Pricing ranges from
    $3,100 – 4,030/month

    Bickford of Upper Arlington

    3500 Riverside Dr, Columbus, OH 43221
    • Assisted Living
    • Memory Care

    Caring professional staff and community

    I'm very pleased with this community - staff and management are professional, warm, and truly caring, and Director Molly is hands-on and responsive. My mom is safe and treated like family in a beautiful, spotless, pet-friendly building with lovely river views. The food is excellent and activities are engaging; I highly recommend it for assisted living or memory care.

    Loved one of resident
    Jul 2026

    Pricing

    Prices shown are estimates and subject to change. Contact your senior living advisor for current pricing.

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    Amenities

    Healthcare services

    • Accept incoming residents on hospice
    • Activities of daily living assistance
    • Assistance with bathing
    • Assistance with dressing
    • Assistance with transfers
    • Hospice waiver
    • Medication management
    • Mental wellness program
    • Respite program

    Healthcare staffing

    • 12-16 hour nursing
    • 24-hour call system
    • 24-hour supervision

    Meals and dining

    • Diabetes diet
    • Meal preparation and service
    • Restaurant-style dining
    • Special dietary restrictions

    Room

    • Air-conditioning
    • Cable
    • Fully furnished
    • Housekeeping and linen services
    • Internet
    • Kitchenettes
    • Private bathrooms
    • Telephone
    • Wifi

    Memory care community services

    • Dementia waiver
    • Mild cognitive impairment
    • Specialized memory care programming

    Transportation

    • Community operated transportation
    • Transportation arrangement
    • Transportation arrangement (non-medical)

    Common areas

    • Beauty salon
    • Computer center
    • Dining room
    • Fitness room
    • Gaming room
    • Garden
    • Outdoor space
    • Small library
    • Wellness center

    Community services

    • Concierge services
    • Family education and support services
    • Fitness programs
    • Move-in coordination

    Activities

    • Community-sponsored activities
    • Continuing learning programs
    • Planned day trips
    • Resident-run activities
    • Scheduled daily activities

    Reviews

    4.02·(173)

    Overall rating

    1. 5
    2. 4
    3. 3
    4. 2
    5. 1
    • Care

      3.9
    • Staff

      4.2
    • Meals

      3.6
    • Amenities

      3.6
    • Value

      2.5

    Pros

    • compassionate, attentive caregiving staff
    • knowledgeable nursing team
    • clean and well-kept common areas
    • scenic river views and outdoor seating
    • home-cooked meals with fresh-baked items
    • varied activities and outings program
    • pet therapy and pet-friendly policy
    • small, intimate community size
    • family-friendly dining spaces
    • engaged and proactive activities director
    • hands-on local management when present
    • welcoming, home-like atmosphere
    • private storage and closet space in units
    • central, accessible location
    • elevator service and comfortable visiting areas

    Cons

    • inconsistent staffing and high employee turnover
    • insufficient night-time staffing and delayed response times
    • gaps in medication administration and clinical documentation
    • billing discrepancies and limited financial transparency
    • capital maintenance shortfalls (doors, baseboards, shuttle)
    • variability in food quality and limited menu choices at times
    • sanitation and odor concerns in some memory-care areas
    • limited private-room and bathroom sizes in memory-care
    • heavy reliance on agency staff affecting continuity of care
    • limited accessibility equipment and incomplete mobility modifications
    • communication gaps between clinical staff, families, and corporate
    • limited Medicaid acceptance and admissions-policy constraints
    • allegations of resident property loss and inappropriate solicitation

    Summary of reviews

    Across the reviews there is a clear split between positive experiences centered on direct caregiving and concerns about operational consistency. Many families and residents describe warm, compassionate direct-care staff and a knowledgeable nursing presence; these attributes are commonly cited as the facility’s strongest assets. Reviewers frequently praise the community’s clean common areas, scenic river views, outdoor seating, and a home-like atmosphere that fosters social connection. The activities program, led by an engaged activities director, is routinely noted for variety and resident engagement, and the community’s pet-friendly approach and family dining spaces are additional strengths.

    At the same time, a recurring theme is uneven execution of clinical and operational processes. Several reviewers raised concerns about medication management, incomplete clinical documentation, and delays in attending to personal-care needs—issues that appear most acute during night shifts and periods when staffing is thin. High staff turnover and substantial use of agency personnel were reported; families describe this as a driver of inconsistent care continuity and variable staff familiarity with residents’ routines and needs.

    Dining and daily living experiences are mixed: some reviewers praise home-cooked meals and fresh-baked items, while others find menu options limited or the food quality inconsistent. The activities schedule is generally seen as a positive, though scheduling conflicts (for example, activities during resident nap times) and limited stimulation in sections of memory care were mentioned. Memory-care units were described as smaller and darker by some families, with specific concerns about sanitation and odor in those areas and limited private-room and bathroom space.

    Facility condition feedback is also divided. The property and public spaces are frequently described as attractive, well-maintained, and spotless; yet several accounts indicate capital maintenance needs in particular areas (exterior doors, peeling baseboards, an aging shuttle) that suggest deferred repairs. Accessibility concerns were noted, including limited lift equipment and promised accessibility modifications that were not completed. Management and corporate responsiveness were another frequent area of concern: families reported billing errors, opaque financial communication, and slow follow-up from corporate leadership. There are also serious one-off claims in the reviews—such as alleged property loss and claims of inappropriate solicitation of favorable reviews—that merit direct inquiry during a tour or stakeholder meeting.

    For prospective residents and families, the pattern suggests that care experience can vary significantly depending on staffing continuity and which management team is in place. When direct-care teams and local leadership are stable and engaged, reviewers describe an affectionate, attentive environment with strong social and dining amenities. Conversely, when turnover is high or corporate communication is weak, clinical documentation, medication processes, and maintenance follow-through have been the areas most affected. Recommended due diligence: request recent staffing and turnover metrics, ask for written medication-administration and incident documentation procedures, review recent maintenance logs and capital plans, tour the memory-care unit during an active period, and obtain clear, itemized billing examples and the facility’s Medicaid/admissions policy before committing.

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    Location

    Map showing location of Bickford of Upper Arlington

    Bickford of Upper Arlington is located at 3500 Riverside Dr, Columbus, OH, 43221.

    About Bickford of Upper Arlington

    Bickford of Upper Arlington sits in a Georgian-style building built in 1995 and updated in 2018, right along the Scioto River with peaceful walking trails, gardens, and greenbelt views nearby. The place serves about 61 residents and offers several options for seniors, including Assisted Living, Memory Care for those with Alzheimer's or other dementia, Independent Living, Home Health and Hospice, Skilled Nursing, and Nursing Home services, all as part of a continuing care community. Residents get personalized help with daily needs and access to around-the-clock care to support both independence and safety. The staff is known for being friendly, helpful, and kind, and the community has a reputation for making folks feel at home.

    The building feels like a large mansion but keeps a comfortable, homelike setting. There are common spaces like lounges, a sunroom or screened porch, a lobby, and a porch area for relaxing. There are several outdoor features, too, with winding pathways, patio furniture, and easy access to Fancyburg Park with its many trails, tennis courts, and sports fields. The facility is pet-friendly, so residents can bring their pets with them.

    Inside, you'll find amenities such as a hair salon and barber, a theater room, fitness center, elevators, secure access, and Wi-Fi as well as cable or satellite TV. Units can come furnished or unfurnished, with kitchens, washers, dryers, and emergency call systems. Residents can stay in private rooms with several floor plan choices. Housekeeping, laundry, transportation, and medication management are all offered.

    Meals are served in a restaurant-style dining room with chef-prepared food. There are buffet options, dietary accommodations, and room service for those who want to dine in their own space. Private dining rooms are available for family visits, and guests can join for meals.

    Daily life brings a busy calendar of activities and programs, including wellness classes, gardening club, arts and crafts, live performances, religious services, grocery trips, and social events for birthdays and holidays. Wellness and activity plans are tailored to each person's interests and abilities. The memory care program is specially designed for those with dementia, offering therapies and secure spaces that keep residents safe and comfortable.

    The focus at Bickford of Upper Arlington is on offering many choices for older adults, promoting happiness, and helping everyone stay as healthy as possible. The community follows the HigherPath senior health model, which guides care programs. The setting wants to balance a sense of luxury and comfort while keeping things practical and easy for seniors.

    About Bickford Senior Living

    Bickford of Upper Arlington is managed by Bickford Senior Living.

    Bickford Senior Living was founded in 1991 by Don and Judie Eby when they were unable to find quality assisted living care for Don's mother, Mary Bickford, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. The company opened its first facility in November 1992 in Kansas, becoming one of the state's first assisted living residences. Headquartered in Olathe, Kansas, Bickford remains a family-owned and operated business committed to serving families with compassionate care for over three decades. Today, Bickford Senior Living operates approximately 54-61 communities across 10 states, including Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, Virginia, and Georgia.

    People often ask...

    Bickford of Upper Arlington offers competitive pricing, with rates starting at a cost of $3,100 per month.

    Bickford of Upper Arlington offers assisted living and memory care.

    There are 46 photos of Bickford of Upper Arlington on Mirador.

    The full address for this community is 3500 Riverside Dr, Columbus, OH 43221.

    No, Bickford of Upper Arlington does not offer respite care. Respite care in assisted living communities provides temporary, short-term relief for primary caregivers by offering professional care for their loved ones. It allows individuals to stay in an assisted living community for a limited time, giving caregivers a break while ensuring residents receive necessary support and assistance with daily activities.

    Disclaimer

    Mirador Living is not affiliated with the owner or operator(s) of Bickford of Upper Arlington. The information above has not been verified or approved by the owner or operator. For exact information, please contact Bickford of Upper Arlington directly. There is no cost for this service. We are compensated by the community you select.

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