Active Care in Atlanta: How to Find Supportive Care Services in the City

If you’re searching for “Active Care Atlanta”, you’re likely looking for hands-on, day‑to‑day support—for yourself, a child, or an older adult—right here in Atlanta.

In Atlanta, “active care” usually refers to ongoing, practical help with daily life, often combining supervision, social engagement, and basic personal assistance. It may show up under names like:

• Home care / in‑home care
• Adult day care / adult day health
• Child care / after‑school care
• Supportive care for disabilities or chronic conditions

This guide walks through what active care looks like in Atlanta, the main types available, how local systems work, and where to start if you need help now.

What “Active Care” Usually Means in Atlanta

While “Active Care Atlanta” isn’t a single official program, Atlanta residents often use the term to describe services that:

• Provide regular, scheduled support (daily, weekly, or ongoing)
• Offer active supervision, not just check‑ins
• Help with daily activities like meals, bathing, dressing, transportation, and medication reminders
• Encourage social interaction, movement, and mental engagement
• Allow people to stay safely at home or in the community rather than in a hospital or institutional setting

In Atlanta, these services may be funded privately, through insurance, Medicaid, or through state and local programs.

Major Types of Active Care in Atlanta

1. In‑Home Personal Care and Companion Care

Many Atlanta families prefer to bring care into the home rather than move to a facility.

Common services include:

• Help with bathing, grooming, toileting, and dressing
• Meal preparation, light housekeeping, and laundry
• Medication reminders (not typically medication administration)
• Transportation to appointments, errands, and social activities
• Companionship and safety monitoring

In‑home care is widely available across metro Atlanta, including Buckhead, Midtown, Downtown, Decatur, East Point, Sandy Springs, and the Southside. Most agencies:

• Provide hourly or live‑in options
• Require a minimum number of hours per visit
• Offer care plans tailored to needs and budget

For low‑income older adults or adults with disabilities, public programs may help cover or coordinate in‑home services (more on that below).

2. Adult Day Care and Adult Day Health in Atlanta

Adult day centers in Atlanta provide structured daytime care for older adults and some younger adults with disabilities, allowing caregivers to work or rest.

Typical features:

• Open weekday daytimes (some have extended hours)
• Supervised environment with staff on site
• Meals and snacks
• Social activities: games, music, light exercise, crafts
• In some adult day health programs: basic health monitoring, help with medications, and therapy services

These centers are often located in or near:

• Downtown and Midtown
• Southwest Atlanta
• DeKalb County (including Decatur and Clarkston)
• Clayton and Fulton counties

Many adult day centers in metro Atlanta work with Medicaid waiver programs or veterans’ services, while others are private‑pay.

3. Child Care, After‑School Care, and Special Needs Support

If you’re looking for active care for children in Atlanta, you’ll typically consider:

• Licensed child care centers and family day care homes
• After‑school programs through schools, churches, and nonprofits
• Programs that support children with special health needs or developmental disabilities

Common offerings in Atlanta:

• Full‑day or part‑day care for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers
• Before‑ and after‑school programs linked to Atlanta Public Schools and surrounding districts
• Summer camps and school‑break programs
• Supportive environments with structured activities and supervision

For families of children with disabilities, certain programs coordinate with Georgia’s Medicaid programs and local school systems to provide additional supports.

4. Respite Care for Family Caregivers

Many Atlanta caregivers juggle work, family life, and caregiving. Respite care provides short‑term relief:

• A caregiver coming to the home for a few hours or days
• Temporary stays at assisted living or skilled nursing facilities
• Adult day care used as scheduled respite

In Atlanta, respite care can sometimes be accessed through:

• State aging and disability programs
• Veterans’ services
• Certain Medicaid waiver programs

Key Public and Nonprofit Resources for Active Care in Atlanta

If you’re unsure where to begin, several official agencies and nonprofits in the Atlanta area can guide you to appropriate care options.

Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) – Aging & Disability Resources

The Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) serves as the Area Agency on Aging for metro Atlanta and is a central hub for older adults and adults with disabilities.

What they can help with:

• Information on in‑home care, meals, caregiver support, and transportation
• Referrals to adult day centers and respite care
• Guidance on Medicaid waiver options and long‑term services

Contact (Aging & Disability Resource Connection):

• Phone: 404‑463‑3333
• Address (main office):
  Atlanta Regional Commission
  229 Peachtree Street NE, Suite 100
  Atlanta, GA 30303

Georgia Department of Human Services – Division of Aging Services

The Division of Aging Services (DAS) oversees many statewide programs that operate in Atlanta through local agencies.

They can connect you to:

• Community‑based care services (in‑home support, personal care, homemaker services)
• Caregiver support programs
• Adult protective services if abuse or neglect is suspected

Key statewide contact:

• Georgia Aging & Disability Resource Connection (ADRC): 1‑866‑552‑4464 (Option 2)

From Atlanta, this line can route you to local resources in Fulton, DeKalb, Cobb, Clayton, Gwinnett, and surrounding counties.

Georgia Department of Community Health – Medicaid & Waiver Programs

If you or your loved one may be eligible for Medicaid, certain waiver programs in Georgia can help pay for active care services at home or in the community rather than in a nursing home.

Common waiver programs used in metro Atlanta include:

• CCSP (Community Care Services Program) – helps older adults and adults with disabilities access in‑home and community services
• SOURCE (Service Options Using Resources in a Community Environment) – coordinates primary care and long‑term services for some adults with disabilities
• NOW/COMP waivers – for individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities

General Medicaid contact (DCH):

• Member Services: 1‑866‑211‑0950

Applications are generally initiated through the Division of Family & Children Services (DFCS).

Georgia Division of Family & Children Services (DFCS) – Medicaid & Child-Related Support

For many Atlanta families, DFCS is the entry point for:

• Medicaid (including children, pregnant women, adults with limited income)
• PeachCare for Kids®
• Some services related to child protection and support

Main contact for Fulton County DFCS (Atlanta area):

• Phone: 877‑423‑4746 (for benefits, including Medicaid applications)
• Local DFCS offices serve Atlanta residents based on address; staff can direct you to your nearest office.

Atlanta VA Health Care System – Support for Veterans

For veterans in Atlanta, the Atlanta VA Health Care System can coordinate various types of active care, including:

• Home‑ and community‑based services
• Adult day health care
• Respite care for caregivers

Atlanta VA Medical Center:

• Address:
  1670 Clairmont Road
  Decatur, GA 30033
• Main Phone: 404‑321‑6111

Veterans can ask about Home and Community Based Services and Caregiver Support Program options.

How to Choose Active Care Services in Atlanta

1. Clarify What Type of Help You Need

Before calling agencies or programs, write down:

• Who needs care (age, basic health situation)
• When care is needed (days of week, hours)
• Where care should happen (home, center, school, facility)
• What kind of support is most important:
  • Personal care (bathing, dressing)
  • Supervision and safety
  • Transportation
  • Social and activity‑based care
  • Overnight or round‑the‑clock support

This will help Atlanta‑area providers and agencies quickly direct you to the right options.

2. Determine How Care Will Be Paid For

In Atlanta, active care is typically funded through:

• Private pay (out‑of‑pocket)
• Long‑term care insurance
• Medicaid or Medicaid waivers (if eligible)
• Veterans’ benefits
• Limited state or nonprofit programs for respite or targeted support

If you are unsure about eligibility:

• Call the Atlanta Regional Commission (404‑463‑3333) for guidance on aging‑related and disability‑related supports.
• Contact DFCS (877‑423‑4746) to ask about Medicaid, especially for children, low‑income adults, and older adults.

3. Check Licensing and Oversight

Depending on the type of care:

• Child care centers and family day care homes in Atlanta are licensed and overseen by Bright from the Start: Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL).
• Adult day care centers, certain home health agencies, and personal care homes are regulated by the Georgia Department of Community Health.
• In‑home companion or non‑medical care agencies may be licensed differently from medical home health agencies; ask providers directly how they are regulated.

✅ Ask providers:

• Are you licensed or certified in Georgia? By which agency?
• Do your staff complete background checks and training?
• How do you handle emergencies or changes in condition?

4. Interview and Compare Providers

When you speak with agencies or visit centers in the Atlanta area, consider questions such as:

• Availability: Do they serve your neighborhood and have staff when you need them?
• Experience: Have they worked with similar needs (e.g., dementia, mobility limitations, special needs kids)?
• Staffing: Who actually provides the care (aides, nurses, therapists)?
• Communication: How will you receive updates? Is there a point person?
• Cost: What are the hourly or daily rates, and are there minimums, deposits, or extra fees?

It’s common for Atlanta families to start with a short trial period—for example, a few hours a week—before expanding services.

Quick Reference: Where to Start in Atlanta

Below is a simplified overview of who to contact first based on your situation.

Practical Tips for Using Active Care in Atlanta

• Plan around Atlanta traffic. If you rely on caregivers or day centers, build in extra travel time, especially along I‑285, I‑75/85, and GA‑400.
• Ask about backup coverage. Weather events, road closures, and large events (like those around Mercedes‑Benz Stadium or Georgia Tech) can disrupt schedules; know the provider’s backup plan.
• Consider proximity. For adult day care or child care, being close to home, work, or MARTA can reduce stress and missed time.
• Review regularly. Needs may change. Many Atlanta families schedule a care review every few months to adjust hours, services, or programs.

If you are in Atlanta and searching for “Active Care Atlanta,” your next step is usually to clarify your needs, then call a central local resource like the Atlanta Regional Commission or DFCS. From there, you can be connected to in‑home care, adult day programs, child care, respite services, or specialized supports that fit your situation within the Atlanta area.