Atlanta, Georgia Memory Care: Search Near You, How To Pay, Licensing, Local Resources, and Questions To Ask

Atlanta is an incredible location for those who are looking for memory care 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. The city’s abundance of greenery and award-winning restaurants make it an ideal location for relocation. As a result, this lush, bustling southern city is home to families, filmmakers, and young entrepreneurs. 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 Service in Atlanta, GA

In-home care for someone with physical or cognitive care needs can be difficult or simply not cost-effective. Memory care facilities do a wonderful job of filling that need. are non–medical facilities that provide room, meals, housekeeping, supervision, storage and distribution of medication, and personal care assistance with basic activities like hygiene, dressing, eating, bathing, and transferring.  RCFEs serve persons 60 years of age and older. This level of care and supervision is for people who are unable to live by themselves but who do not need 24-hour nursing care. RCFEs are considered non-medical facilities and are not required to have nurses, certified nursing assistants, or doctors on staff. In addition to providing care to residents, many RCFEs offer a full range of social, emotional, physical, and even spiritual services to their residents. Having a robust life enrichment program may be of great value to some.

Considerations when looking for Memory Care In Atlanta, GA

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, and according to the 2021 U.S. census. As a result, this lush, bustling southern city is home to families, filmmakers, and young entrepreneurs but, serves well as an ideal location when considering memory care in the area.

Cities Near Atlanta, GA

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)

How much does Memory Care cost in Atlanta Georgia?

The average cost of memory care in Georgia is $4,036 per month. This is higher than the national average which is $2,958 per month. As a result, there is a large benefit of memory care that you can request only the hours of care that you desire or need. This may lower a person’s cost of care greatly as long as minimums are met. Hours can vary from as little as 1 hour all the way up to 24-hour care, depending on the level of acuity/care needs. There are many local resources in Atlanta that can provide different types of service.

How to pay for Memory 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.

Private pay – YES:

• Many families pay for assisted living with private funds.
• Private pay can be a combination of retirement funds, personal savings, and pension payments.
• Family members may contribute funds to pay for assisted living or other senior housing and care.

Medicaid – MAYBE:

• Medicaid provides health coverage to millions of Americans. Eligible participants include: low-income adults, elderly adults and people with disabilities.
• Medicaid is administered by state, according to federal requirements. The program is funded jointly by each state and the federal government.
• Every state has their own individual Medicaid assistance program.
• National guidelines are in place do decipher how states must spend Medicaid money, but with allowances toward the guidelines.
• The state determines what levels of care will be covered by Medicaid, who is eligible, and how much the state will reimburse the care community.
• If you are unsure whether you qualify for Medicaid, you should apply. You may be eligible depending on your household income, family size, age, disability and other factors.

Long-term Care Insurance – MAYBE:

Long term care insurance is a great way to pay for assisted living, and planning ahead is important when considering how to pay for senior housing and care. Nearly 75% of people over the age of 65 will require long-term care and services at some point. Buying into long-term care insurance when a person is in their 50s and 60s is the most common time to do so.

• Long-term care insurance helps cover the costs of chronic medical conditions.
• Individuals and couples with the ability to pay into long-term care insurance have the advantage of a head start in allocating funds for senior 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.

Local Hospitals and Health p\providers in Atlanta, GA

UAB Hospital

1364 Clifton Rd, Atlanta, GA 30322

Phone: (404)-712-2000

Emory St. Joseph’s Hospital

5665 Peachtree Dunwoody Rd, Atlanta, GA 30322

Phone: (678)-843-7001

Northside Hospital Atlanta

1000 Johnson Ferry Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30322

Phone:(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 to Ask

Finding an assisted living community, can be overwhelming. Here are some tips on things to be observant of: