Richland County, South Carolina · Nursing home
Life Care Center Of Columbia
2 of 5 overall from CMS
2514 Faraway Drive, Columbia, SC 29223
At a glance
- Overall rating 2 of 5 Below the state average of 3.0
- Nurse time per resident, per day 3.46 hours Below the state average of 3.84
- Nursing staff who left in a year 54.8% Above the state average of 45.9%
- Health citations, last 3 inspection cycles 15 1 at the harm level or above
- Fines in 3 years None None listed by CMS
- Certified beds in use 56.8% of 179 beds, on an average day
Arrows only show whether a figure is above or below the state average. They are not a judgment of the home.
Life Care Center Of Columbia is a 179-bed nursing home in Columbia, South Carolina (Richland County). CMS rates it 2 of 5 stars overall as of Sep 2026. It reports 3.46 nurse staffing hours per resident per day, below the South Carolina average of 3.84. CMS lists no fines in the past three years.
- Certified beds
- 179
- Residents per day (average)
- 101.6
- Certified since
- 1994 (32 yrs)
For profit - Corporation Participates in Medicare and MedicaidPart of Life Care Centers of America (194 homes)
Bed use is this site's calculation: average residents per day divided by certified beds. It is an average, so it does not show today's openings.
Terms used on this page
- CMS
- The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, the federal agency that publishes the ratings, staffing figures, inspection results and penalties shown here.
- Certified beds
- The number of federally certified beds CMS lists for the home.
- Deficiency or citation
- A federal requirement that inspectors found the home did not meet. Each one gets a letter from A to L for how serious it was and how many residents were affected. What the letters mean
- Actual harm
- Letters G, H and I: actual harm to a resident that is not immediate jeopardy.
- Immediate jeopardy
- Letters J, K and L: the problem caused, or was likely to cause, serious injury, harm, impairment or death to a resident.
- Inspection cycle
- A standard inspection plus the complaint and infection-control citations CMS assigns to it. This page shows the three most recent cycles.
- Special Focus Facility (SFF)
- A home CMS has placed under closer oversight because of its inspection record. More about the program
Questions to ask Life Care Center Of Columbia
Chosen from this home's public data.
- CMS counts 4 health deficiencies in the latest inspection cycle (the standard inspection on Jun 19, 2025 plus complaint and infection-control inspections); the South Carolina average is 3.7. Which have been corrected?Inspection results in CMS data
- Nursing staff turnover is 54.8%, above the South Carolina average of 45.9%. How often would the same aides care for my relative?Turnover in CMS data
- Reported nurse staffing is 2.89 hours per resident on weekends against 3.46 overall. Who covers Saturdays and Sundays?Weekend staffing in CMS data
More in what to ask on a nursing home tour.
CMS star ratings
- Overall 2 of 5 South Carolina average 3.0
- Health inspections 2 of 5 South Carolina average 2.9
- Staffing 3 of 5 South Carolina average 3.0
- Quality measures 4 of 5 South Carolina average 3.5
The vertical line marks the South Carolina average. Ratings run from 1 to 5. How to read CMS star ratings
Nurse staffing
Hours of care per resident per day, as the home reported to CMS.
What these roles do
Nurse aides give most hands-on daily care, such as help with bathing, dressing and meals. Licensed practical nurses give medications and routine nursing care. Registered nurses assess residents and direct their care.
- All nursing staff 3.46 h South Carolina average 3.84
- Nurse aides 1.95 h South Carolina average 2.19
- Licensed practical nurses 0.97 h South Carolina average 1.02
- Registered nurses 0.54 h South Carolina average 0.63
- All staff, weekends 2.89 h South Carolina average 3.33
How much nurse staffing is enough? All bars share one scale, 0 to 8 hours. The vertical line marks the South Carolina average; the national average for all nursing staff is 3.86 hours.
- Nursing staff turnover54.8%
- South Carolina average45.9%
- Registered nurse turnover53.8%
- South Carolina average42.1%
- Administrators who left0
Quality measures
CMS calculates these from residents' assessments and Medicare claims. They are shown as published, next to the South Carolina and national averages. marks the measures CMS uses in its quality star rating; for those, the rating gives more points for a lower rate.
Long-stay residents
| Measure | This home | South Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| ★ Percentage of long-stay residents whose need for help with daily activities has increased | 14.2% | 11.9% | 13.9% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents who lose too much weight | 4.7% | 6.3% | 5.2% |
| ★ Percentage of long-stay residents with a catheter inserted and left in their bladder | 0.0% | 0.6% | 0.8% |
| ★ Percentage of long-stay residents with a urinary tract infection | 0.3% | 1.3% | 1.6% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents who have depressive symptoms | 1.0% | 3.1% | 12.8% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents who were physically restrained | 0.0% | 0.1% | 0.1% |
| ★ Percentage of long-stay residents experiencing one or more falls with major injury | 2.0% | 3.2% | 3.2% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents assessed and appropriately given the pneumococcal vaccine | 98.0% | 91.7% | 93.6% |
| ★ Percentage of long-stay residents whose ability to walk independently worsened | 18.5% | 12.7% | 14.1% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents who received an antianxiety or hypnotic medication | 12.5% | 21.0% | 19.5% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents assessed and appropriately given the seasonal influenza vaccine | 91.3% | 90.6% | 95.5% |
| ★ Percentage of long-stay residents with pressure ulcers | 6.0% | 5.1% | 4.6% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with new or worsened bowel or bladder incontinence | 31.3% | 16.7% | 19.0% |
| ★ Percentage of long-stay residents who received an antipsychotic medication | 12.7% | 15.3% | 15.4% |
| ★ Number of hospitalizations per 1000 long-stay resident days | 2.46 | 2.04 | 1.90 |
| ★ Number of outpatient emergency department visits per 1000 long-stay resident days | 2.26 | 1.84 | 1.78 |
Short-stay residents
| Measure | This home | South Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Percentage of short-stay residents assessed and appropriately given the pneumococcal vaccine | 96.4% | 81.5% | 82.0% |
| ★ Percentage of short-stay residents who newly received an antipsychotic medication | 0.9% | 1.5% | 1.6% |
| Percentage of short-stay residents who were assessed and appropriately given the seasonal influenza vaccine | 83.4% | 78.0% | 79.8% |
| ★ Percentage of short-stay residents who were rehospitalized after a nursing home admission | 24.8% | 24.3% | 23.8% |
| ★ Percentage of short-stay residents who had an outpatient emergency department visit | 22.8% | 13.9% | 12.0% |
Measure periods: April 2025 to March 2026 for most measures; July 2024 to June 2025 for the flu vaccine measures; January to December 2025 for the hospital and emergency department measures, which CMS risk-adjusts. See the measures on Medicare.gov
Inspection history
Inspectors cited 15 health deficiencies in the three most recent inspection cycles. Of these, 1 involved actual harm; the rest were graded as no actual harm. 1 was cited in connection with a complaint investigation. The most recent citation at the harm level or above was on Mar 30, 2022: Provide safe, appropriate pain management for a resident who requires such services.
| Standard inspection | Health | Fire safety |
|---|---|---|
| Jun 19, 2025 | 4 | 1 |
| May 9, 2024 | 8 | 6 |
| Mar 30, 2022 | 3 | 0 |
South Carolina homes averaged 3.7 health deficiencies in the latest cycle; the national average is 9.2. Each cycle's health count covers the standard inspection on that date plus the complaint and infection-control citations CMS assigns to that cycle.
Health citations, three most recent inspection cycles (15)
-
FPotential for more than minimal harm, widespread
Encode each resident’s assessment data and transmit these data to the State within 7 days of assessment.
Resident Assessment and Care Planning · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jun 27, 2025)
-
FPotential for more than minimal harm, widespread
Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
Nutrition and Dietary · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jun 20, 2025)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Assess the resident when there is a significant change in condition
Resident Assessment and Care Planning · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jul 7, 2025)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Ensure each resident receives an accurate assessment.
Resident Assessment and Care Planning · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jun 26, 2025)
-
FPotential for more than minimal harm, widespread
Ensure drugs and biologicals used in the facility are labeled in accordance with currently accepted professional principles; and all drugs and biologicals must be stored in locked compartments, separately locked, compartments for controlled drugs.
Pharmacy Service · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jul 16, 2024)
Show 10 more
-
FPotential for more than minimal harm, widespread
Keep all essential equipment working safely.
Environmental · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jun 8, 2024)
-
EPotential for more than minimal harm, pattern
Provide activities to meet all resident's needs.
Quality of Life and Care · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jun 8, 2024)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Allow resident to participate in the development and implementation of his or her person-centered plan of care.
Complaint investigation · Resident Rights · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jun 8, 2024)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Timely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft and report the results of the investigation to proper authorities.
Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jun 8, 2024)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Provide timely notification to the resident, and if applicable to the resident representative and ombudsman, before transfer or discharge, including appeal rights.
Resident Rights · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jun 8, 2024)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Notify the resident or the resident’s representative in writing how long the nursing home will hold the resident’s bed in cases of transfer to a hospital or therapeutic leave.
Resident Rights · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jun 8, 2024)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Provide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable.
Quality of Life and Care · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jun 8, 2024)
-
GActual harm, isolated
Provide safe, appropriate pain management for a resident who requires such services.
Quality of Life and Care · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Apr 30, 2022)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Create and put into place a plan for meeting the resident's most immediate needs within 48 hours of being admitted
Resident Assessment and Care Planning · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Apr 30, 2022)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Implement gradual dose reductions(GDR) and non-pharmacological interventions, unless contraindicated, prior to initiating or instead of continuing psychotropic medication; and PRN orders for psychotropic medications are only used when the medication is necessary and PRN use is limited.
Pharmacy Service · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Apr 30, 2022)
What severity letters A to L mean
Each sentence above is the requirement that was not met, in CMS's wording. For the inspection results as Medicare publishes them, open this home's page on Medicare.gov and look under "Health inspections".
Penalties, past three years
CMS lists no fines or payment denials for this home in the past three years.
South Carolina homes averaged 1.1 fines and $14,833 in fine amounts; the national averages are 0.9 and $30,972.
Cost
Not in the public data. CMS does not publish what a nursing home charges.
Ask the home for its daily private-pay rate and whether a bed is open for your coverage. See what Medicare covers and how Medicaid pays for a nursing home.
Compared within South Carolina
- Size11 of 187 by certified beds
- South Carolina average residents per day92.1
- ChainLife Care Centers of America
- Chain average overall rating3.4 of 5
- Resident or family councilResident
- Homes in Columbia12
- Homes in Richland County14
Common questions
What is the CMS star rating for Life Care Center Of Columbia?
Life Care Center Of Columbia has an overall rating of 2 of 5 stars from CMS as of Sep 2026. Its health inspection rating is 2, staffing is 3 and quality measures is 4.
How many beds does Life Care Center Of Columbia have?
Life Care Center Of Columbia has 179 certified beds. It averages 101.6 residents per day, about 56.8% of its certified beds.
How much nursing care do residents get at Life Care Center Of Columbia?
The home reports 3.46 hours of nurse staffing per resident per day, including 0.54 hours from registered nurses. The South Carolina average is 3.84 hours and 0.63 hours from registered nurses.
Has Life Care Center Of Columbia been fined?
CMS lists no fines for this home in the past three years.
Does Life Care Center Of Columbia accept Medicare or Medicaid?
CMS lists its participation as "Medicare and Medicaid". Ask the home whether a bed is open for your coverage.
Guides for families looking at this home
- Understanding the recordWhat to ask on a nursing home tourQuestions that turn a home's public record into a useful conversation when you tour, plus what to look for yourself.
- Understanding the recordInspection severity letters A to LHow inspectors grade each deficiency by harm and by how many residents were affected.
- Understanding the recordHow to read CMS star ratingsWhat the overall, health inspection, staffing and quality measure ratings cover, and what they leave out.
Nearest nursing homes
- 5 of 5 Wildewood Downs 32beds 85.3%in use 5.27nurse hours a day
- 5 of 5 NHC Healthcare - Parklane 106beds 97.0%in use 4.97nurse hours a day
- 3 of 5 Rice Estate Rehabilitation and Healthcare 80beds 96.6%in use 4.96nurse hours a day
Sorted by straight-line distance. This is not a ranking or a recommendation. Compare all homes in Richland County
Source: CMS Provider Data Catalog, nursing home datasets processed Sep 1, 2026. CMS Certification Number 425337. See this home's official record on Medicare.gov
See something shown incorrectly? Tell us. This site shows each record as CMS publishes it and cannot change the underlying record.