Assisted living in Columbia and the Midlands

What is assisted living in Columbia, SC?

Assisted living around Columbia is a DPH-licensed community residential care facility (CRCF) that provides a room, meals and help with bathing, dressing, medications and other daily activities to adults who do not need daily skilled nursing, under Regulation 60-84.

In Richland, Lexington, Kershaw, Fairfield, Saluda and Calhoun counties DPH's data shows 78 licensed CRCFs with 2,962 beds. 14 are small residences run by disability-services or behavioral health providers, which leaves 64 that serve older adults, 37 of them in Richland County and 19 in Lexington County. Midlands CRCFs range from family-run homes in North Columbia and Lower Richland to large purpose-built communities in Lexington, Harbison and Northeast Columbia.

Who does well in a Midlands CRCF?

Adults who need help with some daily activities or medications, who are unsafe or isolated living alone, and whose medical needs stay within Regulation 60-84's limits, which exclude daily skilled nursing, IV medications, staff-given sliding-scale insulin and serious pressure ulcer care.

Outside home health for up to 14 consecutive days and hospice can come in, so many residents stay through illness and the end of life.

What does assisted living cost around Columbia?

CareScout's 2025 South Carolina median is $64,200 a year, about $5,350 a month, for a private one-bedroom; no Columbia figure is published.

Optional State Supplementation helps residents with net income under $1,804 a month in 2026 in participating CRCFs, and Community Choices can pay for Residential Personal Care for eligible Medicaid members in participating buildings. VA Aid and Attendance and long-term care insurance help many others.

How should a Columbia family choose an assisted living community?

Start with location near the person who will visit most, then check each candidate's DPH license, Alzheimer's flag and enforcement record in our directory, and tour at least three communities at different times of day, including a meal.

On each tour ask for the admission agreement, the most recent DPH inspection report and plan of correction, the peak and overnight staffing schedule and what happens when needs grow or money runs short.

What happens in the first week after a move-in?

The CRCF completes a written assessment within 72 hours and an individual care plan within seven days, built with the resident and responsible party, after a physical exam done within the 30 days before admission.

Your parent also needs an attending physician licensed in South Carolina within 30 days. Ask to join the care plan meeting and bring a written list of what help is needed when.

Where is assisted living licensed across the Midlands?

This is how DPH's license data spreads assisted living across Richland, Lexington, Kershaw, Fairfield, Saluda and Calhoun counties.