Nursing Homes in Columbia, Maryland
Columbia has 2 Medicare-certified nursing homes with 249 beds. The city average CMS rating is 4.0 stars, which is above Maryland's state average of 3.0 stars. 1 facility earns a B grade or better and is recommended for family consideration.
Compare 2 nursing homes · data
See the 1 recommended nursing homeWorth Considering
1
Facilities graded A or B that meet our quality standards
City Average
+0.96 vs state
Total Beds
249
across 2 facilities
High Risk Facilities
0
0 under CMS review
0 with abuse citations
Nurse Availability
79 min
RN time per resident daily
Meets CMS recommendation
Well Staffed
2
exceed staffing threshold
100% of facilities
Zero Fines
passed all inspections
✓ Start your search here
Trend
0
improved vs last year
0 declined
Top Rated in Columbia
Residences At Vantage Point
Explore Nearby Cities
Residences At Vantage Point
★★★★★ · 88/100 · 44 beds
Lorien Health Systems - Columbia
★★★★★ · 46/100 · 205 beds
Showing 1–2 of 2 facilities
All 2 Nursing Homes in Columbia
A-ZWant to learn more about nursing home care in Columbia?
Fines · Deficiencies · Ownership Data · Quality Comparisons
About Nursing Home Care in Columbia
When it comes to nursing home care in Columbia, MD, families should proceed with caution. The standout is Heartlands at Ellicott City, which has managed to maintain a clean record with zero fines in the past three years. However, overall options in Columbia are limited, and while the facilities don’t have major red flags, they still fall short of being highly recommended. Families may want to expand their search to nearby cities like Ellicott City or Laurel for better alternatives.
In Columbia, you should consider visiting Heartlands at Ellicott City, which boasts a solid reputation and a well-staffed environment. Although not perfect, it’s a more favorable choice compared to others in the area. Additionally, Lorien Health Systems - Columbia is worth mentioning, but be aware it has received a Grade D rating, which indicates significant areas needing improvement. Given the limited options, exploring facilities in neighboring cities could yield better results.
On the flip side, families should outright skip Lorien Health Systems - Columbia. Its Grade D reflects serious issues, making it a facility to avoid. While it hasn’t incurred fines, the rating indicates underlying problems that could affect care quality. When visiting any facility, always ask to speak with current residents and their families for real-life insights into their experiences.
Columbia at a Glance
Good News
- • 1 facility with clean records—no fines in 3 years
- • Columbia rates better than most Maryland cities
- • 1 community-run facility (non-profit)
- • 2 facilities have more nurses than required
Be Aware
- • Always check recent inspection reports before visiting
What's Changing
- → 2 facilities stayed the same
- ★ Overall: Columbia is stable
Questions Columbia Families Should Ask
Based on what we found in local inspection data
How many RN hours per resident do you provide daily?
CMS recommends 0.75 hrs; Columbia avg is 1.32 hrs (79 min)
Have you received any fines in the past 3 years?
1 of 2 Columbia facility has zero fines
What were your most recent inspection findings?
Ask for specifics—0 local facilities have serious deficiencies
What is your staff-to-resident ratio on weekends?
Weekend staffing often differs from weekday levels
Finding Quality Nursing Home Care in Columbia, Maryland
Columbia, Maryland's Howard County seat, has 2 Medicare-certified nursing homes with approximately 249 beds. Families have good options, with many facilities exceeding state averages.
Columbia vs. Maryland: Above Average Quality
Columbia nursing homes outperform the state average on key quality metrics. The city's average CMS rating of 4.00 stars exceeds Maryland's statewide average of 3.04 stars by 1.0 stars—a meaningful difference that suggests stronger local standards.
1 of 2 facility earns a B grade or better, giving families good options. While quality is generally high, the overall picture is positive for Columbia families.
Understanding Our Trust Score System
The Trust Score is a 0-100 rating calculated from CMS's official nursing home database. The score combines five data categories:
- Health Inspection Results — Recent deficiencies, their severity, and patterns over time
- Staffing Levels — RN hours, total nursing hours, and weekend staffing
- Quality Measures — Clinical outcomes like falls, pressure ulcers, and rehospitalizations
- Penalties — Fines, payment denials, and enforcement actions
- Complaints — Substantiated complaints and their severity
In Columbia, 1 facility scores a B grade or better, indicating they meet quality benchmarks across these categories. We recommend families prioritize these facilities and carefully research any facility rated C or below before visiting.
Staffing: Meeting Standards in Columbia
Staffing levels are among the most important predictors of nursing home quality. Research consistently shows that facilities with more nursing staff—especially registered nurses—have better outcomes for residents.
Columbia facilities average 1.32 RN hours per resident day, which meets the CMS-recommended threshold of 0.75 hours. The typical Columbia resident receives approximately 79 minutes of RN attention daily—compared to the 45 minutes experts recommend.
2 Columbia facilities exceed CMS staffing recommendations. Families prioritizing staffing should look for facilities with the "Top Staffing" badge and ask specifically about RN hours during facility visits.
Ownership: Mix of For-Profit and Non-Profit
Columbia has 1 non-profit nursing homes and 1 for-profit facility. 1 of 2 facility is chain-owned, with the remainder independently operated.
Research suggests non-profit facilities often have higher staffing levels and fewer deficiencies on average, though ownership type alone does not guarantee quality. Families should evaluate each facility individually using inspection data, staffing levels, and recent deficiency reports.
Nearby Alternatives Worth Considering
Families may also want to consider nearby Maryland cities for additional options. The following Maryland cities offer multiple nursing home options:
- Baltimore — 39 facilities
- Silver Spring — 12 facilities
- Catonsville — 8 facilities
- Towson — 8 facilities
- Rockville — 7 facilities
- Frederick — 6 facilities
Frequently Asked Questions
How many nursing homes are in Columbia, Maryland?
Columbia has 2 Medicare-certified nursing homes with a total of 249 beds. The city average CMS rating is 4.0 stars, which is above Maryland's state average of 3.0 stars.
What are the best nursing homes in Columbia?
Based on our Trust Score analysis of CMS inspection data, the top-rated nursing homes in Columbia include:
- • Residences At Vantage Point — Grade B+, 88/100 Trust Score
- • Lorien Health Systems - Columbia — Grade D, 46/100 Trust Score
These facilities have strong inspection records and staffing levels.
Which Columbia nursing homes should I avoid?
We flag 0 facilities in Columbia as high-risk based on patterns of serious deficiencies, substantial fines, or placement on CMS's Special Focus Facility list. These facilities are marked with warning indicators in our listings above.
We recommend avoiding facilities with: Grade D or F, recent "Immediate Jeopardy" citations (indicating serious harm or risk to residents), or those on CMS's Special Focus Facility list.
The Bottom Line on Columbia Nursing Homes
Columbia offers above-average nursing home options compared to the rest of the state. Focus your search on the 1 facility graded A or B, particularly those with zero fines and strong staffing.