Personal Care Homes in Atlanta, GA: How They Work and How to Choose One

If you’re searching for personal care homes in Atlanta, GA, you’re usually looking for a small, residential setting where an adult can get help with daily activities—without the medical focus of a nursing home. In Georgia, and especially in the Atlanta area, understanding the terminology, rules, and options can save you time, money, and stress.

This guide breaks down how personal care homes work in Atlanta, who regulates them, what they typically cost, and how to choose one that fits your family’s needs.

What Is a Personal Care Home in Georgia?

In Georgia, a Personal Care Home (PCH) is a state-licensed residence that provides:

• Lodging
• Meals
• Supervision
• Help with activities of daily living (ADLs) such as bathing, dressing, eating, toileting, and moving around

These homes are usually smaller and more home-like than big assisted living communities. Many in the Atlanta area are located in single-family houses in residential neighborhoods.

Personal Care Home vs. Assisted Living Community

Georgia makes a distinction between Personal Care Homes and Assisted Living Communities:

• Personal Care Home
  • Typically smaller (often 2–24 residents)
  • Focus on help with daily activities and supervision
  • Limited nursing or medical services on-site
• Assisted Living Community
  • Usually larger buildings or campuses
  • May offer more structured activities, memory care units, and on-site nursing
  • Often includes more robust medical oversight

Both are licensed by the Georgia Department of Community Health (DCH), but they have different licensing categories and staffing expectations.

In Atlanta, you’ll see both types; many families choose a personal care home when they want a cozier setting or more individual attention.

Who Typically Lives in a Personal Care Home?

In Atlanta, personal care homes are commonly used by:

• Older adults who don’t need 24/7 medical care but can’t live safely alone
• Adults with mobility limitations who need help with transfers, bathing, or toileting
• Adults with mild cognitive impairment or early memory loss who need supervision
• Adults with disabilities who need support in a small, structured environment

Personal care homes are not the same as nursing homes. They are not designed to provide:

• Complex wound care
• Ongoing skilled nursing services
• Intensive medical monitoring

When a person’s health needs become more medical than supportive, families in Atlanta often look at assisted living with nursing support or skilled nursing facilities instead.

How Personal Care Homes Are Regulated in Atlanta, GA

All personal care homes in Atlanta must be licensed by the State of Georgia.

Key regulator

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

DCH is responsible for:

• Licensing personal care homes and assisted living communities
• Conducting inspections and investigations
• Enforcing health and safety rules

You can contact DCH or visit their public resources to:

• Verify whether a personal care home in Atlanta is licensed
• Review recent inspection or survey findings
• Learn about complaint processes

Common Services Offered in Atlanta Personal Care Homes

While each home is different, most Atlanta personal care homes offer:

• Room and board
  • Private or shared bedrooms
  • Shared or private bathrooms (varies by home)
  • Housekeeping and laundry
• Personal care
  • Assistance with bathing, grooming, dressing
  • Help with toileting and continence care
  • Mobility assistance (getting in/out of bed or chairs)
• Meals
  • 2–3 daily meals plus snacks
  • Special diets may be offered (ask about this during tours)
• Supervision and safety
  • Staff presence day and night
  • Medication reminders or assistance as permitted by state rules
  • Basic safety monitoring (falls, wandering, emergencies)
• Social and recreational activities
  • Group TV, music, or games
  • Light exercise or walks, if appropriate
  • Informal social visits with other residents and family

Some Atlanta homes go further, offering:

• Transportation to nearby medical appointments (for example, to offices around Emory, Northside, Piedmont, or Grady)
• Scheduled outings to local shops, parks, or community centers

Always confirm what is included in the base rate and what is billed as an extra service.

What Does a Personal Care Home Cost in Atlanta?

Costs in Atlanta, GA vary based on:

• Location (city of Atlanta vs. suburbs like Decatur, Sandy Springs, College Park)
• Room type (private vs. shared)
• Level of assistance needed
• Amenities and staffing levels

Many families in Atlanta find that personal care homes:

• Can cost somewhat less than large assisted living communities
• But are usually more expensive than in-home care for just a few hours a day

What usually affects pricing?

• Care level: More help with ADLs generally means higher monthly fees.
• Medical complexity: If the home can manage more complex needs (within PCH limits), it may charge more.
• Room choice: Private rooms usually cost more than semi-private rooms.
• Extra services: Transportation, special diet preparation, or extra supervision may have added charges.

Because pricing changes over time, it’s best to call several Atlanta personal care homes directly and compare:

• Base rate
• What’s included vs. extra
• Payment schedules and deposit requirements

Paying for a Personal Care Home in Atlanta

Personal care homes are usually paid for out of pocket (private pay). However, Atlanta residents sometimes combine multiple sources:

• Personal savings or retirement income
• Long-term care insurance (if the policy covers personal care homes)
• Family contributions
• Veterans’ benefits (for eligible veterans and spouses, through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs – ask about Aid and Attendance)

Medicaid and Medicare considerations

• Medicare generally does not pay for room and board in a personal care home.
• In Georgia, Medicaid does not typically cover the residential cost of personal care homes the way it might cover nursing home care. Some waivers may help with certain home- and community-based services, but availability and rules can be strict and change over time.

For up-to-date guidance, Atlanta residents can contact:

Georgia Division of Aging Services – Aging & Disability Resource Connection (ADRC)
Phone: 1-866-552-4464 (option 2)

The ADRC can help you understand which programs, waivers, or benefits might apply in the Atlanta area.

How to Find Licensed Personal Care Homes in Atlanta

Because licensing and availability change, using official or widely recognized directories is helpful.

Useful starting points:

• Georgia Department of Community Health (DCH) – maintains lists or search tools for licensed personal care homes and assisted living communities across Georgia, including Atlanta.
• Fulton County and neighboring counties (DeKalb, Cobb, Clayton, Gwinnett) – local aging agencies often maintain resource lists for senior living and long-term care.

You can also call local offices for guidance:

Fulton County Office of Aging
141 Pryor Street SW, Suite 5001
Atlanta, GA 30303
Phone: 404-613-6000

They can connect you with agencies and resources that help identify licensed homes in the city and surrounding areas.

Key Things to Ask When Touring Personal Care Homes in Atlanta

When you schedule tours around Atlanta—whether in neighborhoods like Buckhead, Southwest Atlanta, East Atlanta, College Park, Decatur, or Sandy Springs—go in with a question list.

Questions about licensing and staffing

• Are you a state-licensed Personal Care Home?
• What is your license capacity (how many residents)?
• How many staff members are on duty during the day? Overnight?
• What training do caregivers receive, especially for:
  • Dementia or memory issues
  • Mobility and fall prevention
  • Medication assistance

Questions about resident care

• What specific help will you provide with bathing, dressing, toileting, and mobility?
• How do you handle changes in care needs over time?
• If a resident’s health declines, can they stay, or would they have to move?

Questions about medical and emergency procedures

• How are medications managed?
• Which hospitals do you typically use in an emergency?
  (Many Atlanta homes may mention nearby hospitals such as Grady Memorial Hospital, Emory University Hospital, Piedmont Atlanta Hospital, or Northside Hospital Atlanta.)
• How do you communicate with families in emergencies?

Questions about daily life and environment

• What does a typical day look like for residents?
• Are there set visiting hours, or is family welcome at flexible times?
• How do you handle meals and special diets (diabetes, low-sodium, allergies)?
• Are there outings or on-site activities?

Questions about costs and contracts

• What is the monthly rate, and what does it include?
• What services are extra, and how are they billed?
• Is there a security deposit or move-in fee?
• Can I see a sample contract or residency agreement before deciding?

📝 Tip: In Atlanta’s tighter housing markets, some homes may have waitlists. Ask about current availability and estimated wait times.

What to Look For When You Visit

As you tour different Atlanta personal care homes, pay attention not just to what staff tell you, but to what you see and sense.

Environment and cleanliness

• Are common areas and bedrooms clean, uncluttered, and well-maintained?
• Are hallways and bathrooms easy to navigate for someone using a walker or wheelchair?
• Is there working air conditioning and heating appropriate for Atlanta’s weather?

Safety features

• Handrails, grab bars, and non-slip floors
• Smoke detectors and fire safety measures
• Clear emergency exits

Residents and staff interactions

• Do residents appear calm, engaged, and reasonably content?
• Do staff speak to residents respectfully and patiently?
• Are staff visible, or do they seem hard to find?

Location considerations in Atlanta

Think about how the home’s location fits your life:

• Is it close enough for frequent visits from family?
• How far is it from the resident’s doctors or preferred hospitals?
• Is it in an area your loved one is familiar with, such as near:
  • Midtown or Downtown (near MARTA access and major hospitals)
  • Decatur or East Atlanta (more residential, community-focused areas)
  • South Atlanta or College Park (closer to Hartsfield-Jackson and southside families)

When a Personal Care Home May Not Be the Right Fit

A personal care home in Atlanta may not be appropriate if the person:

• Needs 24/7 skilled nursing or complex medical care
• Has severe, unmanaged behavioral health issues that create safety risks
• Requires specialized memory care due to advanced dementia
• Needs extensive medical equipment or therapies

In those cases, Atlanta families often consider:

• Assisted living communities with higher-level services
• Memory care units dedicated to dementia and Alzheimer’s care
• Skilled nursing facilities (nursing homes) for intensive medical needs
• In-home care with visiting nurses or aides, if staying at home is possible

Talking with the person’s primary care provider or care team can help you decide which type of setting is safest and most appropriate.

Helpful Atlanta Resources for Care Planning

If you’re just starting to explore personal care homes in Atlanta, GA, these resources can help with information, referrals, and guidance:

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

Georgia Division of Aging Services – Aging & Disability Resource Connection (ADRC)
Statewide Toll-Free: 1-866-552-4464 (option 2)

Fulton County Office of Aging
141 Pryor Street SW, Suite 5001
Atlanta, GA 30303
Phone: 404-613-6000

Atlanta Regional Commission – Aging & Independence Services (serving the broader metro Atlanta region)
229 Peachtree Street NE, Suite 100
Atlanta, GA 30303
Phone: 404-463-3100

These agencies can help you:

• Understand the long-term care options available in Atlanta
• Get a list of licensed personal care homes and assisted living communities
• Learn about financial assistance programs, where available
• Find caregiver support and planning resources

Quick Comparison: Personal Care Homes vs. Other Options in Atlanta

Choosing a personal care home in Atlanta, GA involves balancing care needs, budget, location, and personal preference. By focusing on licensed providers, asking detailed questions, and using local resources, you can narrow down options that offer safety, support, and a comfortable daily life for your loved one in the Atlanta area.