86 assisted living communities near Atlanta

What is Assisted Living?

Assisted living is the name for a standard of care somewhat more intensive than in-home care, but less demanding than rehab or skilled nursing care. Aging citizens who opt for assisted living typically live in residential communities with other seniors where trained caregivers are on call 24 hours a day. These communities may provide meals and laundry service, and staff generally visits with residents several times per day to help with the activities of daily living (ADLs).

Services Available in Assisted Living Communities in Atlanta

Most seniors in Atlanta's assisted living communities enjoy the peace of mind of having 24-hour emergency help if needed, daily check-ins to make sure everything is OK and group activities that help keep aging citizens' minds sharp and active. Typically, three meals a day and weekly laundry services are included in an assisted living community's monthly rent. But for that late night pizza craving or specialty grocery request there are plenty of reputable delivery companies. See our list of delivery apps, exclusive to Atlanta, here. Most residents have either private apartments, or they share space with a roommate. Each residential unit has an emergency button or pull cord in case of slip-and-fall accidents.

Getting Ready to Move to Assisted Living in Atlanta

When you or an aging citizen you care for are getting ready to move into assisted living, there are a few steps to take to make sure it's the right choice for you. First, the senior should get a medical examination. This can be done by your regular primary care provider, or it may be done by a specialist with training in senior health issues. During the exam, your doctor is likely to look for existing health conditions that might call for a higher level of care, as well as for neurological issues that might indicate memory care or other needs.

After the doctor signs off, it's a good idea to start looking for a community that meets your expectations. Find out how much space is available at each property, and start selling, giving away or packing for storage. Space is often limited in assisted living communities, so just keep the basics. If there's room, you can bring the extra items over later.

Finally, make sure you or your senior loved one is financially prepared for the change to assisted living. Depending on where you are and what level of care was provided before the move, monthly living costs could go up or down, but in general it's good to be ready for an increase. Many seniors sell their homes before the move, and many more speak with financial planners or investment managers to make sure their monthly income meets their changed needs.

Costs Associated with Assisted Living in Atlanta

Assisted living in Atlanta costs on average of $2,920 a month, which is around 20 percent lower than the $3,750-a-month cost of assisted living nationwide.

When you work with our Seniorly Guides to find a home to love, this is always a free service for families. The Seniorly Guide is compensated directly from the community you eventually select in Atlanta.

Assisted Living vs. Other Types of Senior Care

The cost of assisted living is often significantly lower than the cost of other levels of care. Skilled nursing, for example, usually costs more per month because of the intensive attention residents get from staff with LVN and RN credentials. Memory care and hospice can cost more for the same reason. Even in-home care — where a senior has a caregiver come once a day or so to help with ADLs — might cost more than assisted living, due to the cost of transportation and other factors that go into caregivers' pay.

Helpful Apps and Websites for Assisted Living in Atlanta

No matter how comprehensive your assisted living community is, there's always room for extra help. These apps, which are geared specifically toward Atlanta's aging citizens by Seniorly, can be very useful. In particular, they cover many of the areas of life that most assisted living communities leave to the discretion of their residents. Here is a small sampling:

• Glam App — This is a beauty aid program that can help seniors schedule visits from licensed beauticians who will touch up your nails or makeup in the comfort and privacy of your own room. Local beauty experts registered with this app can also blow dry and cut your hair.
• Call a Doctor — Call a Doctor can send board-certified doctors anywhere in Atlanta area for a house call. Medical staff registered with this app can help you with everything from chronic pain and prescription assistance to emergency care. Before leaving, they can provide you with a receipt to present to your insurance company for reimbursement.
• PressBox — This service brings you the best parts of in-residence laundry service, possibly at a lower cost than your community charges. Schedule a visit through the app, and a driver can stop by to pick up your laundry. Clothes are then taken to be cleaned, pressed and folded.

To see our full list of apps and websites for seniors in Atlanta, click here.

Resources for Caregivers in Atlanta

Caregivers in Atlanta need attention too, and Seniorly has a list of local resources that are aimed at making things easier. Resources specific to the Atlanta area include:

• Alzheimer's Association Georgia Chapter — This state chapter of the Alzheimer's Association advocates for seniors and provides free education for caregivers and families whose loved ones have begun to show the signs of diminished capacity. The group also organizes workshops and provides tools to help caregivers find the extra help they may need to assist their senior with Alzheimer's disease.
• Atlanta Area Agency on Aging — This local agency runs Agewise Connection, an informational hub that provides training on self-care to caregivers who may be feeling the strain of providing daily assistance. The project also trains and provides resources for caregiver health, to help keep those who care for seniors at the top of their form for the aging citizen who needs them.
• Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregiving — The former First Lady (and Georgia native) lent her name to an initiative that provides low- and no-cost training modules for caregivers looking to work in professional and residential settings.

To see our full list of resources for caregivers in Atlanta, click here.

Government Resources for Seniors in Atlanta

Aging citizens who move to the Atlanta area have their pick of local resources to help them live a longer, fuller life. The state Department of Health and Human Services maintains a Division of Aging Services that's geared toward answering the most common needs of local seniors. On their website, seniors can get information and vital stats about senior life in Atlanta (as well as other areas of Georgia), find home and community-based resources and report suspected elder abuse.

Fulton County also offers senior services through its Department of Senior Services website. Here, aging citizens in the Atlanta region can connect with each other at events organized through STARLine, a local senior activities program. This service stages theater and musical events, art classes and craft sessions and general hang-outs among area seniors and their caregivers and families.

Atlanta Demographics

The city of Atlanta has about 460,000 residents living within its limits, but that's just a fraction of the larger community. Atlanta sits in the middle of a metropolitan area that's home to 6.9 million people, most of whom live within about 20 minutes of downtown. About 10 percent of the area's population is over 65, while another 8 percent is between 55 and 65 years old. Atlanta's assisted living communities have undergone rapid growth, fueled by a general boom in the population that has seen the city swell by 15 percent between the 2010 Census and the estimates for 2017.

Atlanta Weather

Northern Georgia is notable on the East Coast for its mild winters and balmy summers. Daily high temperatures in July average 87 degrees, while the average low temperature in January is 35 degrees.

Transportation in and Around Atlanta

Atlanta is part of the MARTA public transportation network. This system operates buses and trains throughout Metro Atlanta, DeKalb and Fulton Counties. Each day, the MARTA network transports more than 460,000 people. The provider offers discounts to senior riders over the age of 62, and it operates bus lines close to most neighborhoods where local assisted living communities tend to cluster.

Fun Facts About Atlanta

Atlanta has no fewer than 71 streets with some variation of "Peachtree" in their name. Actual peach trees are rare, however, since they're not native to the region. Rather, "peachtree" is an adaptation of "pitch tree," which is another name for pine trees, which actually do line many of the streets.

The Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is as big as 45 football fields and has been the world's busiest passenger airport since 2000. Every year, more than 101 million people take off, land or pass through this enormous hub.