FirstLight Home Care - West Columbia, SC in West Columbia, SC

Pros

• First Light is composed of awesome people who can be trusted.
• The staff at First Light are reliable, respectful, and very helpful.
• First Light does its best to match the right caregiver to each person's needs, providing peace of mind to families.
• First Light is owner-operated, and Lisa and her team are consistently responsive and caring.
• Lisa personally comes out to cover until a caregiver is available.
• Lisa Price and her staff provide first-rate professional service with patience, care, and dignity.
• They understand how to achieve the right results for clients, tempered with kindness.
• They clearly have a heart for serving the home-bound and are professional, organized, and dependable.
• The relationship with families has endured for years with open lines of communication.
• Lisa's hands-on leadership sets an example of professionalism, kindness, and compassion.

Cons

• It was a waste of time, as they felt they were led to believe there was a position, only to be texted that there were no openings.
• It didn't end up being exactly what they needed, even though the agency was good.
• There were a couple of scheduling problems, though the care provided was still decent.
• They were not pleased with another service they had tried before discovering FirstLight.
• The only time a caregiver didn't show up was due to severe weather.

Review

This community is best suited for families seeking highly personalized, hands-on home care for an aging loved one, delivered by an owner-operated agency that truly treats care as a relationship-first endeavor. The reviews consistently highlight Lisa Price and her small team as deeply involved in the process, with careful caregiver matching, frequent direct contact, and a track record of long-standing relationships. Families describe transitions into care that feel seamless: an in-home consult that leaves "no stone left unturned," caregivers who adapt to both physical and emotional needs, and a sense that the provider treats the client as a person with dignity rather than just a case. The strongest signal is confidence that a client will have sustained, attentive support rather than a revolving door of assistants.

Still, there are clear reasons some families should consider alternatives. The most vocal caveat is timing and availability: one review describes a promise of a position that never materialized, followed by text messages about openings that never existed. For families requiring immediate, guaranteed coverage, this agency's lean staffing model can be a constraint. Other caveats include occasional shifts in caregiver fit and scheduling fragility - while the agency works to pair caregivers to personalities and needs, not every match sticks, and there can be gaps or multiple caregivers over time. Those who require a single, consistent caregiver every visit may find the turnover and variability frustrating. Finally, while cost is not hidden, some clients note that price stands out in the decision, even as they acknowledge relief from cost through VA or respite programs the owner helps navigate.

The strongest pros revolve around leadership, reliability, and personal touch. The owner-operated structure translates into rapid responsiveness; reviews repeatedly mention Lisa's willingness to come out personally, to stay engaged, and to keep lines of communication open. The caregiver pool is described as professional, respectful, and attentive, with successful matches that consider personality as well as medical requirements. Clients repeatedly credit FirstLight with enabling better adherence to medical appointments, arranging activities beyond what the assisted living facility provides, and providing true peace of mind for family members who live out of state. The ability to coordinate transport, light housekeeping, shopping, and even complex care planning - along with compassionate emotional support - consistently emerges as a standout.

On the other hand, the main cons are practical and real. Scheduling consistency can be uneven, with multiple caregivers over time rather than a single familiar face for every visit. This can complicate routines for a loved one, especially when cognitive or behavioral needs are sensitive. Occasional lapses in availability - weather-related or otherwise - have been noted, and the mismatch between expectations and openings can frustrate families in urgent needs. Some reviewers also reported that the service was not an exact fit for their situation, underscoring the importance of an initial, honest needs assessment and clear expectations about caregiver continuity and daily structure. These gaps do not wholly negate the positives, but they do redefine who should consider this option first.

When deciding, families should apply a practical framework. If the priority is a warm, deeply involved partner in care with a strong track record of caregiver alignment to personality and needs, this agency is a strong fit. The owner's hands-on approach and willingness to tailor care plans - sometimes including transportation, light household tasks, and social engagement - offer tangible value for long-term support. Families should be comfortable with some variability in who shows up and with the potential for openings not to be immediately available. For those weighing costs, the ability to leverage VA benefits or respite programs is a meaningful lever that the owner actively pursues, which can make this option financially viable without compromising care quality.

The bottom line is clear: FirstLight Home Care in West Columbia excels for families who want a relationship-driven, accountable, and highly personalized home-care partner, with proven success in matching caregivers to both the clinical and emotional needs of their loved ones. It is less suited for families needing instant placement, a guaranteed single-caregiver model, or a perfectly predictable schedule from day one. If those constraints can be managed - via flexible timing, clear expectations, and a willingness to work within a smaller agency's cadence - this choice delivers substantial peace of mind, backed by years of demonstrated dedication, direct owner involvement, and a demonstrated willingness to go the extra mile for both client and family.

This part of West Columbia, South Carolina offers a convenient location with easy access to pharmacies such as Walgreens and CVS, ensuring quick and efficient access to medications and healthcare needs. There are various dining options nearby including Chick-Fil-A and Rush's for convenient meal choices. The area also boasts reputable physicians and hospitals like Lexington Medical Center for quality medical care. Additionally, there are tranquil parks like Saluda Riverwalk for leisurely strolls in nature. For coffee lovers, cafes like Piecewise Coffee offer cozy environments for relaxation. Transportation options such as National Car Rental and Columbia Metropolitan Airport provide ease of travel when needed. Overall, this area provides a well-rounded community with essential amenities for senior living.

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (0.4 miles)
• Agape Pharmacy (0.6 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1 miles)
• Medicine Mart Pharmacy (1.3 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.6 miles)
• Intramed Plus (2.3 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.5 miles)

Restaurants

• Chick-Fil-A (0.5 miles)
• Rush's (1 miles)
• McDonald's (1 miles)
• Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers (1.6 miles)
• McDonald's (1.7 miles)
• Taco Bell (2.3 miles)
• Savage Craft Ale Works (2.5 miles)

Physicians

• Advanced Fertility (1 miles)
• Three Rivers Pain Management (1.1 miles)
• Emmons Ellen M - Lexington Ent (1.5 miles)
• Riverside Surgical Group (1.5 miles)
• Lexington Orthopaedics (1.5 miles)
• Columbia Neurological Assoc Pa (1.6 miles)
• Advanced Wound Care (1.6 miles)

Hospitals

• Lexington Medical Center (1.5 miles)
• Lexington Medical Center Emergency Room (1.6 miles)

Parks

• Saluda Riverwalk (2 miles)
• West Columbia Riverwalk (2.7 miles)
• Columbia Canal & Riverfront Park (3 miles)

Cafes

• Piecewise Coffee (2.9 miles)
• Sweetwaters Coffee & Tea Park St (3.7 miles)
• The Corner Blend (4 miles)
• Starbucks (4.2 miles)

Transportation

• National Car Rental (3.2 miles)
• USO Columbia Airport (3.3 miles)
• Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE) (3.6 miles)
• Enterprise Rent-A-Car (3.8 miles)