Find Home Care Agencies Near Columbia, SC.
Home care in Columbia, South Carolina, is for people who may need some extra support at home. There are 78 home care agencies in Columbia, and while costs vary based on individual needs, the average hourly cost is $26. In this guide, you’ll find local home care agency listings along with insightful reviews. We’ve also included information to help you choose an agency that fits your family’s needs. You’ll find details about how to pay for home care, state regulations, and information on hiring practices.
Home Care Agencies near Columbia, SC
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Costs of home care in Columbia, South Carolina
Average cost of home care in Columbia, SC
Average monthly cost of home care vs. senior living in Columbia, SC
Compare the costs of aging in place against senior living
Use our cost calculator to compare your loved one’s current living and home care expenses against the cost of senior living in Columbia.
Paying for home care in Columbia, South Carolina
While health insurance may be an option when paying for home care in Columbia, most policies only cover medically necessary care at home. Those who only need nonmedical home care typically pay for care out of pocket. Families may turn to a combination of funds from savings, retirement accounts, pensions, health savings accounts (HSAs), and long-term care (LTC) insurance. Eligible veterans and their spouses may also be able to use veterans benefits to pay for some home care costs.
Paying for home care
Get an overview of all payment options for home care.
VA home care benefits
See how VA benefits can help veterans and their spouses pay for home care.
Home care and LTC insurance
Learn how to use long-term care insurance to cover home care costs.
Does Medicare pay for home care in Columbia?
Yes, Medicare covers some nonmedical home care services if they’re recommended by a doctor as part of an in-home medical care plan. This type of care is often prescribed after a patient has spent time in the hospital following a medical event like a surgery, illness, or injury. To be eligible for coverage, services must be provided by a Medicare-certified home care agency.[01]
For seniors seeking Medicare insurance information, the South Carolina State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) offers Medicare counseling services. Counselors can highlight the different types of Medicare options, provide assistance with applications, billing, and enrollment in low-income assistance programs.
Does Medicaid pay for home care in Columbia?
Yes. South Carolina’s Medicaid program, called Healthy Connections, offers the Community Choices waiver. This waiver gives qualified seniors 65+, or those 18 to 64 who need a nursing home level of care, an alternative by covering home care services. To qualify for the waiver, applicants must meet the Medicaid income and asset requirements, and need a nursing home level of care.[02]
The Community Choices waiver is a participant-directed care program that allows participants to choose their caregiver. This means a participant could choose a licensed home care agency, friend, or certain family members to be their caregiver paid by Medicaid.[03]
It’s important to note that Community Choices is not an entitlement program, which means that there are a limited number of benefit funds available each year. When funding runs out for a calendar year, qualified individuals are placed on a waitlist.
What other Columbia services help seniors age in place?
Seniors in Columbia have access to several programs and initiatives through the South Carolina Department of Aging, including the following:
- The ElderCare Trust Fund supports organizations that help seniors age in place. This includes funding for safety and accessibility features in a senior’s home. It also funds voucher programs to help seniors purchase fresh produce at farmer’s markets.
- The Family Caregiver Support program provides care training, respite opportunities, and counseling services for family caregivers.
- Legal Assistance for Seniors provides senior-focused, pro bono legal services including help with estate planning, income protection, and health care.
Where do I get information about veterans benefits in Columbia?
Qualifying seniors and their surviving spouses may be able to receive benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Many veterans are eligible for more benefits than they’re aware of, so working with a benefits counselor is recommended. Benefits counselors, available through the VA or via local veterans service organizations (VSOs), help veterans in understanding their benefits options, work with them through the application process, and even sometimes support appealing denied applications.
To learn about veterans benefits that can help with home care and to get support with the application process, contact the South Carolina Department of Veterans Affairs or the VA’s Columbia Regional Office. These local offices can help veterans and their spouses in Columbia to begin navigating the benefits application process.
VSOs also employ trained service officers who can explain benefits and provide assistance with the often lengthy application process. VSOs operating in the Columbia area include the following:
You can also use the following contact information to make an appointment with the service officer in your county.
Richland County service officer: Jordan Robinson
Phone: 803.576.1908
Email: robinson.jordan@richlandcountysc.gov
Lexington County service officer: Ed Lundeen
Phone: 803.785.8400
Email: elundeen@lex-co.com
What families are saying about home care in Columbia
Recent reviews for home care in Columbia
FirstLight Home Care of Greater Columbia, SC (141) in West Columbia, SC
Senior Helpers of South Carolina - Rock Hill, SC
Hands and Hearts Home Care - West Columbia, SC
How to choose the right Columbia home care agency
Home care agencies in Columbia offer a variety of services, so it’s important to take the time to thoroughly research local agencies to find the best fit for you or your family. Using the resources provided below, you can learn to ask about potential home care agencies’ licensing status, hiring practices, fees, and care requirements.
Additionally, it’s important to understand the type of care services you or your loved one requires before exploring home care agencies. Using the listings provided on this page, you can find nonmedical support services such as help with laundry, meal preparation, or personal care. You can also find medical care services offered by Columbia home care agencies. Note that some agencies specialize in nonmedical or medical care, while others may offer both types of care. However, if medical care is needed, these services must be ordered by a doctor.
Be sure to discuss your loved one’s needs with potential home care agencies before making a decision.
Licensure and accreditation
South Carolina home care agencies are required to hold a current license to operate. The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control regulates and licenses home care agencies through the Bureau of Healthcare Quality.
To view a list of licensed home care agencies in South Carolina, you can use the Find a Facility search tool, which includes agencies as well as a wide variety of other facilities. You will find information that includes an agency’s license type, license expiration date, and the name of the administrator. There’s also a map feature to help you locate facilities in specific areas of Columbia.
You can use the search bar in the map to find an agency by name, or use the following steps to help you navigate the list of agencies.
- At the top of the agency list, click on “In-Home Care Providers” by using the right arrow or down arrow to see the tab.
- Scroll through the list to find the names and locations of home care agencies.
Hiring practices
South Carolina has specific requirements for caregivers employed by a home care agency. Prior to employment, a potential caregiver must undergo a criminal background check and submit to a drug test. Additionally, a potential caregiver must meet the following minimum requirements:[04]
- Be at least 18 years of age.
- Have a valid driver’s license and insurance, if required to transport clients.
- Be able read, write, and communicate effectively with clients and supervisors.
- Be able to follow a care plan.
Caregivers employed with a Columbia home care agency also must have adequate training to perform their duties. Training may include basic first aid, infection control techniques, and applicable lifting and transferring techniques. Caregivers must receive additional training if they work with individuals living with specific conditions, such as dementia, Parkinson’s disease, and those with physical disabilities.[04]
Fees and minimums
To make sure you don’t miss additional fees, it’s a good idea to create a list of questions to ask your potential home care agency when you first talk to their representative. In addition to asking all your care-related questions, be sure to ask if there are additional fees or care minimums. Questions you may consider asking a potential agency include the following:
- Are there required deposits?
- What is the cost of a client assessment?
- Do you have a minimum number of hours or shifts?
- Do you have a minimum age requirement for clients?
Other questions to ask Columbia home care agencies
Ask these 10 questions to help you find the right home care agency.
Frequently asked questions about home care in Columbia
Hands and Hearts Home Care - West Columbia, SC, Acti-Kare of Columbia SC and Always Best Care - Columbia, SC are the top-rated Home Care facilities near Columbia, SC. These Home Care facilities received the highest rankings based on verified family reviews. See full list of communities.
The average cost of Home Care in Columbia is {{ zipAverageCost }} per month. This cost may vary based on location, amenities, floorplan, level of care and other factors.
Home care is provided by an aide who comes to a senior’s home to help with daily chores and activities of daily living. It can be offered anywhere a senior calls home — including a house, senior apartment, independent living, or assisted living. Learn more about home care.
Home care services are customizable to a senior’s unique needs. Services can include companionship, help with chores like cooking and housekeeping, or assistance with activities of daily living, like toileting and bathing. Explore home care services in more detail.
Home care provides nonmedical services for seniors who require assistance with daily tasks like housework, bathing, dressing, and transportation. In contrast, home health care is prescribed by a doctor and includes services like skilled nursing care and therapies, health monitoring, and medication administration that are provided by licensed medical professionals. Read more about home care vs. home health care.
References
Medicare.gov. Home health services.
South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. (2024). Program eligibility and income limits.
South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. (2023, July 1). Application for a 1915(c) home and community based services waiver.
South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. Regulation 61-122. Standards for licensing in-home care providers.
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