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

 

According to a 2023 report by the Alzheimer's Association, an estimated 6.7 million Americans live with the disorder, potentially growing to almost 13 million by 2050. The report also notes one in three seniors dies with dementia. Therefore, it's possible adults aged 65+, who comprise 10.1% of Smyrna's 56,000 residents, may be more likely to die from Alzheimer's than previous generations. CDC figures for the city between 2106 and 2020 suggest this may be happening, as Smyrna's Alzheimer's-related deaths increased by 18.99% in that period. Since there is as yet no cure for Alzheimer's, families may wish to consider dementia care.

Memory care facilities provide secure and safe homes for seniors with dementia as well as structured programs developed to mitigate cognitive decline. Residents typically reside in private or shared rooms with staff on hand 24/7 to help deliver programs, manage medications and assist with activities of daily living.

This guide compares memory care costs in the area, considers the advantages and disadvantages of living in Smyrna and lists some free and low-cost resources for families.

The Georgia Department of Community Health is responsible for licensing and regulating the state's memory care facilities. It does so through Health Facility Regulation, a division authorized to investigate complaints and force noncompliant facilities to resolve whatever failures the division uncovers. It also has the power to conduct surprise inspections and can revoke the licenses of underperforming facilities.

 

• Medical facilities in Smyrna include Wellstar Vinings Health Park, which provides primary care and urgent care services, and Emory Orthopaedics & Spine Center, which treats bone, muscle and tendon conditions. On the outer edge of the city limits is Cumberland Medical Center, which specializes in several areas of medicine, including geriatrics and rheumatology. 
• Based on the national average of 100, it may cost more to live in Smyrna because its cost of living index is 113.6. This is particularly high when compared to Georgia's average of 94.5. However, the city's health care cost index is 98.7, which is below the state's 99.8, so families may find they pay slightly less for health care here.
• Statistically, Smyrna is safer than most cities overall. Based on a scale of 1 to 100, with 100 being high, the rate of violent crime is 15.6, well below the national average of 22.7. However, the rate of property crime is slightly above the national average of 35.4, at 41.6. Families worried about crime in the city may be relieved to know Smyrna's licensed memory care facilities must have "safety and security precautions that ... protect residents from harm" or their licenses will be revoked.
• Smyrna's climate is generally mild and temperate throughout the year, although temperatures can drop to 32 degrees in January, which may account for the 1 inch of snowfall annually. However, temperatures frequently reach a pleasant 88 degrees during the summer months, only occasionally getting hotter. With annual rainfall 13 inches above the national average of 38 inches, families should expect uncomfortable muggy days between June and August. However, humidity levels are comfortable for the remaining 9 months of the year.
• Based on the U.S. average of 100, Smyrna has a health cost index of 90.8 (where lower is better). This figure comes from evaluating multiple factors that can impact the health of the city's residents, so it suggests Smyrna's environment is healthier than the average American city. 

 

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 median fee for memory care in Smyrna is $4,806 per month, although costs can vary wildly due to many factors, such as location and staff-to-resident ratios.

At $4,806 per month, Smyrna typically costs more for memory care than most places in the state, which has a median fee of $4,419, but it's more affordable than normal for the country, where the average is $5,625. However, most cities in Georgia are costlier. These include Gainesville at $4,866, Athens at $5,230 and Rome at $5,366. An exception is Macon at $3,575.

Both nursing homes and memory care facilities can care for seniors with early to late-stage dementia, but the former costs an additional $2,722 per month because it also provides medical care. Home health care can save families $230 and in-home care, $516, but their median fees reflect 44 hours of care per week, not 24/7 care. Adult day care offers the greatest savings, at $3,499, but families will need to arrange daily transportation to/from the center and 24/7 care isn't an option.

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:

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

For more information about different ways to finance memory care, visit our Memory Care in Georgia page.