Atlanta Elderly Care: Local Options, Costs, and How to Get Help

Finding the right elderly care in Atlanta can feel overwhelming, especially if you are juggling work, family, and the needs of an aging parent or loved one. Atlanta offers many options—from in-home care in Buckhead or Decatur to assisted living in the suburbs and resources through Fulton County and the State of Georgia.

This guide walks you through how elderly care works in Atlanta, what types of services are available, typical costs, and where to go for trustworthy local help.

Understanding Elderly Care in Atlanta

“Elderly care” in Atlanta covers a wide range of support for older adults, including:

• In-home care (help with daily tasks, companionship)
• Home health care (skilled nursing, therapy ordered by a doctor)
• Adult day care / adult day health services
• Assisted living & personal care homes
• Memory care for dementia or Alzheimer’s
• Nursing homes / skilled nursing facilities
• Respite care (short-term breaks for family caregivers)

The right option depends on:

• How independently your loved one can live
• Health and mobility needs
• Budget and insurance coverage
• Preferred neighborhood or part of metro Atlanta
• Whether family members are nearby and able to help

Major Types of Elderly Care in Atlanta

In-Home Elderly Care

In-home care is popular in Atlanta neighborhoods like Midtown, Sandy Springs, College Park, and East Atlanta, where families want parents to stay in familiar surroundings.

Common services:

• Help with bathing, dressing, toileting
• Light housekeeping and laundry
• Meal preparation and grocery assistance
• Medication reminders (non-clinical)
• Transportation to appointments at Grady, Emory, Piedmont, or local clinics
• Companionship and safety check-ins

Care can range from a few hours a week to 24/7 support. Some families combine in-home care with adult day care or help from relatives.

Who this fits best:

• Seniors who can still live at home but need some help
• Families who want to delay or avoid facility-based care
• People who want to stay near their Atlanta neighborhood, church, or community center

Home Health Care (Medical In-Home Services)

Home health care is medical, usually ordered by a physician after a hospital stay or change in health status.

Services might include:

• Skilled nursing (wound care, injections, monitoring)
• Physical, occupational, or speech therapy
• Medical social worker support
• Teaching family caregivers how to manage medical needs at home

This care is often covered by Medicare or other insurance when eligibility requirements are met. It is different from non-medical in-home care, which is usually private pay.

Adult Day Care and Adult Day Health in Atlanta

Adult day programs in Atlanta provide supervised daytime care, allowing seniors to socialize while giving caregivers time for work, errands, or rest.

Typical features:

• Open weekdays (sometimes Saturdays)
• Structured activities, games, and social interaction
• Meals and snacks
• Assistance with personal care
• Some locations offer health monitoring or therapy

These centers may be especially helpful for:

• Seniors with mild to moderate dementia who should not stay home alone
• Caregivers who work full-time or need daytime respite
• Families wanting to maintain their loved one at home longer

Assisted Living & Personal Care Homes

In Georgia, many communities known casually as “assisted living” are licensed as Assisted Living Communities or Personal Care Homes. Metro Atlanta has many options, from large communities in Sandy Springs, Dunwoody, and Alpharetta to smaller homes in residential neighborhoods.

Services often include:

• Private or semi-private apartments or rooms
• 24-hour staff on-site
• Help with bathing, dressing, and medications
• Meals, housekeeping, and laundry
• Transportation to appointments and outings
• Activities, exercise, and social events

Who this fits best:

• Seniors who don’t need 24/7 medical care but can’t live alone safely
• People wanting a social environment instead of being isolated at home
• Families who live out of town or can’t provide daily support

Memory Care in Atlanta

Memory care units or communities support those with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia.

Common features:

• Secure environment to prevent wandering
• Staff trained in dementia care and behavior management
• Simplified routines and structured daily schedules
• Small-group activities tailored to cognitive abilities
• Family education and support

Atlanta has memory care options in many areas, including Buckhead, Decatur, Marietta, and Peachtree Corners. Some are stand-alone communities; others are specialized wings inside assisted living or nursing homes.

Nursing Homes / Skilled Nursing Facilities

Nursing homes offer 24-hour medical care and supervision. In Atlanta, these are used for:

• Short-term rehabilitation after surgery, stroke, or serious illness
• Long-term care when daily medical oversight is required

Services may include:

• Skilled nursing around the clock
• Medication management and complex care
• Physical, occupational, and speech therapy
• Social services and activity programs

Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurance may help cover certain types of nursing home stays, depending on eligibility and medical need.

Respite Care for Family Caregivers

Many Atlanta families care for aging parents at home and need occasional breaks. Respite care can be arranged as:

• A short stay (a few days to a few weeks) in a facility
• Temporary in-home care
• Adult day care for certain days of the week

Respite can be crucial for caregiver health, especially if you are balancing a job in the city, commuting, and family responsibilities.

Typical Elderly Care Costs in Atlanta

Costs vary widely based on location, level of care, and provider. In Atlanta:

• In-home care is usually billed by the hour with minimum shifts.
• Assisted living / personal care homes typically charge a monthly fee, which may increase with additional care needs.
• Memory care often costs more than standard assisted living due to staff training and security.
• Nursing homes are generally the most expensive, but some stays may be partially covered by Medicare or Medicaid.

Keep in mind:

• Prices tend to be higher in areas like Buckhead and Midtown and may be somewhat lower farther from the city center.
• Many communities charge a base rate plus extra fees for higher levels of assistance.
• Some providers ask for a community fee or deposit at move-in.

Because rates change over time, it is best to call facilities directly or speak with a local resource center to get current cost ranges.

Paying for Elderly Care in Atlanta

Families in Atlanta often combine several funding sources:

• Private pay (savings, pensions, retirement accounts)
• Long-term care insurance (if the policy covers the needed care type)
• Medicare (for short-term, medically necessary skilled care)
• Medicaid (for eligible low-income seniors; may help with nursing homes and some home and community-based services)
• Veterans’ benefits (for eligible veterans and surviving spouses)
• Local and state programs that offer limited in-home support, meals, or respite

For Medicaid-related questions, residents often start with the Georgia Department of Human Services, Division of Family & Children Services (DFCS) or the Aging and Disability Resource Connection.

Key Atlanta-Area Resources for Elderly Care

Here are some official and widely used starting points for families in the Atlanta area.

Atlanta Regional Commission – Aging & Independence Services

The Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) serves older adults and caregivers in the 10-county metro Atlanta region, including Fulton and DeKalb.

What they help with:

• Information on home-delivered meals, transportation, and in-home services
• Caregiver support and respite options
• Help understanding Medicaid waiver programs and community resources
• Assistance finding local providers

ARC Aging & Independence Services (Area Agency on Aging)
229 Peachtree Street NE, Suite 100
Atlanta, GA 30303
Phone: (404) 463-3333 (Ask for Aging & Independence Services)

Callers can get free information and referrals tailored to their ZIP code and needs.

Georgia Aging and Disability Resource Connection (ADRC)

The ADRC is a statewide “no wrong door” entry point for aging and disability services.

What they offer:

• Guidance on long-term care options
• Help navigating Medicaid and state programs
• Referrals to local in-home care, respite, and caregiver support

Metro Atlanta calls are often routed through the ARC or local Area Agency on Aging.
Central ADRC Number: 1-866-552-4464 (follow prompts for aging services)

Fulton County Senior Services (If You Live in the City of Atlanta/Fulton County)

If your loved one lives in Atlanta within Fulton County, Fulton County Senior Services may offer:

• Senior centers with meals and activities
• Limited in-home services for eligible older adults
• Transportation to senior centers and some appointments
• Caregiver support programs

Fulton County Department of Senior Services – Central Office
137 Peachtree Street SW
Atlanta, GA 30303
Information & Assistance Line: (404) 613-6000

DeKalb County Office of Aging (For East Atlanta / Decatur Area)

For seniors living in East Atlanta, Decatur, or other parts of DeKalb County, the county’s aging services can be a key contact for:

• Senior centers and congregate meals
• Limited in-home services for eligible residents
• Outreach and caregiver support

DeKalb County Office of Aging / DeKalb Community Services Board Connections
Phone (general aging info often via ADRC route): 1-866-552-4464
Ask to be connected to DeKalb County aging services.

Georgia Department of Human Services – Division of Aging Services

The Division of Aging Services (DAS) oversees many programs for older adults statewide.

What they can help with:

• Adult protective services reporting
• Statewide elder care program information
• Connections to local Area Agencies on Aging

Georgia Department of Human Services – Division of Aging Services
Two Peachtree Street NW, 33rd Floor
Atlanta, GA 30303
Main Number (DHS): (404) 657-5258
ADRC/Aging Services: 1-866-552-4464

Choosing the Right Type of Care in Atlanta

When deciding among Atlanta elderly care options, it can help to match needs, budget, and lifestyle:

Practical Steps to Start in Atlanta

1. Clarify your loved one’s needs.
   List what they can and cannot do safely alone (bathing, cooking, walking, managing medications).

2. Talk with their doctor.
   Ask if they recommend home health care, therapy, or a higher level of supervision.

3. Call a local resource hub.
   Start with one of these:

   • Atlanta Regional Commission Aging & Independence Services: (404) 463-3333
   • Georgia ADRC: 1-866-552-4464
   • Fulton County Senior Services: (404) 613-6000 (if in Fulton)

4. Gather financial information.
   Note income sources, insurance, long-term care policies, and whether they might qualify for Medicaid or local assistance.

5. Tour or interview care providers.
   If considering assisted living, memory care, or adult day programs around Atlanta, schedule visits. For in-home care, ask agencies:

   • What services are included?
   • How are caregivers screened and supervised?
   • What is the hourly rate and minimum number of hours?

6. Involve your loved one.
   When possible, include them in the conversation—whether you are visiting a community in Decatur or interviewing an in-home caregiver for their home in Cascade, Old Fourth Ward, or Kirkwood.

Safety, Quality, and Oversight in Georgia

In Georgia:

• Assisted Living Communities and Personal Care Homes are licensed by the Georgia Department of Community Health (DCH).
• Nursing homes are also regulated by DCH and subject to inspections.
• Families can ask providers about:
  • Licensing status
  • Recent inspection history
  • Staff-to-resident ratios
  • Staff training, especially in dementia care

When you tour, pay attention to:

• Cleanliness and odors
• How staff interact with residents
• Whether residents appear engaged and comfortable
• How questions are answered about emergencies and medical issues

When You Need Help Right Away

If there is an immediate safety concern for an older adult in Atlanta—such as suspected abuse, neglect, or self-neglect—consider:

• Emergencies: Call 911 for life-threatening situations.
• Adult Protective Services (APS) in Georgia:
  Central Intake: 1-866-552-4464 (follow prompts for reporting abuse, neglect, or exploitation of older adults or adults with disabilities)

Atlanta offers a wide range of elderly care options, from modest in-home help to full-time specialized care. By using the local agencies and contacts above, you can better understand what is available in your part of the metro area, compare options, and find a safe, sustainable plan that works for your family.