Merrill Gardens at Columbia
Assisted Living & Independent Living · Columbia, SC

Merrill Gardens at Columbia

Assisted Living & Independent Living · Columbia, SC

Overview of Merrill Gardens at Columbia

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.

Bed community size
52-bed community Rank #241 / 307Bed count — State benchmarkedThis home is ranked 241st out of 307 homes in South Carolina for Bed Count. Shows this facility's certified or reported bed count compared to other South Carolina facilities. Larger communities may offer more amenities, programs, and on-site services for residents and families.Facilities with the same value for a metric share the same rank. Rankings are based only on facilities in South Carolina that report data for that category. Facilities without available data are excluded from the ranking.Click the rank badge to see the full State ranking.Click here to see the full State ranking.
A moderately sized community that may balance personal attention with shared amenities and social activities.
Walk Score
Walk Score: 17 / 100 Rank #163 / 230Walk Score — State benchmarkedThis home is ranked 163rd out of 230 homes in South Carolina for Walk Score. Shows how walkable this facility's neighborhood is compared to the average Walk Score across South Carolina facilities. Higher scores benefit residents, families, and staff.Facilities with the same value for a metric share the same rank. Rankings are based only on facilities in South Carolina that report data for that category. Facilities without available data are excluded from the ranking.Click the rank badge to see the full State ranking.Click here to see the full State ranking.
Car-dependent. Most errands require a car, with limited nearby walkable options.

About this community

Awards

2024 Great Place to Work
2024-2025

License Details

Facility TypeHl- Community Residential Care Facility
ExpirationMarch 31, 2026 Expired
CountyRichland
License NumberCRC-1979

Ownership & Operating Entity

Merrill Gardens at Columbia is legally operated by Merrill Gardens At Columbia LLC, and administered by Kear Dougal.

Ownership Type#REF!

Safety & Compliance

Emergency SystemsResident Call System
Safety Features24-hour Staffing

Memory & Specialized Care

2 services
Offers Alzheimer's Care
Dedicated Alzheimer's Unit

Contact Information

Additional Policies & Features

HousekeepingYes

Amenities & Lifestyle

Transportation Options
Anytime Dining
On-Site Maintenance
Weekly Housekeeping
Fitness Area
Pets Welcome
Wellness Program
Activities

Pricing & Financial Information

Starting Price$4,800 per month

Contact Merrill Gardens at Columbia

What does this home offer?

Pets allowed icon
Pets allowed icon

Pets Allowed

Room sizes icon
Room sizes icon

Room Sizes: 504 - 1,172 sq. ft

Housing options icon
Housing options icon

Housing Options: Studio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed

Transportation services icon
Transportation services icon

Transportation Services

Fitness and recreation icon
Fitness and recreation icon

Fitness and Recreation

Living Spaces & Floor Plans for Merrill Gardens at Columbia

1 Bedroom
Studio
2 bedroom

Places of interest near Merrill Gardens at Columbia

Address 2.0 miles from city center Info Estimated distance in miles from Columbia's city center to Merrill Gardens at Columbia's address, calculated via Google Maps.

Calculate Travel Distance to Merrill Gardens at Columbia

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Compare Assisted Living around Columbia

The information below is reported by the South Carolina Department of Public Health, Bureau of Healthcare Quality.

Rice Estate Rehabilitation and Healthcare
AL
HOS
IL
MC
NH
RC
SNF
Columbia
80
Facility 80
SC AVG 90
Rank #167 / 307
No--A+
Wildewood Downs Retirement Community
AL
IL
MC
NH
SNF
Columbia (Williamsburg East)
57
Facility 57
SC AVG 90
Rank #228 / 307
Yes
33
Facility 33
SC AVG 32
Rank #117 / 230
1 Bed / 2 Bed / 3 Bed-
Merrill Gardens at Columbia
AL
IL
Columbia (Midtown - Downtown)
52
Facility 52
SC AVG 90
Rank #241 / 307
Yes
17
Facility 17
SC AVG 32
Rank #163 / 230
Studio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed-
Rice Estate – Assisted Living
AL
HOS
IL
MC
NH
RC
SNF
Columbia
40
Facility 40
SC AVG 90
Rank #287 / 307
No--A
Still Hopes Episcopal Retirement Community
AL
IL
MC
NH
SNF
West Columbia (Still Hopes Drive)
22
Facility 22
SC AVG 90
Rank #301 / 307
Yes
63
Facility 63
SC AVG 32
Rank #14 / 230
-A+

Financial Assistance for
Assisted Living in South Carolina

Merrill Gardens at Columbia is located in Columbia, South Carolina.
Here are the financial assistance programs available to residents in South Carolina.

Get Financial aid guidance

Community Long Term Care (CLTC)

SC Medicaid CLTC

Age 65+ or disabled
General South Carolina resident, Medicaid-eligible, nursing home-level care need.
Income Limits (2025) ~$2,829/month 300% FBR, individual
Asset Limits $2,000 (individual), $3,000 (couple).
SC

High rural demand; waitlists possible.

Benefits
Personal care (5-7 hours/day) Respite (240 hours/year) Adult day care ($60/day) Home modifications ($1,500 avg.)

South Carolina Respite Care Program

SC NFCSP Respite

Age Caregiver of someone 60+ (or with dementia)
General South Carolina resident.
Income Limits No strict limit; prioritizes low-income.
Asset Limits Not applicable.
SC

Limited slots; rural/urban balance.

Benefits
In-home respite (4-6 hours/day) Adult day care (~$60/day) Short-term facility care (up to 5 days)

Medicare Savings Program (MSP)

South Carolina Medicare Savings Program

Age 65+ or disabled
General SC resident, Medicare Part A/B.
Income Limits (2025) ~$2,510/month (QMB), ~$3,380/month (SLMB), ~$3,598/month (QI)—individual.
Asset Limits $9,430 (individual), $14,130 (couple).
SC

Three tiers; includes Extra Help for Part D; no waitlist.

Benefits
Covers Part B premiums ($174.70/month) Deductibles ($240/year) Copays (~20%)

VA Aid and Attendance (A&A) and Housebound Benefits

South Carolina VA Aid and Attendance/Housebound

Age 65+ or disabled veteran/spouse
General SC resident, wartime service, need for ADL help (A&A) or homebound.
Income Limits (2025) Net income < ~$1,984/month (veteran with dependent, A&A); pension offsets income.
Asset Limits ~$155,356 net worth limit
SC

High veteran population; supports rural/urban care needs.

Benefits
Cash (~$1,433-$2,642/month veteran, ~$951-$1,318 spouse) for care costs (e.g., in-home, assisted living)

Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP)

South Carolina SFMNP

Age 60+
General SC resident, low-income.
Income Limits (2025) ~$2,322/month individual, 185% FPL
Asset Limits Not assessed.
SC

Vouchers (~$50/season); serves ~20,000 annually via 10 AAAs.

Benefits
Vouchers (~$50/season) for fresh produce at approved markets

Homestead Exemption Program

South Carolina Homestead Exemption

Age 65+ (or disabled/blind)
General SC resident 1+ year, homeowner.
Income Limits (2025) None; tax-based eligibility.
Asset Limits Not assessed; home-focused.
SC

Saves ~$500-$1,000/year avg.; applies to primary residence.

Benefits
Property tax exemption (~$50,000 value, ~$500-$1,000/year savings)

Elderly Simplified Application Project (ESAP)

South Carolina ESAP (SNAP for Seniors)

Age 60+
General SC resident, no earned income, not on SCCAP.
Income Limits (2025) ~$1,732/month 133% FPL, individual
Asset Limits $4,250 individual, higher than standard SNAP
SC

Simplified process; serves ~50,000 seniors annually.

Benefits
EBT card for food (~$100-$300/month based on income)

Frequently Asked Questions about Merrill Gardens at Columbia

What neighborhood is Merrill Gardens at Columbia in?

Merrill Gardens at Columbia is in the Midtown - Downtown neighborhood of Columbia.

Is Merrill Gardens at Columbia in a walkable area?

Merrill Gardens at Columbia has a walk score of 17. Car-dependent. Most errands require a car, with limited nearby walkable options.

What is the license number of Merrill Gardens at Columbia?

According to SC state health department records, Merrill Gardens at Columbia's license number is CRC-1979.

When does Merrill Gardens at Columbia's license expire?

According to SC state health department records, Merrill Gardens at Columbia's license expires on March 31, 2026.

Are pets allowed at Merrill Gardens at Columbia?

Yes, Merrill Gardens at Columbia allows residents to bring their pets.

What is the best email address for Merrill Gardens at Columbia?

The team at Merrill Gardens at Columbia can be reached at DOUGALK@MERRILLGARDENS.COM.

Who is the administrator of Merrill Gardens at Columbia?

Kear Dougal is the administrator of Merrill Gardens at Columbia.

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