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

Finding the right elderly care in Atlanta can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re juggling work, family, and the needs of an aging parent or loved one. Atlanta has a wide range of services—from in-home help to nursing homes and memory care—but knowing where to start (and who to call) is crucial.

This guide walks you through the main types of senior care available in Atlanta, Georgia, how they typically work, what they cost, and which local agencies and offices can help you navigate the system.

The Main Types of Elderly Care in Atlanta

Most elderly care options in Atlanta fall into a few major categories:

• In-home care and support
• Adult day care programs
• Independent and assisted living communities
• Memory care (for dementia/Alzheimer’s)
• Skilled nursing facilities (nursing homes)
• Hospice and palliative care

Each option fits different needs and budgets. Many Atlanta families end up using a combination over time as needs change.

In-Home Elderly Care in Atlanta

In-home care allows older adults to stay in familiar surroundings while receiving help with:

• Bathing, dressing, grooming
• Meal preparation and light housekeeping
• Medication reminders (not medication decisions or prescribing)
• Transportation to appointments
• Companionship and safety supervision

In Atlanta, in-home care is typically provided by:

• Private home care agencies (non-medical)
• Home health agencies (skilled nursing, physical therapy, etc., usually with a doctor’s order)
• Independent caregivers hired directly by families

What to know locally:

• Many metro Atlanta agencies serve Fulton, DeKalb, Cobb, Clayton, and Gwinnett counties.
• Travel times can be long because of traffic; when interviewing agencies, ask how they handle late arrivals or coverage issues on Atlanta’s busy roads.
• Some services are available through state-funded programs (see the Atlanta Regional Commission below) if your loved one meets certain income or care-need requirements.

Adult Day Care in Atlanta

Adult day programs can be a lifeline for caregivers who work or need daytime respite. These centers provide:

• Supervised care during the day
• Social activities and exercise
• Meals and snacks
• Sometimes health monitoring and specialized memory-care programming

Typical schedules in Atlanta:

• Weekdays, often 7:30 or 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 or 6:00 p.m.
• Some centers offer transportation within defined service areas.

These are commonly used by families living in neighborhoods like East Point, Decatur, College Park, Buckhead, Midtown, and Southwest Atlanta who want their loved one home at night but engaged and safe during the day.

Independent & Assisted Living in Atlanta

Independent living is designed for seniors who can live on their own but want:

• A more social, maintenance-free environment
• Meal options
• Activities and transportation

Assisted living adds support with:

• Personal care (bathing, dressing, toileting)
• Medication management
• 24-hour staff on-site

In Atlanta, you’ll find these communities:

• Inside the city (e.g., Buckhead, Midtown, Old Fourth Ward)
• In nearby suburbs (Sandy Springs, Dunwoody, Marietta, Decatur, Smyrna, Peachtree Corners)

Local tips:

• Buildings in denser areas like Buckhead or Midtown may have limited green space but easier access to hospitals and cultural activities.
• Communities in areas like Alpharetta, Marietta, or Fayetteville may offer more campus-style settings with larger grounds.
• Georgia uses the term “assisted living community” and “personal care home” for licensed facilities with different levels and sizes; both can serve older adults needing daily help.

Memory Care in Atlanta

Memory care is a more secure, structured environment for people living with:

• Alzheimer’s disease
• Other forms of dementia
• Serious memory and safety issues

Standalone memory care communities and specialized wings inside assisted living or nursing homes are common across metro Atlanta.

You’ll want to look for:

• Secure units to prevent wandering
• Dementia-specific activities
• Staff trained to manage behavioral and communication challenges
• Easy access to local hospitals (e.g., near Emory, Grady, Piedmont, or Northside)

Skilled Nursing Facilities (Nursing Homes)

Skilled nursing facilities in Atlanta provide:

• 24/7 nursing care
• Rehabilitation (physical, occupational, or speech therapy)
• Long-term care for serious medical needs

Typical uses in Atlanta:

• Short-term rehab after a hospital stay at Grady Memorial, Emory University Hospital, Piedmont Atlanta Hospital, or Northside Hospital Atlanta
• Long-term placement for seniors with complex medical conditions who cannot be safely cared for at home or in assisted living

Hospice and Palliative Care in Atlanta

Hospice and palliative care focus on:

• Comfort
• Symptom management
• Emotional and spiritual support

These services are available:

• At home throughout the Atlanta metro area
• In some assisted living or nursing home settings
• In dedicated inpatient hospice units

Many families in Atlanta involve hospice when a loved one is no longer seeking aggressive medical treatment and wants to prioritize comfort.

Quick Comparison: Elderly Care Options in Atlanta

How Much Does Elderly Care Cost in Atlanta?

Costs vary based on:

• Level of care needed
• Type of setting
• Exact location (in-town vs. suburbs)
• Private pay vs. insurance or assistance

General patterns in metro Atlanta:

• In-home care: Typically charged by the hour; minimum shifts (often 3–4 hours) are common.
• Adult day care: Usually a daily rate, with extra fees for transportation or special services.
• Assisted living and memory care: Generally monthly, with base rates plus extra fees based on care needs.
• Nursing homes: Often billed per day, with part of the cost sometimes covered short-term by Medicare after a qualifying hospital stay.
• Hospice: Often covered by Medicare and many private insurers when someone meets eligibility criteria.

Because pricing can change and depends heavily on the situation, families usually call several local providers to compare.

Paying for Elderly Care in Atlanta

Atlanta families typically piece together payments from several sources:

• Private pay (savings, income, family contributions)
• Medicare – may cover:
  • Home health (skilled care with a doctor’s order)
  • Short-term rehab in a skilled nursing facility after certain hospital stays
  • Hospice for eligible individuals
• Medicaid (Georgia Medicaid) – may help cover:
  • Long-term nursing home care for those who qualify
  • Certain waiver programs that support care at home or in the community
• Long-term care insurance – if your loved one has a policy
• Veterans’ benefits – some veterans and spouses in Atlanta may qualify for caregiving-related assistance

For detailed help with Medicare, Medicaid, and benefits in Atlanta, a well-used resource is the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) – Aging & Independence Services.

Key Local Resource: Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC)

The ARC is a central hub for aging services in the Atlanta area.

Atlanta Regional Commission – Aging & Independence Services
Phone: (404) 463-3333 (Aging & Disability Resource Connection)
Primary office (as of current public listings):
229 Peachtree Street NE, Suite 100
Atlanta, GA 30303

Through ARC, older adults and caregivers in metro Atlanta can:

• Get information and referrals for:
  • Home-delivered meals
  • Transportation
  • In-home services
  • Caregiver support programs
• Explore state-funded programs that might offset some care costs
• Get help understanding Medicare options, including local counseling

ARC serves Atlanta and surrounding counties, including Fulton, DeKalb, Cobb, Clayton, Gwinnett, Rockdale, Henry, Fayette, and Cherokee for aging-related support.

Fulton County & City of Atlanta Resources

If your loved one lives within the City of Atlanta or Fulton County, local government departments can also be useful:

Fulton County Senior Services

Fulton County Department of Senior Services
Main office (commonly referenced):
137 Peachtree Street SW
Atlanta, GA 30303
General information line: (404) 613-6000

Fulton County Senior Services typically offers or coordinates:

• Senior centers across Atlanta and North Fulton
• Congregate meals and some home-delivered meals
• Transportation to senior centers and certain appointments
• Caregiver support and case management for eligible residents

These services are generally focused on older adults who live in Fulton County, including many Atlanta neighborhoods.

Finding and Evaluating Elderly Care Providers in Atlanta

When searching for care in Atlanta, it helps to structure your process:

1. Clarify Needs and Location

Start with:

• What help is needed daily? (bathing, meals, mobility, memory support)
• Preferred location:
  • Close to you (e.g., Midtown, West End, Kirkwood, Sandy Springs)
  • Near a specific hospital or medical group (e.g., Emory, Grady, Piedmont, Northside)
  • Near a particular family member for support
• Transportation needs:
  • Access to MARTA (rail and bus)
  • Paratransit or senior transportation services

2. Use Local Directories and Referral Services

You can:

• Call ARC (404-463-3333) to ask for lists of:
  • Home care agencies
  • Adult day centers
  • Assisted living and memory care communities
  • Nursing homes
• Reach out to Fulton County Senior Services if your loved one lives in Fulton County.

These organizations can provide non-promotional, broad listings so you can compare options yourself.

3. Ask Smart Questions When You Tour or Interview

Atlanta-specific questions to consider:

• Coverage area and travel:
  • “How do you handle staff commuting across Atlanta traffic?”
  • “Are there additional mileage or travel fees?”
• Hospital relationships:
  • “Which hospitals or rehab centers do you commonly work with in Atlanta?”
• Staffing and training:
  • “What is your typical caregiver-to-resident ratio?”
  • “How do you train staff for dementia care or behavioral challenges?”
• Emergency planning (relevant given local severe weather and traffic):
  • “What is your plan for severe storms, power outages, or citywide emergencies?”

Transportation & Mobility Support for Seniors in Atlanta

Limited transportation is a major barrier for older adults. In Atlanta, options may include:

• MARTA reduced-fare programs for eligible seniors
• MARTA Mobility (paratransit) for qualified individuals with disabilities within 3/4 mile of MARTA routes
• Transportation coordinated through:
  • Senior centers in Fulton, DeKalb, Cobb, and other counties
  • Some adult day centers and assisted living communities

If transportation is a concern, ask each care provider:

• “Do you provide transportation to medical appointments?”
• “Is transportation included in the rate or billed separately?”
• “What areas of Atlanta do you serve?”

Support for Family Caregivers in Atlanta

Caring for an older adult in Atlanta can be demanding, especially when balancing traffic, work, and family. Local supports often include:

• Caregiver support groups (sometimes hosted by:
  • Hospitals like Emory, Piedmont, and Grady
  • Faith communities and neighborhood organizations
• Respite care:
  • Short-term stays in assisted living or nursing homes
  • In-home caregivers for a few hours or days at a time
  • Adult day programs
• Educational workshops on:
  • Dementia care
  • Legal and financial planning
  • Home safety and fall prevention

To locate caregiver supports:

• Call Atlanta Regional Commission (404-463-3333) and ask about:
  • Caregiver support programs
  • Respite options in your area of metro Atlanta

Legal and Safety Considerations in Georgia

When arranging elderly care in Atlanta, it’s important to:

• Understand Georgia licensing:
  • Assisted living communities and personal care homes must be licensed by the state.
  • You can ask facilities how to verify their license status.
• Review contracts carefully:
  • Ask about rate increases, included services, and discharge/termination policies.
• Consider powers of attorney and advance directives:
  • Many Atlanta families consult a local elder law or estate planning attorney to prepare these documents.
• Watch for financial or elder abuse:
  • If you suspect abuse, neglect, or exploitation of a senior in Atlanta or elsewhere in Georgia, you can contact:
    • Adult Protective Services (Georgia) – via the Georgia Department of Human Services
      Statewide reporting line (commonly listed): 1-866-552-4464 (option for reporting)

Step-by-Step: Getting Started with Elderly Care in Atlanta

If you’re not sure where to begin, a simple sequence can help:

1. Write down your loved one’s daily challenges
   Mobility, memory, bathing, meals, medication, safety, loneliness.

2. Decide on preferred locations
   For example, “within 20–30 minutes of Grant Park and near Grady/Emory Midtown,” or “near Sandy Springs for easier family visits.”

3. Call a central resource

   • Atlanta Regional Commission – Aging & Disability Resource Connection at (404) 463-3333
     Ask for:
     • Information on in-home care, adult day care, or assisted living in your specific ZIP code
     • Any programs that might help with costs

4. Contact 3–5 providers

   • In-home agencies, adult day centers, or communities that meet your location and care level needs.
   • Ask about availability, pricing structure, and wait lists (some Atlanta-area communities have them).

5. Schedule visits or assessments

   • Tour facilities in person if possible.
   • For in-home care, request an in-home assessment.

6. Compare options with family

   • Look at care quality, location, cost, and gut feeling.
   • Factor in Atlanta realities like commute time and traffic for visitors and caregivers.

7. Start with a trial period if you can

   • Many services in Atlanta allow:
     • Part-time in-home care to start
     • A few days per week at an adult day program
     • Short-term respite stays in some communities

This approach helps you adjust without making an immediate long-term commitment.

Elderly care in Atlanta is a broad landscape, but you do not have to navigate it blindly. By focusing on your loved one’s specific needs, thinking carefully about location within the metro area, and using central resources like the Atlanta Regional Commission and Fulton County Senior Services, you can narrow down options and find support that fits your family and your part of the city.