Memory Care in Columbus, Georgia: Search Near You, How to Pay, Licensing, Local Resources, and Questions to Ask
Memory care in Columbus, Georgia, offers specialized support for individuals living with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia, providing a secure environment tailored to their unique needs. Although Georgia ranks 41st in the nation for assisted living, Columbus’s memory care communities are dedicated to delivering compassionate, person-centered care that enhances the quality of life for residents. These facilities prioritize safety, comfort, and dignity, ensuring that seniors receive the attentive care they deserve.
Some are available for private pay, and others for Medicaid-paid residents. Memory Care provides protective oversight, personal services, social care needed because of impaired capacity to live independently, and regular supervision on a 24-hour basis.
Memory Care Communities near Columbus, Georgia
About Memory Care in Columbus, GA
Memory care unit means the specialized unit of an assisted living community or personal care home that either presents itself as providing memory care services or provides personal services in secured surroundings to persons with diagnoses of probable Alzheimer’s disease or other dementia. Memory care services means the additional watchful oversight systems, program, activities, and devices that are required for residents who have cognitive deficits that may impact memory, language, thinking, reasoning, or impulse control, and which place the residents at risk of eloping (i.e., engaging in unsafe wandering activities outside the home).
Memory care units in both settings must provide activities appropriate to the needs of the individual residents and adapt the activities, as-necessary, to encourage resident participation in the following at least weekly, with at least some therapeutic activities occurring daily:
- Gross motor activities, such as exercise, dancing, gardening, cooking.
- Self-care activities, such as dressing, personal hygiene, grooming.
- Social activities, such as games, music.
- Sensory enhancement activities, such as distinguishing pictures and picture books, reminiscing, and scent and tactile stimulation.
Considerations when looking for Senior housing in Columbus, GA
The estimated population of Columbus, Georgia is 201,877 with 14.1% of that number being those ages 65 and older. In Columbus, the summers are long, hot, and muggy; the winters are short, cold, and wet; and it is partly cloudy year round. Over the course of the year, the temperature typically varies from 38°F to 91°F and is rarely below 25°F or above 97°F.
Cities near Columbus, GA
- Phenix City, AL – 1 mile west
- Smiths Station, AL – 10 miles west
- Fort Benning, GA – 8 miles south
- Midland, GA – 9 miles northeast
- Upatoi, GA – 14 miles northeast
Pricing and How to Pay for Memory Care
Paying for senior care depends on several factors. On average, residents can expect to pay $4,122 per month for memory care services. These fees encompass personalized care, engaging activities, and comfortable accommodations, ensuring a fulfilling retirement experience. Keep in mind these costs may fluctuate depending on factors such as location and facility amenities.
You want to consider your payment options for assisted living, memory care, and care homes. For these services, Medicare is NOT an option for payment.
The most common payment for these services would be out of pocket Private Pay and assessing a combination of retirement funds, personal savings, and pension payments.
Medicaid can also be an option, be sure to see if you or a loved one qualifies.
Long-Term Care insurance is also a possible option in cases of chronic conditions, be sure to see if you or a loved one qualifies.
For our Veterans and spouses of veterans, be sure to assess Veteran Aid and your eligibility for these benefits.
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.
Questions to Ask
Finding an assisted living community can be overwhelming. Here are some tips on things to be observant of:
- Make sure the facility is clean and well maintained. You can tell a lot about the operation by noting what is clean and maintained. Are doorknobs loose or damaged? Do you see any frayed carpet or trip hazards?
- Visit during lunch hour to observe what the residents are eating. Ask questions about the nutrition program. Is there diversity in meals, healthy fruits and vegetables served at all meals, drink options?
- Speak to residents and/or family members to learn their perspective.
- Ask about staff and resident engagement. Get a feel for how staff interact with residents.
- Ask about the life enrichment programs. Activities are crucial when it comes to quality of life and play a key role in care for older adults.
- And finally (along with a plethora of more things to consider), get to know the leadership in the building. If you feel good around the Executive Director, Head Nurse, Lead Activities Director and even the Chef or Janitor, it is a good sign you can trust them with the care of your loved one.
Local Hospitals and Healthcare Providers in Columbus
Piedmont Columbus Regional Midtown
- Address: 710 Center St, Columbus, GA 31901
- Phone: (706) 571-1000
St. Francis-Emory Healthcare
- Address: 2122 Manchester Expy, Columbus, GA 31904
- Phone: (706) 596-4000
Piedmont Columbus Northside
- Address: 100 Frist Ct, Columbus, GA 31909
- Phone: (706) 494-2100
John B. Amos Cancer Center
- Address: 1831 5th Ave, Columbus, GA 31904
- Phone: (706) 320-8700
The Medical Center of Columbus
- Address: 710 Center St, Columbus, GA 31901
- Phone: (706) 571-1000
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.
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