The 5 Best Assisted Living Facilities in Dalton, GA for 2024

The Georgia Department of Community Health licenses and regulates assisted living through its Healthcare Facility Regulation Division. This process is designed to ensure quality care for residents of assisted living communities. Facilities must be licensed and regularly inspected to ensure that they meet standards for cleanliness, staffing and service.

• Dalton’s overall cost of living is low compared to the national average, and this can be beneficial to seniors. The city rates 81.1 on a 100-point scale with the U.S. average at 100. Several expense categories have below-average rates, including groceries at 94.1, housing at 56.6 and transportation at 81.8.
• Crime rates in Dalton are somewhat mixed. Violent crime in the city averages lower than the U.S., coming in at 21.1 on a 100-point scale where the national average is 22.7. Property crime rates, however, run high at 49.2. The city’s law enforcement agencies are aware of the issue and are working to protect residents and their property. Assisted living facilities also offer services to enhance residents’ safety.
• Dalton’s residents enjoy an overall climate comfort index of 7.4 on a 10-point scale. This is higher than the U.S. average of seven. Midsummer highs reach up to 89 degrees, while midwinter lows come in around 30 degrees. May, September and October are typically the most comfortable months.
• Although Dalton’s household incomes come in below the national average, the city’s economy tends to be strong with a low unemployment rate and plenty of diversity in the job market. Even seniors who are no longer working can benefit from a healthy economy.
• The Hamilton Medical Center is Dalton’s major medical facility. It provides primary care, emergency services, surgery and many specialties. Seniors may benefit from the hospital’s stroke care and chest pain centers in particular.
• Georgia provides significant tax breaks for seniors. The state does not tax Social Security and offers a high maximum deduction on retirement income. There are no estate or inheritance taxes in Georgia. Seniors should discuss these advantages with their accountants or tax preparers.

Assisted living communities in Dalton charge approximately $3,400 per month for care and services although rates can vary based on the packages and accommodations that seniors choose.

Dalton’s assisted living prices run on the low end of the cost spectrum. The city’s rates come in $1,100 below the national average and $135 below the state average. Other Georgia cities have more expensive assisted living prices than Dalton. Columbus’ rates are highest at $4,223. Atlanta’s costs are $445 more than Dalton’s. Augusta’s assisted living communities charge about $3,606 per month while Savannah’s rates are slightly lower at $3,513.

Assisted living is among the most affordable senior care options in Dalton. Only adult day programs come in lower at $1,625 per month, but these may not provide the necessary level of care for some seniors. If community life does not appeal to older adults, they have the option of remaining in their own homes and using in-home care or home health care, but they will pay over $1,400 more than they would for assisted living. Nursing home care, which is much more comprehensive, costs the most at $7,513 per month.

While many families use their own funds or personal assets to pay for assisted living, there are plenty of additional options to cover these costs. Some additional ways to finance assisted living costs include:

• Veterans Benefits
• Life Insurance Policy
• Long-Term Care Insurance
• Reverse Mortgage

For more information about different ways to finance assisted living, visit our Assisted Living in Georgia page.