Find Nursing Homes Communities Near Atlanta, GA

There are various means available to pay for senior care in Atlanta. Families often utilize a mix of private and public sources, depending on the type and amount of care needed. You’ll find some sources of public funding have specific limits when paying for specific types of senior care facilities. We highlight several private and public funding options below and lay out what specific costs may be covered.

In Atlanta, nursing homes or skilled nursing facilities are licensed and regulated by the Healthcare Facility Regulation Division (also known as HFRD), which is a branch of the Georgia Department of Community Health. HFRD is responsible for overseeing and enforcing state and federal regulations at different types of senior care facilities in Georgia.

HFRD also conducts routine nursing home inspections and may conduct them more often to investigate complaints or follow up on any previous violations found. Below, you’ll find a summarized version of some of Georgia’s regulations specific to nursing homes or skilled nursing facilities.

• All medications must be administered by licensed medical staff.
• Upon admission, all skilled nursing patients must be referred to a facility by a physician.
• Meals must be served no more than five hours apart, with a maximum of 14 hours between dinner and breakfast.
• Nursing staff should be on duty at all times to provide a minimum of two hours of direct care per patient.
• All skilled nursing facilities must have a written transfer agreement with at least one hospital, in the event a facility can’t provide adequate care.

Georgia regulations for assisted living and memory care facilities

Georgia assisted living and memory care facilities are also inspected, licensed, and regulated by HFRD. However, there are some differences in the regulations for these types of facilities versus nursing homes. Specifically, regarding matters such as admission requirements, medication administration, and the care provided. These distinctions may be worth noting if you or a loved one are considering a move into an assisted living facility.

• Medications can either be self-administered by the resident or by a qualified staff member if requested.
• Assisted living communities can’t admit people who require continual nursing care, are bedridden, or have specific care needs a facility can’t provide.
• Facilities with a memory care center must be designed with safety features, such as secured courtyards and automated alert systems for unattended doors.
• All assisted living facilities have to provide orientation and annual training for all employees, and memory care staff must complete additional specialized training in dementia care annually.
• Prospective assisted living residents must have a physical exam done with a report dated within 30 days before admission that confirms they can transfer themselves and participate in social activities.
• For memory care admission, a physician’s report or exam that confirms a person’s diagnosis or symptoms of Alzheimer’s or other dementia must be done at least 30 days before admission.

You can access all of HFRD’s laws and regulations for nursing homes, assisted living, and other health care facilities on the Georgia Department of Community Health website.

Additional resources

Georgia Department of Community Health

HFRD’s laws and regulations
2 Peachtree St., NW
Atlanta, GA 30318
Phone: 404-656-4507

COVID-19 regulations for Atlanta nursing homes

There aren’t any statewide COVID-19 mandates in place for Atlanta nursing homes or senior care facilities, as of January 2023. However, all Georgia nursing homes are required to have infection control practices within the facility. These are outlined in the Georgia Department of Community Health Rules and Regulations for Nursing Homes.

You can find more information about COVID-19 protocols for nursing homes and other long-term care facilities in Georgia on the Department of Public Health’s website. The Fulton County Board of Health Office of Epidemiology is another excellent source for local COVID-19 guidance. Both entities regularly publish COVID-19 status reports on their websites, and you’ll also find information about local testing and vaccine resources.

COVID-19 resources in Atlanta

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

The Georgia Department of Public Health (or DPH) offers COVID-19 resources for nursing homes based on guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). While there currently aren’t any regulations set in stone, many Atlanta nursing homes and senior care facilities continue to follow these practices:

While the vaccines are available to Atlanta nursing home staff and residents, many facilities are still taking precautions to limit the risk and spread of COVID-19. It’s never a bad idea to check directly with a nursing home about their current infection control practices before visiting.

Atlanta is chock-full of senior living options, with care types ranging from assisted living and memory care to skilled nursing. These communities can differ on several levels, with a key one being the type of care offered on-site.

Some Atlanta assisted living facilities may exclusively offer assisted living services, while others may also offer more extensive care services, such as memory care and on-site skilled nursing. You can find a brief description of what to expect from each type of senior care in Atlanta below.

Skilled nursing

In Georgia, a nursing home is considered a facility that provides skilled nursing services. Patients in a skilled nursing facility have complete access to comprehensive medical services and licensed health professionals around the clock.

A stay in a skilled nursing facility is usually a temporary living option to recover from hospitalization or to receive treatment. Most patients will either return to their homes or move into a different type of senior care setting — like one of the varieties listed below — if it’s no longer safe for them to live by themselves.

Assisted living

Assisted living communities in Atlanta may be an optimal care option for seniors who don’t need the round-the-clock medical care services provided at a skilled nursing facility. Assisted living communities can provide help with everyday tasks and meals, as well as personal laundry and housekeeping services. These communities can range from luxe high-rise buildings to homelike residential facilities.

Some facilities have resort-inspired amenities like swimming pools and putting greens. All assisted living facilities should have indoor and outdoor common areas for activities and exercise. And assisted living communities always provide some sort of leisurely activities, like gardening and cooking clubs. Some communities even organize off-site trips for residents to stay close to the local community happenings.

Memory care

Just about half of our in-network, partner assisted living facilities are designed to accommodate residents with Alzheimer’s or other dementias, but some communities may solely offer memory care. Memory care centers are specifically designed with enhanced safety features, such as enclosed courtyards, wander prevention systems, and secured entrances.

Staff members who work directly with residents in memory care are required to receive annual specialized training in memory care in addition to a facility’s general caregiver training requirements. Additionally, memory care centers in Georgia are required to provide therapeutic activities that encourage sensory enhancement, the use of motor skills, and socialization.

Health care for seniors in Atlanta

Outstanding health care is one of Atlanta’s most attractive attributes for seniors and families. The city is home to some of the best hospitals in the country, nationally recognized in specialties that include cancer and neurology. We highlight some of the top hospitals in the Atlanta metro below.

Transportation for seniors in Atlanta

More than 75% of our partner Atlanta senior care facilities provide complimentary transportation services. This service is particularly advantageous to residents in assisted living or memory care who might not have access to certain health services in the community and need help getting to appointments.

While public transportation can seem daunting to some seniors, the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (also known as MARTA) strives to make it accessible for residents of all ages and abilities with its Travel Training Program. This program teaches seniors and people with disabilities how to use MARTA’s transit safely and independently. Additionally, MARTA also offers discounted fare cards for seniors and Medicare cardholders.

Another safe and reliable way for seniors to navigate around Atlanta is on-demand ride services through Uber Health and the Health Force of Georgia. This service is available to senior Health Force of Georgia clients, and it aims to provide convenient and affordable transportation to any type of activity. Rides are arranged and paid for by the Health Force of Georgia, and the bill is conveniently sent to clients every week.

You can access even more Atlanta senior transportation services near you by contacting Empowerline, which is part of Georgia’s Aging and Disability Resource Connection (ADRC) network. They have trained counselors available to point you to nearby resources, as well as an online search tool you can access below this section to locate senior services near you.

Senior transportation resources

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

Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA)
MARTA website
2424 Piedmont Road, NE
Atlanta, GA 30324
Customer service: 404-848-5000