Assisted Living Communities in Kennesaw, Georgia

Assisted living prices in Kennesaw fall in the middle of the cost spectrum. The national average is $655 more than costs in Kennesaw, but the Georgia average is $310 less. In some Georgia cities, assisted living is less expensive than in Kennesaw. Savannah's costs are $3,513 and Albany's $3,008. Facilities in Athens, however, charge $339 more than their counterparts in Kennesaw. Rome's costs are also more expensive at $4,293.

Assisted living facilities in Kennesaw accept several forms of payment for housing and services, providing flexible payment solutions for residents. By understanding the public and private payment options available, prospective residents effectively plan for long-term care expenses.

• Medicaid: The Georgia Elderly and Disabled Waiver Program is a Medicaid waiver that pays for some assisted living services for qualified individuals. Eligible services include personal care services, emergency response systems, meals and housekeeping.
• Medicare: Because assisted living facilities provide nonmedical services, Medicare coverage doesn’t apply. However, residents who receive skilled nursing services or rely on durable medical equipment use their Medicare coverage for these and other medically necessary services, bringing down their overall care costs.
• VA Benefits: Qualifying veterans have access to two programs that cover some of the services they receive in assisted living, including Aid and Attendance and the Geriatrics and Extended Care programs. These programs help pay for personal care services, skilled nursing, transportation and meals.
• Private Payments: Seniors typically use some of their own income and savings toward some or all their assisted living expenses, including room and board, personal care, meal plans and recreation. Common sources for private payments include Social Security disability and retirement benefits, public and private pensions, long-term care insurance and 401(k)s.

Assisted living is among the least expensive senior care choices in Kennesaw. Nursing homes charge the highest prices at $7,528, but they also offer the highest level of care. Seniors who want to remain in their own homes pay more than they would if they moved into assisted living. In-home care comes in at $4,290, while home health care with its light medical services costs $4,576. Adult day programs are priced lower than assisted living by over $2,500 but don't offer the same level of care.

• Kennesaw sits in the top half of U.S. cities for livability for seniors, scoring 55 out of 100 points versus the average city score of 48. This score reflects several environmental factors, such as clean air and drinking water, as well as high access to amenities such as parks and grocery stores.
• Overall, living costs in Kennesaw outpace the national norm by around 3%, with residents paying comparatively high housing and food costs. However, health care expenses trend nearly 10% below the national average, and many assisted living facilities support affordable living through all-inclusive pricing structures.
• While summers in Kennesaw tend to bring hot temperatures, with average daytime highs falling near 87 degrees Fahrenheit, the local weather is pleasant throughout the rest of the year. To accommodate varying temperature preferences, local facilities offer a mix of indoor and outdoor amenities.
• Cobb County, where Kennesaw sits, ranks among the best communities in the state and nation for health factors and outcomes. Roughly half of Medicare beneficiaries in the region receive annual flu vaccinations, and the ratio of primary care providers to patients is 1:1,280 versus 1:1,520 statewide, promoting access to medical services.
• Georgia’s retiree-friendly tax laws allow full exemptions for Social Security benefits and a $65,000 deduction on other retirement income, giving seniors in Kennesaw more money to put toward assisted living.