Home Care in West Columbia, SC
West Columbia is a small residential community in Lexington County, South Carolina, where over 20% of its 17,416 residents are seniors aged 65 and older. According to the 2020 U.S. Census, the city’s senior population is above the national average of 16.5%. Seniors pay around $4,242 each month for home care in the area, while in-home health care costs $4,290, with the latter including medical services and chronic illness care. West Columbia is surrounded by several medical facilities, such as Prisma Health Richland Hospital in Columbia, and Lexington Medical Specialists, which is within the city limits
Below we’ve compiled a comprehensive directory of every home care provider in the West Columbia area – complete with services offered and reviews from families who’ve actually used the service. In addition to our in-depth provider listings, we’ve compiled resources to help seniors and their families to access all the tools they need to age in place safely and gracefully.
Directory of Home Care Services in West Columbia, SC
Right at Home Columbia
1904 Sunset Blvd , Suite D, West Columbia, SC, 29169
Always Best Care of The Midlands
5000 Thurmond Mall, Suite 207, Columbia, SC, 29201
Home Instead – Columbia, SC
9367 Two Notch Rd, Suite C1, West Columbia, SC, 29169
Avodah Home Care, LLC
1122 Lady St Suite 262 , Columbia, SC, 29201
Key Choice Home Care
7801 Saint Andrews Road, Irmo, SC, 29063
Homecare Solutions SC LLC – Columbia, SC
100 Ashland Park Lane, Ste C, Columbia, SC, 29210
Carepro Health Services
1612 Marion Street, Suite 103, Columbia, SC, 29201
Comfort Keepers of West Columbia
3214 Leaphart Rd, Suite C, West Columbia, SC, 29169
See Pricing for
is a Caring Star Community
Earning a Caring Star means this community is among the best Senior Living commuities in America.
Paying for Home Care in West Columbia, SC
The Cost of Home Care in West Columbia, SC
According to 2020 data from the Genworth Cost of Care Survey, the monthly home care rate of $4,242 in West Columbia is a couple of hundred dollars higher than the state average but below the U.S. median of $4,481.
Compared with other North Carolina areas, in-home care providers in West Columbia have higher prices. To the southeast in the cities of Sumter and Florence, the corresponding rates of $3,909 and $3,966 are over $200 lower, on average, than in West Columbia. Near the North Carolina state line in Spartanburg, home care costs are $337 less, while Greenville’s costs are $242 lower than in West Columbia.
The Cost of Home Care vs. Other Senior Care Options in West Columbia, SC
Home health care agencies provide additional medical services, such as injections, and they cost $48 more, on average, than home care providers. The most affordable option for senior care in the area is adult day health at $1,274 per month. Assisted living facilities in West Columbia cost $4,299 on average per month, while nursing homes are the costliest senior care option at a median monthly rate of $7,148 for a semiprivate room.
Note: Data for West Columbia was unavailable, so data for the nearest city, Columbia, was used instead.
Financial Assistance for Home Care in West Columbia, SC
Given the high cost of in-home care, many people use one or more forms of financial assistance to cover the expenses. Below, we explain some of the most common sources of financial help for paying for in-home care. If none of these options are available to you, you can reach out to your Area Agency on Aging or Aging and Disability Resource Center to learn about local resources.
Long-Term Care Insurance: Long-Term Care Insurance covers expenses related to senior care, including in-home care. Depending on the policy type, beneficiaries may receive a cash payment to use towards long-term care or reimbursement for qualifying long-term care expenses. Note that there are limitations- typically a maximum benefit of $150 per day- and exact coverage terms vary depending on the exact policy, so always check the details.
Medicare: Medicare does not cover in-home care because it is classified as custodial, or non-medical, care. However, some Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement plans, which offer expanded benefits, may cover in-home custodial care.
Medicaid: Medicaid coverage of in-home care varies between different states because it is not a federally mandated benefit. Currently, all states cover some in-home care either through their standard Medicaid or a waiver program. The specific coverage rules are set individually by each state.
Veterans’ Benefits: The Aid and Attendance benefit is a monthly cash payment that beneficiaries can use to pay for senior care, including in-home care services. To qualify for A&A, Veterans must already receive the VA pension and meet several additional requirements, including needing assistance with the activities of daily living.Contact the Department of Veterans Affairs to learn more.
Reverse Mortgages: Home Equity Conversion Mortgages (HECMs) are federally insured loans that are available to homeowners age 62 and over. Reverse mortgages allow you to access a portion of your home’s equity in cash, tax free. Many seniors use reverse mortgages to finance their care expenses, including in-home care. Note that although there are no monthly payments due on reverse mortgage loans, borrowers do have to repay the loan once the last surviving homeowner passes away, moves, or sells the home.
Free & Low-Cost Home Care Resources in West Columbia, SC
Seniors in West Columbia have access to several programs created to help them remain in their homes for as long as it’s feasible.
Resource
Contact
Service
(866) 394-4166
The Central Midlands ADRC is the Area Agency on Aging serving seniors in West Columbia and Lexington County. Older adults can get in touch with the Information and Referral line for advice on available services and other local benefits.
(877)744-5130
I-CARE is a program offered by the Central Midlands ADRC that offers free insurance counseling for seniors. Additionally, eligible seniors can receive financial help with the costs of their Medicare bills through initiatives like Extra Help and the Medicare Savings Program.
(803) 734-0662
This program can help fund home improvements to reduce energy consumption and make it more cost-effective for seniors to continue living at home. Weatherization is available to older adults aged 60 and over, and the amount awarded depends on household income.
(803) 734-0662
This federal program is overseen by the state’s Office of Economic Opportunity and can help low-income seniors pay for their energy bills. Eligibility for the program is determined based on income and other factors.
(803) 359-4048
The Lexington County Recreation and Aging Commission has many helpful programs to help seniors continue to live at home. Homebound seniors over 60 might benefit from home-delivered meals. The county can also provide free home care for low-income older adults. Other services include free legal advice, transportation to medical appointments and social lunches at local senior centers.
Determining Your Loved One’s Need for In-Home Care
Aging can be a difficult process, and loved ones may not always ask for help – oftentimes it’s up to their family to evaluate their need for help around the house. While no two situations are exactly alike, this checklist can help you and your loved ones determine when it’s time to start the search for a home care provider.
Guidelines for Talking About In-Home Care
If you’ve determined that your loved one needs the assistance of a care provider in their home, it may be time for a difficult conversation. Handled correctly, however, this process can bring a family together and ensure that everyone’s concerns are addressed. Use this PDF as a starting point to help the conversation stay as positive and productive as possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of services can a home care agency in West Columbia provide?
Home care providers offer a range of services tailored to seniors’ needs. Older adults can get at-home assistance with daily living tasks, such as bathing, dressing and grooming. Caregivers can help with household chores, including shopping for groceries, cooking and meal planning. Home care services can also include assistance with money management if necessary.
What should I look for in a good home care agency near West Columbia?
There are a few issues to think about when selecting a home care provider in West Columbia to ensure the right fit. A good home care agency will be transparent when explaining pricing and the services on offer. Seniors and their family members are entitled to written confirmation of all care services before they commit to a provider. Caregivers should be carefully chosen by the agency, fully trained and have assigned supervisors to make sure clients receive appropriate care levels. Additionally, a good care agency has set procedures in place to handle potential emergencies.
How many home care agencies are there near West Columbia?
There are 11 home care agencies serving the West Columbia area. Two of the agencies are in the nearby cities of Batersburg and Irmo, while the other nine providers are either in West Columbia or in adjacent Columbia. The Right at Home and Home Instead agencies were both awarded a Caring Star based on client satisfaction.
What is a nonmedical home care service?
Nonmedical home care providers are not able to offer the services a nurse would typically perform, such as medication management, physical therapy and maintaining medical equipment. In-home caregivers can help with chores, bathing, cooking and other daily living tasks. Medical services can be provided as part of an in-home health care service.
Assisted living homes vs. home care: how to decide?
Home care agencies provide a personal caregiver who takes care of seniors in the comfort of their homes, while assisted living facilities offer a similar level of care in a residential setting. Seniors who want to remain in their homes are better suited for in-home care. Assisted living communities could be an option for seniors who don’t want to worry about maintaining their housing. In West Columbia, the cost for both types of senior care is in the same price range with assisted living rates being slightly higher on average.