Care in Atlanta: How to Find the Support, Services, and Resources You Need

Atlanta is a city with a wide range of care options—from health and mental health care, to childcare, elder care, disability support, and more. Whether you live in the city, are moving here, or are caring for a loved one from afar, understanding how care works in Atlanta can help you make better, faster decisions.

This guide walks through the major types of care available in Atlanta, key local resources, and practical tips for finding the right services for your situation.

Understanding “Care” in Atlanta

When people search for “Care Atlanta,” they are often looking for one (or several) of the following:

• Health care (hospitals, clinics, urgent care, primary care)
• Mental health care (counseling, crisis support, psychiatry)
• Childcare and family support
• Elder care and senior services
• Disability services and supports
• Home care and caregiving help
• Emergency and crisis care

In Atlanta, many of these services are provided through a mix of major hospital systems, county and state agencies, nonprofit organizations, and private providers. Knowing where to start can save you time and stress.

Health Care in Atlanta

Major Hospital Systems and Medical Centers

Atlanta is home to several large, well-established health systems that provide everything from routine primary care to advanced specialty care.

Common options include:

• Grady Health System – A major public safety-net hospital serving the City of Atlanta and Fulton County.

  • Main Campus: 80 Jesse Hill Jr Dr SE, Atlanta, GA 30303
  • Known for: Emergency care, trauma, stroke, burn, and general medical services.

• Emory Healthcare – A large academic health system with multiple hospitals and outpatient clinics across metro Atlanta.

  • Example: Emory University Hospital, 1364 Clifton Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30322.

• Piedmont Healthcare – A regional health system with hospitals and clinics throughout the metro.

  • Example: Piedmont Atlanta Hospital, 1968 Peachtree Rd NW, Atlanta, GA 30309.

• Wellstar Health System – Serves metro Atlanta and surrounding counties with hospitals and urgent care locations.

These systems typically offer:

• Primary care (family medicine, internal medicine, pediatrics)
• Specialty clinics (cardiology, orthopedics, oncology, etc.)
• Urgent care for non-life-threatening needs
• Telehealth options for some visits

For non-emergency issues (e.g., minor injuries, cold/flu symptoms), many Atlanta residents use urgent care centers or walk-in clinics instead of hospital emergency rooms, especially to reduce wait times and costs.

Where to Start if You’re New to Atlanta

If you’re new to the area or do not yet have a doctor:

1. Choose a health system near where you live or work (Midtown, Downtown, Buckhead, Decatur, East Point, etc.).
2. Look for a primary care provider (PCP) within that system.
3. If you are uninsured or underinsured, consider:
   • Grady Health System
   • Federally qualified community health centers located in various neighborhoods
   • Fulton County and DeKalb County health departments for some basic services

Mental Health Care and Crisis Support

Everyday Mental Health Care

In Atlanta, you can find mental health care through:

• Private therapists and counselors in neighborhoods like Midtown, Virginia-Highland, Buckhead, and beyond
• Behavioral health clinics connected to major hospital systems
• Community mental health centers that serve people with limited income or insurance

Common services include:

• Individual, couples, and family counseling
• Psychiatric evaluations and medication management
• Group therapy and support groups

You can search by neighborhood, insurance, specialty (e.g., trauma, depression, anxiety), or age group (children, adolescents, adults).

Crisis and Emergency Mental Health Care

If someone is in immediate danger of harming themselves or others, or is experiencing a severe mental health crisis:

• Call 911 and clearly state it is a mental health emergency so that responders can consider appropriate resources.
• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (nationwide) is also available, and calls from Atlanta will be routed to local or regional support centers.

Locally, Georgia crisis services can connect people to evaluations, crisis stabilization, or follow-up care. Some hospitals, including Grady Memorial Hospital, have psychiatric emergency services or can evaluate and stabilize mental health emergencies.

Childcare and Family Care in Atlanta

Types of Childcare Available

In Atlanta, families use a mix of:

• Licensed childcare centers (full-day or part-day)
• In-home daycare providers
• Pre-K programs (including Georgia’s Pre-K Program)
• After-school programs and camps
• Nanny and babysitting services

The Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL) oversees licensing and quality ratings for childcare programs.

Key resource:

• Bright from the Start: Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning
  • 2 Martin Luther King Jr Dr SE, Suite 754, Atlanta, GA 30334
  • Provides licensing info, quality ratings, and online search tools for childcare programs.

Tips for Finding Childcare in Atlanta

• Start early, especially in high-demand areas like Midtown, Inman Park, Old Fourth Ward, Decatur, and Buckhead.
• Ask about:
  • Licensing and accreditation
  • Staff-to-child ratios
  • Hours, fees, and waitlists
  • Safety and security policies
• For financial assistance, look into:
  • State childcare subsidy programs (administered through DECAL and local agencies)
  • Head Start and Early Head Start programs in the metro area

Elder Care and Senior Services

As Atlanta’s population ages, there are many options for senior care, whether you’re supporting a parent in the city or planning for your own future.

Types of Senior Care in Atlanta

Common options include:

• Independent senior living communities
• Assisted living facilities
• Memory care units for dementia or Alzheimer’s
• Skilled nursing facilities (nursing homes)
• In-home care services (personal care aides, home health)
• Adult day care programs

Key Local Senior Resources

• Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) – Aging & Independence Services

  • 229 Peachtree St NE, Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30303
  • Serves as the Area Agency on Aging for the Atlanta region, connecting older adults and caregivers to:
    • Meals and nutrition programs
    • In-home support services
    • Caregiver support and respite options
    • Transportation resources

• Fulton County and DeKalb County Senior Services
  These county agencies operate senior centers, nutrition programs, and sometimes transportation and in-home supports for eligible residents.

When exploring elder care options, it’s common for families to:

1. Talk with the older adult about preferences (home vs facility, neighborhood, cultural or language needs).
2. Contact the ARC or county senior services for care navigation and referrals.
3. Visit multiple facilities or interview several home-care agencies before deciding.

Disability Services and Supports

Atlanta offers a range of resources for children and adults with disabilities.

Government and Community Support

Key organizations and offices include:

• Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency (GVRA) – Atlanta Area Office

  • 1700 Century Cir NE, Atlanta, GA 30345
  • Helps people with disabilities prepare for, find, and maintain employment.

• Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD) – State office in Atlanta coordinates services for intellectual and developmental disabilities and behavioral health across regions.

• City of Atlanta Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion / Disability affairs contacts

  • Located at Atlanta City Hall, 55 Trinity Ave SW, Atlanta, GA 30303
  • Offers information on accessibility, accommodations, and inclusive city services.

Common supports include:

• Help with independent living skills
• Employment and job coaching
• Assistive technology resources
• Transportation assistance and paratransit services (through MARTA Mobility for eligible riders)

Education and Youth Disability Services

For children and youth with disabilities:

• Atlanta Public Schools (APS) and nearby districts like DeKalb County Schools provide special education services and Individualized Education Programs (IEPs).
• Families usually work with the school system’s special education department to get evaluations and services in place.

Home Care, Caregivers, and In-Home Support

Many Atlanta families prefer to keep loved ones at home but need help with daily activities or medical needs.

Types of In-Home Care in Atlanta

Common options:

• Non-medical home care
  • Help with bathing, dressing, light housekeeping, errands, and companionship.
• Home health care
  • Skilled nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, or wound care in the home, typically ordered by a doctor.
• Respite care
  • Short-term relief for family caregivers, sometimes provided in the home or at a facility.

Home care agencies operate across the metro area, including Intown, Southwest Atlanta, Northwest Atlanta, and surrounding suburbs. Many people:

• Ask their primary care doctor, hospital discharge planner, or social worker for agency referrals.
• Check whether agencies accept Medicare, Medicaid, or private insurance, or if services are private pay.
• Contact the Atlanta Regional Commission (Aging & Independence Services) for information about in-home support programs for older adults, including low-cost or subsidized options for qualifying residents.

Emergency and Urgent Care in Atlanta

When to Use Emergency Rooms

Go to a hospital emergency room or call 911 for:

• Chest pain, difficulty breathing, or stroke symptoms
• Severe injuries or bleeding
• Sudden confusion, loss of consciousness, or severe allergic reactions
• Any situation that feels life-threatening

Major ER locations in and near Atlanta include:

• Grady Memorial Hospital – 80 Jesse Hill Jr Dr SE, Atlanta, GA 30303
• Emory University Hospital – 1364 Clifton Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30322
• Piedmont Atlanta Hospital – 1968 Peachtree Rd NW, Atlanta, GA 30309
• Several Wellstar hospitals around the metro area

When Urgent Care or Clinics Are Enough

Consider urgent care centers for:

• Minor fractures or sprains
• Ear infections, sore throats, simple cuts
• Mild to moderate asthma symptoms
• Flu-like illness that is not severe

Urgent care clinics are spread throughout Atlanta neighborhoods and suburbs, often open evenings and weekends. Some also offer walk-in COVID-19 or flu testing.

Helpful Atlanta Care Resources at a Glance

Below is a simplified overview of where to start depending on your care need in Atlanta:

Practical Tips for Navigating Care in Atlanta

A few Atlanta-specific pointers can make the process smoother:

• Account for traffic and transit. Travel times can be long, especially across town. When possible, choose care providers near your home, work, or along MARTA lines.
• Check hours carefully. Some clinics offer extended evening and weekend hours; others operate only during standard business times.
• Use social workers and care coordinators. Hospitals, senior agencies, and some clinics have staff who help patients find follow-up services, financial assistance, and community resources.
• Keep documents organized. In Atlanta, as elsewhere, you’ll often be asked for:
  • Photo ID
  • Insurance card, if you have one
  • List of medications
  • Prior medical or school records (for special education or disability services)
• Ask about sliding-scale or charity care. Safety-net providers in the city sometimes offer reduced fees based on income, especially for primary and mental health care.

If You’re Visiting or Moving to Atlanta

If you are visiting Atlanta:

• Identify the closest emergency department and urgent care to where you’re staying (Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, airport area, etc.).
• If you have ongoing medical needs, bring:
  • A summary from your home provider
  • Medication list and enough refills to cover your stay

If you are moving to Atlanta:

• Transfer medical records to a local primary care doctor and any needed specialists.
• If you have children, contact the school district in your neighborhood (such as Atlanta Public Schools or a neighboring district) about health forms, immunizations, and any special education services.

Getting the right care in Atlanta often starts with knowing which system or agency fits your situation and then taking a few clear steps: make a call, schedule an appointment, or connect with a local coordinator. With the city’s network of hospitals, public agencies, and community organizations, most residents and visitors can find care that matches their needs, budget, and neighborhood.