The 10 Best Memory Care Facilities in Atlanta, GA for 2023

Atlanta, GA is home to 496,461 residents, with 11.6% of those residents aged 65 or older. The over 54,000 residents in this age group are at an increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease, which afflicts more than 6 million Americans ages 65 and older. The number of Americans living with Alzheimer’s is growing, and Atlanta is no exception. According to the CDC, Alzheimer’s-related deaths in Atlanta rose by 11.11% between 2016 and 2020. Access to dementia care in the city is imperative.

Fortunately, Atlanta is home to many memory care facilities that can help individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease and related memory disorders. These facilities are staffed by trained professionals and health care providers who are equipped to provide around-the-clock, specialized care for residents. This guide highlights memory care costs in Atlanta and how these costs compare to nearby cities. It also includes guidance on ways to pay for memory care, including financial assistance that may be available.

The Department of Community Health licenses memory care communities and other long-term care homes. Facilities with memory care units and facilities that offer memory care must offer services, programs, activities, and devices specifically for residents with cognitive deficits that impact memory. The department inspects the communities and ensures they are compliant with rules and regulations. 

• On a 100-point scale where 100 is the national average, Atlanta scored 107.5 for the overall cost of living. This is markedly more expensive than the Georgia average of 93.4. However, the cost of health care in Atlanta is lower than both the national and state averages.
• Georgia is very tax-friendly for retirees. The state doesn’t tax Social Security retirement benefits and it also provides a maximum deduction of $65,000 per person for all forms of retirement income. The sales tax and property tax are moderate and there is no inheritance or estate tax. 
• Atlanta is home to world-class hospitals, including Emory University Hospital which is highly ranked nationally for treating cancer, diabetes, gastroenterology, geriatrics, neurology and other specialties. There are 22 hospitals in Atlanta, and overall, the cost of health care is below national and state averages. 
• Atlanta has hot summers and short cold winters. Temperatures vary between 35 degrees to 89 degrees, with it rarely going below 22 degrees or above 95 degrees. Outdoor activities are best enjoyed in Spring and Fall when conditions are warm. During the hot summer months and cold winter months, seniors may prefer to spend more time doing indoor activities, although seniors can enjoy some outdoor time for most of the year. 
• MARTA trains, buses and para-transit vehicles provide transportation around most of the city. Senior citizens who are 65 or older or who have a Medicare card enjoy a reduced fare of $1. For seniors with Alzheimer’s and dementia, a specialized senior transportation service may be more comfortable. Age Well Atlanta offers senior transportation services. Seniors can schedule transportation in advance.
• The crime rates in Atlanta are high. Violent crime rates are 7.47 per 1,000 inhabitants, compared to the Georgia and U.S. average of 4 per 1000 inhabitants. For property crime, rates are also higher than average. The average rate per 1000 inhabitants in the U.S. is 19, while in Georgia 20.7 is the score. In Atlanta, the average rate is 37.37, much higher than the state average. Despite the high crime rates, seniors can still feel comfortable living in memory care communities in Atlanta. These communities take special measures to ensure residents are safe, such as video surveillance and 24/7 staffing.

Note: Residential memory care is usually offered in assisted living facilities, and in general, memory care rates tend to be 20-30% higher than assisted living rates. No national database currently tracks memory care costs in the United States, so we’ve estimated the monthly memory care costs listed below by adding 25% to the rates listed in Genworth’s 2021 Cost of Care Survey.

The cost of memory care varies significantly throughout Georgia. The average cost of memory care in Atlanta is $4,806 per month, which is slightly higher than the state average of $4,419 but significantly lower than the U.S. average of $5,625. One of the most affordable cities for care is Albany, where the costs are about $3,760 per month. Conversely, one of the most expensive cities for memory care is Brunswick where seniors typically pay around $6,625. In Savannah, care is around the state average at $4,391 and in Columbus care is more expensive than in Atlanta at $5,279. 

There are a variety of care options available to seniors in Atlanta. The most affordable care option is an adult daycare, which typically costs $1,327 per month. The next most affordable option is assisted living, which costs around $3,845. For seniors who prefer to stay living at home, home care costs around $4,290 per month and home health care costs $4,576. For nursing home care seniors pay about $7,528 in Atlanta for a semiprivate room. 

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