Senior Living Options in Atlanta: A Local Guide to Senior Citizen Homes

Finding the right senior citizen home in Atlanta can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re balancing medical needs, budget, and location. Atlanta offers a wide range of senior living options—from independent retirement communities in Buckhead to assisted living and memory care communities in the suburbs.

This guide walks through the main types of senior homes in Atlanta, what they typically offer, costs to expect, and where to turn locally for help.

Types of Senior Citizen Homes in Atlanta

When people talk about “senior citizen homes,” they usually mean one of several types of housing and care:

• Independent Living Communities
• Assisted Living Communities
• Memory Care Communities
• Skilled Nursing Facilities (Nursing Homes)
• Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs)
• Senior Apartments & Affordable Senior Housing

Understanding these categories will help you narrow down what fits your situation in Atlanta.

Independent Living Communities in Atlanta

Best for: Seniors who are mostly independent and want a maintenance-free lifestyle with social activities.

In Atlanta, independent living communities are often found in:

• Buckhead and Brookhaven
• Sandy Springs and Dunwoody
• Decatur and East Atlanta areas
• South Fulton and College Park

Typical features:

• Private apartments or cottages (studio, 1BR, 2BR)
• Housekeeping, landscaping, and maintenance
• On-site dining or meal plans
• Transportation to local shopping, doctors, and activities
• Fitness centers, walking trails, and group classes
• Social events, clubs, and outings

Independent living in Atlanta is usually private pay (not covered by Medicare). Prices vary based on location and amenities. Communities in walkable, in-town neighborhoods usually cost more than those farther out.

Who it fits in Atlanta:

• Seniors who want to downsize from a house in neighborhoods like Cascade, East Lake, or Virginia-Highland.
• Retirees moving closer to children in metro Atlanta.
• Active seniors who want easy access to cultural amenities like the Fox Theatre, High Museum, or BeltLine.

Assisted Living in Atlanta

Best for: Seniors who need help with daily activities, but do not require 24/7 medical care.

Assisted living communities in and around Atlanta are licensed by the Georgia Department of Community Health. They typically support:

• Bathing, dressing, grooming
• Medication reminders/management
• Mobility assistance
• Meal preparation and dining
• Light housekeeping and laundry

Common locations around Atlanta:

• In-town: Midtown, Buckhead, West Midtown
• North metro: Sandy Springs, Roswell, Johns Creek
• East: Decatur, Stone Mountain
• South: Union City, Riverdale

You’ll often see a range of options—from large multi-story communities to smaller, home-like settings.

Regulation & Safety Note:
Georgia sets standards for staffing, care plans, and emergency procedures. Families in Atlanta often:

• Ask to review state inspection reports (via Georgia Department of Community Health)
• Visit at different times of day
• Talk with staff about fall prevention, emergencies, and care coordination with local hospitals such as Emory University Hospital, Piedmont Atlanta, or Grady Memorial Hospital

Assisted living is generally private pay, but some residents use long-term care insurance or certain Medicaid-related programs if they qualify.

Memory Care Communities in Atlanta

Best for: Seniors living with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia who need specialized support.

In Atlanta, memory care may be:

• A dedicated secure wing within an assisted living community, or
• A standalone memory care residence

Typical features:

• Secured entrances and exits to prevent wandering
• Specialized staff training in dementia care
• Structured daily routines and activities
• Support with all personal care needs
• Coordination with local neurologists and clinics

Families in Atlanta often look for memory care communities near major medical centers like:

• Emory Brain Health Center (Atlanta area)
• Grady Health System specialists
• Emory University Hospital Midtown

When touring, Atlantans often ask:

• How does the community handle behavioral changes or agitation?
• How are medical emergencies managed, and which hospitals do they use?
• What is the staff-to-resident ratio on nights and weekends?

Nursing Homes (Skilled Nursing Facilities) in Atlanta

Best for: Seniors who need 24-hour nursing care, rehabilitation, or long-term medical support.

Skilled nursing facilities in and around Atlanta may provide:

• Post-hospital rehabilitation (physical, occupational, or speech therapy)
• Long-term care for chronic medical conditions
• Wound care, IV therapy, and other skilled services
• Medication administration and nursing oversight

You’ll find facilities near major hospital systems throughout:

• Downtown and Midtown Atlanta
• Northside (Sandy Springs), Buckhead, and Dunwoody
• South Fulton, East Point, and Decatur

Many Atlanta residents use nursing homes:

• Short-term, after surgery or hospitalization, then transition back home or to assisted living.
• Long-term, for ongoing high-level care.

Some nursing homes accept Medicare (for short-term rehab) and Medicaid (for long-term care), depending on eligibility and bed availability.

Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs)

Best for: Seniors who want one community for multiple stages of aging.

A Continuing Care Retirement Community usually offers:

• Independent living
• Assisted living
• Memory care
• Skilled nursing care

All on one campus, allowing residents to move between levels of care as needs change.

In Atlanta and nearby suburbs, CCRCs are often located on larger campuses, sometimes near:

• Northside and Perimeter area
• Decatur and East Atlanta
• Suburban areas like Roswell or Peachtree City (within typical driving distance for Atlanta families)

CCRCs often require:

• An entrance fee (sometimes significant)
• Ongoing monthly fees

People in Atlanta like CCRCs because they provide long-term continuity and reduce the need to move between unrelated facilities.

Senior Apartments & Affordable Senior Housing in Atlanta

Not all seniors need or want on-site care. Many simply want age-restricted housing (usually 55+ or 62+) with lower maintenance and a sense of community.

Common forms in Atlanta:

• Senior apartment complexes (private apartments with shared community spaces)
• Affordable senior housing for lower-income residents
• Mixed-income developments with a portion of units reserved for seniors

These may be found across metro Atlanta, including:

• Downtown and Midtown
• Westside and Southwest Atlanta
• East Atlanta, Decatur, and Chamblee
• South Fulton and Clayton County

Some apartments are market-rate; others use income-based or subsidized rent. These do not typically include personal care, although some may coordinate with:

• Home health agencies
• Meals on Wheels Atlanta
• Local transportation services

Key Factors When Choosing a Senior Home in Atlanta

When touring senior citizen homes around Atlanta, families often focus on a few core factors.

1. Location & Access

Consider:

• Proximity to family in metro Atlanta (traffic and travel time on I‑285, I‑75/85, and GA‑400 can affect visits)
• Distance to hospitals and clinics (Emory, Piedmont, Grady, Northside, etc.)
• Access to MARTA buses, rail, or paratransit, if that matters for appointments or outings
• Nearby amenities: grocery stores, pharmacies, parks, and faith communities

2. Level of Care Needed

Be realistic about current and likely future needs:

• Is help needed mainly with meal prep and housekeeping, or also with bathing, mobility, and medications?
• Is cognitive decline or memory loss a concern?
• Are there complex medical conditions that may require nursing care or frequent hospital visits?

In Atlanta, families sometimes choose a more flexible option (like a CCRC or a community with both assisted living and memory care) to avoid relocating later.

3. Cost & Payment Options

Atlanta pricing varies widely by:

• Neighborhood (Buckhead vs. South Fulton vs. outer suburbs)
• Type of community and apartment size
• Level of care (independent vs. assisted vs. skilled nursing)

Payment sources may include:

• Personal savings and retirement income
• Long-term care insurance (if in place)
• Veterans’ benefits (for eligible veterans and spouses)
• Medicaid for certain nursing homes and community-based programs (eligibility required)

Because costs change, Atlanta families often:

• Get written fee schedules
• Ask for details about annual increases, care level changes, and what is included vs. extra

4. Culture, Community, and Daily Life

Pay attention to everyday life in the community:

• Are residents engaged in activities, or mainly in their rooms?
• Are there cultural, religious, or language communities that matter to your family?
• Are outings offered to local Atlanta attractions (parks, museums, festivals, churches, synagogues, mosques)?

Atlanta’s diversity means you can often find communities that reflect specific cultural or spiritual preferences; it may just take more targeted searching and touring.

Quick Comparison of Senior Housing Types in Atlanta

Important Atlanta Resources for Senior Housing Help

If you’re searching for senior citizen homes in Atlanta, these local organizations can help you understand options, costs, and eligibility.

Atlanta Regional Commission – Aging & Independence Services

The Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) coordinates many aging services for the metro region.

• What they help with:
  • Information on senior housing and long-term care options
  • In-home services and community-based support
  • Caregiver resources
• Phone: 404-463-3333 (ask for Aging & Independence Services)
• Address: 229 Peachtree Street NE, Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30303
  (located in downtown Atlanta)

Georgia Division of Aging Services (DAS)

State-level agency overseeing many programs for older adults.

• What they help with:
  • Guidance on long-term care options, including nursing homes
  • Information on public programs such as Medicaid waivers
• Phone (Statewide): 1-866-552-4464 (Aging & Disability Resource Connection)
• Mailing Address: Georgia Division of Aging Services, 2 Peachtree Street NW, 33rd Floor, Atlanta, GA 30303

You can call from anywhere in Atlanta to be connected with local resources.

Fulton County & DeKalb County Senior Services

If you live within the City of Atlanta, your county department can often guide you to local senior housing and support.

Fulton County Senior Services

• Phone: 404-613-6000 (main Fulton County line; ask for Senior Services)
• Office (example location):
  Fulton County Government Center
  141 Pryor Street SW, Atlanta, GA 30303

DeKalb County Office of Aging

• Phone: 770-322-2950
• Office (example location):
  30 Warren Street SE, Atlanta, GA 30317

These departments can provide:

• Local resource lists
• Information on Meals on Wheels, transportation, and in-home help
• Guidance for lower-income seniors seeking affordable housing

Georgia Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program

The Long-Term Care Ombudsman helps residents of:

• Nursing homes
• Assisted living communities
• Personal care homes

with concerns or complaints about their care.

• Phone (Metro Atlanta Office): 404-627-1057 (often serving the Atlanta area)
• Mailing Address (State Office):
  Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman
  2 Peachtree Street NW, Suite 33-263, Atlanta, GA 30303

They can explain residents’ rights and help families understand what to expect from facilities.

How to Start Your Search in Atlanta

A practical way to begin:

1. Clarify needs and budget.
   List medical conditions, daily care needs, and a rough monthly budget range.

2. Choose target areas.
   Decide which Atlanta neighborhoods or suburbs are realistic, considering:

   • Where family lives
   • Traffic and commute patterns
   • Proximity to preferred hospitals or doctors

3. Call a local resource.
   Use the Atlanta Regional Commission (404-463-3333) or the Georgia Aging & Disability Resource Connection (1-866-552-4464) to get:

   • Lists of licensed communities
   • Information on financial assistance options

4. Tour several communities.
   Visit at least 2–4 places in different parts of metro Atlanta. Ask:

   • What is included in the base rate?
   • How are rate increases handled?
   • How do you communicate with families?

5. Review contracts carefully.
   If needed, ask a trusted advisor or attorney to review agreements, especially for CCRCs or communities with large deposits.

Tips Specific to Atlanta Families 📝

• Plan around traffic. When choosing a location, factor in real-world driving times on I‑20, I‑75, I‑85, I‑285, and GA‑400, especially if family will visit often.
• Consider MARTA access. For seniors who still ride transit or use paratransit services, being near a MARTA rail station or frequent bus route can be helpful.
• Think about weather. Atlanta’s hot, humid summers make indoor activities and air conditioning critical. Ask communities how they handle heat waves and weather emergencies.
• Ask about hospital partnerships. Many Atlanta senior homes have preferred relationships with Emory, Piedmont, Grady, or Northside. Knowing this can help coordinate ongoing care.

Choosing a senior citizen home in Atlanta is a major decision, but local resources and a wide range of options make it possible to find a setting that matches your needs, budget, and preferred part of the metro area. Starting with clear priorities, visiting multiple communities, and using Atlanta’s public aging services can make the process more manageable and informed.