The 10 Best Assisted Living Facilities in Howard County, MD

Operated by Lorien Health Services, Harmony Hall is a contemporary assisted living facility offering personal care and a variety of skilled medical services. Residents have easy access to health care facilities, shopping outlets and other amenities, thanks to the community’s convenient location near the Howard County General Hospital and The Mall at Columbia. The campus has a movie theater, fitness center and fitness room featuring state-of-the-art equipment from brands, such as SciFit and NuStep, and for added convenience, transportation is available five days a week to take residents to medical appointments and errands.

Elternhaus Assisted Living is an idyllic senior living community surrounded by rolling hills in a quiet corner of Dayton, Maryland. We featured this facility on our top 10 list because it receives exceptional reviews for all aspects of care ranging from staffing to meals and activities. Residents enjoy wholesome vegetarian meals that are served family-style, which helps to emphasize the community's homelike feel. Although Elternhaus is a small-scale facility, recreational activities and special events are scheduled daily, and a nurse is on call 24 hours a day for medical concerns.

This Sunrise Senior Living community consistently ranks as one of the area’s best, thanks to its talented staff and warm, friendly ambiance. The campus is located in the heart of Columbia, just minutes from the mall and the Howard County General Hospital in case of an emergency. New residents can choose from four floor plans, including studios, one-bedroom apartments and multiroom suites that can be shared with a companion. The community provides 24-hour personal care, monthly nurse-led wellness visits, personalized meal plans and a diverse array of activities, including religious services, ceramics, walking club outings and word games.

Brighton Gardens of Columbia provides assisted living and memory care in a convenient location off the Patuxent Expressway near Lake Elkhorn. This Sunrise Senior Living Community receives excellent reviews for its staff, and it earned a Silver seal from the National Quality Award Program. Social and educational events are available for families, and Sunrise provides an engagement app to help relatives stay up-to-to-date with their loved ones. Since recreational activities at Brighton Gardens cater to residents with varying interests and abilities, the calendar features everything from professional sports games and scenic drives to discussion groups and karaoke. Apartments are pet-friendly, and the community has a resident cat and dog.

Named one of Howard County’s best assisted living facilities, Arbor Terrace Fulton stands out for its hard working staff and contemporary amenities. The community is centrally located near shopping, dining and major transportation corridors along the Patuxent River. Each aspect of this lifestyle community is designed to enhance residents’ well-being through fitness, art, education, spiritual activities and meaningful relationships. On-site amenities include a library, movie theater and Maryland-themed club room. Residents are also welcome to enjoy the community's other stylish indoor and outdoor sitting areas.

Lighthouse Senior Living at Ellicott City is a close-knit, single-level senior living community offering assisted living and memory care in a convenient location near I-70 and Columbia Pike. The community features an assortment of studios and companion suites with step-in showers, roomy closets, abundant natural light, wall-to-wall carpet and individual climate controls. Apartments are ready to be personalized with seniors’ furniture and décor, so they can enjoy all the comforts of home. The community also features a number of cozy common areas, including a family room with a flat-screen TV, computer and games.

Country Gardens Assisted Living provides around-the-clock care in a rural neighborhood in the unincorporated community of Highland. Surrounded by scenic farmlands, this intimate, homelike facility is set on 9 landscaped acres and features lush lawns and seasonal flowers. The community offers private and shared rooms with access to a patio and comfortable common areas. Recreational activities at Country Gardens are designed to enhance seniors' physical health by focusing on flexibility, balance and movement, and clubs allow residents to pursue their favorite hobbies, including reading, knitting, creative writing and gardening.

Local residents appreciate the HeartLands at Ellicott City Senior Living Village for its convenient location, long-term staff and high quality of life, which is why we've featured it on our list of the top 10 assisted living facilities in Howard County. As a full-service continuing care retirement community, it offers options for independent living and one-on-one personal care, including short-term respite stays. The property features a restaurant-style dining room, multipurpose activity center, well-equipped gym and indoor pool. Additionally, the community’s location near Columbia Pike and I-70 is convenient for residents and visitors.

Located in Ellicott City, this continuing care retirement community made our top 10 list due to its airy, inviting atmosphere and helpful staff. Seniors at Lorien Encore benefit from a convenient location near the Baltimore National Pike and I-70 in Ellicott City’s scenic Turf Valley neighborhood. The community offers conventional assisted living, along with skilled health care services and rehabilitation. Semiprivate and private rooms feature a kitchenette and full bathroom. Residents have access to a variety of amenities, including a movie theater, restaurant-style dining room and café. The community isn't far from the Turf Valley Golf Club, and the campus has its own putting green. It also has a bar, where residents can enjoy happy hour refreshments.

The Residences at Vantage Point is a full-service life plan retirement community located in an attractive wooded neighborhood near Wilde Lake and the junction of Columbia Pike and the Little Patuxent Parkway. For more than 30 years, it’s focused on serving independent seniors, although specialized accommodations are available for those who require assisted living, memory care or skilled nursing. This emphasis on independent living helps the community maintain an active, energetic spirit with abundant recreational activities. The Weekly Bulletin features more than 60 events ranging from fitness classes to intellectual pursuits offered in partnership with Howard Community College.