Colonial Gardens, located in West Columbia, South Carolina, is an assisted living community specializing in both general assisted living and memory care services. The facility is designed to support older adults who need help with daily activities, as well as those experiencing memory loss conditions including Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. Colonial Gardens offers a secure environment intended to promote safety and comfort for residents coping with cognitive decline, with community features and amenities tailored to meet both physical and emotional needs.
Care at Colonial Gardens includes individualized support, with staff providing full assistance for bathing, dressing, and toileting, and partial physical support with eating for residents who require it. Medication management, diabetes care, incontinence care, and ambulatory care services are available to residents, with staff monitoring medication schedules and coordinating care as needed. The community is secured, offering designated indoor and outdoor walking paths that allow residents to move about safely, as well as specialized environmental accommodations designed specifically for individuals living with memory loss. The facility accepts residents with psychiatric issues and is set up solely as a memory care community, which means its layout, staffing, activities, and security measures focus on the needs of residents with cognitive disorders. Additional amenities include access to a barber and beauty salon for grooming and personal care.
Residents at Colonial Gardens have access to various clubs and social communities, as well as structured memory care programs intended to provide engagement and routine. The community strives to balance supervision and independence, providing a safe setting with prompt responses in case of incidents or falls. Transportation is available on a complimentary basis for both medical and non-medical purposes, supporting residents’ healthcare appointments, shopping needs, or participation in planned group outings.
Family and resident review summaries indicate several points of positive feedback, including appreciation for the specialized memory care environment, cleanliness, and room spaciousness. Many families highlight the friendly, attentive staff and frequent communication about resident welfare and community events. Activities and meal quality are generally well received, with the secure setting and accessible courtyards contributing to family confidence in resident safety. Critics point to occasional staffing shortages, particularly during nights and weekends, which can contribute to delays in assistance with meals, hygiene, and medication management. Concerns are also raised about activity engagement consistency, cleanliness, and the handling of fees and caregiving attention.
Overall, Colonial Gardens is characterized by a focus on individualized, attentive care within a supportive, secure environment suited to those with memory care needs. While families are generally satisfied and recommend the facility, they also emphasize the necessity of active advocacy and periodic monitoring to ensure a consistent standard of care. As of mid-2024, there are no significant new developments in the facility’s offerings or care practices.
Costs at this community start at $4,400 and range up to $6,585. The average price in the community is $5,492, which is more than the average price in the area of $4,481. The cost of assisted living in this area is essentially the same as the cost throughout the state. If the resident needs other services, additional services may increase the monthly cost.