Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) for Home Care in Columbia, PA
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, PA: the local picture
The nearest Medicare-certified nursing homes to Columbia are Susquehanna Health And Wellness Center in Columbia (0.9 mi), St Anne's Retirement Community in Columbia (2.5 mi), Homestead Village, Inc in Lancaster (7.7 mi). Nursing homes employ many of the area’s CNAs, and CNAs who want home care work often come from them.
Aides in Pennsylvania earn a median $14.14 an hour (BLS, May 2025, home health and personal care aides). Pennsylvania's minimum wage is $7.25 an hour (U.S. Department of Labor table, updated July 1, 2026).
Columbia has about 492 residents aged 85 or older, the group most likely to need hands-on help with bathing, transfers and toileting.
Columbia compared with Lancaster County and Pennsylvania
| Census figure | Columbia | Lancaster County | Pennsylvania |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residents 85 or older | 4.8% | 2.8% | 2.4% |
| Residents 65+ with a disability | 32% | 27% | 32% |
| Residents 65 or older | 23% | 20% | 19% |
| Residents 65+ in households who live alone | 34% | 25% | 30% |
| Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.) | 23% | 8.3% | 9.9% |
| Households with no vehicle | 13% | 8.6% | 10% |
| Median income, households headed by someone 65+ | $39,008 | $62,531 | — |
Older residents in towns around Columbia
| Town | Distance | Residents 65+ | Residents 85+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mountville, PA | 3.3 mi | 706 | 144 |
| Marietta, PA | 3.3 mi | 808 | 46 |
| Maytown, PA | 5.0 mi | 477 | 75 |
| Mount Joy, PA | 5.3 mi | 1,697 | 208 |
| Salunga, PA | 5.4 mi | 517 | 41 |
| Hallam, PA | 6.2 mi | 313 | 88 |
Nursing homes near Columbia
| Nursing home | Town | Distance | CMS overall rating | Certified beds | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Susquehanna Health And Wellness Center | Columbia, PA | 0.9 mi | 3 of 5 | 173 | (717) 684-7555 |
| St Anne's Retirement Community | Columbia, PA | 2.5 mi | 5 of 5 | 119 | (717) 285-5443 |
| Homestead Village, Inc | Lancaster, PA | 7.7 mi | 5 of 5 | 60 | (717) 397-4831 |
| Elizabethtown Nursing And Rehabilitation | Elizabethtown, PA | 7.7 mi | 2 of 5 | 45 | (717) 367-1831 |
| Trillium Place | Lancaster, PA | 8.3 mi | 5 of 5 | 160 | (717) 393-1301 |
| Abbeyville Skilled Nursing And Rehabilitation Cent | Lancaster, PA | 8.5 mi | 3 of 5 | 172 | (717) 397-4261 |
Home health agencies serving Columbia
| Agency | Office | Distance | CMS quality stars | Services listed | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Centerwell Home Health | Lancaster, PA | 10 mi | 5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (717) 291-5943 |
| Wellspan Vna Home Care | York, PA | 13 mi | 5 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (717) 812-4433 |
| Penn Medicine Home Health Lancaster General Health | Lancaster, PA | 11 mi | 4 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (717) 397-8251 |
| Amedisys Home Health | Lancaster, PA | 11 mi | 4 of 5 | nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social work, home health aides | (717) 291-8396 |
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 Pennsylvania median aide wage of $14.14 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,225 a month in wages, which is 38% of the $3,251 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. Pennsylvania's minimum wage is $7.25 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 Susquehanna Health And Wellness Center in Columbia (0.9 mi, 3 of 5 overall); St Anne's Retirement Community in Columbia (2.5 mi, 5 of 5 overall); Homestead Village, Inc in Lancaster (7.7 mi, 5 of 5 overall). Ratings are from Medicare Care Compare.
How much does CNAs cost in Columbia?
At the Pennsylvania median aide wage of $14.14 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,225 a month in wages, which is 38% of the $3,251 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. Pennsylvania's minimum wage is $7.25 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 Mountville, PA
- Nursing Assistants in Marietta, PA
- Nursing Assistants in Maytown, PA
- Nursing Assistants in Mount Joy, PA
- Nursing Assistants in Salunga, PA
- Nursing Assistants in Hallam, PA
- Nursing Assistants in Millersville, PA
- Nursing Assistants in Stonybrook, PA
- Nursing Assistants in East Petersburg, PA
- Nursing Assistants in Elizabethtown, PA
- Nursing Assistants in Lancaster, PA
- Nursing Assistants in Manheim, PA
- Nursing Assistants in East York, PA
- Nursing Assistants in Red Lion, PA
- Nursing Assistants in Pleasureville, PA
- Nursing Assistants in Manchester, PA
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.
Find CNAs in Columbia
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