White Oak of Columbia

Pros

• The staff at White Oak Manor were caring, compassionate, and attentive.
• Ms. Mona was described as a very caring and personable nurse.
• Yolanda in admissions was friendly and professional, listening to concerns and making the process easier.
• The nurses kept the family informed about both residents' schedules and health status.
• The facility allowed residents to stay together in the same room, and the staff kept families informed.
• The Director of Nursing, Mrs. Stacy, and the staff were praised for going above and beyond to meet residents' needs.
• The staff were knowledgeable, compassionate, and consistently maintained a positive attitude toward the residents.
• The staff treated residents as family and made a positive impact on their lives.
• Several staff members - Celina, Angie, Wilson, Mona, Linda, and others - were recognized for exemplary care.
• Families would recommend White Oak Manor to others.

Cons

• The reviewers note the staff are unfriendly and nonhelpful.
• A reviewer states a mother-in-law was neglected: not fed, not cleaned, not given medicine, and her incision went septic.
• A friend's father allegedly had his pants and snacks stolen, received little attention, and deteriorated with minimal rehabilitation.
• A reviewer reports their dad's health declined because CNAs were lazy and would leave to buy lottery tickets.
• Another reviewer says the place should be shut down due to too many deaths and rude staff.
• A visitor describes a call light going off while nurses did nothing and a patient being stuck on the toilet.
• A family member says a staff member was rude and combative when asked about their mother.
• A commenter claims their nanny became immobile after placement, could not be contacted, with excessive Coumadin and a feeding tube, and would not recommend the facility.

Review

The collection of experiences at White Oak Manor (White Oak Of Columbia) paints a picture of a place that can be both a refuge of compassionate care and a source of deep frustration, depending on who is sharing the story and when. Across many reviews there is a clear pattern of praise for certain staff members and for moments when families felt heard, included, and supported. Yet there are also pointed accusations of neglect, disrespect, theft, and poor communication that show up repeatedly, suggesting that care quality at this facility is uneven and highly dependent on individual staff and units.

On the positive side, several families recount smooth admissions and discharge experiences, with specific staff members singled out for going above and beyond. Ms. Bass, who works in admissions, is described as helpful and capable of guiding families through what can be an emotionally charged process. Yolanda, another admissions contact, is remembered as friendly and professional, someone who listened to concerns, offered comfort during tears, and helped families tour and feel confident about the environment before a loved one moved in. For many, these moments of warm, attentive service set a tone of trust that persisted into the daily care their relatives received. In one case, a family member noted that even though the building is older and undergoing improvements, the people inside made the difference - and staff members like Mona, Celina, Angie, and Wilson were highlighted as caring and reliable. There was praise for keeping a father and mother together in the same room, with nurses coordinating schedules and communicating about both parents' health and wellbeing, which many families found especially reassuring.

There is a strong strand of gratitude for the long?term, familial feel some patients experienced. One reviewer described six years of consistent, compassionate care for a beloved father, with Mona and Linda as primary nurses and a nursing leadership team - especially a Director of Nursing referred to with affection - who maintained open lines of communication. The reviewer, a former certified nursing assistant, emphasized the staff's knowledge, empathy, and positive attitude, noting that the dad looked forward to medications, cookies, and light-hearted moments with the caregiving team. The impression left is that when care is steady and staff treat patients and families as part of a "White Oak family," the experience is deeply meaningful and restorative for everyone involved.

Yet alongside these affirmations, the reviews reveal serious concerns about safety, dignity, and basic quality of care. Several accounts claim neglect or insufficient attention, including reports that a mother-in-law was not fed, not cleaned, and not given medications, with one account alleging the incision went septic because it was not properly addressed. Rudeness, inconsiderate behavior, and even racism are mentioned, with families arguing that such neglect contributed to negative outcomes. One review explicitly asserts that the facility failed a loved one and that the patient's death may have resulted from inadequate care. In another painful narrative, a visitor describes an environment where personal belongings were stolen, calls lights were ignored, and some staff appeared uninterested in helping patients, which understandably shakes trust in the facility.

There are also accounts of recurrent lapses in communication and patient safety. A reviewer who spent time in the clinical environment observed that some call lights went unanswered and a patient could be found stuck on the toilet, highlighting gaps in monitoring and response. Others point to inconsistent staffing - where some nurses were dedicated and attentive, while others were perceived as hurried or disengaged. Instances of negative interactions with family members - such as a staff member encouraging a relative to be unforgiving toward a dying loved one - are cited as particularly troubling, underscoring the emotional toll that perceived mistreatment can have on families during already difficult times.

The reviews include comparisons that complicate the overall impression. One narrative contrasts experiences at White Oak with those at another rehab facility in Florida, suggesting a night-and-day difference in the quality and seriousness of rehabilitation, care, and attention to the patient's emotional state. While such comparisons arise from personal experience, they reinforce the sense that quality of care at White Oak Manor is not consistent across all patients and episodes. In another account, a reviewer describes a situation where a family member felt unable to reach their nanny after placement, culminating in a later hospitalization for complications, which feeds a broader worry about guardianship, oversight, and ongoing access to a loved one.

Despite the breadth of criticism, certain reviews offer a hopeful reminder that many patients and families do experience genuine, heartfelt care at White Oak Manor. When the staff are kind, patient, and communicative; when admissions and discharge coordinators are approachable; when nurses form genuine relationships with patients and families; and when leadership remains accessible and responsive, the facility can become a place of comfort, dignity, and effective care. The recurring names of dedicated workers - with acknowledgement of the differences they can make - underscore that the human element of caregiving matters most. The overarching takeaway is not a single verdict, but a nuanced spectrum: White Oak Manor can be a source of warmth, competence, and family-centered care, yet there are persistent concerns about neglect, disrespect, and safety that require attention from administration, staff development, and ongoing oversight to ensure every resident receives consistently high-quality care.

In summary, the experiences at White Oak Manor (Columbia) reflect both gratitude and grievance. Families recount moments of extraordinary kindness, thorough communication, and seamless coordination that made a difficult transition smoother and left loved ones feeling cared for. At the same time, other accounts raise alarms about neglect, theft, rude behavior, and insufficient safety measures that can lead to severe consequences. The mixed feedback highlights the importance of continued emphasis on staff training, accountability, and compassionate, patient-centered care, with an eye toward ensuring that every resident - and every family member - feels respected, secure, and well cared for.

This part of Columbia, South Carolina offers a convenient and bustling area with a variety of amenities. There are several popular dining options nearby including McDonald's, Zaxby's, Chipotle, and The Original Pancake House. For pharmacy needs, CVS Pharmacy, Kroger Pharmacy, and Walgreens are all within close proximity. Medical care is easily accessible with Three Rivers Medical Associates and various other physicians in the vicinity. Residents can also find places of worship such as Good Shepherd Lutheran Church and St Joseph's Catholic Church nearby. Additionally, there are cafes like Starbucks and Drip for social gatherings and relaxation. For entertainment, Spotlight Cinemas Capital 8 is just a short drive away. Overall, this area provides convenience and accessibility for senior living in Columbia.

Restaurants

• McDonald's (0.6 miles)
• Zaxby's (1.4 miles)
• Chipotle Mexican Grill (2 miles)
• The Original Pancake House (2 miles)
• Tazza Kitchen Trenholm Plaza (2.1 miles)
• Waffle House (2.3 miles)
• Craft and Draft (2.3 miles)

Pharmacies

• CVS Pharmacy (0.7 miles)
• Kroger Pharmacy (0.8 miles)
• Walgreens (0.9 miles)
• Judy, Andrea (1.3 miles)
• Hawthorne Pharmacy (1.4 miles)
• Walgreens (1.9 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.4 miles)

Physicians

• Three Rivers Medical Associates (1 miles)
• Columbia Skin Clinic (1 miles)
• Carolinas Dermatology Group (1.1 miles)
• Palmetto Optometry Associates (1.1 miles)
• Joseph J. Lawton (1.4 miles)
• Miller & Flynn Optometrist (1.4 miles)
• Providence Thoracic & Cardiovascular Associates (1.4 miles)

Places of Worship

• Good Shepherd Lutheran Church (1 miles)
• St Joseph's Catholic Church (2.4 miles)
• Shandon Baptist Church (2.4 miles)
• Tree of Life Congregation (2.7 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (1.4 miles)
• Starbucks (2.1 miles)
• Starbucks (2.4 miles)
• Drip (2.5 miles)
• Sweetwaters Coffee & Tea Park St (3.2 miles)
• The Corner Blend (3.2 miles)

Hospitals

• Sleep Med (1.5 miles)

Transportation

• Enterprise Rent-A-Car (3 miles)

Theaters

• Spotlight Cinemas Capital 8 (3 miles)

Parks

• Hollywood Park (3.2 miles)