SC Episcopal Home at Still Hopes in West Columbia, SC

Pros

• Still Hopes is a shining example of what a retirement community should be, with deeply meaningful friendships and personal growth.
• The facilities are well-maintained and welcoming, and the staff consistently go above and beyond to provide exceptional service.
• The community features welcoming staff, wonderful residents, and numerous activities and programs.
• Residents have great freedom to live a truly independent lifestyle.
• Still Hopes provides excellent amenities, a beautiful campus, and a strong sense of community.
• The on-site wellness and rehab services are readily available and highly valued by residents.
• The dining options are superb, with multiple venues and a diverse, delicious menu.
• The wellness center is magnificent and has earned a national award for innovation.
• The staff are friendly and caring, creating a family-like atmosphere.
• The campus and grounds are beautiful and well maintained.

Cons

• They claim Still Hopes has the worst staff in the retirement industry, expressing disgust at how patients are treated and saying they would never recommend the place, alleging illegal denial of medically mandated care.
• They report terrible communication from the nurse to patients' family members and describe some nurses/techs as rude and unwilling to provide basic care or therapy.
• They say certain staff are snooty and unfriendly, with nose-in-the-air attitudes that hurt residents.
• They state the staff are chronically late for their shifts and fail to notify when they'll be late.
• They criticize management and nursing leadership, calling the head of nursing the least helpful health care worker they've dealt with and implying a flawed corporate culture.
• They describe high entry fees and discharge issues, noting there wasn't a room available for a loved one when needs increased and citing last-minute discharge problems.
• They note affordability concerns, saying the community is out of their budget despite the perceived benefits.

Review

This community is best suited for active seniors who want a social, engagement?driven lifestyle with ready access to on-site health services, rehab, and memory care if needed. It works especially well for residents who value independence day to day but crave a robust ecosystem - live music and cultural programming, multiple dining venues, a wellness center, and convenient transportation - so family members can have confidence that care and companionship are readily available without constant relocation. The campus atmosphere, the sense of belonging, and the willingness of staff to go above and beyond are repeatedly cited as defining strengths, making it an appealing home for those who want to feel both pampered and connected.

Those who may want to consider alternatives are typically tighter on budget or require a level of day-to-day care and care-transition predictability that this community's cost and workflow may not consistently deliver. Several reviews flag inconsistencies in communication, discharge planning, and staffing responsiveness, underscoring a perception that care coordination can vary by shift or department. For families whose primary priority is a straightforward, clearly priced assisted living with minimal risk of complex transitions, or for those who fear a mismatch between promises and day-to-day operations, it pays to shop around and compare options side by side.

On balance, the positives at Still Hopes outweigh the negatives for many residents, particularly in independent living and in slidings toward transitional care. The staff culture is repeatedly praised as compassionate and attentive, with residents forming meaningful friendships and feeling genuinely welcomed. The dining program stands out for variety and quality, and the wellness center - featuring a heated pool and trained staff - provides tangible health and fitness benefits. The ability to access on-site rehab, chaplaincy, and a strong sense of community helps families sleep better at night, knowing that significant health events can be managed without a long move elsewhere.

Yet alarms do sound in certain reviews. Reports of rude exchanges, delayed responses, and stiff administrative processes push some families to question reliability and consistency. Disclosures about discharge difficulties, limited availability of some services, and a perception that management culture can be distant contribute to a wary view of long-term predictability. The cost barrier is real, and for some, the combination of high entry fees and ongoing expenses with mixed care-transition experiences makes Still Hopes a tough call when future needs could intensify. Food service staffing shortages and perceived gaps in service quality also appear in a subset of feedback, reinforcing the need for careful verification before commitment.

Practically, the decision should be guided by a rigorous vetting plan. Prospective residents should test a full spectrum of living options on campus - from independent living to memory care and rehabilitation - to understand how care plans are built and adjusted. Inquire about staffing ratios, response times, and who handles family communications on a day-to-day basis. Sample menus, dining schedules, and the cadence of Life Engagement programming should be reviewed, while discharge procedures and escalation paths must be clearly understood. Demand transparency on pricing, what the entry fee covers, and any potential surprises as care levels change. A candid conversation with leadership and multiple frontline staff can reveal whether the claimed culture matches lived experience.

Bottom line: Still Hopes delivers a high-caliber, socially rich environment with a credible array of on-site health and wellness resources. It is a strong fit for seniors who prioritize engagement, diverse dining, meaningful activities, and a sense of home, provided budgets align and expectations for consistent, timely care are managed through proactive planning. For those who require ultra-stable daily care, transparent pricing, and uniformly reliable service across all shifts, exploring alternatives is prudent. With disciplined due diligence - tours across care levels, frank talks with residents and staff, and a clear understanding of how care transitions are handled - families can determine whether Still Hopes aligns with the intended balance of vibrant living and dependable support.

This part of West Columbia, South Carolina offers a convenient and lively environment for senior living. The area is home to a variety of dining options including Taco Bell, Savage Craft Ale Works, and Thirsty Fellow Pizzeria and Pub. There are also several pharmacies nearby such as CVS Pharmacy and Walgreens, making it easy to access necessary medications. For medical needs, there are multiple physician offices in the vicinity including The Foot Institute and South Carolina Oncology Associates. Additionally, the area boasts several beautiful parks such as West Columbia Riverwalk and Columbia Canal & Riverfront Park for leisurely strolls. Those who enjoy coffee can frequent cafes like Piecewise Coffee and Sweetwaters Coffee & Tea Park St. Transportation options are available with Enterprise Rent-A-Car nearby. In case of emergencies, Lexington Medical Center with its emergency room facilities is within reach. Overall, this neighborhood provides a vibrant and convenient setting for seniors looking to live in West Columbia.

Restaurants

• Taco Bell (0.3 miles)
• Savage Craft Ale Works (0.6 miles)
• New Brookland Tavern (0.6 miles)
• McDonald's (1 miles)
• McDonald's (1.2 miles)
• Freshe Poke (1.3 miles)
• Thirsty Fellow Pizzeria and Pub (1.5 miles)

Pharmacies

• CVS Pharmacy (0.3 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1 miles)
• Medicine Mart Pharmacy (1.4 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.8 miles)
• Walgreens (2 miles)
• Palmeto Senior Care: John D Marsh (2.3 miles)
• Walgreens (2.7 miles)

Physicians

• The Foot Institute (0.5 miles)
• Future Psych Solutions (1.9 miles)
• South Carolina Oncology Associates (2 miles)
• South Carolina Obstetrical and Gynecological Society (2.2 miles)
• Greater Columbia Obgyn (2.2 miles)
• Palmetto Obgyn Associates (2.2 miles)
• Pediatrix Medical Group (2.2 miles)

Parks

• West Columbia Riverwalk (0.7 miles)
• Columbia Canal & Riverfront Park (1.4 miles)
• Saluda Riverwalk (2.2 miles)
• Hollywood Park (2.7 miles)

Cafes

• Piecewise Coffee (0.9 miles)
• Sweetwaters Coffee & Tea Park St (1.7 miles)
• The Corner Blend (1.9 miles)
• Starbucks (2.7 miles)
• Drip (2.7 miles)
• Starbucks (3.5 miles)

Transportation

• Enterprise Rent-A-Car (1.9 miles)

Hospitals

• Lexington Medical Center (3.3 miles)
• Sleep Med (3.4 miles)
• Lexington Medical Center Emergency Room (3.4 miles)