Located just northeast of downtown Atlanta, Decatur is a small city with a population of around 26,000 people. Close to 12% of the population is age 65 or older. There are plenty of activities within the city limits for seniors to enjoy, including the DeKalb Farmers Market, which sells fresh fruits and vegetables from the region and Kudzu Antiques, which provides plenty of vintage items and booths to explore. For those who love the outdoors, there are hikes in the Clyde Shepherd Nature Preserve.
Seniors often choose assisted living so that they can reside in an active community where they can socialize, receive help with personal care and medication and have access to health monitoring, meals and housekeeping. The Genworth 2021 Cost of Care Survey shows that seniors in Decatur pay an average of $3,845 per month for assisted living — less than the national average of $4,500, but above the state average of $3,535.
Using this guide, seniors can compare assisted living costs in several Georgia cities and access resources about assisted living.
Hundreds of thousands of American seniors utilize assisted living, a figure that is only growing. For these seniors, assisted living combines residential housing,assistance in daily activities, and some healthcare. These communities also strive to provide an atmosphere that is comfortable and engaging for their residents… Read More >
COVID-19 restrictions and rules for Assisted Living Facilities are typically set by the state – to see the rules in your state, you can read our guide to Assisted Living in Georgia. Keep in mind that there may be other policies that communities 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.
In Decatur, assisted living communities charge approximately $3,845 a month for a care package.
The price of assisted living in Decatur runs about $3,845 per month. This is higher than the Georgia state average of $3,535. The national average, however, comes in at $4,500, which is significantly more than both of these figures.
In a cost comparison with other Georgia cities, Decatur is in the middle of the cost spectrum. Most expensive is Brunswick with a rate of $5,300. This is followed by Columbus at $4,223 and Athens at $4,184. Next comes Decatur’s price of $3,845. Costs drop from there. Savannah’s assisted living communities charge an average of $3,513 a month while in Dalton prices stand at $3,400. Macon and Warner Robins are least expensive at $2,860 and $2,750 respectively.
Note: Data for Decatur was unavailable, so data for the nearest city, Atlanta, was used instead.
Since not everyone can afford to pay for assisted living out-of-pocket, it’s important to find alternative methods to help make assisted living more affordable. Some of these options include:
For more information about your options for making assisted living more affordable, visit our guide to Assisted Living in Georgia.
Contact | Description | |
Central DeKalb Senior Center | (404) 371-2000 | The Central DeKalb Senior Center provides a safe place for seniors in the area to gather and remain active in their communities. The center offers fitness classes, games, computer classes, and arts and crafts. The center also holds birthday parties and dances and schedules outings in the community. Transportation is available to and from the facility for those who no longer drive. |
DeKalb County Veterans Affairs | (770) 284-6709 | The local Veterans Affairs office assists prior military and their families in locating available services and benefits. This includes help in securing VA loans, educational opportunities, assistance in transitioning from military to civilian life and medical care. The administration can also help families locate national cemeteries for military burials. |
DeKalb County Transportation | (770) 322-2967 | The DeKalb County Transportation department offers a voucher system for seniors who are 60 and older. These vouchers make it possible for older adults to secure free rides out into the community for shopping, errands, medical appointments and sightseeing. |
DeKalb County Office of Aging | (404) 372-2000 | The DeKalb Office of Aging provides programs and services to help improve the lives of seniors in the area. These services include transportation and volunteer opportunities. |
Georgia Long-Term Care Ombudsman | (866) 552-4464 | The Georgia Long-Term Care Ombudsman serves as an advocate for individuals living in long-term care facilities. The organization works to see that communities maintain and adhere to the proper standards set by federal and state agencies. The group also provides information to caregivers and seniors regarding their rights and can help resolve any complaints or ongoing issues. |
Assisted Living Facilities in the Decatur area are required to follow a set of rules and regulations that are determined at the state level. For an overview of those rules and regulations, see the information below. For more specific information, talk with your local community or Area Agency on Aging.