Memory Care in Georgia

Georgia memory care units/centers are regulated and licensed by the Healthcare Facility Regulation Division (HFRD) of the Georgia Department of Community Health. The HFRD licenses assisted living communities for 25 or more residents and the smaller personal care homes that serve two or more residents. To provide services for individuals living with dementia, assisted living communities and personal care homes must obtain an additional licensing certification that addresses security, specialized programming, and dementia-specific staff training.

Guidelines for Georgia assisted living communities and personal care homes with a memory care unit/center include the following:^[01]

• Communities must develop policies and train staff to address the unique symptoms associated with dementia.
• Communities are required to utilize safety devices designed to protect residents who are at risk of wandering away from the premises.
• Buildings are required to provide multipurpose rooms for dining, group, and individual activities.
• At least 30 days prior to admission, a resident must have had an examination by a doctor that clearly reflects a probable diagnosis of dementia.
• The community shall provide appropriate social activities to encourage participation with other residents in addition to daily therapeutic activities.
• A written care plan must be created by staff which must include at least one memory care unit/center staff member.

Additional information on assisted living in Georgia can be found on our overview of assisted living page. The complete list of rules and regulations for Georgia’s assisted living communities and personal care homes can be found on Georgia’s Healthcare Facilities Regulations page.

Georgia memory care inspection and licensing information

The Healthcare Facility Regulation Division in Georgia performs annual inspections of assisted living communities and personal care homes. The division also investigates complaints made about facilities.

The annual inspections are unannounced, and inspectors look for a facilities compliance with the rules and regulations set by the state including the following:^[01]

• Facility must have adequate staff numbers to support resident needs
• Staff must be appropriately trained.
• Building safety systems must be operational and working properly
• Room sizes must meet regulations
• Each resident must have an up to date care plan
• Social and therapeutic programming must be provided

The HFRDs Find a Facility website is a useful tool for finding a licensed facility, reviewing facility inspections, and verifying a facility license.

To find a licensed facility, users can enter the name of the facility or address in the search bar above the map. The tool then zooms into the area of the facility. Click on the name you can review the facility information and inspection reports.

To search inspection reports, first choose the type of facility from the drop down menu (assisted living community or personal care home), then you can enter the facility name or address. You can also refine the search by entering the inspection date if you have it. The search will return all inspection information from the past three years.

If you are just interested in verifying a facility’s license status, enter the address or facility name in the search bar. The search will return the date of the effective license date.

Georgia Department of Health contact information

Georgia Department of Public Health

200 Piedmont Avenue, SE
Atlanta, GA 30334

Phone: 404-657-2700