Serving All Metro Atlanta Counties since 2008

Contact Us

Understanding Senior Living Options in Georgia

Comparing Independent Living, Assisted Living, Memory Care, Nursing Homes, Personal Care Homes, and In-Home Care

When a loved one starts to need extra help, families are often faced with tough choices. Should you consider assisted living? Is memory care the right fit? Could home care be more affordable? And what about personal care homes – an option many families don’t know exists?

Here’s a quick guide to the main options available in Georgia – what they provide, what they cost, and examples of when each might be the right fit.

Independent Living

What it is:

Independent living is for active seniors who don’t need daily assistance but want freedom from chores, maintenance, and isolation.

Georgia Costs:

  • $3,000–$4,000/month


When to know it’s time:

  • Your loved one is safe and independent but lonely at home.
  • Daily tasks like cooking, cleaning, or yardwork feel like a burden.
  • They want more social opportunities and activities.


What to Ask:

  • Is pricing all-inclusive, or are meals and activities billed separately?
  • What’s included in the monthly rent (utilities, housekeeping, internet)?
  • Can outside caregivers be brought in if needs increase? Or do you have an Assisted Living Facility to move into?

Assisted Living

What it is:

Provides help with daily activities like bathing, dressing, meals, and medication reminders while encouraging independence.

Georgia Costs:

  • Statewide median: $4,940/month
  • Metro Atlanta: $3,880–$4,620/month


Hidden fees:

    • Level-of-care charges as needs increase
    • Medication management fees
    • Transportation outside regular routes
  • Move-in/community fee (avg. $2,500)


When to know it’s time:

  • Your loved one needs help with bathing, meals, or medications.
  • They’re increasingly unsafe living alone (falls, missed meds, poor nutrition).
  • Family caregiving is becoming stressful or difficult to manage.


What to Ask:

  • Is the monthly rate flat, or do you pay separately for each service?
  • How often do care plans get reassessed, and how are rate increases handled?
  • Is there a licensed nurse on-site at all times, or only on call?
  • What is the staff-to-resident ratio during the day and overnight?
  • What happens if my family member becomes bedbound?

Memory Care

What it is:

Specialized care for those living with dementia or Alzheimer’s. Facilities provide secure environments, structured routines, and trained caregivers.

Georgia Costs:

  • Statewide median: $4,914/month
  • Metro Atlanta: $4,510–$7,000/month


When to know it’s time:

  • Your loved one wanders, forgets to eat, or can’t manage medications safely.
  • They become anxious, disoriented, or confused in familiar settings.
  • You worry about safety when they are left alone, even briefly.


What to Ask:

  • How do costs change as dementia progresses?
  • What dementia-specific training does the staff receive?
  • What safety measures are in place to prevent wandering?
  • What is staff turnover like?

Nursing Homes (Skilled Nursing Facilities)

What it is:

For seniors requiring 24/7 medical care, complex treatment, or rehab after hospitalization.

Georgia Costs:

  • Semi-private: $8,821/month
  • Private: $9,429/month


When to know it’s time:

  • Your loved one has serious health conditions needing constant monitoring.
  • They require skilled nursing or rehabilitation after hospitalization.
  • Home care or assisted living can’t provide the level of medical oversight needed.


What to Ask:

  • Is a registered nurse always on duty?
  • Which medical services are included in the base price?
  • How quickly are call lights answered on average?
  • What is the staff turnover rate for nurses and aides?

Personal Care Homes (Residential Care Homes)

What it is:

Personal Care Homes are smaller, licensed residences (often 4–12 residents) that provide daily assistance in a cozy, home-like setting. Unlike large assisted living communities, these homes typically offer a higher caregiver-to-resident ratio and more personalized attention. Many also have a nurse on staff or on call, which means they can provide medication management and some level of medical oversight – a service that often makes them an excellent alternative to a nursing home for seniors who need more than basic help, but not hospital-level care.

Georgia Costs:

  • $3,000–$5,000/month (private rooms can be more)

     

When to know it’s time:

  • Your loved one needs daily support but would do better in a smaller, familiar setting.
  • They feel overwhelmed by large communities.
  • You want more personalized attention and continuity of care.


What to Ask:

  • Is there a nurse on staff, and what medical services are available?
  • How many caregivers are on-site during the day and at night?
  • Are meals, laundry, and activities included in the monthly fee?
  • How stable is the staff? What’s the turnover like?
  • How are medications managed? Are you partnered with a pharmacy?
 

👉 Tip: A local Senior Care Consultant can help you discover hidden gem Personal Care Homes since many don’t have websites or advertising. Their guidance is free to families, since they’re paid by the homes directly.

Home Care (A More Affordable Alternative)

What it is:

Caregivers come to your loved one’s home to provide personal care, companionship, and support with daily needs. Care is tailored — from a few hours a week to 24/7 live-in care.

Georgia Costs:

  • Average $25–$30/hour (≈ $4,000–$5,000/month for 40 hours/week of care)
  • Families can scale hours up or down to fit needs and budget.
  • Around $4,000–$5,000/month for 40 hours/week of care (less than assisted living, memory care, or nursing homes if 24/7 coverage isn’t needed).


When to know it’s time:

  • Your loved one wants to stay at home but needs help with personal care, meals, or safety.
  • They only need part-time support, making home care more affordable than a facility.
  • Family caregivers need respite but don’t want to uproot their loved one.


Why families choose home care:

  • More affordable than many facilities if 24/7 care isn’t needed
  • Flexible scheduling
  • Allows seniors to age in place


What to Ask:

  • Can we start with part-time hours and adjust as needs change?
  • How are caregivers screened and trained?
  • Is there a minimum number of weekly hours required?

The Takeaway: Every Family’s Situation is Unique

Each care option has its place:

  • Independent living works for active, social seniors.
  • Assisted living fits those who need help with daily tasks.
  • Memory care is essential for dementia safety.
  • Nursing homes provide advanced medical care.
  • Personal care homes are an often-overlooked, affordable, homelike alternative.
  • Home care offers the most flexibility and, in many cases, the most affordable way to keep a loved one safe and cared for.

👉 Tip: Working with a local Elder or Senior Care Consultant can be the easiest way to find the right Personal Care Home or Assisted Living community. These consultants often know the management and staff personally and can point you toward local hidden gems that may not even have websites or advertising. Best of all, their services are free to you—consultants are paid directly by the facilities they refer to.