The Best Memory Care Facilities in Valdosta, GA for 2024

In Georgia, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention discloses that Alzheimer’s serves as the seventh leading cause of death, and in communities such as Valdosta, many seniors require specialized dementia care solutions. This disease primarily affects older adults, with about 1 in 9 seniors nationwide receiving this diagnosis. Although seniors make up less than 14% of Valdosta’s population, a modest percentage compared to the state norm, the CDC recorded a 200% surge in Alzheimer’s-related deaths between 2016 and 2020. By comparison, the total number of deaths in the region climbed by just 38%. At the beginning of the reporting period, Alzheimer’s caused just 3.5% of deaths versus 7.5% at the end.

Several memory care facilities serve Valdosta, providing compassionate care and secured housing for seniors living with memory loss. These facilities have highly trained caregivers and licensed nurses on-site who provide close supervision and hands-on assistance with day-to-day activities. They also incorporate dementia-friendly dining programs and recreational activities for optimal engagement. 

This guide provides an overview of memory care costs and other considerations for choosing memory care in Valdosta.

The Georgia Department of Community Health, Healthcare Facility Regulation Division, licenses all memory care facilities in Valdosta and the rest of Georgia. These facilities meet the state’s minimum standards for all residential care facilities, along with additional dementia-specific requirements for building features, caregiver training and the type of staff they must have.

• In Valdosta, seniors benefit from retiree-friendly state income tax laws, giving many older adults the ability to afford local memory care services. Seniors don’t pay any state income taxes on their Social Security benefits, and they can claim a deduction of up to $65,000 to reduce what they owe on withdrawals from their retirement accounts or income from pensions.
• Valdosta serves as part of the Dementia Friendly America Network, meaning that its leaders have put policies in place to make the city a welcoming environment for seniors and families facing dementia. Through the DFA network, individuals may connect with support groups, early-stage engagement activities and financial and legal guidance related to memory care.
• In Valdosta, summers tend to be long and hot, spanning from mid-May to late September and bringing daily high temperatures between 86 and 91 degrees Fahrenheit. Winters, which last from the beginning of December until late February, are mild with daytime temperatures ranging from 63 to 68 degrees Fahrenheit. To keep residents comfortable, many local memory care facilities have unit-controlled thermostats and secured indoor and outdoor common areas.
• There are two hospitals in Valdosta, including Smith Northview Hospital and South Georgia Medical Center. These major medical facilities offer comprehensive health care services and provide treatment and referrals for dementia.
• Valdosta ranks among the most cost-effective places to live in Georgia, which may benefit prospective memory care residents with budgetary considerations. On a 100-point cost of living index based on living costs nationwide, the city scores 80.1 compared to Georgia’s average of 94.5. Additionally, some memory care facilities in this city accept payment from the state’s Community Care Services Program, further promoting affordability for qualified individuals.
• Violent crime occurs at a relatively low rate in Valdosta, but property crime is more prevalent. On a 100-point crime index, the city exceeds the nation’s property crime score with a rating of 79.6. However, its violent crime score is comparatively modest at 21. To promote seniors’ safety and provide peace of mind for families, many memory care facilities have security measures, such as locked entry points and alarm systems.

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.

Memory care facilities in Valdosta charge an average monthly rate of $3,974 for specialized services.

In Valdosta, memory care facilities charge $3,974 per month for housing and dementia support, which comes in well below Georgia’s average of $4,419, as well as the national rate of $5,625. Despite the city’s modest monthly rate, seniors may save money by opting for care in Albany, where rates average $3,760, or Warner Robins, where care costs about 13% less than in Valdosta. However, rates in Savannah exceed the local norm by 10%, and in Brunswick, monthly care costs average even higher at $6,625.

In Valdosta, memory care costs $3,974 per month, providing specialized dementia and Alzheimer's care and is more affordable than other options. Nursing home care, with extensive medical and personal care, costs about 51% more. In-home and home health care services, offering personalized assistance at home, average $4,195. Standard assisted living for seniors without memory care needs costs around $3,174, including help with daily activities and some health services. For part-time care, adult day health care at approximately $1,083 provides social activities, meals and limited health services.

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.