Caring for an aging parent, a child with special needs, or a spouse with a serious illness can be deeply meaningful—but also exhausting. Respite care in Atlanta gives caregivers a chance to rest, work, travel, or take care of their own health while making sure their loved one is safe and supported.
This guide explains how respite care works specifically in Atlanta and the surrounding metro area, what options are available, how to pay for it, and where to start your search.
Respite care is short-term care for someone who normally receives support from a family member or unpaid caregiver. It can last:
In Atlanta, respite care is commonly used for:
The goal is simple: give caregivers a break while keeping their loved ones safe, engaged, and cared for.
A caregiver comes to your home in Atlanta so your loved one can stay in familiar surroundings.
Common services include:
In-home respite may be provided by:
This is a popular option in neighborhoods across Atlanta, from Buckhead and Midtown to Decatur, East Point, and Southwest Atlanta, especially when the person receiving care has dementia or does not handle changes in environment well.
Adult day centers provide care during daytime hours, often Monday–Friday, in a group setting. These programs are common across Metro Atlanta and can be a good fit if your loved one:
Services often include:
Local examples of adult day-type services and resources (always call ahead to confirm services and eligibility):
Fulton County Department of Senior Services – Adult Day Programs
Central Office: 137 Peachtree St SW, Atlanta, GA 30303
Phone: 404-613-6000
(Fulton County partners with centers in various locations, including Atlanta.)
City of Atlanta Mayor’s Office of Constituent Services (Senior Services referrals)
City Hall, 55 Trinity Ave SW, Atlanta, GA 30303
Main line: 404-330-6000
(Can help connect residents to senior service providers in the city.)
Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD) Region 3 Office (for adults with developmental disabilities)
3000 Century Center, Suite 900, Atlanta, GA 30345
Phone: 404-657-2252
Many local nonprofits and faith-based organizations in Atlanta also host senior day programs or social clubs that function as informal respite for a few hours at a time.
Here, your loved one stays overnight at a facility for a short time—commonly:
Facility-based respite can be useful if:
Many assisted living and memory care communities in the Atlanta area (such as those in Sandy Springs, Dunwoody, College Park, and the Westside) offer short-term stays. Policies vary, so it’s important to ask:
Families in Atlanta caring for children or adults with intellectual, developmental, or physical disabilities may have access to specialized respite programs.
Common supports in the Atlanta area include:
Key agencies and points of contact:
Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD) – Region 3 (Metro Atlanta)
3000 Century Center, Suite 900, Atlanta, GA 30345
Phone: 404-657-2252
Georgia Department of Community Health – Medicaid Waiver Programs
2 Peachtree St NW, Atlanta, GA 30303
Main Phone: 404-656-4507
Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities
2 Peachtree St NW, Suite 26-246, Atlanta, GA 30303
Phone: 404-657-2126
These agencies can help explain whether your family member might qualify for a Medicaid waiver or other state-funded support that can cover or offset respite services.
Respite care providers in Atlanta include:
When contacting any provider, you can ask:
Payment can be confusing. What’s covered in Atlanta often depends on age, diagnosis, insurance, and income.
Private pay (out-of-pocket)
Many in-home and facility-based respite services are paid directly by the family.
Medicaid (Georgia)
Medicaid in Georgia may cover some respite services, especially through waiver programs for people who qualify (such as the NOW/COMP waivers for people with developmental disabilities or other long-term care waivers for older adults or those with significant medical needs).
Medicare
Medicare may cover short-term respite care in very specific situations, such as when a person is receiving hospice services and meets certain criteria. Coverage is limited and usually facility-based.
Veterans’ benefits
Eligible veterans in Atlanta may access respite through the Atlanta VA Health Care System.
Nonprofits and charitable programs
Some Atlanta-based organizations provide free or low-cost respite hours to qualifying families, particularly those caring for individuals with disabilities or serious illnesses.
| Type of Respite | Where It Happens | Typical Use in Atlanta | Who Usually Pays |
|---|---|---|---|
| In-home respite | Your home | Short breaks, evenings, weekends | Private pay, some Medicaid |
| Adult day programs | Day center | Weekday work hours, socialization | Private pay, Medicaid, some grants |
| Overnight stays in facilities | Assisted living, nursing home | Travel, caregiver illness, extended breaks | Private pay, limited Medicare/Medicaid in specific cases |
| Disability-focused respite | Home, center, or group home | Ongoing breaks for families of people with disabilities | Medicaid waivers, grants, private pay |
| Hospice respite | Skilled nursing facility | End-of-life situations where caregiver needs rest | Often Medicare/Medicaid if eligible |
Always confirm coverage directly with the provider and your insurance/benefit program.
Several Atlanta-area government offices and agencies can help you navigate respite options, especially if you are not sure where to begin.
The ARC serves as a major hub for older adults and people with disabilities across Metro Atlanta.
They can:
If you live in the City of Atlanta portion of Fulton County, this department is central for senior-related services.
Services and referrals may include:
Many Atlanta residents live in surrounding counties but still identify as “Atlanta.” Each county’s senior services department can provide county-specific respite and caregiver program information:
DeKalb County Office of Senior Affairs
30 Warren St SE, Decatur, GA 30030
Phone: 404-371-2000
Cobb County Senior Services
1150 Powder Springs St, Suite 100, Marietta, GA 30064
Phone: 770-528-5364
Gwinnett Senior Services
75 Langley Dr, Lawrenceville, GA 30046
Phone: 678-377-4150
Clayton County Senior Services
877 Battle Creek Rd, Jonesboro, GA 30236
Phone: 770-472-8040
These offices are helpful if you live in areas such as East Atlanta near the DeKalb line, South Atlanta near Clayton County, or the Northwest side close to Cobb County.
When you start searching for respite care in Atlanta, it helps to narrow by location, type of care, and budget.
Clarify your needs
Decide on setting
Use local resource lines
Shortlist providers
Interview providers Ask:
When you’re evaluating respite options in metro Atlanta, consider:
Licensing and oversight
Staffing and training
Location and access
Emergency planning
Cultural fit
Use this checklist when you talk with potential providers in Atlanta:
A little preparation can make respite care in Atlanta more comfortable for everyone.
📝 Create a simple care sheet
Include:
🕒 Start small if needed
Try a few hours with an in-home provider or an adult day visit before scheduling longer stays, especially if your loved one is anxious about new people or places.
🚗 Plan around Atlanta traffic
If using adult day programs or facility-based respite, plan drop-off and pickup times to avoid the heaviest rush hour when possible.
🧩 Stay flexible
It may take a couple of tries to find the right fit. Atlanta has a broad mix of providers, so if one arrangement doesn’t work, there are often alternatives.
In Atlanta, many caregivers juggle work, commuting, and family responsibilities. Consider prioritizing respite if:
Respite care is designed for these situations. Using it is a way to protect both your health and your loved one’s well-being.
By understanding how respite care works in Atlanta, what types of services exist, and which local agencies can guide you, you can choose support that fits your family’s needs and budget—whether you live in Downtown, the West End, Buckhead, East Atlanta, or the surrounding suburbs.
