30 Assisted Living Communities near Columbus

What is Assisted Living?

Assisted living facilities, which are commonly referred to as residential care facilities in Ohio, are communities that provide aging citizens with residential quarters in a safe, homelike environment. Most facilities offer around-the-clock assistance, support, and physical care as needed to help seniors live fairly independent lifestyles.

The Ohio Department of Health licenses and regulates all residential care facilities in the state. To be considered an assisted living facility in the state, the community must meet one of two specific requirements.

• Provide accommodations for 17 or more unrelated residents, three of which receive supervision and personal care assistance.
• Provide accommodations, supervision, and personal care assistance for three or more residents, one of which also receives skilled nursing care.

What Services are Available in Assisted Living in Columbus?

In Columbus, every assisted living community you tour has its own list of services and amenities. While the type of advanced and/or luxury options vary between facilities, seniors can expect to find the same basic services in each community. Here is a list of some general services available at most assisted living near you: 

• Assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs)
• Medication management
• Security & supervision
• Basic housekeeping
• Daily meals
• Health and exercise programs
• Transportation

Getting Ready to Move to Assisted Living in Columbus

With some advanced planning and preparation, you can make moving into an assisted living community in Columbus simple for you and your loved one. The first thing you should do is make an appointment with your loved one's physician to have his or her current condition assessed. This helps you determine exactly what type of services you need a facility to provide.

In addition to completing a medical assessment, you should also:

• Review the assisted living facility's policies and procedures with your loved one so you both know what to expect before moving day. Also, ask a staff member for a list of suggested items to bring. Having a list to refer to makes going through your loved one's belongings easier.
• Sell your loved one's current home or cancel any current rental/lease agreement.
• Consider selling or donating your loved one's car — or giving it to a younger family member.
• Go through your loved one's belongings to determine if they should be moved to the assisted living facility. It's important to consider how much room your loved one will have available at the new residence, as well as the type of living arrangement. For example, if you choose an assisted living community that offers individual apartments with kitchens, your loved one will need basic kitchenware, utensils and necessary small appliances.
• Sell, donate or give away any items your loved one won't need while residing in an assisted living community.
• Get quotes from moving companies to determine which one, if any, you need to hire to help you with the move.
• Review your loved one's finances to make sure all bills are caught up and/or paid.
• Make a list of any services you need to cancel, such as utilities and meal services, once your loved one has moved into the assisted living community.

While you're making plans and arrangements for the move, include your loved one in the process as much as possible. Keeping your loved one involved in the process helps them accept and feel good about the transition they're making.

How Much Does Assisted Living Cost in Columbus?

The average monthly cost of assisted living in Columbus is $3,800 according to the Genworth Cost of Care survey 2017.

Monthly assisted living costs vary depending on the type of assisted living community you choose and the services it offers. Communities that offer basic services and fewer amenities are more affordable than luxury communities that serve gourmet meals, offer high-quality classes and have premier exercise amenities such as a pool or yoga studio. Also, communities that only offer basic care-related services, such as assistance with ADLs, are typically more affordable to live in than facilities that offer skilled nursing services.

According to Genworth, monthly assisted living costs in Ohio average $4,178. This is quite a bit higher than the 2017 national median of $3,750. However, the average monthly cost of residing in an assisted living facility in Columbus is $3,800, making it a fairly affordable area for seniors.

Our local Seniorly Partner Agents often have the ability to negotiate monthly rent and fees on your behalf at many of the communities you might be interested in.  This is a free service to you.  To connect to a Seniorly Partner Agent email us now at ask@seniorly.com or call (855) 866-4515.

What’s the Difference Between Assisted Living vs. Other Senior Care Types?

Assisted living is different from other types of senior care because it sits in the middle of a spectrum of care between independent living and skilled nursing facilities, sometimes called nursing homes.

The type of facility you and your loved one choose should depend on affordability, location and the type of services offered. It's important to choose a facility that fits your loved ones current needs to ensure they receive the necessary care on a regular basis.

• Independent living facilities typically offer multi-room apartments for seniors who are in great physical shape and require little supervision.
• Assisted living communities provide more supervision than independent living communities. Typically, they are staffed 24-hours per day and offer help with ADLs and other basic necessities.
• Hospice care facilities focus on end-of-life care. These facilities are ideal for seniors who have decided to stop battling chronic illnesses, such as cancer.

Helpful Websites for Assisted Living in Columbus

One way to enhance life in an assisted living community is to take advantage of the many companies that will bring products and services right to your door via their mobile app or website. There are plenty of companies and organizations in Columbus that offer services to seniors, including the three listed below.

• Lyft makes it easy for seniors to travel throughout Columbus. The company offers an app-based transportation service that lets seniors schedule door-to-door transportation on an as-needed basis.
• Instacart delivers your groceries right to your door. The service works with several Columbus-area grocers too. You simply shop online and wait for your groceries to be delivered.
• Premier Spa Mobile Grooming makes it easy for seniors to care for their favorite four-legged friend. The website provides details about the type of mobile grooming services offered and the company itself.

Resources for Caregivers in Columbus

If you're caring for an aging loved one, you know it can take a lot of time out of your personal life. However, caregiver support programs help you learn how to balance work, your family and your loved one's care in a way that leaves you with enough time to care for yourself too. Below are just three of the support programs available to you.

• Franklin County Office on Aging offers a Caregiver Support that provides supportive services to caregivers on a short-term basis. The program includes counseling and organizational support for three-month periods.
• Alzheimer's Association's Central Ohio Chapter offers 24-hour-per-day phone support for caregivers. They also have a comprehensive list of community programs and services designed for those with Alzheimer's disease or dementia and their loved ones.
• Ohio Health offers support programs for caregivers including personal consultations, which are given at the John J. Gerlach Center for Senior Health. They also have support groups for caregivers who are caring for elderly family members with cancer.

Government Resources for Seniors in Columbus

• Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging provides a wide range of services to area seniors including Medicare outreach programs and an ombudsman service. It also offers health-related educational classes for seniors.
• Ohio Department of Aging has a long-term care ombudsman program available to assist seniors who need help communicating their needs to assisted living facility staff members. They also run the state's Golden Buckeye Card program, which gives seniors age 55 and older discounts at area businesses and restaurants.
• Gillie Community Senior Center and the Martin Janis Community Senior Center are offered by the city's Recreation and Parks Department and provide numerous programs and activities for seniors including meals, dances and arts programs.

Columbus Demographics

Columbus, Ohio, has a population of 860,090. Seniors age 65 years old and over make up 9.5 percent of the city's population.

Columbus Weather

Columbus weather consists of four distinct seasons. Seniors should expect cold winters with lows dipping to 22 degrees Fahrenheit and hot, muggy summers with highs in the upper 80s.

Transportation in and Around Columbus

The Central Ohio Regional Transit Authority (COTA) operates a public bus system throughout the Columbus area. Seniors can apply for a discount ID card at the COTA sales pass office to receive reduced ride fares.

Fun Facts About Columbus

Columbus, Ohio, is the 15th largest city in the United States. It's a diverse city that hosts several fun annual festivals seniors can enjoy, including the Ohio State Fair and the Dublin Irish Festival.

But there are also plenty of area attractions for seniors to explore too such as COSI and the historic German Village.

The Columbus Zoo made history when Colo was the first gorilla born in captivity. She exceeded her life expectancy by more than two decades, eventually becoming a great-grandmother. While Colo passed away in 2017, seniors can still visit the other spectacular animals who call the zoo home.

Columbus Hospital Information

The Columbus area has several hospitals for seniors to use, including The Ohio State University Wexler Medical Center, Ohio Health Riverside Methodist Hospital and Mount Carmel East. The city is also home to several healthcare clinics including Whitehall Family Health Center, Columbus Free Clinic and Vineyard Community Center.

Assisted Living Community Ratings, Inspection Reports and User Reviews for City

A good part of finding the right assisted living facility for your loved one requires you to complete your own research. Fortunately, it's fairly simple to research local facilities to ensure they meet your standards as far as the level of care they provide, cleanliness and maintenance issues. The Ohio Department of Health keeps records of complaints filed on assisted living facilities throughout the state, including those from the Columbus area. You can also research complaints through the Better Business Bureau of Central Ohio.

For more detailed reviews, consider using review websites such as Yelp and Google Maps to further your research. Seniorly also has reviews for 31 assisted living communities in and around Columbus for you to review. These websites typically give you first-hand information from people who have loved ones residing at the community being reviewed.

What Questions Should I Ask When Touring Assisted Living Facilities in Columbus?

Here are 10 important questions you should always ask when touring assisted living facilities in Columbus:

• What is the ratio of staff to residents?
• Do residents have the option of a private or shared room?
• Are pets allowed? If so, what kind?
• Is the food prepared fresh daily?
• Does the community have any special amenities or services, such as a beauty parlor, fitness room or therapy pool?
• What is your medication management policy?
• Is self-administration of medication allowed?
• Are services such as hospice and physical therapy available?
• Is transportation available for personal or family outings?
• Is there any live entertainment provided? If so, what kind, and how often?

Of course, this is just a small sampling of important questions. Seniorly's comprehensive guide gives you a complete list of 74 questions to ask during your tour.