Merrill Gardens at Columbia is a senior living community located in Columbia, South Carolina. The facility provides both assisted living and independent living services, as well as specialized memory care for residents with cognitive impairments. Residents choose from a range of spacious apartments and benefit from a modern environment with well-maintained grounds. The community is pet-friendly and designed to promote comfort and socialization, featuring communal spaces, a library, landscaped outdoor areas, and accessible amenities. Services offered at Merrill Gardens at Columbia are tailored to support residents’ independence while providing assistance when needed.

Residents at Merrill Gardens at Columbia have access to personalized care options, including diabetes management, incontinence support, and ambulatory care for those who need assistance with mobility. Medication management is available, with trained staff overseeing the preparation, administration, and monitoring of medications in accordance with individual care plans. For residents with memory-related needs, the dedicated memory care program delivers structured routines, specialized activities, and 24/7 supervision in a safe, supportive environment. Onsite wellness includes regular visits from massage therapists and a fully equipped barber and beauty salon. The community offers a variety of fitness programs, including yoga and chair yoga, to help residents maintain physical well-being and flexibility.

All staff services are conducted in English, and residents benefit from accountability measures such as check-in systems that help ensure safety and peace of mind. Engagement is encouraged through a diverse calendar of social, educational, and recreational activities, making it easy for both independent living and memory care residents to stay active. Review summaries from residents and families consistently mention the friendly and compassionate staff, organized activity offerings, pet-friendly policies, and the maintenance of attractive common areas and residences.

Merrill Gardens at Columbia provides transportation services for both medical and non-medical purposes. Complimentary transportation is available for scheduled needs, such as medical appointments, shopping trips, and group outings. For other transportation requirements, services are offered at a cost, ensuring residents have flexible options to attend to personal errands, social events, or healthcare visits. These transportation offerings are designed to support residents’ independence, health, and community engagement.

Dining services at Merrill Gardens at Columbia include restaurant-style meals served in communal dining rooms, with a menu that offers variety and accommodates dietary needs. Resident feedback on dining is mixed, with praise for menu choices and staff friendliness, balanced against occasional critiques of meal quality. Families and residents also highlight the facility’s responsiveness to feedback, regular communication, and sense of trust fostered by the staff, though there have been occasional reports of communication or organizational challenges. On balance, residents and their families generally express satisfaction with the services and amenities offered at Merrill Gardens at Columbia.

Costs at this community start at $3,225 and range up to $6,585. The average price in the community is $4,905, which is more than the average price in the area of $4,477. 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.