Ridgecrest Rehab & Skilled Nursing Center sits as a single-story building, licensed by the State of Georgia and operated by the Hospital Authority of Columbus, Georgia, with a total capacity of 84 certified beds and serving about 110 residents. The center focuses on skilled nursing and comprehensive rehabilitation, providing care for both short-term and long-term residents, including those recovering from illness, surgery, or requiring ongoing support because of serious health needs. Residents get help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, grooming, incontinence care, and transfers, along with memory care and palliative services for those who need it. The Creekside Long Term Residential neighborhood offers 42 beds dedicated for people who need skilled nursing and assistance with daily activities, while the Evergreen Rehabilitation neighborhood has 42 private rooms focused on therapy and recovery. Ridgecrest also runs a Therapy Gym with a setup like a resident's own bedroom, which helps make the move back to independent living safer.
The nursing staff provides 24-hour care and support, overseen by a registered nurse, although staffing levels sometimes fall below the required state standards for total nursing and aide care. On average, nurse turnover sits at 43.6%, which is lower than most nursing facilities statewide, and nursing hours per resident are a bit higher than the state average. Services include medication management, physical, occupational, and speech therapy, as well as respiratory therapy and behavioral health care. The staff also helps with hospice and advanced care planning, working to tailor services to each resident's needs. For nutrition, Ridgecrest offers home-cooked, seasonal menus and special diets approved by a Registered Dietitian. Residents have access to several dining areas, a movie theater, a library, game room, and enjoy programs like arts and music, fitness, and outdoor activities, including the Engaged Life activities program, which promotes creativity, connection, and exercise based on residents' interests.
Ridgecrest accepts Medicaid and Medicare and aims to provide a welcoming and safe environment, though there are some important areas for improvement. Inspection reports have noted deficiencies in care planning, respecting advance directives, handling residents' rights to self-administer drugs, and in some infection-control practices. The facility has been cited for not always having complete and measurable care plans, sometimes not honoring requests to refuse or discontinue treatment, and not always meeting infection-control standards. Even so, Ridgecrest continues to focus on patient-centered support and offers a range of services to help residents live with dignity and purpose in a community that feels like home. The center includes outdoor courtyards, landscaped grounds, and places for social events. Ridgecrest tries to create a nurturing setting where residents can enjoy daily life, receive rehabilitation, and get the nursing care they need.
