Central Carolina Health & Rehb in Columbia, SC

Pros

• The night staff is awesome.
• The facility is a nice place to visit.
• Pruitt Health is praised for providing excellent care.
• The staff handle situations with care and understanding.
• There are many dedicated staff members at Pruitt Health Care Columbia.
• The doctors and nurses are pleasant, professional, and informative.
• Sharice is praised for being polite and caring.
• The staff on Forest Drive is an excellent, thorough group.
• It is evident that residents are the main priority at the facility.
• Pruitt Health of Columbia has devoted staff who provide exceptional, compassionate, and attentive care.

Cons

• The staff at the facility were rough, and a few were downright rude.
• The facility is described as the worst, with only the physical therapy staff considered decent.
• The phones and front desk were often unresponsive; calls frequently went unanswered.
• A patient was left unfed and unable to adjust her bed, causing fear of choking.
• The elevator was broken and a patient never moved to a higher floor, indicating poor care.
• The lobby smelled terrible and cleanliness was lacking, with belongings sometimes missing.
• Patients were left unattended for long periods and did not receive timely assistance.
• The administration and staff were accused of being unprofessional, uncaring, and profit-driven.
• Many reviews warned not to send loved ones there, citing neglect and harm, with some calling for the facility to be shut down.

Review

This community is best suited for families seeking a short-term rehab option where vigilant family involvement can compensate for variability in day-to-day care. It works best when the goal is to restore strength and transition back toward independent living, with the understanding that certain floors have demonstrated real dedication from staff and that renovations have improved the environment. For families able to stay engaged, visits, questions, and rapid escalation when concerns arise, this facility can deliver meaningful rehab moments and a few standout staff experiences.

Anyone considering this for long-term or highly frail residents should weigh alternatives carefully. Several reviews flag ongoing issues with responsiveness, consistency, and safety that worsen when staff are stretched thin or when administration communication breaks down. If a loved one requires constant monitoring, reliable response to calls, and unwavering adherence to care plans, other providers with stronger staffing models and clearer accountability may be a better fit. The combination of chronic understaffing, mixed reviews on call handling, and recurrent safety concerns makes this a facility families may want to avoid for sustained care needs.

On the plus side, there are tangible strengths to lean on. Renovations have refreshed parts of the property, contributing to a more welcoming atmosphere, and on some floors the care team earns praise for compassion and effectiveness. The therapy program has produced recognizable progress for residents who receive regular sessions, and certain nurses and aides, especially on the 3rd floor, are repeatedly noted as kind, attentive, and capable. Positive experiences also come from front-desk staff and administrative personnel when they communicate with families in a timely, respectful manner. When the right staff are present and engaged, the care story can improve markedly.

However, the major cons frequently eclipse these strengths. Warnings about missed phone calls, delayed responses, and difficulty reaching the right person at admissions or the nursing station recur across many reviews. Patient safety has been called into question by reports of falls, delayed wound care, and beds or equipment left in suboptimal positions. Instances of lost personal items, inconsistent room maintenance, and odors in common areas contribute to a perception of disorganization. The most severe anecdotes describe neglectful episodes and poor oversight that culminate in hospital transfers or worse, outcomes that understandably terrify families evaluating this facility.

The key pros do not fully offset the principal cons. A well-run rehab unit with capable therapists and engaged front-line staff can produce meaningful improvements in strength and independence, which is why families with high involvement may still find value here. Yet the facility’s persistent gaps in communication, safety oversight, and incident follow-through undermine trust and undermine rehab gains over time. In other words, the bright spots matter, but they are insufficient to erase concerns about reliability, accountability, and consistent resident protection.

For families still weighing options, a practical approach is essential. Plan multiple visits, probe floor-by-floor for consistency, and request to speak with the unit managers or a patient advocate about real-time safety checks, fall prevention plans, and incident reporting procedures. Verify that call buttons are monitored promptly, and insist on a clear path for escalating concerns to administration. Review the admission agreement for clarity on long-term vs short-term care expectations, and set explicit milestones for rehab goals, nutrition, and wound care. If the questions linger after a tour and a few days of observation, it is prudent to compare with other local providers that show stronger staffing stability, tighter communication loops, and demonstrable track records in safeguarding residents’ daily needs.

This part of Columbia, South Carolina, offers a convenient and diverse range of amenities suitable for senior living. With multiple cafes, pharmacies, physicians' offices, and hospitals within close proximity, residents can easily access essential services and healthcare facilities. Additionally, there are various dining options nearby for meals out or takeout. The presence of transportation services like Enterprise Rent-A-Car ensures easy mobility if needed. Furthermore, the nearby places of worship provide opportunities for spiritual fulfillment, while the parks offer outdoor recreation and relaxation. Overall, this area presents a well-rounded living environment with multiple conveniences tailored to seniors' needs.

Cafes

• Starbucks (0.1 miles)
• Drip (1.1 miles)
• Starbucks (1.4 miles)
• Sweetwaters Coffee & Tea Park St (1.8 miles)
• The Corner Blend (1.8 miles)
• Starbucks (2.7 miles)

Physicians

• Holly K Smith - Providence Columbia Medical Associates (0.1 miles)
• Miller & Flynn Optometrist (0.1 miles)
• Columbia Medical Associates (0.1 miles)
• Providence Thoracic & Cardiovascular Associates (0.1 miles)
• Joseph J. Lawton (0.1 miles)
• Palmetto Cardiology Associates (0.2 miles)
• Midlands Pulmonary, Critical Care, & Sleep Medicine (0.2 miles)

Pharmacies

• Hawthorne Pharmacy (0.1 miles)
• Judy, Andrea (0.2 miles)
• Walgreens (1.1 miles)
• Kroger Pharmacy (1.2 miles)
• Walgreens (1.3 miles)
• Palmeto Senior Care: John D Marsh (1.4 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.6 miles)

Hospitals

• Sleep Med (0.2 miles)

Restaurants

• Waffle House (0.9 miles)
• Chick-Fil-A (0.9 miles)
• Pawleys Front Porch (1 miles)
• The Gourmet Shop (1.1 miles)
• Backstreets Grill (1.1 miles)
• Bar None (1.1 miles)
• Craft and Draft (1.2 miles)

Transportation

• Enterprise Rent-A-Car (1.6 miles)

Places of Worship

• Good Shepherd Lutheran Church (1.7 miles)
• St Joseph's Catholic Church (1.7 miles)

Parks

• Hollywood Park (1.9 miles)
• Columbia Canal & Riverfront Park (2.3 miles)
• West Columbia Riverwalk (2.8 miles)