Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) for Home Care in Columbia, MD
Hands-on personal care at home from a certified nursing assistant, for families who want state-certified training. Post what you need in Columbia for free and hire a caregiver directly, with no agency mark-up.
Nursing Assistants in Columbia, MD: the local picture
The nearest Medicare-certified nursing homes to Columbia are Lorien Health Systems - Columbia in Columbia (1.4 mi), Residences At Vantage Point in Columbia (1.6 mi), Lorien Nursing & Rehab Ctr - Elkridge in Elkridge (4.8 mi). Nursing homes employ many of the area’s CNAs, and CNAs who want home care work often come from them.
Aides in Maryland earn a median $18.29 an hour (BLS, May 2025, home health and personal care aides). Maryland's minimum wage is $15.00 an hour (U.S. Department of Labor table, updated July 1, 2026).
Columbia has about 2,452 residents aged 85 or older, the group most likely to need hands-on help with bathing, transfers and toileting.
Columbia compared with Howard County and Maryland
| Census figure | Columbia | Howard County | Maryland |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residents 85 or older | 2.4% | 1.6% | 1.9% |
| Residents 65+ with a disability | 29% | 25% | 30% |
| Residents 65 or older | 17% | 15% | 17% |
| Residents 65+ in households who live alone | 23% | 19% | 27% |
| Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.) | 7.4% | 5.7% | 9.5% |
| Households with no vehicle | 5.8% | 3.6% | 8.8% |
| Median income, households headed by someone 65+ | $108,071 | $110,656 | — |
Older residents in towns around Columbia
| Town | Distance | Residents 65+ | Residents 85+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Savage, MD | 4.3 mi | 647 | 145 |
| Fulton, MD | 4.4 mi | 441 | 36 |
| Scaggsville, MD | 4.4 mi | 1,886 | 98 |
| North Laurel, MD | 5.0 mi | 2,791 | 115 |
| Ilchester, MD | 5.3 mi | 2,876 | 247 |
| Ellicott City, MD | 5.4 mi | 13,936 | 1,618 |
Nursing homes near Columbia
| Nursing home | Town | Distance | CMS overall rating | Certified beds | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lorien Health Systems - Columbia | Columbia, MD | 1.4 mi | 2 of 5 | 205 | (410) 531-5300 |
| Residences At Vantage Point | Columbia, MD | 1.6 mi | 5 of 5 | 44 | (410) 992-1100 |
| Lorien Nursing & Rehab Ctr - Elkridge | Elkridge, MD | 4.8 mi | 3 of 5 | 70 | (410) 579-2626 |
| The Lutheran Village At Miller's Grant | Ellicott City, MD | 4.9 mi | 5 of 5 | 16 | (410) 696-6700 |
| Ellicott City Healthcare Center | Ellicott City, MD | 6.5 mi | 2 of 5 | 182 | (410) 461-7577 |
| Encore At Turf Valley | Ellicott City, MD | 7.1 mi | 4 of 5 | 91 | (410) 461-7070 |
Home health agencies serving Columbia
| Agency | Office | Distance | CMS quality stars | Services listed | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Centerwell Home Health | Columbia, MD | 1.5 mi | 5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (410) 997-5257 |
| Homecentris Home Health Ii | Owings Mills, MD | 16 mi | 5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (410) 321-8448 |
| Phr Of Baltimore, Inc. | Baltimore, MD | 8.9 mi | 4.5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (410) 368-2825 |
| Adventist Home Health Services, Inc. | Silver Spring, MD | 12 mi | 4.5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (301) 592-4400 |
Straight-line miles from the center of Columbia. Medicare (CMS) data, October 2026; call ahead to confirm. We are not affiliated with these providers.
What a nursing assistant can help with
- Bathing, dressing, grooming and toileting
- Safe transfers, repositioning and walking
- Help with eating and fluids
- Taking and noting vital signs if asked
What CNAs costs in Columbia
At the Maryland median aide wage of $18.29 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,585 a month in wages, which is 18% of the $9,006 monthly median income of Columbia households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Maryland's minimum wage is $15.00 an hour (U.S. Department of Labor table, updated July 1, 2026).
Hiring directly, you agree the rate with the caregiver and usually become the household employer (U.S. Department of Labor rules). Some families qualify for programs that pay for care at home; see Medicaid programs for family caregivers: who can be paid, and the rules in 12 states.
What to know before hiring a nursing assistant
To be certified, a nurse aide completes a state-approved training program of at least 75 hours, including 16 hours of supervised practical training, and passes a competency exam (42 CFR 483.152). The state then lists them on its nurse aide registry, which you can search online in most states.
Questions worth asking: Which state certified you, and is it current? Where have you worked as a CNA? Are you comfortable with lifts, catheters and incontinence care? More in our nursing assistants guide.
CaregiverConnect does not run background checks. Check identity, references and any certification yourself before anyone starts. The Safety Center explains how.
Nursing Assistants in Columbia: common questions
What nursing homes are near Columbia?
The closest Medicare-certified nursing homes are Lorien Health Systems - Columbia in Columbia (1.4 mi, 2 of 5 overall); Residences At Vantage Point in Columbia (1.6 mi, 5 of 5 overall); Lorien Nursing & Rehab Ctr - Elkridge in Elkridge (4.8 mi, 3 of 5 overall). Ratings are from Medicare Care Compare.
How much does CNAs cost in Columbia?
At the Maryland median aide wage of $18.29 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,585 a month in wages, which is 18% of the $9,006 monthly median income of Columbia households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Maryland's minimum wage is $15.00 an hour (U.S. Department of Labor table, updated July 1, 2026).
Can a CNA give medication?
Generally no. A CNA can remind someone to take medication. Giving medication is usually reserved for licensed nurses, or for aides with a separate state medication certification.
More senior care near Columbia
Nursing Assistants in nearby cities
- Nursing Assistants in Savage, MD
- Nursing Assistants in Fulton, MD
- Nursing Assistants in Scaggsville, MD
- Nursing Assistants in North Laurel, MD
- Nursing Assistants in Ilchester, MD
- Nursing Assistants in Ellicott City, MD
- Nursing Assistants in Jessup, MD
- Nursing Assistants in West Laurel, MD
- Nursing Assistants in Elkridge, MD
- Nursing Assistants in Burtonsville, MD
- Nursing Assistants in Laurel, MD
- Nursing Assistants in Maryland City, MD
- Nursing Assistants in Catonsville, MD
- Nursing Assistants in Ashton-Sandy Spring, MD
- Nursing Assistants in Konterra, MD
- Nursing Assistants in Fort Meade, MD
Other care in Columbia
Sources
Census ACS 2020–2024 5-year; CMS provider data (October 25, 2026); U.S. DOL state minimum wages (July 1, 2026); BLS OEWS May 2025 aide wages, which cover employed aides rather than private rates.
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