It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always.
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic Saluda Factory gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in West Columbia, SC is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
“Lisa helped my family understand the best options for my parents and the resources available.”
“Always Best Care has been a lifesaver for our family. We have worked with them”
“Thank you for the care you gave to my dad. He did not have any”
“Always Best Care provided excellent care when I was discharged from Atrium after surgery- the”
“Lisa and her team at Always Best Care have been a great partner and resource”
“Amazing staff and services. Much appreciated.”
“I am a past client of this provider Always Best Care was just absolutely wonderful. I”
“I love working for this company.”
“I used this nursing service for my cousin Pat who had cancer. I can not”
“I love being able to work with this company, the owners are great people and”
“Services were geared according to need. We were looking at rehab and they were willing”
“I am a past client of this provider Services were geared according to need. We were”
“I am a past client of this provider I used this nursing service for my cousin”
“Chuck and his personnel are truly the best. They helped us with mom and always”
“Lisa helped my family understand the best options for my parents and the resources available. She has great contacts and helped guide us thru the process. We received wonderful service. Thanks!”
“Always Best Care has been a lifesaver for our family. We have worked with them twice, both in emergency situations and they have treated us as if we were their only clients. Within an hour of our first call, we had paperwork completed and a caregiver on the way – and that was a holiday weekend. When the second emergency occurred, we knew exactly who to contact. We truly appreciate everything that Lisa, Melissa and the entire team have done for our family.”
“Thank you for the care you gave to my dad. He did not have any family living close to him. My sister and I were relived to know he was well taken care of. The caregivers truly care about your loved ones.”
“Always Best Care provided excellent care when I was discharged from Atrium after surgery- the office staff and caregivers were professional and caring- would definitely recommend if you need care at home-”
“Lisa and her team at Always Best Care have been a great partner and resource in providing services to our patients!”
“Amazing staff and services. Much appreciated.”
“I am a past client of this provider Always Best Care was just absolutely wonderful. I needed to qualify people who could deal with my sister with brain cancer. My sister would throw people in and out of her house; it was crazy. She died on December 5th. Always Best Care sent incredible people. I don't know where they came from, but they had one girl who was the only person my sister never attempted to throw out of the house. I'd never hear one bad word about this woman who was actually pulling double shifts at the end because my sister liked her so much. For some reason, this woman understood my sister and brain cancer. Brain cancer is hard to deal with because people could be pretty mean and abusive and they don't know what they're doing really. My sister was also going blind at the same time. It was not easy. I just wanted to say what wonderful care we received from Always Best Care. It was amazing. They were just coming and being there. My sister was crazy, and she didn't want anybody overnight, until she finally let me have someone come in overnight. On that night, she died. She got to die in her home, which is what I'm trying to do because that too was the most important thing of all. Always Best Care was able to staff at short notice and send really good people. I was impressed, and I would highly recommend them. They would help my sister get to the bathroom. She weighed 70 pounds when she died, but she was still able to walk. She had cancers on both her femurs, and her blood pressure was 80/47. They just helped with everything, like fixing her small meals, fixing coffee, and talking to her if she wanted to talk or not talking to her if she didn't want to talk. They were just very great with their help. My sister had brain cancer and she was belligerent. Always Best Care would find people within their staff. Also, it didn't take them long, I didn't have to wait. We had letters from others saying they don't have staff right now. With Always Best Care, I did it over the phone with a woman who was a Godsend. I think the caregiver was sent almost the first day and was there every day except on the weekend when they sent someone else. That person seemed to work out OK, too, which amazed me. For some reason, these people knew how to appease someone who is really crazy. It was the cancer; it was in my sister's head. You have to be tough-skinned and just realize that this is the disease talking to you and not a person. They were able to do that, and I feel very blessed.”
“I love working for this company.”
“I used this nursing service for my cousin Pat who had cancer. I can not express the level of care and compassion that was shown for her. The nurses felt like family! Especially Alicia. You treated my cousin as if she was your family and I can't thank you enough for that. You not only took care of her but us also. I would recommend this service 100%! We only used them for 1 month as my cousin passed quickly. I d not have a single negative remark. Thank you Chuck! Your nurses are amazing.”
“I love being able to work with this company, the owners are great people and support me daily! We have many calls to work on performance and continue to grow and learn!”
“Services were geared according to need. We were looking at rehab and they were willing to see what was needed. Very flexible and focused needs of patient All caregivers were on time We had a great experience”
“I am a past client of this provider Services were geared according to need. We were looking at rehab and they were willing to see what was needed. Very flexible and focused needs of patient All caregivers were on time We had a great experience”
“I am a past client of this provider I used this nursing service for my cousin Pat who had cancer. I can not express the level of care and compassion that was shown for her. The nurses felt like family! Especially Alicia. You treated my cousin as if she was your family and I can't thank you enough for that. You not only took care of her but us also. I would recommend this service 100%! We only used them for 1 month as my cousin passed quickly. I d not have a single negative remark. Thank you Chuck! Your nurses are amazing. Donna O.”
“Chuck and his personnel are truly the best. They helped us with mom and always focused on the care and not a much of processes and forms. I would highly recommend them to all.”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting West Columbia Riverwalk Park and Amphitheater with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Terra or visit Robert Mills House and Gardens, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in West Columbia, SC, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in West Columbia, SC understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in West Columbia, SC 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
Nashville-based singer-songwriter Lauren Lucas has flirted with fame before.At 12, the West Columbia native and future Brookland-Cayce High School graduate appeared in a national ad for Almay cosmetics in Sassy magazine and sang at the Grand Ole Opry. By 17, she had contributed a song to the Tony-nominated score of the Broadway musical adaptation of “Urban Cowboy,” and was briefly considered for the female lead. By her early 20s, she was featured among other rising stars on the cover of FHM Magazine as one of the “Wo...
Nashville-based singer-songwriter Lauren Lucas has flirted with fame before.
At 12, the West Columbia native and future Brookland-Cayce High School graduate appeared in a national ad for Almay cosmetics in Sassy magazine and sang at the Grand Ole Opry. By 17, she had contributed a song to the Tony-nominated score of the Broadway musical adaptation of “Urban Cowboy,” and was briefly considered for the female lead. By her early 20s, she was featured among other rising stars on the cover of FHM Magazine as one of the “Women of Country Music,” released a single and had a development deal for an album.
“Hah!” she laughed in retrospect. “Like so many … other singer-songwriters, I had a major label deal that went south when the regime changed at the corporate level.”
Still, she had the chance to open for some major label-mates, such as Blake Shelton and Big and Rich. Along the way, she has toured as a member of the all-female group Farewell Angelina — described by Rolling Stone as one of the “10 New Country Artists You Need to Know,” been nominated for an Academy of Country Music Award and taught songwriting at her alma mater, Belmont University.
Now Lucas may have the opportunity to reach her biggest audience yet. She’s the composer of the score for the new comedy series “Leanne,” based on the down-to-earth humor of comedian Leanne Morgan. The show debuted on July 31, with its entire first season of 16 episodes available for streaming on Netflix.
The project resulted from a collaboration with blues artist Keb’ Mo’ , whom Lucas had worked with as a duet partner in a marketing campaign three years earlier.
“I have been a fan of his music for over 20 years,” Lucas recalled. “I consider him one of my major musical influences. He and I really hit it off and became friends after that project. I basically forced him to be my mentor.”
After contributing background vocals for Keb’ Mo’s’ latest album, “Room on the Porch,” a collaboration with Taj Mahal that debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s blues charts, Lucas was invited by the veteran bluesman to join a team that he was spearheading to create music for a new project produced by Chuck Lorre, creator of sitcoms such as “The Big Bang Theory” and “Two and a Half Men.”
“The night before I went to the studio, I was told to prepare to write a full theme song with lyrics,” Lucas told Free Times. By the next morning, the producers had instead opted for an instrumental-only theme, yet by that evening, “they decided they actually just wanted Leanne’s name sung for the top of the show title theme. It was originally completely a cappella.”
Eventually, it was decided to add an instrumental underscore.
“The biggest part of my job was composing all of the bumper music” — snippets of linking music such as the funky bass line that connected scenes on the vintage “Seinfeld” series — “for the entire 16 episode season,” she said.
“So most of what I did was entirely instrumental,” Lucas said. “The bumper music is typically five to 16 seconds long, and there are about eight to 12 cues per episode.”
“It took us a while to land on the sound Warner Brothers wanted for the show,” Lucas revealed. The execs initially wanted differing musical genres, but ultimately opted for a pop sound that was a slight throwback to the 1980s.
“Leanne Morgan references the ‘80s quite a bit in her comedy and uses ‘80s hits as her walk-in music to her live shows, so it was a pretty natural fit,” Lucas explained. “(So) the music team switched gears and started playing synthesizer instead of acoustic guitars,” a change for the singer’s blues-influenced, country Americana style.
Lucas has had previous success with songs that have found their way into film and television projects, leading her to speculate that “it almost seems as though I was destined to write and compose for media instead of radio … I think perhaps my writing style and my voice lend itself to that kind of work.”
While the artist has shared bills with national acts such as the Bacon Brothers, Kenny Chesney and Old Dominion, she now connects with live audiences ”at intimate songwriting venues, like the legendary Bluebird Café in Nashville.”
“My life isn’t very conducive to living on the road like I used to,” she said. “I have a beautiful family, and I’m so grateful I have a career that I love — writing and recording music, oftentimes right in the comfort of my home studio. And (I can) still make the pickup line to get my kindergartner from school. “
Lucas got her start as a child performer in musicals at Columbia’s Town Theatre, and played Dorothy in “The Wizard of Oz” at Lexington’s Village Square Theatre. In recent years, she has returned to sing at events, ranging from the weekend-long 3 Rivers Music Festival to acoustic gigs at locales such as Steel Hands Brewing.
“It has been way too long since I’ve played a hometown show,” Lucas said. “But I sure would love to again. One of my favorite things is to play house concerts, so if anyone wants to host me and some of my songwriter friends, I can bring some hitmakers right into your living room, and we can make your house the Bluebird Café!”
“Leanne” is a hit for Netflix, according to comicbook.com’s Aug. 6 streaming rankings. The series also holds an 88 percent audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. The sitcom is about how “a grandmother’s life is upended when her husband leaves her after 33 years of marriage. She navigates this new chapter with the help of her family, grace, dignity and Jell-O salad.”
West Columbia Planning Commission approved a major step for the Faith Hill townhome project on Platt Springs Road.WEST COLUMBIA, S.C. — A new townhome development is coming to a key corridor in Lexington County, after West Columbia Planning Commission approved a major step in the project this week.The development, called Faith Hill, will bring 69 new townhomes to Platt Springs Road, near a common pass through to downtown Cayce, West Columbia, and the Columbia Metropolitan Airport.The Planning Commission granted a b...
West Columbia Planning Commission approved a major step for the Faith Hill townhome project on Platt Springs Road.
WEST COLUMBIA, S.C. — A new townhome development is coming to a key corridor in Lexington County, after West Columbia Planning Commission approved a major step in the project this week.
The development, called Faith Hill, will bring 69 new townhomes to Platt Springs Road, near a common pass through to downtown Cayce, West Columbia, and the Columbia Metropolitan Airport.
The Planning Commission granted a bonded plat approval this week, which allows the developer to begin selling homes before the final plat is approved and construction is complete.
In a statement, West Columbia Director of Public Relations Anna Huffman said, “The next step are the building permits. Once all of the infrastructure is complete and approved, the developer submits a final plat to close out the development process.”
Residents in the area say they’ve seen the city grow significantly over the years. One man who has lived off Platt Springs for decades said he thinks that area would benefit from new houses and business.
"They haven't built a whole lot in the last 20 or 30 years," he said. "Some restaurants would be nice."
Others, like James Joyner, hope to see the area look more like the areas closer to downtown Columbia, which has been transformed by new dining, retail, and residential spaces.
“Just like down by the river, you know, I remember when those apartments weren’t there,” Joyner said. “It’s been good, because more businesses opened up too.”
The city said a traffic study was not required for the project. The city’s future land use map recommends mixed-use development along the corridor.
WEST COLUMBIA — A stretch of West Columbia's riverwalk has reopened a year after closing because of damage caused by Hurricane Helene. It is another step towards the full return of the local attraction.The stretch of the riverwalk from Riverwalk Park and the amphitheater to the connection with the Cayce Riverwalk reopened July 30, the city announced in a social media post.“We are thrilled to have our beautiful natural resource back open for the community to enjoy,” West Columbia Mayor Tem Miles said in the pos...
WEST COLUMBIA — A stretch of West Columbia's riverwalk has reopened a year after closing because of damage caused by Hurricane Helene. It is another step towards the full return of the local attraction.
The stretch of the riverwalk from Riverwalk Park and the amphitheater to the connection with the Cayce Riverwalk reopened July 30, the city announced in a social media post.
“We are thrilled to have our beautiful natural resource back open for the community to enjoy,” West Columbia Mayor Tem Miles said in the post. “I want to personally thank everyone for their patience during the repair process. The Riverwalk is a treasured part of our city, and we look forward to welcoming everyone back as we continue restoring the remaining sections."
The stretch of the riverwalk from Riverwalk Park and Gervais Street Bridge to the northern end at Moffatt Street remains closed.
The Riverwalk Park parking lot remains inaccessible to the public as crews continue working on the closed sections.
Large portions of the West Columbia Riverwalk have been closed since the storm moved through the area in late September 2024. Rising waters from the Congaree River undermined foundations along the boardwalk portion and the riverbank, which has been closed for almost nine months.
A small portion of the path at Riverwalk Park reopened shortly after the storm in October. That stretch was not damaged by the rising river like other parts of the popular pedestrian path.
The city has been waiting for funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to pay for the necessary repairs. Miles said in a July 1 Facebook post that funding had been secured.
The city announced in a July 1 post that work would begin on the remaining closed sections of the riverwalk after the stretch from the amphitheater to Cayce was completed.
The adjacent Cayce Riverwalk reopened in its entirety in May, though some portions closed soon after due to damage from a sewer line break.
Across the Congaree River, large portions of Columbia’s Riverfront Park are expected to remain closed to make way for long-awaited repair work prompted by the 2015 “1,000-year” floods.
The three cities’ riverwalks are major tourist attractions in the region and central to the broader Three Rivers Greenway project.
Almost a year after Hurricane Helene wrecked havoc on the Midlands and much of the southeast, the city of West Columbia has reopened almost all of its riverwalk.The portion of the city’s riverwalk that runs between the West Columbia Riverwalk Park and Amphitheater, located at 109 Alexander Road, to the connection to Cayce’s riverwalk is now open, city officials announced in a press release Wednesday. The stretch from the Moffatt Street entrance, at 100 Riverside Drive, to the Gervais Street bridge is still closed for repai...
Almost a year after Hurricane Helene wrecked havoc on the Midlands and much of the southeast, the city of West Columbia has reopened almost all of its riverwalk.
The portion of the city’s riverwalk that runs between the West Columbia Riverwalk Park and Amphitheater, located at 109 Alexander Road, to the connection to Cayce’s riverwalk is now open, city officials announced in a press release Wednesday. The stretch from the Moffatt Street entrance, at 100 Riverside Drive, to the Gervais Street bridge is still closed for repairs.
“We are thrilled to have our beautiful natural resource back open for the community to enjoy,” West Columbia Mayor Tem Miles said in a statement.
While the riverwalk near the amphitheater has reopened, the parking lot is set to remain closed as construction crews work on repairs to the Moffatt Street side, according to the release. It wasn’t immediately clear when the Moffatt Street side repairs would be completed.
Large sections of the trail, which connects to Cayce’s riverwalk, had been after Hurricane Helene washed out the foundation from underneath sidewalks and left massive sinkholes. Further down the Cayce stretch of the two cities’ connected trails, along the Congaree River, a portion of the riverwalk from Lyles Street to H. Kelly Jones Park is still closed after a sewer line break in Cayce damaged parts of the trail.
The Columbia area, which has a handful of popular riverwalks along the river that separates Columbia and neighboring municipalities Cayce and West Columbia, saw a number of its trails On top of the partial closure in Cayce, the city of Columbia announced, in May, a due to construction.
West Columbia’s post-Helene repairs to its riverwalk took significantly longer than those in Cayce, which Miles previously told The State was a result of waiting on the go-ahead from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to ensure that funding would be available for the repairs.
“If you’re relying on or expecting to be reimbursed, as a matter of fiscal responsibility, then the decision we made was we had to comply with that stuff on the front end,” Miles told The State previously.
In May, the West Columbia city council approved $200,000 in funds for repairing the riverwalk.
Columbia continues to transform with varied urban development plans, with projects focused on integrating new housing, improving public spaces, and enhancing city infrastructure. The State has followed the city's development trends closely through the first half of 2025.The project would hold up to 16 families, according to plans filed with the city of Columbia. | Published February 18, 2025 | Read Full Story by Morgan Hughes Columbia leaders know the city isn’t taking full advantage of the three rivers running alongside ...
Columbia continues to transform with varied urban development plans, with projects focused on integrating new housing, improving public spaces, and enhancing city infrastructure. The State has followed the city's development trends closely through the first half of 2025.
The project would hold up to 16 families, according to plans filed with the city of Columbia. | Published February 18, 2025 | Read Full Story by Morgan Hughes
Columbia leaders know the city isn’t taking full advantage of the three rivers running alongside it. A new project could help change that. | Published February 24, 2025 | Read Full Story by Morgan Hughes
As apartments multiply and restaurants announce on the sprawling BullStreet site, the University of South Carolina’s planned new medical school could take the project to the next level. | Published February 27, 2025 | Read Full Story by Chris Trainor
Columbia is providing $2.2 million to build the houses in a historic city neighborhood | Published February 28, 2025 | Read Full Story by Morgan Hughes
The new residential project would replace offices that were once home to The State newspaper. | Published March 4, 2025 | Read Full Story by Morgan Hughes
The developer plans to invest $1.2 million into the new Columbia apartments. | Published March 31, 2025 | Read Full Story by Morgan Hughes
Columbia purchased the property for almost $4 million in 2019. While the city once envisioned it becoming a hotel, it’s now preparing to sell it at a loss. | Published April 14, 2025 | Read Full Story by Morgan Hughes
The 180,000 square foot artwork painted in 2021 commemorates Columbia’s Black business district on Washington Street, active during segregation. | Published May 2, 2025 | Read Full Story by Morgan Hughes
The project would fill a current parking lot in downtown Columbia. | Published May 12, 2025 | Read Full Story by Morgan Hughes
Among ideas from Columbia residents on how to give the mostly empty property new life are building housing and attracting a grocery store. | Published May 17, 2025 | Read Full Story by Morgan Hughes
The proposed park promises access to Columbia’s untamed riverfront. Designers vying for the project have shaped hundred-million-dollar developments in major U.S. cities. | Published May 20, 2025 | Read Full Story by Morgan Hughes
The Columbia property was home to a Piggly Wiggly supermarket for decades. Now a well-known developer has purchased the site. | Published May 29, 2025 | Read Full Story by Chris Trainor
The three Columbia properties are all over a century old and most recently housed Whit-Ash Furnishings. | Published June 26, 2025 | Read Full Story by Morgan Hughes
The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.
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