Finding Independent Senior Living in Georgia

Georgia’s independent living communities are for seniors who want to enjoy their freedom, without the upkeep of their own home. These communities have the services available to seniors such meals, transportation, and housekeeping, recreation, and more. The seniors living in Georgia’s independent living communities are healthy, active and have similar interests which encourage a strong and supportive social network. These like many independent communities have on-site hair salons, recreation rooms, fitness rooms among many other amenities.

Find INDEPENDENT LIVING Facilities In GEORGIA

Find Senior Caring Options by County

Cost Comparison of Georgia Independent Living

City Monthly Minimum Monthly Maximum Monthly Median
Atlanta $2,495 $3,815 $3,106
Cumming $3,150 $3,595 $3,373
Marietta $2,690 $3,951 $3,480
Savannah $1,549 $2,290 $2,013

Georgia has 98 independent living homes with an average cost of $2,463 per month.

With each community offering its own unique amenities and services, costs will vary based on location, size, and the housing options available. In almost every Georgia independent living community, you’ll find housekeeping and linen services, transportation, meal plans, and fitness centers, all included in your monthly payments. It is likely that your community will provide medical services, however, they often come at an additional cost. Here are a few prices found throughout Georgia.

Recreation & Attractions in Georgia

Georgia has many different types of sights to see such as the Forsyth Park, Okefenokee Swamp, Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site, Chattahoochee National Forest, and much more. The Forsyth Park is a gorgeous park that has old trees bordering the walkway leading to a huge fountain, which is a perfect destination for a casual stroll. The Okefenokee Swamp consists of swampland full of interesting water paths, endangered animals, and small floating islands. The Chattahoochee National Forest is full of lakes, rivers, and waterfalls—it is the perfect place for hiking, walking, picnicking, canoeing, and more fun activities. 

Georgia's Climate, Geography & Culture

The climate in Georgia is humid with hot summers and mild winters. There is a perfect blend of sunny days along with rainy ones. During the summer, days are hot with average temperature highs at about 90-degrees. Georgia is not usually directly hit with hurricanes due to its small coastline, but the state does experience tropical cyclones, though they are rarely stronger than F1. More intense tornadoes are uncommon in the state. Winter temperatures are in the 50s and the summer temperatures are in between the 80s and 90s. The spring and fall temperatures are in the 60s to 80s. The winters are usually brief, with light snowfall and average temperatures in the low 40s. Annually, Georgia will receive 49.74 inches of rainfall and 4.3 inches of snowfall. 

Georgia's culture is often characterized by abundant friendliness and classic southern hospitality. The Peach State prides itself in having a strong sense of community while striving to overcome its history of slavery and segregation. The state has a strong background in forestry, hunting and fishing, and agriculture. The coast is also home to the vibrant Gullah people, originally brought from West Africa and who developed a unique creole language that is still spoken today.

Georgia's Independent Living Regulations & Laws

All rules and regulations of Georgia's independent living communities are overseen by the Department of Community Health. These regulations ensure that all communities meet the appropriate health, safety, and medical conditions. You are entitled to view these public records upon request, documenting any and all past violations along with the steps taken to correct them. 

Crime & Safety in Georgia

Though most of Georgia is relatively safe, Atlanta has a reputation for higher crime compared to other cities. Fortunately, there are many crime prevention organizations to help reduce the crime problem. The Atlanta Police Department is very proactive in dealing with crime prevention; they even have their own crime prevention unit that focuses solely on the safety of the citizens.

The Crime Prevention Unit offers training, neighborhood watch training, safety seminars, as well as other social programs designed to reduce crime. Besides the police department, there are many crime prevention organizations and programs in many cities in Georgia, along with neighborhood watches -- especially around the universities like the University of Georgia.

LocationViolent Crimes Per 1,000 ResidentsProperty Crimes Per 1,000 Residents
Summerville0.237.04
Johns Creek0.337.05
Grovetown0.329.39
Milton0.199.94

Payment Options for Georgia Independent Living

Since Medicare and Medicaid do not usually cover the costs of independent living care in Georgia, seniors may want to consider other options available. Veterans can apply for benefits which can be used as a payment for the costs. A single veteran would receive $1,644 monthly, veteran couples would receive $1,949, and the surviving spouse would receive $1,056. Individuals can also buy long-term care insurance as a way to pay for their independent living costs, allowing the individual to receive money daily for care.

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) can be another option for those who are blind or have a disability or have children to support. Seniors must also be U.S. citizens over 65 years of age in order to qualify. If possible, another option to consider is opening up a senior living line of credit, allowing up to $50,000 of unsecured credit to use as needed. This money is sent directly to your independent living community with flexible repayment terms and little to no collateral required. 

Senior & Elderly Rights for Independent Living in Georgia

As an American citizen, you retain your constitutional rights while residing in your independent living community, allowing full autonomy over health and financial affairs. If you believe your rights have been violated, don't hesitate to contact a lawyer well versed in elder law. For a general understanding of your rights of independent living in Georgia, you can review the Georgia's Council of Community Ombudsman for more details. 

GA Independent Living Medical Record Rules & Regulations

State and federal HIPAA laws require all resident records and medical reports of services provided on community grounds are recorded, maintained and available to residents in a timely manner. You will be notified if there is any request to disclose this information to a third party pending your authorization. Even though the facility issuing the records or reports technically own the files in the state of Georgia, you are still entitled to review them and receive copies by request, usually at the cost of a small fee. 

Finding the perfect senior care community is only part of making your loved one’s senior living transition smooth. At SeniorCaring, we know that it is also equally important to be aware of what other community services and resources are available to your family’s senior. Choose your location and find local resources for your senior.