10 Best Nursing Homes in Columbia, SC

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:

• Licensing: Nursing homes must obtain a license from the DHEC, which is granted after a first inspection. Licenses are renewed on a yearly basis, and the DHEC also conducts inspections to make sure nursing homes are compliant.
• Staffers: Nursing homes must ensure there are enough staffers to care for residents’ needs. A licensed nurse must be on-site 24 hours a day, nursing homes must meet minimum staff-to-patient ratios, and all employees must undergo criminal background checks.
• Resident rights: Dignity and respect must be afforded to residents in South Carolina’s nursing homes. Of course, they should also receive adequate care. Residents have the right to take part in conversations surrounding their care planning and decisions, and nursing homes must have policies meant to safeguard their residents from abuse. South Carolina has a Bill of Rights for Residents of Long-Term Care Facilities that must be followed.
• Safety: In South Carolina, nursing homes must be secure and clean. Infectious disease policies must be established, as well as policies surrounding ensuring residents receive adequate care.
• Care: Residents in nursing homes must always receive quality care. This includes making sure seniors have appropriate meals, are hydrated, have medication management, and receive assistance with activities of daily living as needed.
• Reporting: Each South Carolina nursing home should have a policy on how residents can lodge complaints or reports surrounding neglect and abuse. The DHEC is in charge of investigating these incidents.

Nursing homes in the state that participate in Medicare and Medicaid must also comply with certain federal regulations similar to the ones outlined above.

Nursing home inspections in South Carolina

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.

Nursing home zoning regulations in South Carolina

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.

Do laws and regulations differ for South Carolina’s assisted living and memory care facilities?

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.

South Carolina Department of Health contact information

2600 Bull St.
Columbia, SC 29201
Phone: 855-472-3432
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.

COVID-19 regulations for Columbia nursing homes

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.

Many types of combination senior care

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:

• Two facilities offer assisted living and memory care.
• One facility combines assisted living and independent living.
• One community offers assisted living, independent living, memory care, and senior apartments.
• One particularly progressive community offers assisted living, independent living, and memory care.

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.

Comprehensive health and dietary services

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.

Amenities that keep seniors engaged

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.

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.