Pricing ranges from
    $5,329 – 6,927/month

    Columbia Cottage

    103 N Larkspur Dr, Palmyra, PA 17078
    • Assisted Living

    Pricing

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

    Request a Tour

    Date of Tour
    Time Window
    Tour Type

    You selected in-person tour on in the

    Amenities

    Healthcare services

    • Activities of daily living assistance
    • Assistance with bathing
    • Assistance with dressing
    • Assistance with transfers
    • Medication management

    Healthcare staffing

    • 24-hour call system
    • 24-hour supervision

    Meals and dining

    • Diabetes diet
    • Meal preparation and service
    • Special dietary restrictions

    Room

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

    Transportation

    • Community operated transportation
    • Transportation arrangement

    Common areas

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

    Community services

    • Concierge services
    • Fitness programs
    • Move-in coordination

    Activities

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

    Reviews

    3.93·(30)

    Overall rating

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

      4.4
    • Staff

      4.3
    • Meals

      4.4
    • Amenities

      4.3
    • Value

      3.0

    Pros

    • Compassionate, professional caregiving staff
    • On-site physical and occupational therapy
    • Private cottages and rooms with en-suite bathing
    • Pet-friendly visitation policies
    • Restaurant-quality dining and well-appointed dining area
    • Broad calendar of social and recreational activities
    • On-site hair salon and personal-care services
    • Clean, well-maintained rooms and common areas
    • Home-like, country-style decor and comfortable porches/courtyards
    • Laundry and medication-assistance services
    • Affordable pricing relative to local competitors
    • Ongoing facility updates and refurbishments

    Cons

    • Reliance on agency staff and variable staffing levels
    • Inconsistent communication and scheduling processes
    • Variable rehabilitation and therapy outcomes
    • Marketing and advertising transparency concerns
    • Gaps in property-management and handling of personal items
    • Limited dedicated activity/media room space
    • Management follow-through and responsiveness inconsistencies

    Summary of reviews

    Overall impression Columbia Cottage presents as a well-kept, home-style assisted living option with consistent praise for hands-on caregiving, dining, and the physical environment. Many families highlight compassionate, professional staff and leadership that set a positive tone; staff members are frequently described as warm, attentive, and respectful of resident dignity. The facility offers private rooms and independent cottages with en-suite bathing, porch and courtyard seating, and an interior that many families find clean and in like-new condition. Ongoing refurbishing (new flooring and paint) was also noted, indicating current investment in the physical plant.

    Care and clinical services Care quality is a prominent strength in the reviews. Families commonly cite round-the-clock assistance, attentive medication support, laundry service, and supportive end-of-life care that is family-focused. On-site physical and occupational therapy are available, and several accounts credit the facility with extending quality-of-life outcomes. That said, a small number of accounts raised concerns about the effectiveness of rehabilitation services in individual cases, suggesting variability in therapy outcomes. Staffing patterns include both long-term employees and use of agency personnel; this combination appears to support coverage but also contributes to occasional perceptions of inconsistency in day-to-day staffing.

    Staff, leadership, and management Leadership receives mixed but largely positive commentary. Many families singled out strong, visible leadership and helpful administrators who visit frequently and establish a professional culture. Conversely, there are recurring operational concerns: inconsistent communication around bookings and follow-up, unmet promises during the move-in/sales process, and instances where management responsiveness was viewed as insufficient. The sales and marketing approach was described by some as overly standardized, and questions about advertising consistency (identical photos across locations) reinforce the recommendation to tour the specific building before committing.

    Dining, activities, and social life Dining is consistently described as a standout feature — restaurant-quality meals served in a dedicated dining area, with holiday and family-focused events noted positively. The activities program includes exercise, bingo, painting, ice cream socials, nail care, and scheduled outings; residents and families report many opportunities for engagement. However, there is room for program expansion: a few families wished for additional activity options and a dedicated TV/activity room to better support diverse resident interests.

    Facilities and operations The property offers several practical advantages: private bathing in each room, ample room sizes, a communal kitchen area, hair salon, and pet-friendly overnight visits. Families appreciate the home-like, country-style ambiance and the overall cleanliness and upkeep. Operationally, some concerns emerged around handling of personal belongings (misdelivered or lost items) and occasional lapses in administrative follow-through. These point to opportunities to strengthen property-management protocols and resident-item tracking.

    Notable patterns and recommendation The dominant pattern across accounts is high satisfaction with direct care, dining, and the physical environment, paired with isolated operational issues related to communication, staffing variability, therapy consistency, and marketing transparency. Prospective residents and families will likely benefit from an in-person tour of the specific building, direct conversations with clinical leadership about rehabilitation goals, and clear written expectations about services and follow-up. For families prioritizing compassionate daily care, dining quality, and a home-like setting at a competitive price, Columbia Cottage appears to be a strong option, provided that the organization’s operational and communication practices align with the family’s expectations during the tour and contract process.

    Reviews written on Mirador

    We have no reviews to show about Columbia Cottage.

    Help other families by writing a review about your experience with this community.

    Location

    Columbia Cottage is located at 103 N Larkspur Dr, Palmyra, PA, 17078.

    About Columbia Cottage

    Columbia Cottage is a senior living community run by Horst Group that sits in a few locations, including Hershey, Collegeville, Hanover, Linglestown, and Wyomissing. The place has 52 units and serves about 40 to 50 residents, which keeps things small and friendly. There's a family-type feeling because the staff works hard to know folks by name and remember what each person likes. The community is built with a single-story open plan, wide hallways, and soundproofing between apartments, and the rooms are spacious with private bathrooms, kitchenettes, air conditioning you set yourself, cable TV, Wi-Fi, and even telephone service if you want.

    Columbia Cottage has a license as an Assisted Living Facility in Pennsylvania with the number #330240 and holds up to 60 residents. The care plans here are tailored for each person, and they've got ten levels of care, so people can age in place without having to move as their needs change. There are universal caregivers, so residents see the same familiar faces throughout the day. There's licensed nursing staff and 24-hour supervision. Nurses are around all day in case someone needs help with medicine, bathing, dressing, or moving about, and there's support for those who aren't able to walk on their own.

    They offer independent living for active folks, assisted living for those needing a bit of help, and memory care for people with Alzheimer's disease or dementia, with customized therapies and safe spaces. Columbia Cottage also supports people from the Plain Community. There's short-term and respite care, too.

    Meals come from a professional chef and hit regular favorites, like chicken pot pie, crab cakes, homemade pies, and classics like macaroni and cheese, but there's careful attention to things like allergies, diabetes diets, and nutrition. Some folks like to eat in the dining room, while others take part in all-day dining options. There are activities and social events every day-bingo, trivia, movie nights, music programs, ice cream socials, spa treatments, arts and crafts, exercise groups, resident-led clubs, gardening, and even outdoor get-togethers when the weather's nice.

    A wellness program and fitness room are on-site, with plenty of walking paths outdoors and cozy courtyards to relax in, and there's a movie theater, a library, and rooms for games and crafts. There's always scheduled transportation ready for errands, shopping trips, doctor appointments, or local community activities, and they even host things like Halloween parades and shopping nights. Housekeeping, laundry (provided or self-serve), dry cleaning, and concierge services are part of the regular routine, and parking is available for residents and family visitors.

    Safety matters, so the community has security systems, an emergency alert system in every apartment, and staff are trained to respond quickly to urgent calls. Prices start at $4,295 monthly, and they take options like private pay, veteran's benefits, and long-term care insurance.

    The community tries to fit each resident's changing needs, encourages residents to keep their hobbies and social ties, and aims to create a good blend of privacy, independence, and support. Staff are friendly, steady, and stay involved in helping people feel settled and known. Columbia Cottage gets regular license reviews and is known for providing care across several needs, whether for active adults, seniors needing routine help, or those with memory loss who need a secure place. The whole design and the close-knit care make it feel homelike and easy for seniors and their families to manage changes as they come.

    People often ask...

    Columbia Cottage offers competitive pricing, with rates starting at a cost of $5,329 per month.

    Columbia Cottage offers assisted living.

    There are 24 photos of Columbia Cottage on Mirador.

    The full address for this community is 103 N Larkspur Dr, Palmyra, PA 17078.

    No, Columbia Cottage 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.

    Safety & Compliance

    In Pennsylvania, the Department of Human Services licenses personal care homes and assisted living residences and publishes its licensing inspection summaries.

    License number330240
    Facility typeFull
    License classLicensed
    Capacity60 residents
    LicenseeCOLUMBIA COTTAGE-HERSHEY LLC
    Care servedAssisted Living
    EffectiveMay 2nd, 2026
    ExpiresMay 2nd, 2027
    View the official license record

    Inspection Reports

    29

    Reports

    6

    Type A Citations

    1

    Type B Citations

    0

    Complaints

    13

    Years

    08 Apr 2026Inspection
    Investigated and found violations related to incident reporting, privacy, and assessment accuracy. The findings included a failure to report within 24 hours, a privacy breach involving a resident photo, and an assessment with conflicting communication information.
    • 2800Incident reporting
    • 2800Privacy - self/possessions
    • 2800Assessment content
    13 Feb 2026Inspection
    Identified multiple deficiencies across dignity/ respect, fire safety, preventive care, medication documentation, refusals, assessments, and records.
    • —Dignity/Respect
    • —Fire Safety-1st day
    • —Secure preventive care
    • —Resident refusal-eat/drink
    • —Medication record
    • —Refusal to take medication
    • —Follow prescriber’s orders
    • —Assessment – significant change
    • —Records – content
    30 Sept 2025Inspection
    Identified multiple deficiencies across confidentiality of records, staffing coverage for emergencies, training gaps, medication safety, and emergency procedures.
    • 2800.17Confidentiality of Records
    • 2800.63.aFirst Aid/CPR
    • 2800.65.eRights/Abuse
    • 2800.69Dementia Training
    • 2800.91Emergency Telephone Numbers
    • 2800.103.fFridge/Freezer Temps
    • 2800.107.dProcedure EMA Submission
    • 2800.125.bCombustible Materials
    • 2800.183.bMedications and Syringes Locked
    • 2800.184.aResident Medications Labeled
    • 2800.185.aStorage Procedures
    • 2800.187.bDate/Time of Medication Administration
    • 2800.227.dSupport Plan – Med/Dental
    13 May 2025Inspection
    Investigated multiple care and medication management deficiencies, including missed incontinence checks, insufficient overnight staffing, unsecured medications, and improper MAR entries and adherence to prescriber orders.
    • —ADL assistance
    • —Additional Staffing
    • DHS Regulation 182(a)(b)Medications and syringes locked
    • —Medication record
    • —Follow prescriber’s orders
    03 Apr 2025Inspection
    Identified multiple deficiencies related to background checks, staff orientation, fire safety training, monthly drills, evacuation times, and resident assessments.
    • Type AOlder Adult Protective Services Act (35 P.S. §§ 10225.101—10225.5102) and 6 Pa. Code Chapter 15Criminal history checks
    • Type A28 Pa. Code § 2800Fire Safety 1st day
    • Type A28 Pa. Code § 2800Rights/Abuse 40 Hours
    • Type A28 Pa. Code § 2800Monthly fire drill
    • Type A28 Pa. Code § 2800Evacuation
    • Type A28 Pa. Code § 2800Assessment – significant change
    28 Aug 2024Inspection
    Identified multiple deficiencies related to contract signing, safety equipment, emergency procedures, medical evaluations, and medication administration.
    • 2800.25bContract signatures and renewal
    • 2800.81bResident equipment – good repair
    • 2800.91Emergency Telephone Numbers
    • 2800.101j7Lighting/operable lamp
    • 2800.107dProcedure EMA submission
    • 2800.141b1Annual medical evaluation
    • 2800.142bSecure care-choice of phys
    • 2800.182bPrescription medication
    • 2800.225a1Assessment – annually
    12 Mar 2024Inspection
    Found no deficiencies.
    22 Jun 2022Inspection
    Found multiple safety and medication-management deficiencies, including an unsecured bed enabler bar, unlabeled poisonous materials, expired medication, and unlocked narcotic records.
    • 2800.81.bWheelchairs, walkers, prosthetic devices and other apparatus must be clean, in good repair and free of hazards
    • 2800.82.aPoisonous materials stored in original containers
    • 2800.183.dCurrent medications
    • 2800.254.aRecords – discharge/active
    27 Aug 2021Inspection
    Found no deficiencies.
    23 Mar 2021Inspection
    Issued a regular license; no deficiencies cited.
    22 Jun 2020Inspection
    Investigated an abuse/neglect allegation; documented bruising on a resident’s wrists and statements describing forceful handling by staff during a shower.
    • Type B2800.42bAbuse/Neglect
    07 Apr 2020Inspection
    Determined continued compliance after review.
    23 Jan 2020Inspection
    Granted a regular license following the renewal application. The license was issued.
    23 Dec 2019Inspection
    Found no deficiencies. Determined compliance with applicable regulations after the annual visit.
    10 Apr 2019Inspection
    Identified violations of state regulations; must be corrected by the dates specified and continued compliance maintained.
    06 Feb 2019Inspection
    Found a deficiency related to medication management.
    • 55 Pa. Code Ch. 2800Medication management - prescribed medications audits
    01 Feb 2019Inspection
    Renewed the license for the operation with a maximum capacity of 60 residents.
    19 Dec 2018Inspection
    Identified medication-record deficiencies and a medication administration error during the review, including missing diagnosis/purpose for several meds and failure to follow prescriber directions for insulin.
    • 2800.187(a)Medication records; required contents
    • 2800.187(d)Direction of prescriber followed
    25 Jan 2018Inspection
    Issued a regular license following renewal; an on-site inspection will occur within the next twelve months.
    03 Jan 2018Inspection
    Identified two deficiencies: medications not secured and hot water temperature exceeded safe limits in resident-accessible areas.
    • 55 Pa.Code § 2800.183(b)Prescription medications, OTC medications, CAM and syringes shall be kept in a locked area or container
    • 55 Pa.Code § 2800.89(b)Hot water temperature in areas accessible to residents may not exceed 120° F
    08 Feb 2017Inspection
    Identified deficiencies in staff training and fire drill timing.
    • 55 Pa. Code § 2800.65Training topics for annual training for direct care staff
    • 55 Pa. Code § 2800.132Fire drills
    26 Jan 2017Inspection
    Renewed the license with a maximum occupancy of 60.
    14 Apr 2016Inspection
    Issued a renewal license for an assisted living home, effective May 2, 2016 to May 2, 2017. Noted annual inspections are required.
    17 Feb 2016Inspection
    Determined compliance with 55 Pa.Code Ch. 2800 after February 2016 inspections.
    23 Mar 2015Inspection
    Observed a fire-safety violation in the smoking area related to chair cushions lacking fire-resistance labeling; cushions were removed as a corrective action.
    • 55 Pa.Code § 2800.144Use of tobacco
    04 Feb 2015Inspection
    Issued a renewal license for the provider to operate at the address listed.
    11 Mar 2014Inspection
    Found no deficiencies. Determined compliance with applicable regulations.
    30 Jan 2014Inspection
    Issued a license to operate under state rules; no deficiencies cited.
    18 Jun 2013Inspection
    Determined the operation was in compliance with licensure requirements and issued a regular license.

    Disclaimer

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

    Are you an owner or operator of Columbia Cottage?

    Claim this listing to receive messages from prospective customers and manage your community page.

    Nearby Communities

    Assisted Living in Nearby Cities

    1. 34 facilities$5,771/mo
    2. 26 facilities$5,771/mo
    3. 25 facilities$5,860/mo
    4. 27 facilities$5,717/mo
    5. 42 facilities$5,350/mo
    6. 28 facilities$6,082/mo
    7. 25 facilities$2,695/mo
    8. 20 facilities$2,695/mo
    9. 20 facilities$2,695/mo
    10. 42 facilities$4,911/mo
    11. 26 facilities$6,031/mo
    12. 15 facilities$6,328/mo
    © 2026 Mirador Living