Find Independent Living Communities Near Atlanta, GA

Paying for an independent living community works a lot like renting an apartment, with personal funds primarily being used to foot the bill. While some resources may be available to eligible veterans, other sources of public funding like Medicare, Medicaid, and long-term care insurance are generally not available to cover rent in an independent living community. However, some medically necessary in-home care services may be covered by Medicare and Medicaid, which we detail below.

Stand-alone independent living communities aren’t required to be licensed by the state or regularly inspected by any government entity. Similar to senior apartment communities, there are certain housing and fire codes that need to be followed for safety purposes.

Communities that operate exclusively as independent living communities aren’t usually considered long-term care and don’t have the same regulations as assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing facilities. However, independent senior communities that also offer assisted living or memory care in Atlanta will likely follow these regulations established by the Georgia Department of Community Health:

• Providing medication administration if requested
• Developing a written care plan within 14 days of a resident’s admission
• Providing social activities
• Preparing a minimum of three daily meals and offering options for special dietary needs

The majority of independent living communities in Atlanta will likely have an age minimum requirement of 55+ or 62+. You’ll find that most independent senior living communities will also have admission requirements to make sure a potential resident doesn’t have care needs that go beyond what the community can provide.

Resident rights in independent living communities

Similar to a relationship between a tenant and landlord, the owners of independent senior living communities have to follow building and fire safety codes to provide a safe living space. You can expect all types of senior housing in Georgia to comply with the Fair Housing Act, which prevents properties from turning renters away because of the following:

• Family status
• Race
• Religion
• Sex
• Disability status

Independent senior living communities aren’t usually subject to the family status category because of the Housing for Older Persons exemption, which allows properties to meet the following guidelines to provide housing for specific age groups:

• Housing is meant for and only occupied by residents age 55+.
• Housing is intentionally designed to help older persons, per the state or federal program’s definition.
• Housing is intended for and exclusively inhabited by residents age 62 and older.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) also aims to prevent housing discrimination, requiring landlords to make reasonable accommodations to a property to make it accessible to residents with disabilities. It also lets residents with disabilities make reasonable accommodations to their living spaces that help them use and enjoy their homes. Below are some examples of reasonable accommodations and modifications:

• Wheelchair ramps
• Widened doorways
• Lower light switches
• Hand rails and/or grab bars

Additional resources for Atlanta residents

Georgia Department of Community Health

Find more HFRD laws and regulations

2 Peachtree St., NW
Atlanta, GA 30318
Phone: 404-656-4507

HUD Atlanta Regional Office

Program Directory
Five Points Plaza Building
40 Marietta St.
Atlanta, GA 30303
Phone: 404-331-5136

COVID-19 regulations for Atlanta independent living communities

Atlanta independent senior living communities don’t have any COVID-19 mandates or restrictions in place as of February 2023, though some senior communities — especially those with more advanced care types — may continue to follow recommendations from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Health resources

Georgia Department of Public Health

Georgia COVID-19 updates
2 Peachtree St., NW
Atlanta, GA 30303-3186
Phone: 404-657-2700

Fulton County Board of Health

Office of Epidemiology

10 Park Place, SE
Atlanta, GA 30303
Phone: 404-613-1391
Hours: Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) and Fulton County Board of Health regularly post COVID-19 status reports on their websites, along with information about vaccines and local testing sites. These are the recommendations on the DPH website, as of February 2023:

Independent living communities in Atlanta come in all shapes and sizes, from high-rise buildings to residential charmers. You’ll find there are plenty of independent senior living options for all lifestyles throughout Atlanta’s sprawling metro.

Georgian-style residential

Often located a few miles outside of the lively downtown area, these communities offer a quieter setting for seniors who prefer a more leisurely way of living. With grand entrances, charming brick exteriors, and pillared columns, many of these quaint communities pay homage to Georgia’s historic mansions.

Lush landscaping and foliage surround these communities, where seniors can enjoy sipping sweet tea on outdoor patios, tend to raised garden beds, and unwind in delightful sunrooms. Several communities offer group outings and day trips, as well as on-site activities like gardening clubs and wine tastings.

Upscale independent living

Resort-style independent living awaits in these Atlanta communities. These luxury communities are typically in high-rise settings with unmatched city views. Lavish, tastefully decorated interior spaces welcome all and often include grand lobbies with ornate lighting fixtures and soaring ceilings.

You’ll find premium amenities, such as full-service salons, state-of-the-art fitness facilities, and swimming pools, offered at select communities. Indulge in exquisite chef-prepared meals, with expansive menu options and international cuisines offered in many communities.

Life-plan communities

Sometimes called Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs), life plan communities provide different tiers of care services on one campus. This often includes independent and assisted living, memory care, and/or skilled nursing. This can be a popular choice for seniors who want to age in place and not worry about their care costs increasing or having to move due to illness or health decline.

A large care service fee is typically charged upfront at life plan communities, with some seniors using proceeds from the sale of a home to cover the cost. This essentially guarantees a variety of care services are available to you within the campus, if and when such services are needed.

Health care for seniors in Atlanta

Seniors in Atlanta have access to some of the best hospitals in the country, with some nationally ranking in specialties like neurology and cancer. You can find some of the Atlanta metro’s leading hospitals below.

Transportation for seniors in Atlanta

Reliable transportation is essential to maintain one’s independence in Atlanta. About 96% of our partnered independent senior living communities in Atlanta offer complimentary transportation, but it’s important to be aware of what other options are available to help get wherever you need to go, whenever. You’ll find several Atlanta senior transportation resources outlined below.

Atlanta’s primary public transit system is the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority, or MARTA. One of the largest public transit systems in the United States, MARTA services nearly 400,000 passengers a day in the Atlanta metro via its bus and rail routes. MARTA’s Red and Gold rail lines make getting to the airport a breeze with direct routes to the MARTA station in the domestic terminal Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport.

Seniors who are hesitant to travel on Atlanta’s public transportation alone can benefit from MARTA’s Travel Training Program. The program covers all the bases of how to navigate MARTA’s routes and travel independently. Additionally, discounted fare cards are available for seniors and Medicare cardholders that can be used on all of MARTA’s bus and rail lines. You can apply for a card by filling out a request for a reduced MARTA fare.

Empowerline is part of Georgia’s Aging and Disability Resource Connection (ADRC) network and has trained counselors available who can help you locate even more senior transportation resources near you. You can contact them directly by calling the number below or using the self-service online search tool. From there, you’ll simply follow these directions:

1. Choose “transportation” from the category dropdown box.
2. Select the specific transportation service you’re interested in.
3. Find and pick your county.

Senior transportation resources in Atlanta

Empowerline

Find senior resources in Atlanta
Phone: 404-463-3333

Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority

MARTA

2424 Piedmont Road, NE
Atlanta, GA 30324
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Customer service: 404-848-5000

Despite the plentiful parks and green spaces, Atlanta is very much a car-reliant city. We’ve highlighted how Atlanta ranks for its walkability, public transit, and bike friendliness below. All ratings are pulled from WalkScore and are out of 100.