Home Care Agencies in Atlanta, GA: How to Find the Right Help at Home

If you or a loved one in Atlanta, Georgia needs help at home—whether after a hospital stay, while managing a chronic condition, or for ongoing support with daily tasks—home care agencies can be an important resource.

This guide explains how home care works in Atlanta, the different types of agencies, typical services and costs, how Georgia regulates these providers, and practical steps to find and choose the right fit.

What “Home Care” Means in Atlanta

In the Atlanta area, the term home care is often used broadly, but it actually includes several types of services:

• Skilled home health care – Medical services ordered by a doctor (nursing, therapy).
• Non-medical home care / personal care – Help with bathing, dressing, meals, and companionship.
• Specialized in-home support – Dementia care, respite care, post-surgery support, and similar services.

Understanding the difference is important because it affects who can provide the care, who pays for it, and which agencies you should contact.

Types of Home Care Agencies in Atlanta

1. Home Health Agencies (Medical Care)

These are licensed agencies that provide clinical services at home, usually after a hospitalization or when managing an illness. Services may include:

• Skilled nursing (wound care, injections, monitoring)
• Physical, occupational, or speech therapy
• Medical social work
• Some limited home health aide services

In Atlanta, these agencies must be licensed by the Georgia Department of Community Health (DCH). They usually require a physician’s order and may be covered by Medicare, Medicaid, or private insurance if you meet eligibility criteria.

You’ll commonly see them referred to as “home health agencies” rather than just “home care.”

2. Private Home Care Providers (Non-Medical Support)

These agencies focus on daily living and personal support, not medical procedures. Services typically include:

• Assistance with bathing, dressing, and grooming
• Help transferring (bed to chair), walking, or using the restroom
• Light housekeeping and laundry
• Meal preparation and grocery assistance
• Companionship and safety supervision
• Transportation to local appointments (e.g., Emory Midtown, Grady, VA Atlanta)

In Georgia, these providers are regulated as Private Home Care Providers and must be licensed if they provide personal care (hands-on help with activities like bathing or dressing) by trained caregivers.

Families in Atlanta often use these agencies when:

• A parent in Buckhead, Decatur, or Sandy Springs wants to age in place.
• A loved one with dementia in East Atlanta, Kirkwood, or West End needs supervision.
• A caregiver in South Fulton or College Park needs a break (respite care).

3. Registry / Referral Models

Some organizations in metro Atlanta operate more like registries, matching families with independent caregivers. In these arrangements:

• You may become the direct employer of the caregiver.
• You might handle payroll, taxes, and scheduling yourself.
• Costs can sometimes be lower, but responsibilities and risks are higher.

It’s important to clarify whether an organization is the actual employer of the caregiver (typical agency model) or simply arranging introductions (registry model).

Common Home Care Services in Atlanta

While each agency is different, many home care agencies in Atlanta offer similar categories of support:

Personal Care & Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)

• Bathing and shower assistance
• Dressing and grooming
• Toileting and incontinence care
• Help with eating/feeding
• Mobility assistance (transfers, walking, use of devices)

Household & Lifestyle Support

• Light housekeeping (dishes, tidying, linens)
• Laundry and changing bed linens
• Meal planning, cooking, and cleanup
• Grocery shopping and errands
• Pet care assistance (within agency rules)

Companionship & Safety

• Friendly conversation and engagement
• Accompanying to appointments (e.g., to doctors at Piedmont Atlanta or Emory)
• Supervision for people at risk of wandering or falls
• Medication reminders (not usually medication administration unless done by a nurse)

Specialized Services

Some Atlanta-area agencies may also offer:

• Dementia and Alzheimer’s care
• Post-hospital or post-surgical support (e.g., after a procedure at Northside Hospital)
• Respite care to give family caregivers a break
• Live-in or 24-hour care (with rotating caregivers)

Because offerings vary, it’s wise to ask each agency for a detailed service list.

How Home Care Is Regulated in Georgia

If you’re choosing a home care agency in Atlanta, it helps to know how the state oversees these services.

Licensing and Oversight

In Georgia, the Department of Community Health (DCH) oversees:

• Home Health Agencies (medical/skilled care)
• Private Home Care Providers (non-medical personal care and companion/sitter services)
• Hospice (for end-of-life care, which can also be provided at home)

DCH sets standards for:

• Staff qualifications and training
• Background checks
• Supervision and care planning
• Consumer rights and complaint processes

If an agency says it provides personal care in Atlanta, it typically needs to be a licensed Private Home Care Provider.

How to Check Licensing Status

You can verify that a home care agency is properly licensed by contacting or using resources from:

Georgia Department of Community Health – Healthcare Facility Regulation Division
2 Peachtree Street NW
Atlanta, GA 30303
Main Phone (central office): (404) 657-5700

You can ask:

• “Is this agency licensed as a Private Home Care Provider?”
• “Are there any restrictions or sanctions on this agency?”

Paying for Home Care in Atlanta

What you pay—and who pays—depends on the type of care, your insurance, and your financial situation.

1. Medicare

In general, Medicare:

• May cover home health care (skilled nursing, therapy) for eligible patients who are homebound and under a doctor’s care.
• Does not cover long-term non-medical home care like ongoing help with bathing, cooking, or companionship.

Medicare coverage is usually short-term and condition-specific, such as after a hospital stay at Grady or Emory.

2. Medicaid & Georgia Programs

If you qualify for Medicaid and live in Atlanta, you may have access to waiver programs that help pay for in-home support instead of nursing home care. These can include:

• Personal support services (help with ADLs)
• Homemaker services
• Respite care

To explore eligibility and options:

Georgia Division of Aging Services & Medicaid-related programs
Statewide information line (typically routed via): 1-866-552-4464 (Aging & Disability Resource Connection – ADRC)

You can ask to be connected to the ADRC serving Fulton, DeKalb, Cobb, or your county for local guidance.

3. Private Pay

Many Atlanta families pay for non-medical home care out of pocket, either entirely or to supplement limited coverage from other sources.

Costs typically depend on:

• Level of care (companion vs. hands-on personal care)
• Hours per day and days per week
• Whether it’s days, nights, weekends, or holidays
• Live-in vs. hourly care

Rates in metro Atlanta vary; agencies can provide a written rate sheet and estimate based on your situation.

4. Long-Term Care Insurance & Other Sources

Some Atlantans use:

• Long-term care insurance benefits for home care.
• Veterans’ benefits (for qualifying veterans and spouses) that can sometimes support in-home assistance.
• Community-based charities or faith-based groups for limited or supplemental help.

If you’re unsure, ask agencies if they assist with insurance billing or can help you understand your coverage.

Key Factors to Consider When Choosing an Atlanta Home Care Agency

When comparing home care agencies in Atlanta, focus on safety, reliability, and fit.

1. Licensing and Credentials

• Is the agency licensed by Georgia DCH as:
  • A Home Health Agency (for skilled care)?
  • A Private Home Care Provider (for personal care/companion care)?
• Are caregivers:
  • Background-checked and drug-screened?
  • Trained in CPR, first aid, and safe transfer techniques?
  • Supervised by a nurse or care manager?

2. Types of Services Offered

Make sure the agency’s services match your needs:

• Do they provide hands-on personal care, not just companionship?
• Can they support dementia or memory care if needed?
• Can they assist with transportation to local appointments (e.g., to VA Atlanta Healthcare, Piedmont, Grady)?

3. Coverage Area Across Metro Atlanta

Traffic and distance matter in Atlanta. Confirm whether they serve your exact area, for example:

• Inside the Perimeter (ITP): Midtown, Downtown, Inman Park, Old Fourth Ward, Grant Park, West End
• North Atlanta: Buckhead, Sandy Springs, Brookhaven, Dunwoody
• East / DeKalb: Decatur, Stone Mountain, Tucker
• South / Fulton & Clayton: College Park, East Point, Union City, Forest Park
• West / Cobb & Douglas: Smyrna, Marietta, Mableton, Douglasville

4. Scheduling Flexibility

Ask:

• What is the minimum number of hours per visit?
• Can they provide overnight or 24-hour care?
• How do they handle last-minute changes or caregiver illness?

5. Care Planning and Supervision

A solid Atlanta home care agency should:

• Do an in-home assessment (often led by a nurse or care coordinator).
• Create a written care plan tailored to your needs.
• Check in regularly and adjust the plan as your situation changes.

6. Communication and Backup Plans

Find out:

• Who is your main point of contact?
• Is there a 24/7 phone line for urgent needs?
• What happens if your regular caregiver is unavailable?

Good communication is especially important if family members live in different parts of Atlanta or out of state.

Helpful Atlanta-Based Resources for Home Care Decisions

Several local organizations can help you understand your options, screen agencies, or find financial assistance.

Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) – Aging & Independence Services

Serves older adults and caregivers in metro Atlanta with information about:

• In-home services
• Caregiver support
• Transportation and meal programs

Atlanta Regional Commission – Aging & Independence Services
229 Peachtree Street NE, Suite 100
Atlanta, GA 30303
Main Phone: (404) 463-3100
Aging & Disability Resource Connection (ADRC): 1-866-552-4464

You can ask for guidance on home care options in your specific county.

Georgia Division of Aging Services – Statewide Information

Provides information on:

• Home and community-based services
• Caregiver support programs
• Elder rights and protections

General Information (often via ADRC line): 1-866-552-4464

Georgia Department of Community Health – Healthcare Facility Regulation

For checking licensure, complaints, or regulatory questions about a home care agency:

Healthcare Facility Regulation Division
Georgia Department of Community Health
2 Peachtree Street NW
Atlanta, GA 30303
Main: (404) 657-5700

Simple Comparison: Home Health vs. Private Home Care in Atlanta

Many Atlanta families use both at different times—home health for medical needs, and private home care for ongoing daily support.

Step-by-Step: How to Start Home Care in Atlanta

If you’re ready to explore home care services in Atlanta, this sequence can help:

1. Clarify needs.

   • Medical (nursing, therapy)?
   • Non-medical (bathing, cooking, safety)?
   • Both?

2. Talk with your doctor or discharge planner.

   • If you’re leaving an Atlanta hospital or rehab facility, ask if you qualify for home health services and which agencies they often work with.

3. Contact the ADRC for your area.

   • Call 1-866-552-4464 and request help identifying home care resources and potential financial support around Atlanta.

4. Make a short list of agencies.

   • Focus on those that are licensed, serve your neighborhood, and provide the specific services you need.

5. Call agencies with prepared questions.

   • Licensing and caregiver screening
   • Rates and minimum hours
   • Scheduling, backup coverage, and supervision
   • Experience with your particular condition or situation

6. Schedule in-home assessments.

   • Meet the care coordinator, discuss needs, and review proposed care plans and costs in writing.

7. Review and decide.

   • Consider responsiveness, clarity, and how comfortable you feel with their approach.
   • Involve other family members or trusted advisors if possible.

8. Start with a trial period.

   • Begin with a few shifts or weeks and evaluate how well the arrangement works.
   • Give feedback to the agency and request adjustments as needed.

Home care agencies in Atlanta, GA can provide flexible, in-home support that helps older adults and people with health challenges remain safely and comfortably in their communities—from Downtown and Midtown to Decatur, Sandy Springs, College Park, and beyond. By understanding the types of agencies, how Georgia regulates them, and the local resources available, you can make a more confident and informed decision about care at home.