Best Nursing Homes in Columbia, SC

Overview of Still Hopes Episcopal Retirement Community

Situated upon 44 acres of tranquil woods in the greater Columbia area, Still Hopes Episcopal Retirement Community’s open arms welcome all who seek an active independent living home to make the most of their golden years. A range of cozy apartments and free-standing cottages are available, coupled with a staff of well-trained nurses that provide individualized care upon request, making for a safe environment, conducive to relaxation. Still Hopes offers a Wellness Center, Solutions for Living at Home services such as cooking, cleaning, and even healthcare, and rehabilitation plans, for a holistic approach to daily physical and mental rejuvenation. Learn to love your artistic side, discover musical talent you never knew you had, or work on your backhand on the golf course; there’s no shortage of activities you can finally make time for all while your basic necessities are covered.

Should you want to venture out ever so often, Still Hopes is an independent living home that’s not only peaceful but accessible; around seven minutes away is the center of downtown Columbia with every manner of establishment well-within reach.

The Oaks of Orangeburg, a 122-bed church-affiliated nursing facility at 1000 Methodist Oaks Dr in Orangeburg, South Carolina, has operated as a nonprofit since 1956 under the leadership of owner-operator Joseph Fowler.

Spanning 650 acres with nearly 300 living accommodations, the community provides nursing home, independent living, assisted living, and home care across a 3-story building. It accepts Medicare (average 22-day stay), Medicaid (average 9-month stay), and private pay (average 1–2 month stay) populations. Minimum resident age is 55 years; pets are permitted.

The campus features recreational facilities and programming: fitness center, heated pool with personal training programs, exercise classes, bocce games, kayaking, and arts and crafts activities. Operational services include round-the-clock security and scheduled transportation to local medical appointments.

The facility operates at an annual deficit of $263,500 and occupies 76.8% of beds; below the South Carolina average of 82.1%.

Its location, in rural Orangeburg County, registers a walk score of 0 (completely car-dependent); the nearest hospital lies 5.31 miles away.

Nurses provide 2 hours 59 minutes of care per resident per day; 27% below the South Carolina average of 4 hours 5 minutes. Ranked 105th of 112 state facilities in nurse-to-resident ratios, the facility’s weekend coverage drops to 2 hours 25 minutes per resident; still 27% below state norms.

Of 209 total staff, contractors account for 12.2% of quarterly hours; the staff-to-resident ratio of 1.83:1 aligns with the state average.

Payroll represents 55.9% of revenue.

A June 2025 complaint investigation identified a critical deficiency for improper resident restraint (marked corrected). Over five inspections since 2021, the facility accumulated 23 health citations (99th of 113 statewide). Recent citations span Quality of Care (November 2024), pharmacy errors, nutrition practices, and others.

Federal fines totaled $122,000 across 14 penalty actions over three years; 264% above the state average.

Most significantly, preventive care falls far short of standards: pneumococcal vaccination coverage reaches only 26.9% for short-stay residents (66% worse than the 79.5% state average) and 35.8% for long-stay residents (60% worse than 90.5%). Influenza vaccination rates track similarly low at 26.6% and 62.7% respectively. Functional decline and high-risk events score better than state average, but falls with major injury occur at 5.6%; 89% worse than the state average of 3.0%.

The community is organized for short-term Medicare rehabilitation and longer-stay private-pay and Medicaid admissions on a rural, car-dependent campus where low staffing levels and vaccine compliance gaps present measurable clinical risk.

Overview of Wildewood Downs Retirement Community

Located in Columbia, South Carolina, Wildewood Downs is a top-notch destination for independent senior living. Situated within the scenic and secure 37-acre gated community of Wildewood, this premier facility provides a lifestyle that surpasses expectations. Residents can choose from a range of luxurious independent cottage homes and spacious villa apartments, each meticulously designed to offer comfort and elegance.

At Wildewood Downs, residents can enjoy a hassle-free lifestyle with a comprehensive set of amenities and services. Maintenance-free living ensures that residents can enjoy their time without worrying about household chores. Weekly housekeeping keeps their living spaces tidy and organized. Daily dining options cater to their culinary preferences, while convenient bill payment services streamline financial tasks. Transportation services are readily available for hassle-free mobility, and a 24-hour emergency call system ensures safety and peace of mind. Pets are more than welcome at Wildewood Downs, allowing residents to bring their beloved companions along. Additionally, residents have the freedom to furnish their living spaces with their own furniture, creating a familiar and personalized environment.

Overview of The Brian Center Nursing Care – St. Andrews

Set in the area of Columbia, SC, The Brian Center Nursing Care – St. Andrews is a well founded senior care provider, dedicated to helping seniors achieve their optimal health and strength. The community offers excellent short-term rehabilitation and long-term care to help residents quickly regain their strength to go back to their old routines. Featuring 120 well-designed units, the community warrants a relaxing and cozy living or healing environment tailored to residents’ comfort and safety needs.

With a team of experienced healthcare professionals, residents are guaranteed personalized care plans that cater to their individual needs and preferences. As an added convenience, the community also accepts both Medicare and Medicaid, making it a viable option for those who need financial assistance. Here, residents are guaranteed to receive top-quality care and services without breaking the bank.

Offering assisted living services in Columbia, South Carolina, Springtree Manor is a Community Residential Care Facility (CRCF) with a 52-bed capacity. It is administered by Lisa K. Ash under the ownership of Springtree Manor LLC, with affiliation to Mainstay Senior Living.

Along with a secured building access and a fully sprinklered fire safety system, 24-hour awake care staff and round-the-clock staffing are also provided. Amenities include housekeeping and laundry services, restaurant-style meals served three times daily in either the dining hall or in-room, and daily social events and activities. Furthermore, the activities calendar is specifically designed to support mental stimulation and social connection.

The management affiliation places this community within a larger senior living network, which can carry distinct advantages in operational standards, staff training, and program consistency across multiple locations.

Springtree Manor is an ideal option for older adults in the Columbia, South Carolina area who value an active, socially engaged assisted living lifestyle with 24-hour awake staffing, restaurant-quality dining, and a full daily activities program.

Providing assisted living and memory care, Forest Lake Manor is a Community Residential Care Facility (CRCF) in Columbia, South Carolina, with 60 licensed beds. Administered by Doretha L. Dennis with the ownership of Forest Lake Manor LLC, the community is dedicated to individuals requiring help with daily living as well as those experiencing cognitive decline.

24-hour staffing and emergency response systems are also provided, along with dining services that include three restaurant-style meals daily. Notably, communal dining or in-room meal service is available, which benefits residents who prefer greater privacy or who have mobility limitations that make dining room participation more difficult.

Located in Columbia’s established Forest Acres area, the community benefits from proximity to medical providers, shopping, and broader healthcare resources throughout the Columbia metropolitan region. The neighborhood setting also appeals to families seeking a more residential atmosphere while still maintaining access to urban services and healthcare infrastructure.

With dedicated memory care services, flexible dining accommodations, and a neighborhood location, Forest Lake Manor may be a good fit for older adults in Columbia and the Midlands region seeking assisted living or memory care support within a community-oriented residential setting.

Overview of Seven Oaks Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center

Seven Oaks Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center is a 108-bed nursing home in Columbia, South Carolina, providing a broad range of post-acute, rehabilitative, and long-term care. Operated by St Andrews Operator LLC and administered by Susan Strauss, the community is CMS certified. Care programs include sub-acute care, memory care, rehabilitation therapy, hospice and palliative services, pulmonary care, IV therapy, cardiac care, orthopedic rehabilitation, stroke and neurological recovery, respite care, and 24-hour nursing support.

The range of clinical services is one of the community’s strongest distinguishing characteristics. The combination of pulmonary care, cardiac support, neurological recovery, IV therapy, orthopedic rehabilitation, and sub-acute care allows the community to manage medically complex recovery cases after hospitalization or surgery. Through hospice and palliative care services, residents can stay even during advanced illness or end-of-life transitions, potentially reducing the need for disruptive transfers. Memory care, rehabilitation therapy, and respite care programs are also available.

Located in Columbia, the community serves residents throughout the state capital region, including surrounding portions of Richland and Lexington counties. Its location within a larger metropolitan healthcare network also provides convenient access to hospitals, specialists, and additional medical resources when needed.

Seven Oaks Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center is a great option for older adults in the Columbia area who require advanced post-acute rehabilitation, skilled nursing support, memory care, or long-term medical management, particularly those recovering from various medical conditions and in need of end-of-life care.

Overview of Rice Estate – Assisted Living

Rice Estate – Assisted Living is a 40-bed continuing care retirement community operated by non-profit Lutheran Homes of South Carolina at 100 Finley Road in Columbia, South Carolina. The community offers assisted living, memory care, rehabilitation, and long-term care. Medicare and private pay are accepted.

CMS rates Rice Estate 4 stars, 36.5 percent above the South Carolina average. Health inspection performance runs 45.5 percent above state peers, with three inspections within seven years. Nurse hours run 4h 38m per resident per day against a South Carolina average of 4h 5m, placing the facility 21st of 112 skilled nursing facilities statewide. Occupancy sits at 86 percent, modestly above the 82.1 percent state average which reflects consistent demand.

Amenities include the Magnolia Dining Room, a courtyard garden with walking areas, a fitness room, and a beauty and barber salon. Respite care and 24-hour staffing exist.
Rice Estate suits older adults in Columbia seeking a non-profit continuum of care, from assisted living to rehabilitation and long-term nursing.

White Oak Manor Columbia is a 120-bed skilled nursing facility in Columbia, South Carolina, providing long-term nursing care and short-term rehabilitation, and maintains therapy services seven days a week. The facility is operated by NHC Healthcare and licensed as an active nursing home in Richland County. It accepts Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay.

CMS rates the facility 2 out of 5 stars overall, driven primarily by a health inspection score that is 27.3% below the South Carolina average. Quality measures is a stronger area — 14.6% above the state average. Staffing is close to the state average, with total nurse hours of 3 hours and 53 minutes per resident per day compared to the South Carolina average of 4 hours and 5 minutes.

Across four inspections since 2022, the facility recorded 10 total deficiencies compared to the state average of 12, placing its citation rate modestly below the average. The record includes one serious citation, stemming from a substantiated April 2025 complaint involving inadequate fall supervision and an improper transfer technique that led to a resident fracture. No fines or license actions were reported. Recurring inspection issues include medication management, food handling, and infection control.

Rehabilitation services include stroke, orthopedic, cardiopulmonary, and amputee rehab, along with wound care and the Accelerated Care Plus Program. Dementia care is available on-site, and the facility offers respite stays. The facility’s occupancy rate is 91.4%, above the South Carolina average of 82.1%, reflecting consistent local demand.

While White Oak Manor Columbia offers rehabilitation and dementia care services, its lower inspection rating and past complaints involving a resident fracture are worth asking about before choosing it for long-term care.