Dementia Care in Athens, GA: In-Home Alzheimer's Care

Local figures

Dementia Care in Athens, GA: the local picture

1,328

residents 85 or older (1.0% of all residents)

15,758

residents 65 or older (12% of Athens)

32%

of residents 65+ report a disability

6+

Medicare-certified nursing homes within 25 miles

Athens has about 1,328 residents aged 85 or older among 15,758 aged 65 or older. The risk of Alzheimer’s rises steeply with age, and the Alzheimer’s Association estimates that about a third of people 85 and older have Alzheimer’s dementia.

32% of residents 65 and older report a disability. The Census counts cognitive difficulty as one kind, alongside hearing, vision, walking, self-care and living independently.

36% of older Athens residents in households live alone. For someone with memory loss who lives alone, a few hours of daily check-ins are often the first step.

Athens compared with Georgia

Census figure	Athens	Georgia
Residents 85 or older	1.0%	1.4%
Residents 65 or older	12%	15%
Residents 65+ with a disability	32%	34%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	36%	26%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	12%	11%
Residents 5+ who speak a language other than English at home	16%	15%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$51,711	—

Older residents in towns around Athens

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	Residents 85+
Watkinsville, GA	6.5 mi	415	94
Statham, GA	13 mi	433	53
Jefferson, GA	19 mi	1,708	232
Commerce, GA	19 mi	1,081	138
Winder, GA	20 mi	2,342	297
Monroe, GA	23 mi	1,956	317

Nursing homes near Athens

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Pruitthealth - Grandview	Athens, GA	2.3 mi	5 of 5	72	(706) 549-6013
Pruitthealth - Athens Heritage	Athens, GA	2.9 mi	4 of 5	104	(706) 549-1613
Presbyterian Village - Athens	Athens, GA	3.0 mi	2 of 5	40	(706) 739-7690
Oaks - Athens Skilled Nursing, The	Athens, GA	3.3 mi	1 of 5	148	(706) 355-7400
University Nursing & Rehab Center	Athens, GA	3.4 mi	1 of 5	122	(706) 549-5382
High Shoals Health And Rehabilitation	Bishop, GA	9.8 mi	4 of 5	100	(706) 769-7738

Hospices serving Athens

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Gentiva	Athens, GA	1.6 mi	(706) 549-5736
Affinis Hospice, LLC	Athens, GA	1.6 mi	(706) 705-6000
Amedisys Hospice	Athens, GA	2.8 mi	(706) 369-3550
Affinity Hospice	Athens, GA	2.8 mi	(205) 949-0400

Straight-line miles from the center of Athens. Medicare (CMS) data, October 2026; call ahead to confirm. We are not affiliated with these providers.

What it covers

What a dementia caregiver can help with

Keeping a predictable daily routine
Gentle help with bathing, dressing and toileting
Meals, hydration and medication reminders
Calming approaches for sundowning, agitation and repeated questions

Cost

What dementia care costs in Athens

At the Georgia median aide wage of $14.07 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,219 a month in wages, which is 28% of the $4,309 monthly median income of Athens households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Georgia's state rate is lower than the federal one, so employers covered by the Fair Labor Standards Act pay at least the federal $7.25 an hour (U.S. Department of Labor).

Hiring directly, you agree the rate with the caregiver and usually become the household employer (U.S. Department of Labor rules). Some families qualify for programs that pay for care at home; see Medicaid programs for family caregivers: who can be paid, and the rules in 12 states.

Before you hire

What to know before hiring a dementia caregiver

An estimated 7.2 million Americans aged 65 and older are living with Alzheimer’s dementia, according to the Alzheimer’s Association 2025 Facts and Figures. Most live at home, cared for by family. The Association’s 24/7 Helpline (1-800-272-3900) is free.

Questions worth asking: Tell me about someone with dementia you cared for. What worked? What do you do when a client becomes agitated in the late afternoon? How do you keep someone safe who tries to leave the house? More in our dementia care guide.

CaregiverConnect does not run background checks. Check identity, references and any certification yourself before anyone starts. The Safety Center explains how.

Questions

Dementia Care in Athens: common questions

What nursing homes are near Athens?

The closest Medicare-certified nursing homes are Pruitthealth - Grandview in Athens (2.3 mi, 5 of 5 overall); Pruitthealth - Athens Heritage in Athens (2.9 mi, 4 of 5 overall); Presbyterian Village - Athens in Athens (3.0 mi, 2 of 5 overall). Ratings are from Medicare Care Compare.

How much does dementia care cost in Athens?

At the Georgia median aide wage of $14.07 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,219 a month in wages, which is 28% of the $4,309 monthly median income of Athens households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Georgia's state rate is lower than the federal one, so employers covered by the Fair Labor Standards Act pay at least the federal $7.25 an hour (U.S. Department of Labor).

When does someone with dementia need care at home?

Common signs are missed meals or medication, getting lost in familiar places, unsafe cooking or driving, and a family caregiver who is exhausted. Many families start with a few hours a day and add hours, nights or live-in help as the disease progresses.

More near Athens

More senior care near Athens

Dementia Care in nearby cities

Other care in Athens

More for Athens families

Sources

Census ACS 2020–2024 5-year; CMS provider data (October 25, 2026); U.S. DOL state minimum wages (July 1, 2026); BLS OEWS May 2025 aide wages, which cover employed aides rather than private rates.

In-Home Dementia and Alzheimer's Care in Athens, GA