Columbus, Ohio, is the second-most populous Midwestern city, behind only Chicago. Located along the Scioto River in the heart of the Buckeye State, Columbus boasts a range of quality options to accommodate the needs and preferences of its growing senior population. With 33 memory care communities among A Place for Mom’s Columbus senior living partners, your loved one can find a community that fits their unique care and support needs. Columbus’ memory care communities are thoughtfully designed to foster safety, comfort, and dignity for seniors with dementia. Residents of Columbus memory care enjoy an array of quality amenities, personalized care services, and engaging activities to support cognitive function.
We’ve created this guide to Columbus, Ohio, memory care options based on our extensive senior living experience, proprietary data, and access to local senior living experts. Find information about payment options, health and safety regulations, and other resources for Columbus seniors below.
The staff are warm, caring, and truly go above and beyond to make sure the entire family is well looked after, not just the family member staying there. There's no other care facility that would get my whole...
The staff and residents are what make StoryPoint Gahanna a nice place. They are very welcoming. The price is steep. They do offer a lot. Though I think for independent living, it is kind of high.
Feel very comfortable leaving my Sister in their care. Staff provides individual interaction with attentive care. Nurses and staff keep in contact with me and report any issues that may arise regard my...
Every time I go to visit my mother, we are greeted by friendly staff and residents . The facilities are always clean and up-to-date. There are many activities, programs, and services that are provided. The...
They are very helpful, patient, fun and active. Lots of activities. The staff is very helpful. Some meals are very good, some are great,. We are offered 2 main choices a menu that is one you can order from...
We would definitely recommend! Staff was great and very kind. Beautiful facility...not a lot of formal orientation upon move in but she figured it out. Residents were friendly and she adjusted very quickly.
What we like the most about Sunrise of Dublin is the cleanliness and some of the staff are so caring and we would recommend them to other families based on the experience we have had so far. Sunrise of...
Cherry Blossom is an excellent senior living facility. It is my home, and the staff and residents are my extended family. The meals are delicious, the building is light and bright. The activities are...
For the most part I am pleased with the caring staff, social atmosphere, safe environment and level of care. Sometimes housekeeping has not been the best but is definitely improving. The staff goes out of...
Our loved one dislikes food. We like cleanliness. Sometimes short on sides but we would recommend this community to other families based on the experience we have had.
the facility is small allowing me as a visitor to know all the staff and vice versa. They're very caring and communicated any issues or concerns. The room sizes are sufficient. We have not felt crowded...
Everyone works together well at The woodlands. Any problems can be easily worked out with the staff. My mom is in the memory care area and she is enjoying living there. We see her at least a couple times a...
Personally...5 's on all 8 categories. Really like this place and let them know recently. They have a full care package for memory care...and it can be seen on their Facebook page. It's just engaging staff,...
The staff at Chestnut Hill Senior Living are very easy to work with and are helpful. The meals are good...just not what my mom was used to, but since she can't remember what she likes it doesn't matter. I...
My 94 year old mom was living in another facility for a year. One day she made the comment “I feel like I’m here just waiting to die” and I knew that was it …..we needed a place where she could be happy. ...
The facility is very clean, they offer lots of great activities for the residents, and the staff members have all been wonderful - very helpful. Everything has been perfect.
I've lived here now for 5 years and it's been a great experience. I love my apartment and the staff but most of all, I love the people here. This is an educated community where people are able to have actual...
We have had good experiences so far with Wexner. We came from a facility where the care was horrible, so this place has been a breath of fresh air. They have always been upfront, and have always worked with...
Meals seam to be sent in from someplace else. Some of moms complain is low staffing. Don't know if this is common or low pay rate. Really like being able to come and go into building with out being a staffer...
We'd recommend Ashford. Our selection was based on the high ratings we found, on the convenient location, and the simplicity of their pricing structure.When we visited, we were impressed with the cleanliness...
I would recommend Carriage Court to others.We picked it because my mom seemed to like it best, and they accept Medicare waiver at least in some circumstances, and the staff seemed friendly.
My comments here are concerning the Memory Care Unit specifically. Overall, I think it's an excellent facility. It's clean. It's relatively new. The staff doesn't have to work with old or outdated equipment...
The food and food service has been below average. They run out of an item but do not relay this information and sometimes they will substitute while other times do not substitute. They have staffing issues....
My mother is a resident at Bickford of Worthington, first at the assisted living building and now at the memory care facility (known as Mary B.). I can't say enough good things about our experience. Every...
I chose Friendship Village because of a lot of good recommendations from folks and they have all proved out to be true. The apartment sizes are bigger than other facilities that we looked into/have lived in....
We developed a proprietary recommendation system that orders Columbus community options based on factors we know are important to seniors and their families:
We collect proprietary data from our network of 14,000+ senior living communities in the U.S., with regular refreshes of data and information
We have 387,000+ reviews from senior living residents and family members that provide first-hand accounts about senior living communities
Columbus memory care costs an average of $4,980 per month, according to A Place for Mom’s proprietary data.[01] This figure represents the average cost of room, board, and additional add-ons or amenities that real families referred to A Place for Mom’s Columbus memory care communities paid in 2022.
Examples of add-ons that may affect the cost of memory care include the following:
The figures in the chart below represent baseline costs for memory care in Columbus and nearby cities, and do not include costs of optional services and amenities. They should give you a sense of how Columbus compares to surrounding cities.
Columbus residents can combine several private and public assistance options to help pay for memory care. An assessment of your loved one’s unique financial circumstances will help you determine the best way to pay for room and board and personal care services in a memory care community.
If your loved one has the resources, you may be able to fund memory care in Columbus through their private pay methods. Private pay methods can include any income source, such as your loved one’s savings, Social Security benefits, pensions, investment returns, and any of the following:
If your loved one is a U.S. military veteran, they may be able to receive financial support from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) that can help cover the cost of memory care. Veterans pension benefits, such as the Aid and Attendance benefit, can help senior veterans and their surviving spouses improve their quality of life with supplemental income.[03]
Applying for veterans benefits can be a challenging process. Even eligible veterans usually require assistance or advocacy to successfully apply. You and your loved one can receive assistance and referrals from veteran service officers in your area by visiting one of the Ohio Department of Veterans Affairs field offices. As fellow veterans who are trained and certified in benefits offerings, veteran service officers are available to help Ohio senior veterans get the most out of their eligibility.
For assistance with finding veterans benefits, you can visit the Ohio Department of Veterans Services webpage or contact your loved one’s local VA office. The Ohio Attorney General website offers information on additional community resources for veterans, including the following:
The VA oversees Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs) in each state, including specialized departments for aiding veterans with disabilities and veterans of foreign wars. Find information on Columbus VSOs below.
Number of veterans who live in Columbus
About 62% of Columbus veterans are 55+
Resources for Columbus veterans
Franklin County Veterans Service Commission
280 E. Broad St.
Columbus, OH 43215
Phone: 614-525-2500
Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW)
VFW — Ohio
Phone: 614-224-1838
Disabled American Veterans (DAV)
DAV — Ohio
35 E. Chestnut St., Suite 503
Columbus, OH 43215
Phone: 614-221-3582
Medicaid is a federal- and state-funded program that offers medical insurance coverage to U.S. citizens with lower income and/or with disabilities. While each state’s Medicaid program is a bit different, all Medicaid programs must follow federal guidelines. Ohio’s program is simply named Ohio Medicaid. To receive Medicaid benefits, your loved one must be enrolled in a managed care organization (MCO), and the agency providing the care services must be contracted with that MCO. Ohio Medicaid has programs that can be used to cover memory care.
Ohio Medicaid offers an Assisted Living Waiver program, which is intended to provide coverage for qualified Ohio residents in an assisted living community, but it can also be used for memory care. The Assisted Living Medicaid waiver will cover costs associated with personal care and medical care, including dementia care. Room and board costs, however, will need to be covered by your loved one’s income or other private financial resources.
The Ohio Assisted Living Medicaid waiver can be used to cover two categories of services: Assisted living services and community transitional services. Assisted living services include the following:
Community transitional services typically consist of moving a senior from a skilled nursing facility to an assisted living or memory care community, including moving their furniture and other household belongings.[04]
The PASSPORT waiver is for Ohio residents age 60 and over. Eligible seniors can use this waiver to cover the cost of care in their own home, a memory care or assisted living community, or another senior living facility rather than moving into a skilled nursing facility.
The PASSPORT waiver can cover costs of care needs such as the following:
PASSPORT waivers also include basic Medicaid coverage and may cover costs such as prescription medications, physician visits, and hospital stays.[05]
Aged, Blind, or Disabled (ABD) Medicaid offers coverage for seniors and individuals with qualifying disabilities. To qualify for ABD Medicaid, Ohio residents must meet Medicaid’s basic eligibility requirements and meet one of the following criteria:
Qualifying individuals can use ABD Medicaid to cover the costs of medical care, as well as some long-term care services, such as memory care.[06]
If your loved one is an Ohio Medicaid recipient, their care can be managed through the Ohio Medicaid Consumer Hotline Member Portal. The Ohio Department of Aging has several Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) where Ohio residents can receive additional support with Medicare, Medicaid, and other services. A long-term care ombudsman can also provide advice and advocacy on your loved one’s rights as a resident in senior living, such as a memory care community.
Columbus resident Medicaid resources
Ohio Department of Medicaid
50 W. Town St., Suite 400
Columbus, OH 43215
Medicaid Consumer HotlineOhio Medicaid Member Portal
Phone: 800-324-8680
Ohio Benefits Access
Ohio Department of Health Benefits
Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging
3776 S. High St.
Columbus, OH 43207
Phone: 800-589-7277
Ohio Department of Aging
Find an Ombudsman.
Medicare is a federally funded program designed to extend health coverage to Americans 65 or older and individuals with qualifying disabilities. Medicare has multiple parts that cover different aspects of health care such as the following:
Medicare health insurance doesn’t cover the cost of room and board in a memory care facility. It will, however, cover many of the costs associated with medical treatment, which includes dementia care. You can find more information on Medicare costs and coverage by visiting the federal Medicare website or by reaching out to a local Ohio Social Security Administration office. Qualified seniors may get help paying for Medicare deductibles and premiums through Medicare Savings Programs.
Your loved one may be eligible for dual enrollment in Medicare and Medicaid, which will enable them to pay Medicare premiums using Medicaid benefits. Through Ohio’s Medicare Premium Assistance Program, eligible seniors may be able to use Medicaid to cover their Medicare copays, premiums, deductibles, and more. If your loved one receives both Medicaid and Medicare and lives in a participating county, they can manage their care using the dual enrollment health plan program MyCare Ohio.
The U.S. Social Security Administration can help seniors receive access to Medicare support. A local long-term care ombudsman can help your loved one access the benefits they qualify for and advocate for their rights. A long-term care ombudsman can also investigate complaints of long-term care residents and help ensure that seniors receive the quality care they deserve. Find links to these resources below.
Columbus resident Medicare resources
Memory care and assisted living facilities, or residential care facilities as they are designated in Ohio, must be licensed by the Ohio Department of Health (ODH). The ODH performs facility inspections before licensing the facility, and then a minimum of every 15 months after licensure. Ohio memory care facilities have the same requirements as assisted living facilities.
A residential care facility is defined as one of the following:
While there are no minimum staff requirements for residential care facilities in Ohio, facilities are required to employ specific types of personnel. Memory care facilities have one additional staff requirement, which is that the facility must have a psychologist or physician either on staff or contracted to oversee the care of residents with late-stage cognitive impairment, such as Alzheimer’s or dementia.
Other staff requirements for Ohio residential care, such as memory care and assisted living facilities, are as follows:
Staff in Ohio assisted living facilities, including memory care facilities, must meet the following requirements:
Ohio memory care and assisted living facilities must provide residents with the following services:
Ohio memory care and assisted living facilities must comply with building code standards for health and safety. All facilities must be approved by their local certified building department.
Memory care and assisted living facilities must have all plumbing, electrical, and sanitation systems in safe and working order. They must uphold standards for fire and carbon monoxide safety, have evacuation and disaster preparedness plans, and perform and document routine evacuation drills.[07]
You can access Ohio memory care facility inspection reports through the Health Care Provider Survey Reports. To look up a particular facility’s inspection report using this tool, select “Assisted Living Facility” from the “Select a provider type” drop-down menu, then narrow your search by entering the county, the city, or the name of the specific organization you’re searching for.
For additional information on rights and resources for seniors in memory care and other senior care facilities, view the Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging HOUSING Guide for Seniors and Individuals Who Have a Disabilities.
Ohio Department of Health
246 N. High St.
Columbus, OH 43215
Phone: 614-466-3543
Ohio memory care facilities are recommended to implement precautionary measures against COVID-19 in accordance with guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Individual communities may have their own rules in place, so it’s best to call prospective communities ahead of time to ask what specific guidelines they have in place. The general guidelines are as follows:
Testing. Residents and staff of memory care facilities should be tested if they have come into contact with a person who has tested positive for COVID-19 or if they are experiencing symptoms.
Masking. Masks should be worn by individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19, by health care workers who have contact with COVID-positive patients, and by individuals who are immunocompromised.
Quarantining. Patients who have tested positive for COVID-19 should be placed in isolation or in rooms with other COVID-positive patients.
Columbus memory care communities strive to offer customized care to senior residents. Care staff strive to get to know each resident and foster a holistic relationship, knowing their preferences, interests, and idiosyncrasies in order to cultivate quality care and engagement. These memory care communities offer the same leisure and care provisions of assisted living, plus additional offerings to match the unique needs of seniors with memory loss. Such offerings include the following:
Most memory care communities in Columbus offer private apartments with access to the following care and support services:
Out of our partnered Columbus communities offering memory care, 94% feature some combination of memory care, assisted living, and independent living, all in the same community. Multiple care types together offer more variety among residents, often providing more opportunity for friendships and social engagement, regardless of an individual’s specific level of need.
Communities that integrate multiple levels of care enable residents to conveniently transition to a support level that fits them if their needs change, making it ideal for aging in place. Additionally, since memory care units tend to have a lower maximum number of residents than assisted living, seniors who are in the earlier stages of memory loss can start out in assisted living as a more cost-effective option, and transition to the memory care unit at a later time, should they need more specialized cognitive support.
Our Columbus memory care partner communities feature communal leisure areas and on-site conveniences, which include some or all of the following:
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Number of seniors over the age of 65 currently living in Columbus
Percentage of seniors 65 and older within the Columbus population
Median annual income for Columbus seniors 65 and older
Columbus is home to two state-of-the-art teaching and general medical hospitals.
According to U.S. News and World Report, Wexner Medical Center is ranked No. 1 in Columbus and No. 2 in the state of Ohio. Wexner is a general medical facility and teaching hospital that is nationally ranked in nine adult specialties, including cardiology and cancer treatment.
Riverside is OhioHealth’s largest hospital and is outstanding in neuroscience, cardiovascular care, and cancer treatment. OhioHealth Riverside Methodist Hospital is ranked No. 2 in Columbus, according to U.S. News and World Report.
Of A Place for Mom’s Columbus memory care partners, 81% offer complimentary transportation services and 72% offer at-cost transportation to residents. Whether the transport services in some communities are complimentary or at cost may depend on distance or on-demand transportation rather than scheduled.
The Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging (COAA) comprehensive Transportation Guide offers information on free and low-cost transportation dedicated to serving seniors and individuals with disabilities.
If taking public transportation with a caregiver, Columbus seniors can take advantage of the Central Ohio Transit Authority, or COTA. The American Public Transportation Association awarded COTA its Outstanding Public Transportation System Achievement Award in 2018 and 2020. With buses serving an area of over 1.2 million people, COTA has innovative trip planning tools, multiple services like Bike and Ride or Park and Ride, and a free Emergency Ride Home system to make sure Columbus residents don’t get stranded.
Columbus offers a wealth of events to its residents, including its growing senior population. Below, find highlights of family-friendly attractions, activities suited for individuals with memory loss, and more.
Columbus offers unique experiences for all ages, both educational and entertaining. The following attractions make for fun outings with the whole family:
Another popular option is the city’s North Market, a 150-year-old farmers market, which features locally grown produce, food samples to taste, and more.
Columbus Recreation and Parks offers social opportunities for residents age 55 and over. Grandparents and grandkids aged 8-12 can get some quality time at Gram and Gramp Camp, where all can participate in structured activities and enjoy quality time together. Seniors may also enjoy fitness classes, arts and nature classes, and other enrichment activities.
The New Albany Symphony Orchestra presents concerts that are accommodating for individuals with sensitivity to stimulation, including individuals with dementia and memory loss. Ohio State University hosts a student organization called The Dementia Project, which facilitates therapeutic musical activities to promote wellness, reminiscence, and connection.
Senior artisans can sell their wares at Golden Hobby Gift Shop, an arts and consignment shop that sells quilts, pottery, paintings, and other one-of-a-kind goods made by Columbus seniors. For seniors with memory loss, the Golden Hobby could be a way to stay connected with hobbies they’ve always loved and maintain their skills for longer. The Golden Hobby Gift Shop is itself a Columbus older resident, with over 50 years of selling members’ handmade products.
Carroll Place, Danbury of Columbus and StoryPoint Gahanna are the top-rated Memory Care facilities near Columbus, OH. These Memory Care facilities received the highest rankings based on verified family reviews. See full list of communities.
The average cost of Memory Care in Columbus is $4,769 per month. This cost may vary based on location, amenities, floorplan, level of care and other factors.
The 73 memory care facilities near you in Columbus, Ohio typically provide housing, therapies, and care tailored to those who have Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia. To find memory care in Columbus, Ohio, browse our detailed listings showing photos, floor plans, amenities, activities, and reviews from real families.
Browse A Place for Mom’s listings for memory care in Columbus, Ohio, to take a virtual tour. Our local senior living experts can arrange for a live tour of these communities as well.
The cost of memory care facilities in Columbus, Ohio ranges from $1150 to $10200. The average Memory Care cost in Columbus, Ohio is $4,769. Prices often vary based on care provided, amenities, unit size, and more.
The cost of memory care in Columbus, Ohio typically starts at $1150. A Place for Mom’s local, expert senior living advisors can help you find affordable memory care facilities near you and offer advice on how to lower costs and pay for care with VA benefits or public payment options.
A Place for Mom. (2022). A Place for Mom proprietary data.
United States Census Bureau. (2021). Veteran status (S2101): Columbus [Data set]. American Community Survey.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. (2022, October 12). VA Aid and Attendance benefits and Housebound allowance.
Ohio Department of Aging. Assisted Living Medicaid Waiver Program.
Ohio Department of Aging. PASSPORT.
Ohio Department of Medicaid. Aged, Blind or Disabled (ABD) Medicaid.
Residential Care Facility, Ohio Revised Code § 3701.16 (2018, March 1).
Center for Disease Control. (2022, September 27). Interim infection prevention and control recommendations for healthcare personnel during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
United States Census Bureau. (2021). Population 65 Years and Over in the United States (S0103): Columbus. [Data set]. American Community Survey.
Ask an A Place for Mom local advisor at no cost.
A Place for Mom. (2022). A Place for Mom proprietary data.
United States Census Bureau. (2021). Veteran status (S2101): Columbus [Data set]. American Community Survey.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. (2022, October 12). VA Aid and Attendance benefits and Housebound allowance.
Ohio Department of Aging. Assisted Living Medicaid Waiver Program.
Ohio Department of Aging. PASSPORT.
Ohio Department of Medicaid. Aged, Blind or Disabled (ABD) Medicaid.
Residential Care Facility, Ohio Revised Code § 3701.16 (2018, March 1).
Center for Disease Control. (2022, September 27). Interim infection prevention and control recommendations for healthcare personnel during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
United States Census Bureau. (2021). Population 65 Years and Over in the United States (S0103): Columbus. [Data set]. American Community Survey.