More than 16 million Americans are unpaid caregivers for a loved one living with dementia. Although there’s no price tag, this care is far from free. Caregivers often experience burnout and depression. This human toll is very real and can undermine everyone’s quality of life — including that of the senior with dementia. Most seniors with dementia eventually need 24/7 care. That’s something no single person can provide, and paying for in-home care can quickly exhaust your loved one’s savings. Residential memory care offers a great alternative that includes plenty of activities and support. At the right senior living community, the true cost of memory care in Georgia may be lower than you think.
On average, a memory care community in Georgia costs about $4,000 per month. You’ll generally pay more in areas such as Atlanta and Savannah, while care in more rural regions tends to cost less. Higher-quality dementia care communities often charge more, but they offer services that can more greatly improve health and quality of life. Over time, this may actually help you save money, by reducing healthcare costs, for example.
Home caregiving seems free at first glance, but it’s anything but. If you live in a busy metropolis such as Atlanta, you’ll spend much of your day fighting traffic as you drive to doctor’s appointments or shuttle yourself back and forth between your loved one’s home and your own. Some other costs to keep in mind include:
It’s true that memory care is typically more expensive than family caregiving. But it also offers a better value. And if you are able to sell your loved one’s home to fund care, your out-of-pocket costs may be minimal. In return, you’ll gain an extraordinary value that can improve quality of life for both you and your loved one. The benefits of memory care in Georgia include:
Georgia Medicaid will fund assisted living or memory care if it is medically necessary. Many seniors with dementia qualify for Medicaid (even those with significant assets), because a person with dementia may be classified as medically needy. If you think you will need help funding memory care, begin planning early. Contact the Elder Law Section of the State Bar of Georgia for an attorney who specializes in elder-care issues, including Medicaid planning.
Long-term care insurance, certain employee benefit plans, and veterans benefits may also cover all or a portion of memory care funding. So it’s important to review any programs for which your loved one is eligible before they need to move.
If you prefer to pay for memory care yourself, know that senior living may be more affordable than you think — especially if you intend to sell your loved one’s home. Visit Arbor’s cost comparison tool for help comparing and assessing the costs of various living arrangements.
The Arbor Company’s Georgia memory care communities boast three decades of experience supporting seniors and their families. We know that dementia can be scary. We also know that it is not the end of a meaningful, deeply connected life. We’d love to show you how to support your loved one with dementia by letting us support your entire family. Give us a call to learn more about what we offer!
This blog was updated December 2020.