16 Assisted Living Facilities Near Athens, GA
Athens is a beautiful city located at the start of the Antebellum Trail, a 100-mile path through a handful of towns that escaped Sherman’s army. The low cost of living, attractive architecture and diverse culture of this university town make it popular with residents of all ages. Athens-Clarke County has a population of 126,913, of which 10.5% are seniors.
Assisted living facilities help seniors who are generally active remain independent for as long as possible by providing assistance with the activities of daily living. Seniors receive help with laundry, housekeeping, meals and personal care according to their own abilities and levels of mobility. The average cost of assisted living in Athens is $3,336 per month, which is slightly lower than the statewide average of $3,500 per month.
This guide looks at the cost of assisted living and other forms of senior care in Athens. It also discusses the benefits and downsides of choosing Athens as a retirement destination and lists some local resources to help seniors make informed choices while accessing affordable care in the city.
Directory of Assisted Living Facilities in Athens, GA
Oaks at Cedar Shoals
1291 Cedar Shoals Drive, Athens, GA, 30605
My mom-in-law is here. We chose this place because of the people and the way the place is set up. It is easy and convenient for her to walk around, and that way she could still keep some independence,
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My mom-in-law is here. We chose this place because of the people and the way the place is set up. It is easy and convenient for her to walk around, and that way she could still keep some independence, and she could maneuver around. They have a large patio in the center with flowers. The staff are very patient, and plus they understood exactly how things are done.
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My mom-in-law is here. We chose this place because of the people and the way the place is set up. It is easy and convenient for her to walk around, and that way she could still keep some independence,
… (read more)
My mom-in-law is here. We chose this place because of the people and the way the place is set up. It is easy and convenient for her to walk around, and that way she could still keep some independence, and she could maneuver around. They have a large patio in the center with flowers. The staff are very patient, and plus they understood exactly how things are done.
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Manor Lake Assisted Living & Memory Care
933 Highway 29 N, Athens, GA, 30601
Manor Lake is still on lockdown, but I was allowed to come in to help my mom get settled and drop things off for her. They have opened their dining room and she said she likes the food. She also sound
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Manor Lake is still on lockdown, but I was allowed to come in to help my mom get settled and drop things off for her. They have opened their dining room and she said she likes the food. She also sounds a lot better and a lot perkier. She used to have some wariness of where she is. She was really scared for a couple of days because she was disoriented, but she is transitioning well and I think a lot of that is because of the staff. They’re really making an effort with her. The night staffers were great. She has been in diapers because she doesn’t have enough strength to go to the bathroom. They would take her to the bathroom to let her try to begin regulating her bowel and bladder to go on her own and then they wiped her down. They got her in bed and tucked her in and she said, ‘Oh okay, I’m all comfy now, I’m good and you can go.’
The halls are wide and bright. If you’re facing the assisted living wing on the left, all of the apartments have an external door to a courtyard with a seating area, benches, a fountain, and a fire pit. It is really nice because it gives them the feeling that they can go outside. They have a full-time activity director.
It has only been open since July of this year. They’re not fully staffed because they’re not at capacity, which is nice. I viewed that as a plus because it means that they’re going to make more of an effort to try to make sure that everything goes well. If things aren’t going well, they can’t take in more residents. This is owned by a local person and it’s the only senior living community that he owns, so all of his eggs are in this basket and he is really invested in making it the best place that can be.
They have a social activity around lunch and then they go back to their room. They have arts and crafts, some gardening, some gente exercises classes and things that promote health, balance and well-being. They also have two service dogs that come in on Tuesday and Thursday and visit with the residents who miss their pets, which I thought was really neat. I’m really happy with my mom being there. She has only been there for a week and she said she is happy, which I think is a testimony to the job that they’re doing.
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Manor Lake is still on lockdown, but I was allowed to come in to help my mom get settled and drop things off for her. They have opened their dining room and she said she likes the food. She also sound
… (read more)
Manor Lake is still on lockdown, but I was allowed to come in to help my mom get settled and drop things off for her. They have opened their dining room and she said she likes the food. She also sounds a lot better and a lot perkier. She used to have some wariness of where she is. She was really scared for a couple of days because she was disoriented, but she is transitioning well and I think a lot of that is because of the staff. They’re really making an effort with her. The night staffers were great. She has been in diapers because she doesn’t have enough strength to go to the bathroom. They would take her to the bathroom to let her try to begin regulating her bowel and bladder to go on her own and then they wiped her down. They got her in bed and tucked her in and she said, ‘Oh okay, I’m all comfy now, I’m good and you can go.’
The halls are wide and bright. If you’re facing the assisted living wing on the left, all of the apartments have an external door to a courtyard with a seating area, benches, a fountain, and a fire pit. It is really nice because it gives them the feeling that they can go outside. They have a full-time activity director.
It has only been open since July of this year. They’re not fully staffed because they’re not at capacity, which is nice. I viewed that as a plus because it means that they’re going to make more of an effort to try to make sure that everything goes well. If things aren’t going well, they can’t take in more residents. This is owned by a local person and it’s the only senior living community that he owns, so all of his eggs are in this basket and he is really invested in making it the best place that can be.
They have a social activity around lunch and then they go back to their room. They have arts and crafts, some gardening, some gente exercises classes and things that promote health, balance and well-being. They also have two service dogs that come in on Tuesday and Thursday and visit with the residents who miss their pets, which I thought was really neat. I’m really happy with my mom being there. She has only been there for a week and she said she is happy, which I think is a testimony to the job that they’re doing.
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Orchard at Athens
2750 Atlanta Hwy, Athens, GA, 30606
Orchard at Athens was fabulous and gorgeous. We saw several apartments, and they were beautiful. The dining room was beautiful. There were a lot of lights and a lot of plants. The staff was young and
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Orchard at Athens was fabulous and gorgeous. We saw several apartments, and they were beautiful. The dining room was beautiful. There were a lot of lights and a lot of plants. The staff was young and friendly. The hallways were vast. They had seven patios, all enclosed for Alzheimer’s people to be there and be safe. The patios had fountains, benches, potted plants, and barbecue. We saw people eating. It looked very elegant. The art was beautiful. They have a movie theater, billiard, game room, private dining room, and beauty shop with a podiatrist coming once a month and a pedicure specialist coming every once a week. We were very, very impressed. They have two Alzheimer’s units. The staff was fabulous. They gave us a menu so we could look at what kind of food they were serving. They said that everything was done on-site, and it was not coming from a frozen factory somewhere.
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Orchard at Athens was fabulous and gorgeous. We saw several apartments, and they were beautiful. The dining room was beautiful. There were a lot of lights and a lot of plants. The staff was young and
… (read more)
Orchard at Athens was fabulous and gorgeous. We saw several apartments, and they were beautiful. The dining room was beautiful. There were a lot of lights and a lot of plants. The staff was young and friendly. The hallways were vast. They had seven patios, all enclosed for Alzheimer’s people to be there and be safe. The patios had fountains, benches, potted plants, and barbecue. We saw people eating. It looked very elegant. The art was beautiful. They have a movie theater, billiard, game room, private dining room, and beauty shop with a podiatrist coming once a month and a pedicure specialist coming every once a week. We were very, very impressed. They have two Alzheimer’s units. The staff was fabulous. They gave us a menu so we could look at what kind of food they were serving. They said that everything was done on-site, and it was not coming from a frozen factory somewhere.
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Silverleaf Memory Care Of Athens
705 WHITEHEAD ROAD, Athens, GA, 30606
Silverleaf Alzheimer’s Care of Athens is located in a serene area of Athens, Georgia, providing a private and relaxing view of nature. Visitors praise the friendly staff who go above and beyond to mak
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Silverleaf Alzheimer’s Care of Athens is located in a serene area of Athens, Georgia, providing a private and relaxing view of nature. Visitors praise the friendly staff who go above and beyond to make residents feel safe, important and well cared for. Volunteers regularly visit the facility to socialize with residents and play music and games. Residents have nutritious, restaurant-style dining options, and the community strives to always provide specialized care in a warm, inviting environment that feels like home. Due to the high level of engagement, residents say they feel like a family.
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Silverleaf Alzheimer’s Care of Athens is located in a serene area of Athens, Georgia, providing a private and relaxing view of nature. Visitors praise the friendly staff who go above and beyond to mak
… (read more)
Silverleaf Alzheimer’s Care of Athens is located in a serene area of Athens, Georgia, providing a private and relaxing view of nature. Visitors praise the friendly staff who go above and beyond to make residents feel safe, important and well cared for. Volunteers regularly visit the facility to socialize with residents and play music and games. Residents have nutritious, restaurant-style dining options, and the community strives to always provide specialized care in a warm, inviting environment that feels like home. Due to the high level of engagement, residents say they feel like a family.
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Talmage Terrace
801 Riverhill Drive, Athens, GA, 30612
Just off of Riverhill Drive in Athens, Georgia, sits Talmage Terrace/Lanier Gardens. This assisted living community offers residents land to grow their own vegetables in a shared garden space, and a v
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Just off of Riverhill Drive in Athens, Georgia, sits Talmage Terrace/Lanier Gardens. This assisted living community offers residents land to grow their own vegetables in a shared garden space, and a variety of activities keep residents busy and content. From arts and crafts to excursions and swimming, the staff at Talmage Terrace/Lanier Garden strive to ensure that their residents are engaged and well cared for. This community works with local schools to create opportunities for residents to share stories with young students and is continually praised for its great food, large spaces and caring staff.
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Just off of Riverhill Drive in Athens, Georgia, sits Talmage Terrace/Lanier Gardens. This assisted living community offers residents land to grow their own vegetables in a shared garden space, and a v
… (read more)
Just off of Riverhill Drive in Athens, Georgia, sits Talmage Terrace/Lanier Gardens. This assisted living community offers residents land to grow their own vegetables in a shared garden space, and a variety of activities keep residents busy and content. From arts and crafts to excursions and swimming, the staff at Talmage Terrace/Lanier Garden strive to ensure that their residents are engaged and well cared for. This community works with local schools to create opportunities for residents to share stories with young students and is continually praised for its great food, large spaces and caring staff.
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Arbor Terrace of Athens
170 Marilyn Farmer Way, Athens, GA, 30606
The administrative staff is excellent. Communications are frequent and informative. Staff members respond to emails, questions, and concerns in a very timely and compassionate manner. Facility is v
… (read more)
The administrative staff is excellent. Communications are frequent and informative. Staff members respond to emails, questions, and concerns in a very timely and compassionate manner. Facility is very clean and attractive.
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The administrative staff is excellent. Communications are frequent and informative. Staff members respond to emails, questions, and concerns in a very timely and compassionate manner. Facility is v
… (read more)
The administrative staff is excellent. Communications are frequent and informative. Staff members respond to emails, questions, and concerns in a very timely and compassionate manner. Facility is very clean and attractive.
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The Landing of Bogart
2881 Monroe Highway, Ste 501, Bogart, GA, 30622
We went to The Landing of Bogart. The tour was great. The facility was beautiful. They have a five-star chef that plans their meals. The only thing I didn’t like is it’s three stories, so they have to
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We went to The Landing of Bogart. The tour was great. The facility was beautiful. They have a five-star chef that plans their meals. The only thing I didn’t like is it’s three stories, so they have to use the elevator. Also, they didn’t have any studio apartment, and they only have one-bedroom, and so we really couldn’t afford it. They have a fancy-looking menu and it looked like it would have been good food. I just think it was probably better for someone with a little higher price point than we did. The building is beautiful, but it is three stories.
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We went to The Landing of Bogart. The tour was great. The facility was beautiful. They have a five-star chef that plans their meals. The only thing I didn’t like is it’s three stories, so they have to
… (read more)
We went to The Landing of Bogart. The tour was great. The facility was beautiful. They have a five-star chef that plans their meals. The only thing I didn’t like is it’s three stories, so they have to use the elevator. Also, they didn’t have any studio apartment, and they only have one-bedroom, and so we really couldn’t afford it. They have a fancy-looking menu and it looked like it would have been good food. I just think it was probably better for someone with a little higher price point than we did. The building is beautiful, but it is three stories.
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Avery Place
124 Avery Street, Winterville, GA, 30683
Avery Place is nestled in a cozy area of Winterville, Georgia, just moments from the Winterville Community Garden, Pittard Park and Winterville Methodist Church. This facility offers assisted living,
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Avery Place is nestled in a cozy area of Winterville, Georgia, just moments from the Winterville Community Garden, Pittard Park and Winterville Methodist Church. This facility offers assisted living, Alzheimer’s care companion living and respite care, and visitors highly praise the friendly staff who go above and beyond. The community offers a range of activities such as movie showings, sing-alongs and balloon volleyball, and musically inclined residents or visitors can play a tune on the piano. Religious services are available every Sunday, and residents are regularly taken on outings to local and neighboring areas.
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Avery Place is nestled in a cozy area of Winterville, Georgia, just moments from the Winterville Community Garden, Pittard Park and Winterville Methodist Church. This facility offers assisted living,
… (read more)
Avery Place is nestled in a cozy area of Winterville, Georgia, just moments from the Winterville Community Garden, Pittard Park and Winterville Methodist Church. This facility offers assisted living, Alzheimer’s care companion living and respite care, and visitors highly praise the friendly staff who go above and beyond. The community offers a range of activities such as movie showings, sing-alongs and balloon volleyball, and musically inclined residents or visitors can play a tune on the piano. Religious services are available every Sunday, and residents are regularly taken on outings to local and neighboring areas.
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Mulberry Grove Senior Living
343 Price St, Statham, GA, 30666
Mulberry Grove Senior Living was very nice. They were having a sing-along in the common area when I went into the building. A young lady took me down to visit a room and we sat and talked a little bit
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Mulberry Grove Senior Living was very nice. They were having a sing-along in the common area when I went into the building. A young lady took me down to visit a room and we sat and talked a little bit and I asked questions. When we came back, they were having kind of a little exercise activity. They had an activity schedule and they gave me a menu. It’s a nice place. It provides three meals a day and two snacks.
The staff during the tour was very nice and knowledgeable. I had called the Saturday before and spoke with the young lady that was at the facility, and she answered some questions for me and invited me to come on Monday and see the facility and take a tour which I did on Monday. It was very clean. The young lady told me that they can handle an occupancy of 40 something and they had 28 there at the time. They had four married couples that were there sharing in the facility. They said that their ages range to below 65 up to near 100 at times.
They’re a full-service facility. It’s all-inclusive. They’ll help you do anything that needs to be done as far as bathing, and they’ll keep your medication and get your medication right to you. The room I went into was a one-bedroom, but they also had a two-bedroom. The room I was in was very nice. It had a tub in the bath and she said most of the rooms have a shower with very low step-in, so you don’t have to come into a tub or step over.
They have a long corridor with apartments. At the end of each hallway, they have a common room or a pretty good-sized sitting room with chairs and a table. Off of that common area or visiting area, they have a screened-in area. This room is where you can have family and visitors get together, sit together and visit in the room and spend time together.
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Mulberry Grove Senior Living was very nice. They were having a sing-along in the common area when I went into the building. A young lady took me down to visit a room and we sat and talked a little bit
… (read more)
Mulberry Grove Senior Living was very nice. They were having a sing-along in the common area when I went into the building. A young lady took me down to visit a room and we sat and talked a little bit and I asked questions. When we came back, they were having kind of a little exercise activity. They had an activity schedule and they gave me a menu. It’s a nice place. It provides three meals a day and two snacks.
The staff during the tour was very nice and knowledgeable. I had called the Saturday before and spoke with the young lady that was at the facility, and she answered some questions for me and invited me to come on Monday and see the facility and take a tour which I did on Monday. It was very clean. The young lady told me that they can handle an occupancy of 40 something and they had 28 there at the time. They had four married couples that were there sharing in the facility. They said that their ages range to below 65 up to near 100 at times.
They’re a full-service facility. It’s all-inclusive. They’ll help you do anything that needs to be done as far as bathing, and they’ll keep your medication and get your medication right to you. The room I went into was a one-bedroom, but they also had a two-bedroom. The room I was in was very nice. It had a tub in the bath and she said most of the rooms have a shower with very low step-in, so you don’t have to come into a tub or step over.
They have a long corridor with apartments. At the end of each hallway, they have a common room or a pretty good-sized sitting room with chairs and a table. Off of that common area or visiting area, they have a screened-in area. This room is where you can have family and visitors get together, sit together and visit in the room and spend time together.
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The Hampton House
432 S Fourth Street, Colbert, GA, 30628
An elderly relative stayed at Hampton House while I was traveling out of the country in 2018. I took him to visit initially and we both were impressed with the administrative staff and the caretakers
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An elderly relative stayed at Hampton House while I was traveling out of the country in 2018. I took him to visit initially and we both were impressed with the administrative staff and the caretakers. After he moved in they took extra care to make him feel at home. He was happy with the food served and the care given. Unfortunately he passed away a month later. Some of the staff even attended this funeral. It’s nothing fancy but if you like a casual, comfortable atmosphere where you’re treated like family, this is the place.
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An elderly relative stayed at Hampton House while I was traveling out of the country in 2018. I took him to visit initially and we both were impressed with the administrative staff and the caretakers
… (read more)
An elderly relative stayed at Hampton House while I was traveling out of the country in 2018. I took him to visit initially and we both were impressed with the administrative staff and the caretakers. After he moved in they took extra care to make him feel at home. He was happy with the food served and the care given. Unfortunately he passed away a month later. Some of the staff even attended this funeral. It’s nothing fancy but if you like a casual, comfortable atmosphere where you’re treated like family, this is the place.
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St Mary’s Highland Hills Village
1660 Jennings Mill Rd, Watkinsville, GA, 30677
Highland Hills Village PC is located in Bogart, GA, about nine miles west of Athens. It sits just off the Athens Perimeter, offering residents easy access to several major stores and restaurants, a mo
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Highland Hills Village PC is located in Bogart, GA, about nine miles west of Athens. It sits just off the Athens Perimeter, offering residents easy access to several major stores and restaurants, a movie theater and Jennings Mill Golf Course. Residents and visitors enjoy the facility’s clean and welcoming atmosphere and the large rooms and balconies that are available. Residents also appreciate the spacious grounds and the opportunity to bird watch while walking around. Residents praise the abundance of activities, which include bingo, yoga and shopping trips throughout the Athens area.
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Highland Hills Village PC is located in Bogart, GA, about nine miles west of Athens. It sits just off the Athens Perimeter, offering residents easy access to several major stores and restaurants, a mo
… (read more)
Highland Hills Village PC is located in Bogart, GA, about nine miles west of Athens. It sits just off the Athens Perimeter, offering residents easy access to several major stores and restaurants, a movie theater and Jennings Mill Golf Course. Residents and visitors enjoy the facility’s clean and welcoming atmosphere and the large rooms and balconies that are available. Residents also appreciate the spacious grounds and the opportunity to bird watch while walking around. Residents praise the abundance of activities, which include bingo, yoga and shopping trips throughout the Athens area.
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Magnolia Estates of Oconee
1641 Virgil Langford Road, Watkinsville, GA, 30677
Magnolia Estates of Oconee is located in Watkinsville, Georgia, a residential area with small-town charm eight miles south of Athens and 60 miles east of Atlanta. Visitors and residents especially lik
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Magnolia Estates of Oconee is located in Watkinsville, Georgia, a residential area with small-town charm eight miles south of Athens and 60 miles east of Atlanta. Visitors and residents especially like the community’s calendar of engaging activities, which includes recreational outings, boat trips, arts and crafts, game nights, clubs, civic groups, exercise classes, music therapy, beauty days and ice cream socials. Residents love the exceptional attention to detail at Magnolia Estates with its personalized patient care, spacious dining room, clean rooms, a beauty salon, safe transportation and great food.
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Magnolia Estates of Oconee is located in Watkinsville, Georgia, a residential area with small-town charm eight miles south of Athens and 60 miles east of Atlanta. Visitors and residents especially lik
… (read more)
Magnolia Estates of Oconee is located in Watkinsville, Georgia, a residential area with small-town charm eight miles south of Athens and 60 miles east of Atlanta. Visitors and residents especially like the community’s calendar of engaging activities, which includes recreational outings, boat trips, arts and crafts, game nights, clubs, civic groups, exercise classes, music therapy, beauty days and ice cream socials. Residents love the exceptional attention to detail at Magnolia Estates with its personalized patient care, spacious dining room, clean rooms, a beauty salon, safe transportation and great food.
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St Gabriel of Athens
2040 Resurgence Drive, Watkinsville, GA, 30677
My sister has been a resident of St. Gabriel’s since they first opened and we have been very pleased with the care she receives. The staff is caring and attentive, and quick to let me know if there a
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My sister has been a resident of St. Gabriel’s since they first opened and we have been very pleased with the care she receives. The staff is caring and attentive, and quick to let me know if there are any concerns about her health. She enjoys the food and the activities.
I recommend this facility wholeheartedly!
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My sister has been a resident of St. Gabriel’s since they first opened and we have been very pleased with the care she receives. The staff is caring and attentive, and quick to let me know if there a
… (read more)
My sister has been a resident of St. Gabriel’s since they first opened and we have been very pleased with the care she receives. The staff is caring and attentive, and quick to let me know if there are any concerns about her health. She enjoys the food and the activities.
I recommend this facility wholeheartedly!
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Hollander Senior Living of Monroe
171 Hwy 78 NW, Monroe, GA, 30655
I did a tour of Hollander Senior Living of Monroe. It was defining, as far as making the decision about whether or not I want to put my dad in a home. It was kind of lost in time. The staff was pleasa
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I did a tour of Hollander Senior Living of Monroe. It was defining, as far as making the decision about whether or not I want to put my dad in a home. It was kind of lost in time. The staff was pleasant, but she was filling in. She was not the subject matter expert. She didn’t have a mask on until we actually began the tour (even though the signs on the door said we had to have one on). It was a little concerning, especially considering that she shared that they had a staff member positive. They were keeping all of the residents in their rooms. That’s not a criticism, it’s just that she should have had more knowledge.
The facility is in need of upgrade and repair. The flooring in the main lobby was all unlevel and natural looking stone pavers, as a tile. They were very uneven, and it just seemed to be a trip hazard for somebody in a walker. I’m not sure it would have been very easy to roll your own wheelchair. I didn’t see anybody try, but it didn’t look conducive to impaired mobility. The carpeting was very worn, frayed, and almost a trip hazard at the threshold.
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I did a tour of Hollander Senior Living of Monroe. It was defining, as far as making the decision about whether or not I want to put my dad in a home. It was kind of lost in time. The staff was pleasa
… (read more)
I did a tour of Hollander Senior Living of Monroe. It was defining, as far as making the decision about whether or not I want to put my dad in a home. It was kind of lost in time. The staff was pleasant, but she was filling in. She was not the subject matter expert. She didn’t have a mask on until we actually began the tour (even though the signs on the door said we had to have one on). It was a little concerning, especially considering that she shared that they had a staff member positive. They were keeping all of the residents in their rooms. That’s not a criticism, it’s just that she should have had more knowledge.
The facility is in need of upgrade and repair. The flooring in the main lobby was all unlevel and natural looking stone pavers, as a tile. They were very uneven, and it just seemed to be a trip hazard for somebody in a walker. I’m not sure it would have been very easy to roll your own wheelchair. I didn’t see anybody try, but it didn’t look conducive to impaired mobility. The carpeting was very worn, frayed, and almost a trip hazard at the threshold.
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COVID-19 Rules for Assisted Living in the Athens
Since most COVID-19 rules for Assisted Living Communities and other Senior Living Facilities are set at the state level, you can view the specific rules for your state on our Guide to Assisted Living in GA. Keep in mind that every community has specific policies that they put in place to protect their residents, so you should contact your local community for more information. Additionally, you can contact your local Area Agency on Aging to learn more – find contact information here.
What to Consider About Assisted Living in Athens
Assisted living facilities in Athens are licensed and regulated by Georgia’s Division of Healthcare Facility Regulation. Facilities are required to comply with an extensive list of rules and regulations and pass regular inspections to maintain their licenses.
Benefits and Drawbacks of Assisted Living in Athens
- Athens is an affordable place to live with the cost of living being 12.8% lower than the national average. This makes the city a good option for seniors who want to stretch their money further.
- The weather in Athens is generally comfortable. July is the hottest month of the year, and there’s occasionally a small amount of snowfall in January. Overall, the area sees warm but comfortable temperatures with some rain. This makes Athens a pleasant option for those who dislike arid climates or extreme cold.
- Georgia is a senior-friendly state when it comes to taxation. Retirement-related Social Security benefits aren’t taxed, and there’s a deduction of up to $65,000 per person on retirement income. Additionally, there are no inheritance or estate taxes. These factors, combined with the low cost of living, make Athens a good choice for financially savvy seniors.
- Athens is home to two high-performing hospitals. The Piedmont Athens Regional Medical Center is highly rated in four procedures, and the St. Mary’s Health Care System-Athens is highly rated in two procedures. This gives seniors peace of mind that they can access the health care they need in the local area.
- The Athens Community Council on Aging runs numerous services for seniors in the city and surrounding county. Its Center for Active Living helps older adults stay fit, active and involved with community life.
Paying for Assisted Living in Athens
The average monthly fee for assisted living in Athens is just $3,366, which is slightly lower than the Georgia state average of $3,500 and far more affordable than the national average of $4,300.
The Cost of Assisted Living in Nearby Cities
Assisted living fees in Athens are slightly more affordable than average for Georgia ($3,500) and almost $1,000 lower than the wider United States ($4,300). Athens is far from the cheapest city for assisted living in the state, however. Further south in Valdosta and Albany, fees average $2,420 and $2,835 per month respectively. Towards the coast in Savannah, assisted living costs are in line with the state average, and further north in Dalton, the average cost is $3,588.
The Cost of Other Types of Senior Care
Seniors should consider their needs and financial circumstances before making a choice about their care. Daytime services in a group setting are the most affordable at $1,625 a month. In-home care and home health care provided on an individual basis cost almost $800 more than assisted living per month, but that may be worth it to some people who prefer to stay in their own homes. Nursing home care is by far the most expensive option due to the skilled nursing care provided. Rates start at $6,266 for a semiprivate room.
Financial Assistance for Assisted Living in Athens
Eligible seniors can apply for financial assistance with assisted living in Athens through two state-operated programs: Service Options Using Resources in a Community Environment (SOURCE) and the Community Care Service Program (CCSP). Both of these are Medicaid waiver programs and are subject to availability.
Learn more about these programs, plus who’s eligible, on our Assisted Living in Georgia page.
More Ways to Pay for Assisted Living
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.
Free Assisted Living Resources in Athens
Athens residents may find the following resources useful if they’re considering moving into an assisted living facility or are otherwise looking for help to live independently. These resources include organizations that offer free services, benefits counseling, wellness programs or other support.
| Resource | Contact | Service |
| Northeast Georgia Area Agency on Aging | (800) 474-7540 | The Northeast Georgia Area Agency on Aging provides a variety of services for seniors in Athens, Clarke County and the surrounding area. The agency supports older adults and those with disabilities via programs, information and signposting to other agencies with the goal of helping them lead safe, active and independent lives. |
| Athens Community Council on Aging | (706) 549-4850 | The ACCA serves older adults in several ways by advocating at the local, state and federal levels to improve services for seniors. In the Athens area, the ACCA runs adult day health services, senior transportation, Meals on Wheels, and other programs to help seniors with their day-to-day needs. |
| Georgia Senior Legal Hotline | (888) 257-9519 | Seniors can call the Georgia Senior Legal Hotline to request brief legal advice or referrals to other legal professionals. The organization is staffed by attorneys and volunteers who are donating their time to help older adults with civil law inquiries. |
| Athens Veterans Field Service Office | (706) 369-5630 | The Athens Veterans Field Service Office provides eligible seniors with a convenient contact point for information about benefits, disability payments and other practical support. Former service people and their surviving spouses can contact the field service office for information about Aid & Attendance payments and other benefits that could be used to pay for senior care. |
Assisted Living Laws and Regulations in Athens
Athens-area assisted living communities must adhere to the comprehensive set of state laws and regulations that all assisted living communities in Georgia are required to follow. Visit our Assisted Living in Georgia page for more information about these laws.
