Assisted Living in Georgia
Although the beautiful weather of “The Peach State” is enough to draw anybody to its cities, generous sunshine isn’t all Georgia has to offer. The state’s notable attractions include Stone Mountain Park and the Georgia Aquarium—the largest aquarium in the world. Georgia’s capital city, Atlanta, is host to a number of museums, shopping centers and the famous Atlanta Botanical Garden.
With a population of more than 9.5 million, Georgia is the ninth-most populous state, and part of the fastest-growing area in the country. Whether residing in a busy city or settling in a smaller town, beautiful weather and plenty of southern hospitality are in store for those who choose assisted living in Georgia.
Assisted Living in Georgia Defined
In Georgia, assisted living services, such as help with grooming, bathing, taking medications and ambulation, are called “personal services.” Communities that provide personal services, such as residential care facilities, assisted living facilities, and board and care homes, in Georgia are typically called “personal care homes.”
According to the Georgia Department of Human Services, a personal care home is defined as:
“Any dwelling that provides or arranges housing, food service, and one or more personal services for two or more adults who are not related to the owner or administrator by blood or marriage.”
Personal care homes that offer assisted living in Georgia are different from nursing homes in that they do not provide skilled nursing care to patients. Personal care homes are for seniors who require a lesser amount of assistance and medical care than residents of nursing homes, and who are still able to enjoy an amount of independence from a caretaker.
Regulation of Assisted Living in Georgia
Personal care homes providing assisted living in Georgia are regulated by the Georgia Department of Human Services and licensed by the Office of Regulatory Services. This department is responsible for responding to any complaints about abuse or mistreatment in all personal care homes.
In order to obtain a license, a personal care home must meet basic requirements. These include providing background checks for employees, and allowing for inspection of the quality of the building and food offered to those living in the home.
Cost of Assisted Living in Georgia
The cost of assisted living in Georgia totals, on average, $28,800 per year, or about $2,400 per month. Prices vary depending on the location of the facility, with monthly fees ranging from $1,000 to $5,600 in some cities. These averages are for a one-bedroom/single-occupancy room in a personal care home.
Here is a list of the average monthly rates* broken down by city for a one-bedroom, single-occupancy apartment in a Georgia assisted living facility:
| City | Minimum Cost | Maximum Cost |
| Atlanta/Sandy Springs/Marietta | $1,250 | $5,625 |
| Augusta/Richmond County | $1,448 | $3,900 |
| Columbus | $1,000 | $4,375 |
| Gainesville | $1,800 | $4,800 |
| Savannah | $1,650 | $4,445 |
| Rest of Georgia | $1,300 | $3,800 |
*Genworth Financial 2011 Cost of Care Survey.
Funding for assisted living in Georgia is mostly private and paid for by the person who wishes to live in the facility, or by their family. Seniors who are interested in seeking additional financial support for assisted living may be interested in information about long-term care insurance or Veterans Benefits.
Find Assisted Living in Georgia
Browse our comprehensive directory to find assisted living in Atlanta, Decatur, Lawrenceville, Marietta, Roswell and other parts of Georgia.
Written by senior housing writer Stacy Rost.
