Respite Care in Atlanta: How to Find Short-Term Support for Caregivers

Caring for an aging parent, a child with special needs, or a spouse with a serious illness can be deeply meaningful—but also exhausting. Respite care in Atlanta gives caregivers a chance to rest, work, travel, or take care of their own health while making sure their loved one is safe and supported.

This guide explains how respite care works specifically in Atlanta and the surrounding metro area, what options are available, how to pay for it, and where to start your search.

What Is Respite Care?

Respite care is short-term care for someone who normally receives support from a family member or unpaid caregiver. It can last:

• A few hours
• A full day or overnight
• Several days or weeks

In Atlanta, respite care is commonly used for:

• Older adults (including those with dementia or mobility challenges)
• Adults or children with disabilities
• Individuals with chronic or serious illnesses
• People recovering from surgery who still need supervision

The goal is simple: give caregivers a break while keeping their loved ones safe, engaged, and cared for.

Main Types of Respite Care in Atlanta

1. In-Home Respite Care

A caregiver comes to your home in Atlanta so your loved one can stay in familiar surroundings.

Common services include:

• Companionship and supervision
• Help with bathing, dressing, toileting
• Meal preparation and light housekeeping
• Medication reminders (not prescribing or changing meds)
• Assistance with walking and transfers

In-home respite may be provided by:

• Non-medical home care agencies
• Skilled home health agencies (if nursing-level tasks are needed)
• Independent caregivers (often found through registries or referrals)

This is a popular option in neighborhoods across Atlanta, from Buckhead and Midtown to Decatur, East Point, and Southwest Atlanta, especially when the person receiving care has dementia or does not handle changes in environment well.

2. Adult Day Respite Programs

Adult day centers provide care during daytime hours, often Monday–Friday, in a group setting. These programs are common across Metro Atlanta and can be a good fit if your loved one:

• Can leave home with help or transportation
• Enjoys or could benefit from social interaction
• Needs supervision while you work or handle errands

Services often include:

• Structured activities (music, art, games, exercise)
• Meals and snacks
• Assistance with personal care
• Supervision and safety monitoring
• Sometimes health monitoring by nurses

Local examples of adult day-type services and resources (always call ahead to confirm services and eligibility):

• Fulton County Department of Senior Services – Adult Day Programs
  Central Office: 137 Peachtree St SW, Atlanta, GA 30303
  Phone: 404-613-6000
  (Fulton County partners with centers in various locations, including Atlanta.)

• City of Atlanta Mayor’s Office of Constituent Services (Senior Services referrals)
  City Hall, 55 Trinity Ave SW, Atlanta, GA 30303
  Main line: 404-330-6000
  (Can help connect residents to senior service providers in the city.)

• Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD) Region 3 Office (for adults with developmental disabilities)
  3000 Century Center, Suite 900, Atlanta, GA 30345
  Phone: 404-657-2252

Many local nonprofits and faith-based organizations in Atlanta also host senior day programs or social clubs that function as informal respite for a few hours at a time.

3. Residential / Facility-Based Respite Care

Here, your loved one stays overnight at a facility for a short time—commonly:

• Assisted living communities
• Memory care communities
• Nursing homes / skilled nursing facilities
• Group homes for people with disabilities

Facility-based respite can be useful if:

• You are traveling out of town
• Your loved one needs 24-hour supervision
• Your home is being renovated or is temporarily unsafe
• You need an extended break to recover from your own surgery or illness

Many assisted living and memory care communities in the Atlanta area (such as those in Sandy Springs, Dunwoody, College Park, and the Westside) offer short-term stays. Policies vary, so it’s important to ask:

• Minimum stay (e.g., 3 days, 7 days, 30 days)
• What is included (meals, activities, transportation)
• Whether they accept Medicaid or only private pay

4. Respite Care for Children and Adults with Disabilities

Families in Atlanta caring for children or adults with intellectual, developmental, or physical disabilities may have access to specialized respite programs.

Common supports in the Atlanta area include:

• In-home respite providers trained to work with people with specific needs
• Community-based programs (after-school, weekend, or summer programs)
• Overnight respite in group homes or licensed facilities

Key agencies and points of contact:

• Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD) – Region 3 (Metro Atlanta)
  3000 Century Center, Suite 900, Atlanta, GA 30345
  Phone: 404-657-2252

• Georgia Department of Community Health – Medicaid Waiver Programs
  2 Peachtree St NW, Atlanta, GA 30303
  Main Phone: 404-656-4507

• Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities
  2 Peachtree St NW, Suite 26-246, Atlanta, GA 30303
  Phone: 404-657-2126

These agencies can help explain whether your family member might qualify for a Medicaid waiver or other state-funded support that can cover or offset respite services.

Who Provides Respite Care in Atlanta?

Respite care providers in Atlanta include:

• Home care agencies (non-medical assistance)
• Home health agencies (nurses, therapists, plus aides)
• Adult day health centers and senior centers
• Assisted living, memory care, and nursing homes
• Nonprofits and faith-based organizations
• Private caregivers hired directly by families

When contacting any provider, you can ask:

• “Do you offer short-term or respite care?”
• “Do you provide care in the home, at your center, or overnight stays?”
• “What neighborhoods in Atlanta do you serve?”

How to Pay for Respite Care in Atlanta

Payment can be confusing. What’s covered in Atlanta often depends on age, diagnosis, insurance, and income.

Common Ways Respite Is Paid For

• Private pay (out-of-pocket)
  Many in-home and facility-based respite services are paid directly by the family.

• Medicaid (Georgia)
  Medicaid in Georgia may cover some respite services, especially through waiver programs for people who qualify (such as the NOW/COMP waivers for people with developmental disabilities or other long-term care waivers for older adults or those with significant medical needs).

• Medicare
  Medicare may cover short-term respite care in very specific situations, such as when a person is receiving hospice services and meets certain criteria. Coverage is limited and usually facility-based.

• Veterans’ benefits
  Eligible veterans in Atlanta may access respite through the Atlanta VA Health Care System.

  • Atlanta VA Medical Center
    1670 Clairmont Rd, Decatur, GA 30033
    Phone: 404-321-6111

• Nonprofits and charitable programs
  Some Atlanta-based organizations provide free or low-cost respite hours to qualifying families, particularly those caring for individuals with disabilities or serious illnesses.

Quick Comparison: Common Respite Options in Atlanta

Always confirm coverage directly with the provider and your insurance/benefit program.

Local Government & Resource Hubs in Atlanta

Several Atlanta-area government offices and agencies can help you navigate respite options, especially if you are not sure where to begin.

Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) – Aging & Disability Resource Connection

The ARC serves as a major hub for older adults and people with disabilities across Metro Atlanta.

• Atlanta Regional Commission – Aging & Independence Services
  229 Peachtree St NE, Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30303
  Aging & Disability Resource Connection (ADRC) line: 866-552-4464 (option 2)

They can:

• Explain local respite options
• Screen for eligibility for state or county programs
• Refer you to vetted providers and programs

Fulton County Department of Senior Services

If you live in the City of Atlanta portion of Fulton County, this department is central for senior-related services.

• Fulton County Department of Senior Services
  Central Office: 137 Peachtree St SW, Atlanta, GA 30303
  Main line: 404-613-6000

Services and referrals may include:

• Adult day programs
• Home-delivered meals
• Case management
• Transportation and caregiver support resources

Dekalb, Cobb, Gwinnett, and Clayton Counties

Many Atlanta residents live in surrounding counties but still identify as “Atlanta.” Each county’s senior services department can provide county-specific respite and caregiver program information:

• DeKalb County Office of Senior Affairs
  30 Warren St SE, Decatur, GA 30030
  Phone: 404-371-2000

• Cobb County Senior Services
  1150 Powder Springs St, Suite 100, Marietta, GA 30064
  Phone: 770-528-5364

• Gwinnett Senior Services
  75 Langley Dr, Lawrenceville, GA 30046
  Phone: 678-377-4150

• Clayton County Senior Services
  877 Battle Creek Rd, Jonesboro, GA 30236
  Phone: 770-472-8040

These offices are helpful if you live in areas such as East Atlanta near the DeKalb line, South Atlanta near Clayton County, or the Northwest side close to Cobb County.

Finding Respite Care in Your Atlanta Neighborhood

When you start searching for respite care in Atlanta, it helps to narrow by location, type of care, and budget.

Steps to Get Started

1. Clarify your needs

   • Do you need a few hours a week, full-day care, or overnight stays?
   • Does your loved one need help with personal care, or mainly supervision and companionship?
   • Is there a dementia or medical condition that requires specific experience?

2. Decide on setting

   • Prefer in-home respite (someone comes to you)
   • Comfortable with adult day programs (drop-off/pick-up)
   • Need overnight or multi-day stays

3. Use local resource lines

   • Call the ADRC at 866-552-4464 (option 2) to ask for Atlanta-specific respite options.
   • Contact your county senior services or DBHDD Region 3 if disability services are needed.

4. Shortlist providers

   • Ask for providers that serve your zip code (for example, 30308 in Midtown, 30331 in Southwest Atlanta, or 30318 in Westside).
   • Prioritize those with explicit respite or short-stay programs.

5. Interview providers Ask:

   • What respite services do you offer?
   • What are your minimum and maximum stay or visit lengths?
   • How do you train and screen your staff?
   • Are you licensed by the state, and if so, in what category?
   • What are your base rates and any extra fees?

What to Look for in an Atlanta Respite Provider

When you’re evaluating respite options in metro Atlanta, consider:

• Licensing and oversight

  • In Georgia, many facilities and agencies are overseen by the Georgia Department of Community Health.
    Address: 2 Peachtree St NW, Atlanta, GA 30303
    Main phone: 404-656-4507

• Staffing and training

  • Ask about training for dementia, mobility assistance, behavioral needs, or medical fragility if relevant.

• Location and access

  • Consider traffic patterns and distance from your home. For example, traveling from Southwest Atlanta to Northeast Atlanta during peak hours may significantly increase commute time.

• Emergency planning

  • Ask how the provider handles medical emergencies, weather events, or transportation issues common in Atlanta (like sudden storms or highway closures).

• Cultural fit

  • Atlanta is diverse. Many families look for providers who understand their loved one’s language, cultural background, or religious observances.

Questions to Ask Before Booking Respite Care

Use this checklist when you talk with potential providers in Atlanta:

• What kind of respite do you offer (in-home, day, overnight)?
• What is your service area in or around Atlanta?
• What is the cost, and how is it billed (hourly, daily, weekly)?
• Do you accept Medicaid, Medicare, veterans’ benefits, or waivers?
• What is the minimum number of hours or days I must book?
• How do you handle transportation (to/from adult day programs, for example)?
• Can you accommodate special diets, mobility equipment, or behavior needs?
• How do you communicate with caregivers during the respite period?

Tips for Making Respite Care Work Smoothly

A little preparation can make respite care in Atlanta more comfortable for everyone.

• 📝 Create a simple care sheet
  Include:

  • Daily routine
  • Important phone numbers
  • Allergies and medical conditions
  • Likes/dislikes (music, TV, foods, conversation topics)

• 🕒 Start small if needed
  Try a few hours with an in-home provider or an adult day visit before scheduling longer stays, especially if your loved one is anxious about new people or places.

• 🚗 Plan around Atlanta traffic
  If using adult day programs or facility-based respite, plan drop-off and pickup times to avoid the heaviest rush hour when possible.

• 🧩 Stay flexible
  It may take a couple of tries to find the right fit. Atlanta has a broad mix of providers, so if one arrangement doesn’t work, there are often alternatives.

When Respite Care Might Be Especially Important

In Atlanta, many caregivers juggle work, commuting, and family responsibilities. Consider prioritizing respite if:

• You feel persistently exhausted, irritable, or overwhelmed
• You are missing your own medical appointments or neglecting your health
• Your loved one’s care needs have increased (for example, after a hospitalization)
• You have no backup support nearby in the city
• You need to travel or handle a major life event (moving, surgery, new baby, etc.)

Respite care is designed for these situations. Using it is a way to protect both your health and your loved one’s well-being.

By understanding how respite care works in Atlanta, what types of services exist, and which local agencies can guide you, you can choose support that fits your family’s needs and budget—whether you live in Downtown, the West End, Buckhead, East Atlanta, or the surrounding suburbs.