17 Memory Care Facilities near Columbia, SC

An estimated 89,000 people age 65 and older are living with Alzheimer’s disease in South Carolina. In Columbia, approximately 9.6 percent of the city’s 133,114 residents are in the 65 and up age group, and for those who have Alzheimer’s or dementia there are five memory care facilities in Columbia and four in nearby areas including West Columbia and Elgin, so family members have options when selecting the right facility for their loved one. Columbia is home to Palmetto Health Richland, which has received accolades for its level of care provided to seniors 65 and older. In Columbia and the entire state of South Carolina, community residential care facilities (CRCFs) that provide memory care are known as special care units (SCUs) and must have secure, segregated areas for residents with Alzheimer’s or dementia.

• Columbia has approximately 217 sunny days per year, which is more than the national average. The city also receives only about 1 inch of snow annually, so seniors in memory care can enjoy plenty of supervised outdoor time.
  
  
• The cost of living in Columbia ranks at 89.6, which is lower than the U.S. average of 100. Caregivers handling financial matters for seniors in memory care may find that facility costs, transportation, groceries and other expenses are more affordable in Columbia than in other cities such as Myrtle Beach, where the living cost is slightly higher.
  
  
• Columbia is a tax-friendly city for seniors because there’s no tax on Social Security benefits in South Carolina. Seniors who receive any other type of retirement benefits receive a $15,000 deduction, which can help make paying for memory care more manageable.
  
  
• The air quality in Columbia ranks 40 out of 100, which may be an issue for seniors who have health concerns such as emphysema or COPD. This ranking is lower than the U.S. average of 58 and is based on the EPA’s Air Toxics Assessment.

Financial Assistance for Memory Care in Columbia

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

More Ways to Pay for Memory Care

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

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

For more information about different ways to finance memory care, visit our Memory Care in South Carolina page.

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 a memory care 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 memory care resources in Columbia, please visit our Memory Care in South Carolina page.

Columbia-area memory care communities must adhere to the comprehensive set of state laws and regulations that all memory care communities in South Carolina are required to follow. Visit our Memory Care in South Carolina page for more information about these laws.