Best Assisted Living in Columbus, NE

Why trust this guide? Our editorial team analyzed 2 assisted living communities in Columbus, NE using NE Dept. of Health & Human Services (DHHS) data, inspection records, complaints, amenities, and facility-level details. How we rank assisted living in NE
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Last updated
We analyzed These are the facilities in Columbus, NE our team has analyzed — not a count of every assisted living provider in Columbus, NE.
2 homes
Other senior care options in Columbus:
Avg Walk Score: 41/ 100The average Walk Score across facilities in Columbus, NE. A third-party neighborhood walkability score (0–100) measuring convenience and context, not healthcare quality. Individual facilities can vary widely from this average.
National Average: 50/ 100
Avg No. of Beds: 54The average licensed bed capacity across facilities in Columbus, NE. Individual facilities can vary widely from this average.
National Average: 90

Compare Assisted Living around Columbus

Info below is compiled from the NE Dept. of Health & Human Services (DHHS), senior community websites & trusted data sources such as Walk Score & BBB.

Communities are listed from highest to lowest based on our ranking 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. IL (Independent Living): Community living with dining, activities, and transportation for active seniors who need little personal care.
City and state of the facility. Used for mapping and state-average comparisons.
Licensed bed capacity (maximum allowed). Not the same as how many beds are currently filled.
Indicates whether residents are allowed to have pets in the facility.
Third-party neighborhood walkability score (0–100). Convenience/context metric, not a healthcare quality measure.
Description of bed or unit types offered (e.g. assisted living, memory care), as reported in state or facility disclosures.
Number of years the company has been in operation.
Reported or derived occupancy for the facility—typically how fully licensed capacity is utilized. Compare across peers in the same market.
A named contact for the facility. Hover the name to see their role — Administrator (state administrator of record or facility-provided administrator), Nursing Director, Medical Director, or Staff. The most authoritative available is shown.
Name of the licensed owner, operator, or managing entity as filed with the state. Useful for grouping facilities under the same organization.
Count of regulatory inspections in the reporting window. Higher volume can reflect more oversight visits, complaint-driven surveys, or routine licensure cycles.
Inspection events categorized as complaint-related by the state regulator.
How many inspections had one or more deficiencies recorded. Compare to total inspections to see how often problems were found on visit.
Total count of deficiencies (cited regulatory issues) recorded in the selected reporting period. Read alongside inspection counts for context.
The average number of deficiencies this facility receives each time it's inspected, calculated as total deficiencies ÷ total inspections. A lower number suggests more consistent compliance with safety and care standards.
Cottonwood Senior Living
AL
Columbus
47
Facility 47
NE AVG 81
Rank #167 / 225
No
39
Facility 39
NE AVG 47
Rank #185 / 285
Studio / 1 Bed
31
Facility 31
NE AVG 29
Rank #25 / 58
76.6%
Facility 76.6%
NE AVG 73.3%
Rank #94 / 177
Angela LurthColumbus Al, LLC8
6
Facility 6
NE AVG 7
Rank #86 / 155
2
Facility 2
NE AVG 15
Rank #49 / 155
4
Facility 4
NE AVG 52
Rank #54 / 155
0.5
Facility 0.5
NE AVG 4.0
Rank #51 / 155
Prairie Village Retirement Center
AL
IL
Columbus
60
Facility 60
NE AVG 81
Rank #130 / 225
Yes
43
Facility 43
NE AVG 47
Rank #172 / 285
Private Rooms--Dawn Pavel-7
1
Facility 1
NE AVG 7
Rank #29 / 155
0
Facility 0
NE AVG 15
Rank #1 / 155
0
Facility 0
NE AVG 52
Rank #1 / 155
0.0
Facility 0.0
NE AVG 4.0
Rank #1 / 155

Rank badges are statewide: each community is ranked against every NE community we track that reports that metric, not just the 2 analyzed for Columbus.

Overview of Cottonwood Senior Living

Cottonwood Senior Living is an assisted living community in Columbus, Nebraska, serving adults age 55 and older. Operated by Columbus AL, LLC, the community is led by Administrator Angela Lurth and Executive Director Terri Groteluschen. With 47 beds in a single-story setting, residents can choose between studio and one-bedroom accommodations. The community has been serving older adults for more than 30 years and is located about 1.5 miles from Columbus Community Hospital.

Support services include rehabilitation, respite care, nursing assistance, and 24-hour staffing to help meet a range of care needs. Residents also have access to wellness programs, organized activities, and restaurant-style dining featuring chef-prepared meals.

State inspection records currently show no outstanding deficiencies. Over the years, complaint investigations have generally been determined to be unsubstantiated, with only a past documentation-related issue noted. This long operating history reflects extensive experience working within state regulatory requirements.

Occupancy is currently around 77%, with 36 of 47 beds filled. Monthly rates begin at $3,880, and both studio and one-bedroom floor plans are available, allowing families to select the layout that best matches a loved one’s preferences and needs.

Contact Cottonwood Senior Living

Overview of Prairie Village Retirement Center

Prairie Village Retirement Center, situated in Columbus, Nebraska, stands out as a not-for-profit retirement community, ensuring genuine and reliable services. Emphasizing the values of freedom and independence without compromising on security and support, Prairie Village has well-trained staff dedicated to providing top-notch assisted living and independent living options. Their thoughtfully designed apartments prioritize comfort and character, with a range of studio or one-bedroom units and beautiful outdoor spaces that residents can enjoy.

The community is equipped with essential features such as an emergency call system and medication administration, ensuring residents’ safety and well-being. Each apartment is designed for a laid-back lifestyle, featuring amenities like carpet and vinyl flooring, individual control for heating and air conditioning, smoke alarms, and more. Prairie Village Retirement Center is not just a place to live; it’s a haven where residents can embrace a relaxed and fulfilling life in a community that prioritizes their needs and preferences.

Contact Prairie Village Retirement Center

Weighting overview

  • 35%
    Resident Experience
  • 25%
    Regulatory
  • 15%
    Visual Media
  • 10%
    Website
  • 10%
    Stability
  • 5%
    Environment
01

Resident & Family Experience 35%

The single largest share of every ranking. Aggregated review sentiment and volume from major platforms — the closest signal to real resident experience.

  • Includes
  • Review Sentiment
  • Review Volume
02

Regulatory & Safety Record 25%

State inspection records, citations, and complaint visits. We weight per-inspection rates more heavily than raw counts.

  • Includes
  • State Inspections
  • Citations/Inspection
  • % Inspections w/ Citations
  • Complaint Visits
  • Accreditations
  • BBB Rating
03

Visual Media & Transparency 15%

Communities that publish high-quality visuals give families a real preview. No photos or tours = a negative transparency signal.

  • Includes
  • Video Tours
  • Virtual Walkthroughs
  • Photo Quantity
  • Photo Quality
04

Website & Operator Transparency 10%

Site quality and whether the operator publishes basic accountability information — staff names, contact details, ownership.

  • Includes
  • Website Content
  • Mobile Usability
  • Staff Info Available
  • Owner Info Available
05

Community Stability 10%

Operational signals indicating whether a community is well-run and meeting demand.

  • Includes
  • Occupancy Rate
  • Bed Options
06

Environment & Pricing 5%

Walkability and pricing transparency. Walk Score is weighted higher for Independent Living than for Memory Care, where most residents do not leave unaccompanied.

  • Includes
  • Walk Score
  • Pricing Transparency
No paid rankings Communities cannot pay to influence placement.
How we're paid: If we help you find a community and you move in, that community may pay us a referral fee. This never affects where they rank or what you pay. Learn more
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Frequently Asked Questions about Assisted Living in Columbus, NE

What is the average cost of assisted living in Columbus, NE?

The average monthly cost of assisted living in Columbus, NE is approximately $4,300. Actual rates vary by community, level of care, and floorplan.

What is the price range for assisted living in Columbus, NE?

Assisted living in Columbus, NE typically ranges from $3,800–$6,400 per month, depending on the community, room type, and care needs.

What is the typical staff-to-resident ratio at assisted living facilities in Columbus, NE?

Assisted living facilities in Columbus, NE typically operate with a staff-to-resident ratio in the range of 1:6 to 1:15.

What's the difference between assisted living and memory care in Nebraska?

Assisted living in Nebraska supports residents with daily activities (bathing, dressing, medication management) while preserving independence. Memory care is a specialized form of assisted living for residents living with Alzheimer's or dementia, and adds 24/7 secured environments, dementia-trained staff, and structured routines designed to reduce confusion and wandering.

What's the difference between assisted living and a nursing home in Nebraska?

Assisted living in Nebraska is a residential model focused on housing, hospitality, and help with daily activities. Nursing homes (skilled nursing facilities) provide 24/7 medical care from licensed nurses for residents with significant health needs, and are regulated more strictly under both state and federal CMS rules.

Does Nebraska Medicaid cover assisted living?

Nebraska Medicaid does not directly pay room-and-board for assisted living, but most states (including Nebraska) offer Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waivers that can offset the cost of care services delivered inside a licensed community. Eligibility, waitlists, and covered services vary — check directly with the state Medicaid agency.

What is assisted living?

Assisted living combines private or semi-private apartments with help on activities of daily living (meals, bathing, dressing, medication management) and a social calendar — for residents who need some support but do not need 24/7 medical care.