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The 10 Best Assisted Living Facilities in Columbus, GA for 2024

Columbus is a city on the Alabama border that has a strong military history. It’s home to the National Civil War Naval Museum and the National Infantry Museum, in addition to Fort Benning on its southern outskirts. Outside of the bustling downtown area, it has a laid-back feel that particularly attracts seniors, who make up 13% of its estimated 195,000 population. The city is also home to the Coca-Cola Space Science Center.

Seniors in Columbus who struggle with common chores, such as cleaning, but are determined to retain their independence, sometimes gravitate towards assisted living communities. Although each community is unique, common to most is 24/7 security and daily tasks, such as preparing meals, fulfilled by trained staff. For many seniors, assisted living is a more affordable form of care, with the added attraction of not infringing on their autonomy. Typical monthly costs in Columbus, according to the Genworth 2020 Cost of Care Survey, are $3,650. Although this is $150 above the state average, it’s also $650 below the national average.

This guide details care costs in Columbus, in addition to discussing the city’s advantages and disadvantages. It also lists some resources for seniors considering assisted living.

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Assisted Living Facilities in Columbus, Georgia

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What to Consider About Assisted Living in Columbus

The Georgia Department of Community Health is ultimately responsible for ensuring the state’s assisted living facilities operate to a high standard. The department has the authority to issue and revoke licenses. Although the Long-Term Care Ombudsman conducts monitoring services that feed into the data held by the Department of Community Health, it has no direct authority over assisted living facilities.

Benefits and Drawbacks of Assisted Living in Columbus

  • According to Neighborhood Scout, the chances of being a victim of a violent crime are 1 in 157, above the state average of 1 in 294. For property crime, the chances are 1 in 27, while the state average is 1 in 42. However, it’s prudent to keep things in perspective. Seniors are much less likely to be victims of crime, and criminal behavior tends to concentrate on specific areas. In Columbus, these tend to be the neighborhoods closest to the Chattahoochee River, with those to the north being the safest.
  • According to Sperling’s Best Places, the average cost of living in Columbus is 74.4, which is significantly lower than the state and national averages of 93.4 and 100. Although housing costs are the primary driver, in every category, with the exception of utilities, Columbus outperforms other cities in Georgia and the United States. 
  • The climate in Columbus is generally favorable to seniors, despite highs of 92 degrees Fahrenheit in summer, which may be uncomfortable for some. The temperature rarely reaches freezing in January, while it averages 55 degrees throughout the cooler months, ensuring seniors aren’t subjected to temperature extremes for much of the year.
  • The River Valley Area Agency on Aging, in concert with other local support services, offers seniors in Columbus several ways of getting around the city and the surrounding counties. These include Dial-a-Ride/ADA Paratransit for seniors who may struggle to use fixed-route bus services and various smaller transportation services to help seniors attend the area’s many senior centers
  • Sperling’s Best Places records Columbus as having a health cost index of 92.5/100, with 100 being the national average. The lower score is mainly because of the below-average air quality. However, the water quality is above the national average.

Paying for Assisted Living in Columbus

Although the average assisted living costs of $3,650 place Columbus at the higher end of the scale within the state, the 2020 Genworth Cost of Care Survey shows the city’s seniors pay $650 per month less than the typical American.

The Cost of Assisted Living in Nearby Cities

Despite seniors in Columbus paying, on average, $3,650 per month, which is $100 above the state average, there are more costly locations, such as Atlanta at $4,000. However, Columbus is the most expensive in the immediate area. Approximately 90 minutes south in Albany, it’s not unusual to see costs of $2,835, while in Macon, they’re $105 per month less than that. The most affordable city is Warner Robins, where it’s normal to see averages of $2,300.

Columbus

$3,650

Georgia

$3,500

The United States

$4,300

Warner Robins

$2,300

Macon

$2,730

Albany

$2,835

Atlanta

$4,000

The Cost of Other Types of Senior Care

Even though assisted living offers accommodation with care, its costs of $3,650 are still $163 per month below those of home and home health care, which each have average costs of $3,813. If the senior is able-bodied, an adult day center is the most affordable option, with fees of around $1,300. The most expensive is nursing home care. Families can expect a semiprivate room to cost around $6,494 and a private room, $6,798.

Home care

$3,813

Home health care

$3,813

Adult day health care

$1,300

Assisted living

$3,650

Nursing home (semiprivate room)

$6,494

Nursing home (private room)

$6,798

Financial Assistance for Assisted Living in Columbus

Eligible seniors can apply for financial assistance with assisted living in Columbus through two state-operated programs: Service Options Using Resources in a Community Environment (SOURCE) and the Community Care Service Program (CCSP). Both of these are Medicaid waiver programs and are subject to availability.

Learn more about these programs, plus who’s eligible, on our Assisted Living in Georgia page.

Financial Assistance for Assisted Living in Columbuss

More Ways to Pay for Assisted Living

While many families use their own funds or personal assets to pay for assisted living, there are plenty of additional options to cover these costs. Some additional ways to finance assisted living costs include:

  • Veterans Benefits
  • Life Insurance Policy
  • Long-Term Care Insurance
  • Reverse Mortgage

For more information about different ways to finance assisted living, visit our Assisted Living in Georgia page.

Free Assisted Living Resources in Columbus

Seniors and families looking for resources that may help make assisted living more affordable should consider the following options, which also list where to get help if an assisted living facility’s practices are concerning.

ResourceContactService
VA Aid and Attendance Benefits(762) 408-1327Veterans of the U.S. military and their spouses who currently reside in senior living facilities can apply for the VA Aid and Attendance benefit to help cover some of their costs. Various criteria can affect the monthly payments, with the maximums being $1,881 for an individual vet, $2,230 for a couple and $1,209 for a surviving spouse. Vets who are unsure if they’re eligible can check by using the free online tool provided by VeteranAid.org.
GeorgiaCares(866) 552-4464Georgia Cares is a program administered by the Division of Aging Services. It’s for seniors who need more information and assistance regarding Medicare and is entirely free of charge. Seniors meet face-to-face or by phone with counselors who can help them access their coverage requirements and identify potential shortfalls. The counselors can then explain the different Medicare-related options available, which may include private health care insurance. However, the counselors are unbiased. They won’t try to sell insurance plans. Their additional services include helping with appeals.
Georgia Medicaid – Long-Term Services and Supports(404) 657-5468Medicaid is unable to help low-income seniors cover room and board costs in their assisted living facilities. However, it may be able to meet some other costs, such as transportation for medical appointments and medications. The Community Care Services Program (CCSP) is a waiver available to seniors who satisfy certain conditions. These include that their income levels don’t exceed the maximum allowed by the waiver, that they are U.S. citizens, or legal residents, and that their main home is in Georgia. Seniors must also provide proof that the care they receive is suitable for their needs.
Long-Term Care Ombudsman(229) 432-1124Seniors in residential care communities can call on the help of the Long-Term Care Ombudsman if they have issues with the care they are receiving. The ombudsman will investigate complaints and pursue a resolution between the senior and their facility’s owners. Families and third parties can also register their concerns about care standards. 

Assisted Living Laws and Regulations in Columbus

Columbus-area assisted living communities must adhere to the comprehensive set of state laws and regulations that all assisted living communities in Georgia are required to follow. Visit our Assisted Living in Georgia page for more information about these laws.

Assisted Living Laws and Regulations in Columbus

Frequently Asked Questions

Reviews of Communities Nearby

Assisted Living

My Mom

I am a friend or relative of a current/past resident

Review of The Landings of Columbus

I was at my lowest looking for a place for my mom. I called the Landings on a Friday and the voice on the other end sounded so friendly. When I told her I was calling from out of town she said...

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Assisted Living

Yolanda

I am a friend or relative of a current/past resident

Review of Oaks at Maple Ridge

We moved my mother to Oaks at Maple Ridge. We like the location and the facility itself. We like the staff that we met there. We liked everything about it. We had a meal there and it was delicious....

Provider response

Thank you for the kind words and five star review. We are grateful for the opportunity to provide care for your mother.

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Assisted Living

Alicia's Daughter Star

I am a friend or relative of a current/past resident

Review of The Landings of Columbus

First, I love the location. The Landings is located in a very quiet and serene area with nature as it's neighbor. My mom was treated with excellent and loving care by the entire staff. I want to...

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Caring.com

Caring.com is a leading online destination for caregivers seeking information and support as they care for aging parents, spouses, and other loved ones. We offer thousands of original articles, helpful tools, advice from more than 50 leading experts, a community of caregivers, and a comprehensive directory of caregiving services.

 

The material on this site is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for legal, financial, professional, or medical advice or diagnosis or treatment. By using our website, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

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