Merrill Gardens at Columbia is an assisted living facility located in Columbia, South Carolina, offering independent living and hospice services on-site. The community is part of Merrill Gardens Senior Living, a senior care company, and provides vision care to its residents. The costs at Merrill Gardens at Columbia start at $3,225 and range up to $6,585, with the average price being $4,905, which is more than the average cost of assisted living in the area. The community is pet-friendly, and while South Carolina requires three meals to be provided per day, it can accommodate vegan or vegetarian diets.
Residents at Merrill Gardens at Columbia are required to have a scheduled, structured activity every day, and the community offers a variety of activities, including musical performances and social outings. The facility is located near five hospitals, with the two closest being Palmetto Health Richland and Palmetto Health Baptist, and has above-average reviews for the area. Merrill Gardens at Columbia offers 120 independent living and assisted living apartments, with concierge services, scheduled transportation, 24-hour staffing, and weekly housekeeping. The community features a variety of amenities, including a pet-friendly environment, pool, fitness programs, outdoor areas, and social outings, allowing residents to choose from a range of options to suit their individual needs and preferences.
A smaller, more intimate setting that may offer a quieter environment and closer staff-resident interactions.
52Smaller home · May offer a more intimate, personalized care environment.
Car-dependent. Most errands require a car, with limited nearby walkable options.
Merrill Gardens at Columbia is legally operated by Merrill Gardens At Columbia LLC, and administered by Kear Dougal.
Pets Allowed
Room Sizes: 504 - 1,172 sq. ft
Housing Options: Studio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed
Transportation Services
Fitness and Recreation
2.0 miles from city center
Estimated distance in miles from Columbia's city center to Merrill Gardens at Columbia's address, calculated via Google Maps.
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Info below is compiled from the SC Dept. of Public Health (DPH), senior community websites & trusted data sources such as Walk Score & BBB.
Communities are listed from highest-ranked to lowest-ranked based on our methodology.
Care Types in This Table
AL (Assisted Living):
Housing with help for daily activities like bathing, dressing, and medication, without 24-hour skilled nursing.
NH (Nursing Home):
24/7 skilled nursing care for residents with complex, ongoing medical needs.
SNF (Skilled Nursing Facility):
Round-the-clock nursing care, often for recovery after surgery, injury, or illness.
MC (Memory Care):
Secured, specialized care for people living with Alzheimer's or dementia.
IL (Independent Living):
Community living with dining, activities, and transportation for active seniors who need little personal care.
CCRC (Continuing Care Retirement Community):
A campus with multiple care levels so residents can age in place without moving.
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City and state of the facility. Used for mapping and state-average comparisons.
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Licensed bed capacity (maximum allowed). Not the same as how many beds are currently filled.
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Indicates whether residents are allowed to have pets in the facility.
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Third-party neighborhood walkability score (0–100). Convenience/context metric, not a healthcare quality measure.
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Description of bed or unit types offered (e.g. assisted living, memory care), as reported in state or facility disclosures.
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Better Business Bureau grade for the operating company. Reflects complaint handling and business practices, not clinical care quality.
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| Harmony at Columbia | AL IL MC | Columbia | 110 | Yes | 36 | Studio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed | A+ |
| The Blake at Woodcreek Farms | AL MC | Elgin | 100 | Yes | 17 | Studio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed | A+ |
| Fairforest Grove Senior Living | AL MC | Columbia | 66 | No | 41 | Studio | A+ |
| Merrill Gardens at Columbia | AL IL | Columbia | 52 | Yes | 17 | Studio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed | - |
| Still Hopes Episcopal Retirement Community | AL CCRC IL MC NH SNF | West Columbia | 22
Facility
22
SC AVG
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Rank
#131 / 132 | Yes |
63
Facility
63
SC AVG
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Rank
#3 / 46 | - | A+ |
Rank badges are statewide: each community is ranked against every SC community we track that reports that metric, not just the 5 on this page. See how we rank facilities
Merrill Gardens at Columbia is located in Columbia, South Carolina.
Here are the financial assistance programs available to residents in South Carolina.
Merrill Gardens at Columbia has a walk score of 17. Car-dependent. Most errands require a car, with limited nearby walkable options.
According to SC state health department records, Merrill Gardens at Columbia's license number is CRC-1979.
Yes, Merrill Gardens at Columbia allows residents to bring their pets.
The team at Merrill Gardens at Columbia can be reached at DOUGALK@MERRILLGARDENS.COM.
Kear Dougal is the administrator of Merrill Gardens at Columbia.
Merrill Gardens at Columbia has 52 beds.
Pricing at Merrill Gardens at Columbia starts at $4,800 per month, with rates varying by floorplan and additional care needs.
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