreational activities
• Laundry and housekeeping services
• A minimum of three meals per day or food-safe storage where residents can keep their own food on hand

Ohio senior care facility building standards

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

Ohio nursing home, assisted living, and memory care facilities must have plumbing, electrical, and sanitation systems that are in safe and working order. They are required to 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 Search tool. To look up a particular facility’s inspection report using this tool, select the category of care provider from the drop-down menu. Then, you can narrow your search by entering the county, city, organization’s name, or any information you have for the corresponding fields. To search and compare nursing home facilities, use the Medicare nursing home search tool.

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 nursing homes

Ohio nursing homes and other senior care 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, so it’s best to call prospective communities ahead of time to ask what specific guidelines they have in place. The general guidelines are as follows:

While A Place for Mom does not partner with nursing homes, 19% of our memory care and assisted living partners in Columbus offer on-site skilled nursing care as an additional service.

Columbus senior care communities offer their residents an environment where they can receive personal care services that promote wellness and quality of life, while still continuing to maintain as much independence as possible. Assisted living and memory care communities in the Columbus area feature elegantly furnished communal areas where residents can relax, mingle with friends over meals and cups of coffee, and enjoy enrichment activities.

Multiple tiers of care on one campus

Out of our 48 partnered Columbus communities offering assisted living and memory care, over 79% feature some combination of independent living, assisted living, and memory care all in the same community, and 19% offer on-site skilled nursing. Communities that integrate multiple levels of care enable residents to seamlessly transition to a support level that fits them if their needs change, making it ideal for aging in place. Senior care communities with multiple care types offer more variety among residents, often providing more opportunity for friendships and social engagement, regardless of an individual’s specific level of need.

Assisted living and memory care amenities in Columbus

On-site amenities at our partner assisted living and memory care communities in Columbus typically feature communal leisure areas and accommodations such as the following:

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

Columbus memory care communities strive to offer customized care to senior residents with Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia. Care staff aim to foster a holistic relationship and cultivate quality care and engagement with each resident by getting to know their preferences, interests, and idiosyncrasies.

In addition to the assisted living amenities above, Columbus memory care communities usually also feature the following:

• Alert systems to prevent dangerous wandering
• Activities designed to support cognitive function
• Indoor and/or enclosed outdoor walking spaces

Residents of Columbus assisted living and memory care communities are offered private living spaces with the following conveniences and safety features:

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

Columbus personal care services

Residents of Ohio senior care communities can get the most out of their retirement with the numerous care and service offerings provided daily. From dignified personal care to errands and home upkeep, senior care services in Columbus usually include most or all of the following:

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

Health care for seniors in Columbus

Columbus seniors have access to two state-of-the-art teaching and general medical hospitals.

Transportation for seniors in Columbus

Of A Place for Mom’s 48 Columbus assisted living and memory care partners, 76% provide complimentary transportation services, and 64% offer transportation to residents at an additional cost. Whether the community’s transportation services are complimentary or at cost may depend on distance and whether or not the services are on-demand or scheduled.

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

If taking public transportation with a caregiver, Columbus seniors can take advantage of the Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA). The American Public Transportation Association awarded COTA its Outstanding Public Transportation System Achievement Award in 2018 and 2020. With buses serving an area of over 1.2 million people, COTA has innovative trip planning tools, multiple services like Bike and Ride or Park and Ride, and a free Emergency Ride Home system to make sure Columbus residents don’t get stranded.