Assisted Living in Rome, GA

Assisted Living Costs in Rome

Genworth’s 2018 Cost of Care study documents the average monthly senior care cost in thousands of locations nationwide. It shows that in Rome, assisted living is $3,200, which is $100 above the state average and $800 below the national average. Prices in neighboring Atlanta ($3,390) and Dalton ($4,035) are more expensive, while costs are lower in many cities to the south, such as Columbus ($2,750), Warner Robins ($2,300) and Albany ($2,320). 

The Cost of Assisted Living in Surrounding Areas

Care Cost Comparison

The cost of senior care is based on the location and level of care provided. In Rome, a semiprivate room with nursing home care costs an average of $6,000 per month because it provides around-the-clock skilled nursing for seniors who often have complex medical needs. Assisted living, which is geared towards seniors who are able to manage their own medications and personal care, costs an average of $3,200 per month. 

For 44 hours of care each week, hiring a homemaker costs $3,623 while a home health aide costs $3,766 per month. Unlike residential care services, such as assisted living, in-home care costs don’t include day-to-day living expenses, such as home upkeep, property taxes and groceries. 

Senior Care Cost Comparison Chart

Financial Assistance for Assisted Living in Rome

Medicaid in Georgia

Medicaid is a government-funded health plan for those who have low income and few resources. It’s regulated by federal law and administered at the state level, and every Medicaid plan must provide coverage for: 

• Physician services
• Inpatient and outpatient hospitalization
• Transportation to Medicaid-funded health care
• Nursing facility care
• Home health services

Each state may offer optional Medicaid benefits through special programs and waivers. These additional benefits may include: 

• Prosthetics
• Prescription drug coverage
• Occupational, physical and speech therapy
• Hospice and end-of-life care
• Case management
• Dentures and dental care
• Vision testing and eyeglasses 
• Chiropractic care
• Enhanced health screening and preventative services

To qualify for Medicaid in Georgia, seniors aged 65 and older must be U.S. citizens, legal aliens or permanent residents with a valid Social Security number. They must also meet the following income and asset limits:

• Earn no more than $2,313 per person, per month, and
• Own no more than $2,000 worth of countable assets, or
• Own no more than $3,000 worth of countable joint assets when applying with a spouse

Some specific assets are excluded from the asset limits, such as a prepaid burial contract, a personal vehicle and an owner-occupied residence valued at no more than $585,000. 

Spousal Income and Asset Limits

When only one spouse in a married couple needs Medicaid, special income and asset rules apply to protect the community spouse (non-applicant) against impoverishment. 

Under the community spouse resource allowance rule, they are entitled to half of the couple’s joint assets worth up to $126,420. This amount is in addition to the value of all exempt assets. 

If the community spouse relies on income from the applicant to cover shelter costs, the applicant can transfer income to the non-applicant spouse under the minimum monthly maintenance needs allowance rule. This rule lets the applicant increase the income of the community spouse up to $3,160.50 per month, and any money transferred under the MMMNA is deducted from the declared income on the Medicaid application. 

To apply for Medicaid, seniors can complete an online application through Georgia Gateway or call the online services hotline at (877) 423-4746. Seniors can also visit Floyd County’s Division of Family and Children’s Office at 450 Riverside Parkway in Rome or call the DFCS office at (706) 295-6500. 

SOURCE Medicaid Waiver

Seniors who qualify for Medicaid and meet the clinical criteria for nursing facility placement may qualify for enrollment in Georgia’s Service Options Using Resources in a Community Environment waiver. 

This home and community-based waiver lets eligible seniors age in place in an assisted living facility by providing supplemental care services and supports. Services are assigned on a case-by-case basis and may include: 

• Skilled and intermittent nursing care
• Adult day health services
• Personal care to assist with activities of daily living
• Access to a medical alert system
• Homemaker services
• Respite care

For more information and to request an assessment, contact the statewide SOURCE care management line at (888) 762-2420. 

Community Care Services Program

CCSP is another Medicaid waiver that provides community-based care services to seniors who would otherwise be placed in a nursing facility. This waiver covers the same services and supports as the SOURCE waiver and the enrollment criteria is the same, therefore, seniors can only participate in one of these two waiver programs. 

For more information, contact the Northwest Georgia Area Agency on Aging at (800) 759-2963. 

Other Financial Assistance Programs for Assisted Living

Optional State Supplementation

Georgia seniors who receive Supplemental Security Income benefits may be eligible for additional state-sponsored funds to help pay for room and board in an assisted living facility. 

The Optional State Supplementation program adds $20 to the monthly SSI benefit for individuals and $40 for couples. 

To learn more about the OSS program, contact the Social Security Administration at (800) 772-1213. 

VA Enhanced Monthly Pension 

Veterans and survivors who qualify for the regular VA pension may be eligible for a higher monthly benefit through two VA special monthly pension programs, Aid and Attendance and Housebound. Money from these special monthly pension programs can be used to pay for care services, such as in an assisted living facility. 

For Aid and Attendance, claimants must: 

• Need help to perform activities of daily living, such as bathing, dressing, eating, managing a prosthetic device or navigating their environment, or
• Be legally blind, or
• Reside in a nursing facility, or
• Be bedridden due to chronic illness or disability

For Housebound, claimants must: 

• Have one permanent disability rated at 100% that limits them to their home all of the time, or
• Have one permanent disability rated at 100% and at least one additional disability rating at 60% or greater

Because both of these programs are based on a higher income limit than the regular VA pension, claimants who were previously denied the VA pension due to excess income may also qualify for these benefits. 

For more information contact the Georgia Department of Veterans Service, Rome Field Service Office, at (706) 295-6280. 

Assisted Living Resources in Rome

Senior Centers

Two senior centers in Rome offer a wide variety of social, fitness and educational programs for seniors aged 60 and older. Activities include pickleball, bingo and card games, Silver Sneaker exercise classes and preventative health screening clinics. 

Rome Senior Center
406 Riverside Pkwy. N.E., Rome, GA 30161
(706) 236-4416

Charles C. Parker Center for Active Adults
1325 Kingston Hwy., Rome, GA 30161
(706) 234-0383

Veterans Services

Veterans, survivors and dependents qualify for free assistance from the Georgia Department of Veterans Service. Veteran service officers provide information on local, state and federal benefits, help with claims processing and can obtain service records. 

Outpatient VA health services are available at the Rome VA clinic, and comprehensive emergency, diagnostic and acute care services are provided at the nearby Atlanta VA Medical Center.

Veterans Field Service Office
201 Calhoun Ave., Rome, GA 30161
(706) 295-6280

Rome VA Clinic
30 Chateau Dr. SE., Rome, GA 30161-7201
(404) 329-2222

Transportation

Seniors qualify for half-price fares on all City of Rome Transit routes. Seniors who are unable to use the regular bus service due to disability can register for door-to-door paratransit service. 

Rome Transit
168 N. Ave., Rome, GA 30161
(706) 236-4523