Under Georgia state law, assisted living communities occupied by less than 25 adults are referred to as “personal care homes”. Georgia defines a personal care home as any dwelling that is for profit or non-profit, which retains a management staff providing housing, food service and one or more personal care service for one or more adults who are unrelated to the administration by blood or marriage. Once a personal care home is occupied by 25 or more adults, it is termed as an “assisted living community” according to Georgia law.
There are over 830 assisted living communities operating in the state of Georgia.
| City | Monthly Minimum | Monthly Maximum | Monthly Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta | $2,500 | $4,000 | $3,060 |
| Savannah | $2,500 | $4,000 | $4,050 |
| Augusta | $1,750 | $4,000 | $2,200 |
| Athens | $2,000 | $4,000 | $3,150 |
The average cost of assisted living or licensed personal care in Georgia, is $2,880 per month. Georgia has been ranked the sixth cheapest state for long-term care. Situated in the southern portion of the United States, states surrounding Georgia fall in the same low-cost range for long-term care; however, Tennessee, Alabama, and South Carolina are more expensive than Georgia, reaching the $3,000 per month average cost range. Within the state of Georgia, the cost of senior care varies with the area; however, the differences in cost are not greatly substantial.
For more information about assisted living costs in Georgia, check out Genworth’s 2015 Cost of Care Survey.
Like many southern states, Georgia is known for its all-around pleasant weather. This type of climate allows many to thoroughly enjoy outdoor activities and attractions. The Atlanta Zoo and the Okefenokee Swamp, also known as the "Land of the Quaking Earth", displays many large acres of wildlife, such as alligators, and the beautiful Georgian environment. Walking trails, camping, picnicking, and the like can be enjoyed at The Chattahoochee National Forest as well as the breath-taking seaside of Jekyll Island.
For those more accustomed to metropolitan areas, one of Georgia’s largest city parks, Forsyth Park, brings an antebellum south atmosphere with leisurely walking paths and gorgeous draping trees native to the southern state. Not only is Georgia brimming with natural attractions, notable historical attractions also draw large amounts of visitors. Intricate to the fabric of American history, Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site and the Jimmy Carter National Historic Site are on display for the public to reflect on two figures who took part in molding this country.
Residents in the state of Georgia are known for their friendliness and hospitality. When you’re in the Peach state, you’ll feel a strong sense of communities and even hear a distinct southern dialect when Georgia natives speak.
Located just above the sunshine state, Georgia receives ample amount of sunshine for 75 percent of the year. A Georgian winter begins in December and will last until approximately March when temperatures begin to increase into the 60 degrees Fahrenheit range. In the dead of winter, temperatures rarely reach freezing, staying in the 40 degrees Fahrenheit range. Summer is the main season in Georgia lasting from mid-April to October, garnering the nickname “Indian Summer”. Temperatures for the summer season in Georgia stay in the 80 degrees Fahrenheit range and occasionally reaching the 90-degree range. An average of 40-50 inches of precipitation falls upon Georgia each year.
Assisted Living homes are regulated on a state-to-state basis. Every state has a publicly accessible legal document outlining the regulations, licensing, operation and other rules for assisted living. Residential care homes are under the jurisdiction of the Georgia Department of Community Health, Healthcare Facility Regulation Division. To obtain the complete legal document outlining regulations for personal care homes in the state of Georgia, please visit the official site for the Rules and Regulations of the State of Georgia. This department is responsible for records concerning inspections, violations, citations and the link.
Georgia’s southern charm is definitely alluring, but you still need to be aware of your community. A safe and positive environment can make rehabilitation or routine daily care all the more effective. Check out some of Georgia’s safest cities to start your search:
| Location | Violent Crimes Per 1,000 Residents | Property Crimes Per 1,000 Residents |
|---|---|---|
| Summerville | 0.23 | 7.04 |
| Johns Creek | 0.33 | 7.05 |
| Grovetown | 0.32 | 9.39 |
| Milton | 0.19 | 9.94 |
(Source: safewise.com)
For those seeking Medicaid assistance for assisted senior living or licensed personal care, Georgia offers the Georgia Medicaid’s Community Care Services Program (also referred to as Elderly and Disabled Waiver) to low-income elderly residents to allow the residents to continue living in an assisted living home or in a personal home instead of residing in a nursing home.
Mainly referred to as SOURCE, this program is offered to all low-income elderly residents in the state of Georgia. This program provides financial assistance to those both Medicaid and non-Medicaid qualified persons to continue living in assisted senior living to avoid unnecessary long-term nursing home care.
Alternate payment options are available. Families can apply for an assisted living family loan. This provides temporary or long-term financial assistance when paying for assisted senior care. The program allows multiple people to contribute to payment
While residing in the home, a resident retains constitutional civil rights, rights of privacy, freedom of speech, and freedom of religion. The resident also retains the right to personal possessions, autonomy over personal finances, bodily autonomy, and power of attorney. The resident has a right to be informed of the process to file a complaint of unsatisfactory living situations, abuse, neglect and the like. A complete list of resident rights as granted by Georgia state law can be obtained via official Georgia regulations for assisted living homes. Specific rights concerning residents unique to Georgia are as follows:
Assisted living homes in Georgia are required to provide any type of heath services that are ordered by an attending physician, as well as keep all medical information confidential, accurate, and complete.
Residents have access to their medical records and can request a copy of all or a portion of their medical records. They can also request a copy of some or all of the information at a cost not to exceed the community standard for photocopies.
