5 Assisted Living Communities in Buford, Georgia

The average cost of assisted living in the city is $3,390 a month. This guide is a starting point covering the cost of assisted living care in the city, as well as financing options to pay for it. You’ll find in-depth information on 5 Assisted Living Communities in Buford and several in surrounding areas. The Cost of Senior Care in Buford, GA

• Assisted Living: $3,390
• Nursing Home Care: $6,753
• In-home Care: $3,813
• Adult Day Health Services: $1,712

Seniors in Buford pay approximately $600 less per month than the $4,000 average rate paid for assisted living across the county and $300 more than the state median of $3,100. The cost in Buford is similar to prices paid in some nearby cities, such as Macon ($3,484) and Athens ($3,350). The local rate is about $1,000 more expensive compared to Albany ($2,320) and Warner Robins, which has the state’s lowest price for assisted living at $2,300 per month.

Note: Data for senior care costs in Buford wasn’t available, so data for the metropolitan Atlanta area was used instead.

The monthly rate paid for senior care in Buford largely depends on the extent of care needed and where it’s provided. Seniors who need nursing care on a 24/7 basis pay the highest rate of $6,753 per month in nursing homes. Assisted living costs just half that amount at $3,390, even though these two options are provided in residential settings. Seniors who remain at home and hire a homemaker or home health aide pay an average of $3,813, which is about $400 more than assisted living. Those receiving in-home services also need to budget for food and household operating expenses on top of the cost of care. Seniors who choose assisted living don’t have these extra costs, since room and board is typically included in the facility’s monthly rate.

 

The federal and state government-funded Medicaid program provides essential health care services for low-income Americans with limited resources. Individual states implement their own Medicaid program within a federal regulatory framework.

More than 1.75 million state residents are enrolled in the Georgia Medicaid program, including over 400,000 blind, disabled and elderly individuals. Those who qualify receive wide-ranging health care benefits, including doctor and specialist visits, inpatient, outpatient and emergency hospital services, X-rays, lab tests, prescription medications and long-term nursing home care.

Qualifying for Medicaid in Georgia

Buford residents must be American citizens or legal immigrants to qualify for Medicaid assistance for long-term care and meet these additional eligibility requirements:

• Be aged 65 or older or aged 64 or younger and blind or disabled
• Have a monthly income of $2,313 or less per person
• Have no more than $2,000 in countable assets if single or $3,000 if married and applying with a spouse

Applicants who meet the above mentioned asset requirements and have $771 or less in monthly income if single or $1,157 or less as a couple are automatically eligible for Medicaid and Supplemental Security Income benefits from the Social Security Administration.

Georgia Medicaid considers all sources of income, but disregards a number of assets from the above limits. Exempt assets include:

• Personal belongings
• One vehicle
• Irrevocable burial trusts
• An owner-occupied primary home worth less than $585,000
• Household furnishings

Spousal Living and Resource Allowances

If only one spouse of a married couple applies, the spouse remaining at home may be entitled to up to $3,160.50 of an applicant’s monthly income and $126,420 in joint assets. Once these spousal living and resources allowances are calculated, an applicant who’d otherwise exceed the income and asset limits may qualify for Medicaid long-term care coverage.

Buford seniors can apply for Georgia Medicaid online, visit the Gwinnett County Department of Family and Children Services office located at 95 Constitution Boulevard in Lawrenceville or call (678) 518-5500.

Georgia Medicaid Waiver Programs

Georgia Medicaid only provides institutional nursing home care as an entitlement. To help eligible seniors stay in the community and reduce nursing home admissions and the overall cost of care, the state offers two waiver programs that help pay for community-based long-term care.

SOURCE Waiver

Seniors approved for the Service Options Using Resources in a Community Environment waiver receive comprehensive primary care, case management and long-term support services in their home or a community setting. A personalized care plan is developed for each participant based on their needs, which includes 24-hour access to their case manager and primary care doctor, along with personal support services and assistance with daily living activities.

CCSP Waiver

The Community Care Services program provides eligible seniors with all-inclusive medical and support services. Approved applicants are evaluated by their assigned care coordinator and have a personalized long-term care plan developed in cooperation with their primary care physician. The services provided in a community assisted living setting may include 24-hour supervision, personal care and help with daily living activities.

Buford residents who wish to apply for either waiver program must meet the financial, functional and residency requirements for Georgia Medicaid. They must also need an intermediate or nursing facility level of care, but be capable of living safely in the community with support.

Seniors approved for the SOURCE and CCSP programs are responsible for paying the room-and-board portion of their facility fees. Because the waivers have participation caps, applicants may also be placed on a waiting list to receive services depending on availability.

To learn more about the CCSP or SOURCE waiver programs or to begin the application process, Buford residents should contact the Atlanta Regional Commission Aging Division at (404) 463-3333.

Optional State Supplementation

Buford residents receiving SSI benefits may also be eligible for monthly top-up payments through the Georgia Optional State Supplement program. Seniors living in state-licensed care facilities may receive a $20 cash benefit to help cover expenses, such as room and board.

To apply for Georgia OSS benefits, Buford seniors can contact the Social Security Administration at (800) 772-1213.

Assisted Living Bridge Loan

Seniors who need extra cash to pay for assisted living costs over the short term can apply for a bridge loan from Elderlife Financial. These 12-month term loans with interest-only payments are ideal to cover a funding gap until benefits kick in or a home or other assets sell. Elderlife loans have no out-of-pocket costs,  application or early repayment fees, and up to six family members can co-apply to ease the approval process.

Buford seniors can apply online or by contacting Elderlife Financial Services at (888) 228-4500.

Senior veterans can receive assistance filing applications for state and VA benefits and pensions from staff at the Gwinnett County Veterans Resource Center. The nearby Oakwood VA clinic in Flowery Branch offers primary care, mental health and nutrition programs to help area veterans maintain good health.

Oakwood VA Clinic
4175 Tanners Creek Dr., Flowery Branch, GA 30542
(404) 728-8210

Gwinnett County Veterans Resource Center
750 S. Perry St., Ste. 300, Lawrenceville, GA 30046
(678) 226-9177

Senior Homes has an extensive directory of senior living options, with care and living providers across the United States.