10 Best Assisted Living Facilities in West Columbia, SC

Floor plans at this facility include pet-friendly studios and one-bedroom apartments equipped with emergency call systems. Scheduled weekly, physical and mental activities include armchair yoga, gardening, crafting, volleyball, puzzles and strength training. There is an on-site barber shop/beauty salon where residents can get a fresh shave and have their hair washed, cut and styled. Seniors may join others for a fitness class in the on-site fitness room. Scheduled transportation is available for appointments and nearby shopping centers.

We liked this facility's spacious common and personal areas and the range of activities provided by the staff, but our favorite thing about the Pines at Columbia was their dedication to the comfort and convenience of visiting family and friends. Overnight accommodations are available for visitors as well as dedicated parking spaces. Whether visitors spend the night or not, they are welcome to join residents for meals. Additionally, there is a personal party space and catering services for residents to host private celebrations for friends and family.

Although Atria Forest Lake's indoor spaces were comfortable and attractive, we decided to include this facility on our top 10 list because of the quality of its outdoor living space. Walking trails wind throughout the well-landscaped grounds where residents and their small pets can enjoy fresh air and exercise and there is plenty of outdoor seating to relax, read, visit with friends or simply listen to the birds sing. Residents also have access to personal garden spots where they can grow their choice of vegetables, flowers or herbs.

Residents of Brookdale Harbison can choose between pet-friendly private studios and companion suites. All units have kitchenettes, in-room cable, Wi-Fi and emergency call systems. The restaurant-style dining room serves three meals per day and the skilled culinary staff happily accommodates requests for diabetic, renal, low-salt and low-fat diets. We also liked that the resident capacity of 53 is small enough to provide an intimate living environment, while not being so small that residents have difficulty finding activity partners and friends.

Carolina Gardens has studio and one-bedroom units that are cable-ready and pet-friendly with Wi-Fi. The on-site dining room provides farm-to-fork fare whenever possible and the kitchen staff is happy to listen to resident feedback and accommodate special requests, including providing customized catering services for personal celebrations such as birthday parties. This is a very secure facility with 24-hour staff, cameras monitoring all hallways and common areas, emergency door alarm systems and keyless exits and entry.

Fairforest Grove Senior Living offers studio and companion suites, inviting common spaces and an outdoor courtyard with a view of the nearby lake. Residents are supplied with personal emergency call systems and the facility has a sprinkler fire safety system installed throughout. This facility is a good option for those whose mobility issues make navigating stairs and elevators uncomfortable as it's all on one level.

Merrill Gardens was included on our top 10 list because it offers a greater range of floor plans than most assisted living facilities. Residents can choose between studios, one- and two-bedroom apartments. The two-bedroom option provides more privacy than the typical companion suite for those who want to share accommodations and is also convenient for hosting visiting friends and relatives. Other community amenities include the anytime-dining option for those who'd prefer to enjoy their meals on their own schedule rather than at set times and the Connections Program, which is designed to promote personal relationships and provide customized care plans.

At a resident capacity of just 44, Columbia Presbyterian is the smallest community on our top 10 list for this area. The facility has a variety of activities for residents despite its relatively small size and the expansive lawn with benches in shaded areas and a gazebo in the center provide a particularly serene ambiance. This facility is a good option for those seeking a faith-based environment — there is a full-time chaplain on-site. Religious activities include bible study, communion services and group devotionals. The chaplain also provides grief and spiritual counseling to residents.

This facility offers studio and one-bedroom apartments that residents are welcome to share with their small pets. There is an on-site theater, a salon/barbershop, a library/computer room and a TV room. The creative culinary team creates fresh, nutritious meal options on a daily basis and the elegant ambiance of the dining room is often the scene for dinner theater and festive celebrations.

Brookdale Columbia earned its place on our top 10 list thanks to its innovative signature programs, which are designed to promote a holistic approach to overall health and happiness. The Ageless Spirit Program celebrates aging in a positive, joyful way and the My Life Story program honors the unique journey of each resident. Floor plans here include studio and one-bedroom suites.