Veterans' Home Care in Athens, GA: Caregivers for Veterans

Local figures

Veterans’ Home Care in Athens, GA: the local picture

1,969

veterans aged 65 or older (12% of residents 65+)

15,758

residents 65 or older (12% of Athens)

32%

of residents 65+ report a disability

36%

of residents 65+ in households live alone

About 1,969 Athens residents aged 65 or older are veterans (12% of that age group), out of 3,869 veterans of all adult ages in town.

32% of all residents 65 and older report a disability; ask the VA whether a veteran’s needs qualify for its home care programs before you hire privately.

Athens compared with Georgia

Census figure	Athens	Georgia
Residents 65+ who are veterans	12%	15%
Residents 65+ with a disability	32%	34%
Residents 65 or older	12%	15%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	36%	26%
Residents 65+ with serious difficulty walking	20%	22%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	12%	11%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$51,711	—

Older residents in towns around Athens

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	Veterans (65+)
Watkinsville, GA	6.5 mi	415	3.1%
Statham, GA	13 mi	433	12%
Jefferson, GA	19 mi	1,708	12%
Commerce, GA	19 mi	1,081	7.8%
Winder, GA	20 mi	2,342	16%
Monroe, GA	23 mi	1,956	7.5%

Hospitals near Athens

Hospital with an emergency department	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Phone
St Mary's Hospital	Athens, GA	2.8 mi	1 of 5	(706) 389-3000
Ngmc Barrow, LLC	Winder, GA	20 mi	4 of 5	(770) 848-8611
Piedmont Walton Hospital	Monroe, GA	22 mi	4 of 5	(770) 267-8461

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 caregiver for a veteran can help with

Company and help around the house
Personal care: bathing, dressing, toileting
Rides to VA and other appointments
Meals and medication reminders

Cost

What veterans’ home 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 caregiver for a veteran

The VA’s Homemaker and Home Health Aide program sends a trained aide, supervised by a registered nurse, to help eligible veterans with daily activities at home. The Aid and Attendance benefit adds monthly payments to a VA pension for veterans who need help with daily activities. The VA Caregiver Support Line is 1-855-260-3274.

Questions worth asking: Have you cared for veterans before? Can you drive to the VA medical center or clinic? Are you comfortable with the paperwork VA programs need? More in our veterans’ home care guide.

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

Questions

Veterans’ Home Care in Athens: common questions

How much does veterans’ home 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).

Does the VA pay for in-home care?

For eligible veterans, VA programs such as Homemaker and Home Health Aide care can provide help at home, and Aid and Attendance can add to a VA pension. Ask the VA about eligibility; the Caregiver Support Line is 1-855-260-3274 (caregiver.va.gov).

More near Athens

More senior care near Athens

Veterans’ Home 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 Care for Veterans in Athens, GA