Senior Living Apartments in Columbia, SC

Senior apartments don’t offer things such as health care services, daily assistance, or meals, so they’re considered general housing rather than senior care facilities. Because of this, long-term care insurance, Medicare, and Medicaid don’t cover basic living costs in senior apartments.

Paying for senior apartments is similar to paying monthly rent at a regular apartment, meaning many of Columbia’s senior apartment residents fund their stays privately through their savings, income, or pensions. However, additional benefits might be available for those looking to pay for a senior apartment.

This section will cover private payment options; U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Medicaid and Medicare benefits, and public assistance programs will also be discussed.

Many of Columbia’s senior apartments require that residents be at least 55 years old. Likewise, certain senior apartments might also have income requirements to ensure general affordability or will ask potential residents to provide proof of good health to ensure they can live independently.

Because senior apartment communities in Columbia aren’t considered care facilities, however, there are generally no requirements surrounding inspections besides the regulations all apartment communities must adhere to (such as conducting timely maintenance and finishing the repairs needed in order to safeguard residents’ health). The state’s rental properties are inspected once a year, but tenants are allowed to request an inspection by the city’s Code Enforcement Division. You can check the past two month’s worth of code violations here.

South Carolina’s laws and regulations help protect residents in senior apartments, and the laws in Columbia are generally the same as they are throughout the state. Here is a list of relevant regulations senior apartments should adhere to:

• Fair Housing Act: A landlord cannot refuse rental or financing based on race, color, national origin, sex, familial status, or disability.
• South Carolina Landlord-Tenant Act: Establishes rights and responsibilities surrounding elements such as rent, security deposits, maintenance and repairs, and evictions.
• Adult Protection Laws: Protects vulnerable adults from neglect, abuse, and exploitation.

Other more rental-specific regulations in Columbia are meant to protect tenants:

• Rent: Landlords must provide a rental agreement that lays out how much rent costs, when it’s due, and the penalty for being late on a payment.
• Security deposits: Security deposits cannot exceed two months worth of rent.
• Repairs and maintenance: Properties must be kept in safe and habitable condition.
• Evictions: Landlords must follow specific procedures during evictions.

South Carolina Department of Health contact information

2600 Bull St.
Columbia, SC 29201
Phone: 855-472-3432
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.

COVID-19 regulations for Columbia senior apartments communities

There are no COVID-19 regulations Columbia’s senior apartments must adhere to, but seniors and their loved ones are welcome to reach out to individual senior apartment communities to see whether they have any specific guidelines. South Carolina itself does provide some background information and best practices surrounding COVID-19:

Senior apartments in Columbia, South Carolina, offer simplicity for individuals looking to make enjoying their golden years a No. 1 priority — and Columbia provides a handful of communities these seniors can choose from. Below, we’ll cover some of the features, amenities, and services you can expect from the area’s senior apartment communities.

A heightened degree of accessibility and care continuity

Although you’re not likely to find many luxury-style senior apartments in Columbia, you will find no-frills spaces for seniors that were designed with a high degree of accessibility in mind. These types of senior apartments have features such as wider doorways and elevators, ensuring vivacious seniors of many abilities can still live independently.^[02]

Some senior apartments in the area also offer other types of senior care services, including memory care, assisted living, and independent living.^[02] This ensures continuity of care for seniors looking for an environment they can spend many years in — no matter the type of care they may need in the future.

More time to relax

Forget about pesky repairs or remembering about maintenance: Residents in senior apartments often find that convenient services such as apartment maintenance, repair costs, and security are already built into their monthly fees, making way for an even more carefree way of living.

An enjoyable array of amenities

A more social and convenient atmosphere is one of the most common reasons older individuals choose to move into senior apartment communities.

Thankfully, the amenities and programs offered by Columbia’s senior apartments leave nothing to be desired. Offerings at individual facilities may vary, but we’ll list examples below of the kind of features available in many of the area’s senior apartments:^[02]

• Arts and crafts center
• Barber shop
• Bathtubs
• Beauty salon
• Clubhouse or lounge
• Community garden
• Fitness center with a trainer
• Game room
• Movie or theater room
• Outdoor and indoor common areas
• Patios
• Pool

Below, you’ll find information on Columbia’s No. 1-ranked hospital system: Lexington Medical Center, as well as the VA hospital.

Generally, residents rely on their own vehicles to complete errands or get out and about in Columbia. With scores of 35 out of 100 for walkability and bikeability, it’s not impossible to get around on foot — but it’s not recommended.^[07] However, there are specific neighborhoods in Columbia (University Hill, Martin Luther King, and Shandon, among them) that are more walkable than the rest of the city.

Public transportation in Columbia is also limited, but it is possible to get on a bus. The Comet bus system provides 34 routes around the area daily, and it also offers discounts for seniors over 65, people with disabilities, and veterans. Those with disabilities who are unable to board Comet buses can also utilize the service’s Dial-A-Ride Transit (DART) Service. All DART buses are equipped with wheelchair lifts, and there are no restrictions on usage. DART passengers can take advantage of the service every day of the week from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., excluding some holidays. Those simply wanting to go from attraction to attraction downtown can utilize the Soda Cap Connector, which is just $1 to ride.

The walking, biking, and public transport scores below are calculated out of 100 by Walk Score. Each number is based on the amount of relevant infrastructure in a city; the closer a score is to 100, the easier that method of getting around town will be.

There’s no shortage of activities for seniors to enjoy in the Columbia area. Whether you prefer a night out to enjoy arts and culture or want to plan a Sunday tee time with a few friends, the city certainly has you covered.

First, nature-loving seniors will be overjoyed to learn that a U.S. national park is just a stone’s throw away. Congaree National Park — home to an impressive and expansive old-growth hardwood forest — allows visitors to canoe, kayak, and view wildlife. Especially outdoorsy folks can also enjoy camping or backpacking in the park.

Nature excursions in Columbia aren’t limited to checking out untouched national parks, however. The city’s more manicured Riverbanks Zoo & Garden is home to over 3,000 animals that enjoy their days surrounded by lush greenery and exhibits. Those who love fishing will feel right at home at Sesquicentennial State Park, but it’s also a great spot for a relaxing picnic on the lake. Meanwhile, seniors seeking a park with a more local feel can head to Finlay Park, which houses a lake, playground, and performance space for outdoor concerts and events, all with a city backdrop.

Seniors shouldn’t be bummed about Columbia’s lack of professional sports teams because minor-league games can be just as engaging. The Columbia Fireflies, the city’s popular Minor League Baseball team, play at Segra Park. This stadium is accessible for those with disabilities, and seniors can even snag tickets at a discounted rate. Those looking for all the energy a sports game provides could also try checking out the city’s famous festivals instead. Festivalgoers can mark their calendars for the South Carolina State Fair or even grab gyros and take in some Baltic culture at the Greek Festival.

Columbia has some great theaters that offer senior-friendly productions for those who prefer checking out the arts. The Nickelodeon is known for screening independent, foreign, and classic films, and those eager to see artistic talent up close can catch a play, musical, or concert at either the Trustus Theatre or the Koger Center for the Arts.

Speaking of art, art buffs will love the Columbia Museum of Art, which hosts regular community events and is home to more than 7,000 distinct works. Patrons who want to learn all about the history, art, and science of South Carolina can visit the South Carolina State Museum, but the South Carolina Military Museum is for those who are more interested in the state’s rich military history. And the EdVenture Children’s Museum — built to spark a love of learning in kids — is a solid choice when family with young ones come to visit.

More in the mood for shopping districts and good eats? Don’t fret: Columbia has plenty of that to offer as well. The Vista neighborhood is known for its historic architecture, but it’s also home to many bars, restaurants, and shops. In Five Points, a more dedicated commercial district, you’ll find festivals happening throughout the year as well as many dining options and boutiques. However, Devine Street might just be the city’s most popular street for shopping and dining, and the Soda City Market has vendors that you won’t find anywhere else in the world.

Nothing says retirement like honing your golf game out on the links. Both Cobblestone Park Golf Club and Oak Hills Golf Club offer discounts for seniors and have highly rated courses.

And that’s not all: Seniors will find activities catered especially to them at Columbia’s Parks and Recreation Department, the Lourie Center, and the Richland Library, from Tai Chi and Pilates to classes on arthritis.