Assisted Living in Georgia
Costs and Local Resources
See how pretty the Peach State is when you explore assisted living options in Georgia. From the Blue Ridge Mountains to the Atlantic coast, there are plenty of different kinds of locales from which to choose when deciding on senior living services. Balmy summers give way to temperate, comfortable winters—no shoveling snow here. Whether you pick an out-of-the-way mountain town with cozy assisted living community options or major metropolitan amenities, there’s something for everyone looking for assisted living opportunities in Georgia.
Cost of assisted living in Georgia vs. nearby states
Cost of assisted living in a selection of Georgia cities
We noticed people seem to be searching for assisted living in these Georgia cities more frequently than others: Atlanta, Columbus, Cumming, and Dalton. We've provided their pricing here.
The cost of assisted living in Georgia
Seniorly 2021 data shows that the average cost of assisted living in Georgia is $3,045 per month. The national average monthly cost is $4,057. The average Georgia cost is more than $1,000 per month less than the national average. Keep in mind as you start your senior living search that some areas (particularly those where the cost of living is high) will be more expensive than others. Explore our assisted living listings to start comparing properties, or get in touch with one of our local advisors to get expert advice on what you can afford in the areas in which you’re interested.
Assisted living communities can provide the peace of mind that comes from not worrying about home maintenance, chores, or errands, as well as help with personal care like grooming, eating, and other activities of daily living seniors might have trouble with. However, if your loved one requires nursing care, or has diagnosed Alzheimer's or dementia that has progressed to a certain point, they might need a skilled nursing facility/home health care, or memory care community instead. These types of care providers (and for that matter, in-home care) might cost more in Georgia than assisted living facilities, but the important thing is that your loved one’s needs are cared for in order to provide them with the best quality of life.
If your loved one currently lives in a retirement community, ask whether it is a Continuing Care Retirement Community: these senior living properties are generally designed for residents to age in place. Seniors can get the different levels of care they need, from independent living to memory care, without having to move to a different community all together.
Overall cost of living in Georgia
Georgia is amongst the 10 cheapest states in the country when it comes to cost of living. Just behind neighboring Alabama, Georgia’s cost of living index is 89.2, where the US national average is 104.63. This is largely due to significantly below-average housing costs in the state.
Financial assistance for assisted living in Georgia
Medicaid options for Georgia seniors
According to benefits.gov, to be eligible for Georgia Medicaid, you must be a resident of the state of Georgia, a U.S. national, citizen, permanent resident, or legal alien, in need of health care/insurance assistance, whose financial situation would be characterized as low income or very low income. You must also be one of the following:
- Pregnant, or
- Be responsible for a child 18 years of age or younger, or
- Blind, or
- Have a disability or a family member in your household with a disability, or
- Be 65 years of age or older.
Georgia's Medicaid health care program pays for medical care for children and adults with limited income and resources. Supported by State and Federal funding, Georgia Medicaid is designed to help a wide variety of families and individuals who need assistance.
Several Medicare programs can help Georgia seniors get the care options they need, such as the Long-Term Care Partnership Program. A partnership between the Department of Community Health, the Office of the Commissioner of Insurance, and the Department of Human Resources, Division of Aging Services, this program provides access to long-term care without requiring enrollees to spend all of their available assets. There are also other options for seniors who need access to long-term care and support systems.
Non-Medicaid State assistance programs
There are a few non-Medicaid assistance programs in Georgia, including the Non-Medicaid Home and Community Based Services programs available through the Department of Human Services Division of Aging. For more ways to find assisted living help, check the “Free assisted living resources in Georgia” section below.
More ways to finance assisted living in Georgia
There are several options available to finance assisted living for yourself or a loved one. Long-term care can be financed several ways:
- Life insurance - Some life insurance policies have a provision for long-term care benefits.
- Long-term care insurance - This type of insurance is intended to cover long-term health care needs by covering costs for assisted living or long-term care communities.
- Pensions, 401K, and IRA - If you have a pension, 401k or an IRA to fall back upon this would be a great benefit in paying for assisted living costs.
- Real Estate - Having a home is a great source of income. When it is time to move into assisted living the sale proceeds from your home can cover the costs.
- Veteran’s benefits - While the VA will not directly cover the costs of assisted living, you can obtain help from the VA under the Veterans Aid & Attendance benefits. The Aid & Attendance benefits helps eligible veterans and their surviving spouses to pay for assistance for assistance of daily living (ADLs) activities. Aid & Attendance benefits are often referred to by other names such as “improved pension,” “VA assisted living benefit,” or “veterans elder care benefits.”
Free assisted living resources in Georgia
Georgia residents can explore state resources that can help answer your questions about eligibility for certain types of benefits and how they might apply to assisted living.
Find your local Area Agency on Aging. There are multiple agencies per state, enter your ZIP code or city to find the one closest to you.
The Georgia Department of Veterans Services may be able to help you determine if your loved one is eligible for VA benefits.
Find Georgia Social Security offices where you can understand your benefits and get answers to your questions about claims.