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The 10 Best Assisted Living Facilities in West Columbia, SC for 2024

 

West Columbia is a community of about 18,000 people near South Carolina’s capital city, offering access to world-class cultural amenities, shopping and dining destinations and health care facilities. The city’s low cost of living and warm weather make it a popular retirement option for active seniors, and several hospitals are located within range for those managing health conditions. The city has a large senior community that makes up over a fifth of the city’s residents, promoting access to community-based recreational activities and services and a variety of long-term care options.

Assisted living is a practical long-term care solution for older adults seeking a low-maintenance lifestyle with access to helpful services and convenient amenities. This option includes housing, daily meals and snacks and personal care services according to individualized service plans, along with recreational activities and events throughout the week to support an active lifestyle. On average, seniors in West Columbia pay $3,270 per month for this type of care, which is considerably lower than the South Carolina norm of $3,612 and the nation’s median rate of $4,500.

This guide offers more details on assisted living costs in West Columbia and highlights common resources and financial assistance programs for local seniors.

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Assisted Living Facilities in West Columbia, South Carolina

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What to Consider About Assisted Living in West Columbia

In West Columbia, assisted living facilities are officially known as community residential care facilities, and they’re regulated by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control. This department requires all residential care facilities to go through an extensive licensing process, and it conducts regular on-site inspections to ensure a high standard of care for residents.

Benefits and Drawbacks of Assisted Living in West Columbia

 

  • South Carolina doesn’t tax Social Security benefits, and it offers a deduction of up to $15,000 to reduce what seniors owe on income from pensions or disbursements from retirement savings accounts. It also provides a $30,000 deduction to those who have a military retirement plan. This may make assisted living in West Columbia financially feasible for seniors whose retirement income comes from multiple sources.
  • The overall cost of living in West Columbia is consistent with the state norm and well below what’s typical for the average U.S. community. On a 100-point index based on national living costs, the city scores 90.4 compared to the South Carolina rating of 89.3. While local utilities are relatively expensive, housing costs are very low, which may result in competitive assisted living costs.
  • On a 100-point crime index, West Columbia scores 45.1 for violent crime and 80.1 for property-related offenses. By comparison, national scores are considerably lower at 22.7 and 35.4, respectively, indicating that crime is more commonplace in West Columbia than in a typical U.S. city. Fortunately, the frequency of both types of crime has been trending downwards for over two decades, and many assisted living facilities have security features, such as surveillance cameras and alarm systems, to keep residents safe.
  • West Columbia is one of the hottest cities in South Carolina, with year-round temperatures ranging from lows of 36 degrees Fahrenheit in the winter to daytime highs of 94 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer. Additionally, the summer months tend to be humid, causing many seniors to seek indoor activities. Fortunately, assisted living facilities in this region typically have amenities such as activity centers, swimming pools and individual climate controls to keep residents comfortable throughout the year.
  • Lexington Medical Center is located in West Columbia proper, and the city’s proximity to the state’s capital provides access to high-performing hospitals, such as Prisma Health Baptist Hospital and MUSC Health Columbia Medical Center Downtown. To help seniors get the care they need, many assisted living facilities have medical concierge services and provide transportation to medical offices and hospitals in the West Columbia region.

Paying for Assisted Living in West Columbia

 

Assisted living facilities in West Columbia charge approximately $3,270 per month.

The Cost of Assisted Living in Nearby Cities

In West Columbia, assisted living residents pay $3,270 for services and housing, making this city among the most affordable places in the state and nation for care. By comparison, the average monthly rate for care in South Carolina is about 10% higher than in West Columbia, and nationally, seniors pay 38% more than the local norm. Even so, assisted living facilities in Sumter typically charge lower rates of $2,663 for services, although care costs in other cities in the region tend to be higher. For example, in Florence, monthly fees exceed rates in West Columbia at $3,456. In Charleston, monthly fees are 21% higher than in West Columbia, and in Hilton Head Island, rates are 38% higher than the local norm.

West Columbia

$3,270

South Carolina

$3,612

United States

$4,500

Florence

$3,456

Sumter

$2,663

Charleston

$3,945

Hilton Head Island

$4,500

The Cost of Other Types of Senior Care

Seniors in West Columbia pay $3,270 per month for assisted living. This rate is economical compared to most senior care alternatives in the city, including nursing home care, which starts at $7,300. Seniors who opt for in-home care or home health care pay about 34% more for services than assisted living residents, plus housing-related expenses. In contrast, adult day health care facilities charge $1,376 per month for daytime services.

In-Home Care

$4,385

Home Health Care

$4,385

Adult Day Health Care

$1,376

Assisted Living Facility

$3,270

Nursing Home Facility (semiprivate room)

$7,300

Note: Data for West Columbia was unavailable, so data for the nearest city, Columbia, was used instead.

Financial Assistance for Assisted Living in West Columbia

Seniors in West Columbia who meet the state Medicaid income and asset guidelines may be able to get help paying some of the costs of assisted living through the Community Choices Medicaid Waiver program.

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

Financial Assistance in South Carolina

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 South Carolina page.

Free Assisted Living Resources in West Columbia

West Columbia and the surrounding area are home to numerous government agencies and non-profit organizations offering help for seniors searching for or currently residing in an assisted living community. These organizations can also provide assistance in a number of other eldercare services such as geriatric care management, elder law advice, estate planning, finding home care and health and wellness programs.

To see a list of free assisted living resources in West Columbia, please visit our Assisted Living in South Carolina page.

Assisted Living Laws and Regulations in West Columbia

 

West Columbia Assisted Living Communities must adhere to the comprehensive set of state laws and regulations that all Assisted Living Facilities in South Carolina are required to follow. Visit ourAssisted Living in South Carolina page for more information about these laws.

Assisted Living Laws and Regulations in South Carolina

Reviews of Communities Nearby

Assisted Living

DR Ben

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

Review of The Pines at Columbia Assisted Living Community

The rooms are spacious clean and modern appearing. The staff are friendly ,accommodating and communicative. The diet has been well prepared for my cousin who requires a special diet. The cost is...

Read more

Assisted Living

Dennis

I visited this facility

Review of Jenni-Lynn Senior Living

I liked Jenni-Lynn, but it was a little bit expensive. The staff was friendly and polite. They have a little bit more things to do. I've seen an exercise room, a courtyard, an activity room, and a...

Read more

Assisted Living

Susan

I visited this facility

Review of Jenni-Lynn Senior Living

I went to Jenni-Lynn Senior Living. They go from level one through four, but they don't do the most serious senior needs. They only offer very low assistance up to pretty high levels of assistance....

Read more

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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

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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