Atlanta Georgia Home Care: Common Terms, How to pay for Home Care, Licensing and Questions to ask
Georgia Home Care (or In-home Care) is designed specifically for aging adults who only require some basic assistance at home. The focus of home care is to keep people healthy and safe. Home care caregivers assist in activities of daily living (ADLs). These in-home aides may assist with personal care and monitoring like they would receive in a long-term care community. All while they remain in the comfort of their own home.
Atlanta is an incredible location for those who are looking for Adult Care Homes in the area. The city is ranked seventh most metropolitan in the United States and Atlanta is ranked the second-best city to live in Georgia. This lush, bustling southern city is home to families, filmmakers, and young entrepreneurs. The city’s abundance of greenery and award-winning restaurants make it an ideal location for relocation. You will find resources for questions about assisted living agencies in this area that could accept state Medicaid, private payers, and long-term care insurance.
About Home care in Atlanta, Georgia
Home Care is also known as In-Home Care in Georgia In-Home Care is suited for seniors who may only require some basic assistance at home. Care plans can be customized for each individual. The home aides may support with activities of daily living (ADLs), which include medication reminders, assistance with bathing and eating. Home Care may be an excellent care option for family members if they must leave town or just need a break from caring for their loved one. The home care aides bring a sense of personalization, providing companionship and socialization, and a sense of connection.
In-Home Care is intended to primarily assist an individual with an (ADL) or in meeting a personal rather than a medical need. This does not include skilled care or specific therapy for an illness or injury. In-Home care is personal in nature, it does not require continuing attention or supervision from trained and licensed medical personnel. Some In-Home Care providers also provide separate services that either the Department does or does not regulate. An In-Home Care provider may also provide private duty nursing, which generally consists of skilled nursing care on a full-time, continuous, and long- term basis.
Considerations when looking for care in Atlanta
Atlanta is located in Fulton Country in Central Georgia. It is the most populous metropolitan area in the U.S. state of Georgia and the eighth-largest in the United States. Its economic, cultural, and demographic center is Atlanta, and its total population was 6,144,050, according to the 2021 U.S. census. This lush, bustling southern city is home to families, filmmakers, and young entrepreneurs as well as an ideal location when considering assisted living in the area.
Home Care Communities near Portland, OR
Seastar Senior Services
Portland, Oregon 97233
Visiting Angels Of Greater Portland
Lake Oswego, Oregon 97035
The Key – Greater Portland
Lake Oswego, Oregon 97035
Home Instead Portland
Portland, Oregon 97216
Fedelta Home Care
Tigard, Oregon 97223
Home Helpers Home Care Of Central Clark County
Vancouver, Washington 98684
A Place At Home – West Portand
Beaverton, Oregon 97005
A Place At Home – South Portland
Milwaukie, Oregon 97222
Eden Health
Vancouver, Washington 98686
Home Matters Caregiving
Beaverton, Oregon 97005
Cities Near Atlanta
- Buford, GA– 39 miles north of Atlanta. (Population: 15,189)
- Sandy Springs, GA – 15 miles north of Atlanta (Population: 100,000)
- Peachtree City, GA – 30 miles south of Atlanta (Population: 35,766)
- Decatur, GA – 5 miles north of Atlanta (Population: 25,732)
- Milton, GA – 30 miles north of Atlanta (Population: 39,217)
- Duluth, GA– 30 miles northeast of Atlanta (Population: 29,527)
What are the different Home care options?
The various care services and options
Personal Care Assistant
- Companionship as well as assistance with activities of daily living, (non-medical personal care) toileting, dressing, grooming, and bathing.
- They can help with grocery shopping and meal preparation.
- A personal care assistant can help with family difficulties. If a family caregiver must leave town or be away from the home overnight the caretaker can stay with the individual and monitor and assist as needed.
- If a spouse is too heavy, a personal assistant can be a great asset in helping the individual move without risk of injury.
- These care assistants cannot perform any medical care.
Companion Care
- These companions spend time with older adults. Providing companionship is especially relevant for people who live alone, or do not leave the house due to cognitive impairments or frailty.
- These companions are there to look after the person, keep a watchful eye, act as an extension of the person to help with mobility and general physic functions.
- They may drive the person to appointments, prepare light meals and snacks. They may even play games or read and listen to music together.
- Companion care is a great way to bring social interaction and assistance to a person who may otherwise spend long periods of time alone.
Pricing and How to pay for Home Care in Atlanta
The cost of home care in Atlanta is expected to be approximately $94 an hour. Typically, the minimum amount someone would require home care services is about 1-2 hours a day, 5-7 days a week.
How to pay for Home Care
Private Funds- YES:
- Many families pay for care with private funds.
- Private pay can be a combination of retirement funds, personal savings, and pension payments.
- Family members may contribute funds toward a loved one’s care.
Medicare – NO:
- Medicare does NOT pay for Assisted Living.
- People 65 years and older and individuals with end stage renal disease are eligible for Medicare benefits, no matter their income.
- Coverage is meant for people in need of short-term care.
Medicaid- MAYBE
Medicaid MAY cover home care for seniors who are eligible. Each state has its own Medicaid programs in place. As a result, eligibility and services fluctuate state to state. Funding may also be offered under the Home and Community Based Services Medicaid Waivers.
In-home personal care services (dressing, bathing, eating, etc.) are not federally mandated, and some states do not even regulate these agencies.
Long-term care insurance- MAYBE:
- The purpose of long-term care insurance is to cover senior care, which includes home care. Though, be aware that coverage varies depending on the insurance provider, the specific policy, and other factors.
- It is common that long-term care insurance will only start to cover care when the person with the policy requires assistance with two or more ADLs.
- As a result of the above, individuals who only need companion care may not be covered by their long-term care insurance.
- Typically, purchasing long-term care insurance is not an option if you are at the point where you already need care.
Veteran Aid and Assistance – MAYBE:
This benefit is available to some military veterans and surviving spouses who live in an assisted living community and those who have in-home care.
- There are specific guidelines, but a veteran may qualify for as much as $2,050 each month.
- A veteran with a sick spouse may be eligible for $1,600 per month.
- If a veteran has passed, their surviving spouse can qualify for $1,300 per month.
Private Pay
- Many families pay for care with private funds.
- Family members may contribute funds toward the care of a loved one.
- Private pay may be a combination of personal savings, retirement funds, or pension payments.
Local hospital and healthcare providers in Atlanta, GA
UAB Hospital1364 Clifton Rd, Atlanta, GA 30322Phone: (404)-712-2000
Emory St. Joseph’s Hospital5665 Peachtree Dunwoody Rd, Atlanta, GA 30322 Phone: (678)-843-7001
Northside Hospital Atlanta 1000 Johnson Ferry Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30322Phone:(404)-851-8000
Piedmont Atlanta Hospital
1968 Peachtree Rd , Atlanta, GA 30322
Phone: (404)-605-5000
Resources and Links – Georgia
Georgia DHS Division of Aging Services – The Georgia Department of Human Services’ (DHS) Division of Aging Services (DAS) supports the larger goals of DHS by assisting older individuals, at-risk adults, persons with disabilities, their families, and caregivers to achieve safe, healthy, independent, and self-reliant lives.
Georgia Adult Protective Services – APS provides protection from exploitation abuse or neglect for individuals, 18 years and older with a disability and 65 and older regardless of a disability, living in the community who, because of physical or mental limitations, are unable to act in their best interest.
Georgia SHIP – Help Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries sort through the complexities of Medicare and related-health insurance concerns.
Georgia Senior Legal Aid – Statewide legal services program for seniors sixty and over. Attorneys provide advice, brief services and referrals.
Capitol Ombudsman Program – A principal function of the Ombudsman Program is to investigate and work to resolve complaints made by or on behalf of long-term care residents.
Eldercare Locator This is a great resource to search for specific care in specific counties and cities. This database is a nationwide resource that connects older Americans and their caregivers with trustworthy local support resources. Connect with services such as meals, home care or transportation, or a caregiver education or respite from caregiving responsibilities. The Eldercare Locator is a public service of the Administration on Aging (AoA), an agency of the U.S. Administration for Community Living.
Medicare provides a search feature to find & compare providers near you, most senior housing and care providers are included on CareAvailability.com. Find & compare plans in your area. Determine if you qualify for premium savings
Medicaid offers information on how to apply for Medicaid, eligibility criteria, links to local state offices, and additional resources
The Alzheimer’s Association is the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer’s care, support, and research. Whether you are living with Alzheimer’s or caring for someone with the disease, information and resources are available.
Questions and inquiries about home care
Agency Information
- Is the agency RN operated?
- Is the agency a franchise or locally owned and operated?
- Is the agency licensed by WA State Department of Health?
- Is the agency licensed for both home care and home health?
- Does the agency have liability insurance?
- Can the agency respond to you 24/7?
Caregiver Information
- Are employees licensed, bonded & insured? Or are they independent contractors?
- Does the agency test skills, conduct behavioral interviews and verify caregiver credentials?
- Are caregivers required to have current certifications for First Aid, CPR, and TB?
- Are caregivers provided continuing education/training?
- Can authorized individuals monitor care and make requests online in real time?
- Does the agency offer caregiver replacement when the “fit” may not be right?
Documentation and Supervision
- Does an RN/MSW/Care Manager conduct a free home care assessment?
- Does an RN/MSW/Care Manager create a home care plan?
- Does an RN/MSW/Care Manager supervise the caregivers?
- Do caregivers receive client orientation before arriving at a client’s home?
Policies and Cost
- Can services be cancelled with a 4-hour notification?
- Does the agency offer flexible scheduling, custom care plans, and a continuum of care?
- Does the agency have weekly or monthly minimums?
- What is the hourly minimum per shift?
- Does the agency offer home care discounts?
- What is the required deposit?
- Will the agency accept long-term care insurance?
Search other areas for Home Care
Not finding what you’re looking for? Take a look below.
