Kennesaw is a small community to the northwest of Atlanta that’s rich in history and home to a variety of museums, parks and local bodies of water. Approximately 12% of the city’s population of 33,049 is age 65 and older. The cost of living is 8% over the national average, but groceries and health care tend to remain affordable. The city has a large number of physicians per capita, many of which provide services at Wellstar Kennestone Hospital, which is noted as one of the top 100 hospitals across the United States and one of the best hospitals in Georgia.
Crime in Kennesaw is extremely low, with violent crime 13% lower than the national average and property crime approximately 10% lower. The weather is also ideal for seniors, with long summers and short, mild winters. With so much to offer the aging population, it’s easy to see why many seniors choose to stay in the city and receive home care in their own homes when they retire.
According to Genworth’s 2021 Cost of Care Survey, home care has a monthly cost of $4,290 in Kennesaw. This total is based on 44 hours of care per week. The hourly rate is around $22.50 per week. Knowing this can make it easier for you to adjust the expected cost based on the exact number of hours of supervision and treatment costs. Simply multiply the number of hours you’ll need a caregiver by the hourly rate.
The cost of home care in Kennesaw is $4,290 per month, and home health care is slightly more at $4,576. In Georgia at large, home care is the same, but home health care is less at $4,385. The national cost for both is even higher at $4,957 and $5,148 per month. In Rome and Gainesville, the cost for both home care and home health care is the same, coming in at $4,576 and $5,148 for both, respectively Home care and home health care in Macon is less than Kennesaw, at $3,813 and $4,004 per month.
Seniors looking for long-term care should explore the cost of other services. Home care and home health care are more expensive than assisted living care and cost $3,845 per month. Adult day care is the least expensive option at $1,327, and a semiprivate room in a nursing home costs around $7,528 per month, which is considerably more than home care and home health care.
Finding a home care provider for yourself or a loved one can be a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be. Below, we explain the process of how to find a home care provider in 5 simple steps. Use the infographic below to help guide your search for in-home care in Kennesaw, GA.
What You Should Know
The Georgia Home Efficiency Assistance Program helps low-income seniors make energy-efficient improvements to their homes to lower their overall energy costs. Upon acceptance into the program, you will be contacted by a Georgia Power energy assessor who performs a complete assessment of the property. This will detail the number of improvements that are needed. A contractor will then contact you to schedule an appointment to perform the upgrades. These upgrades may include upgrades to lights, installation of thermostats, installation of attic insulation, sealing gaps, cracks and leaks in the structure and providing service to HVAC systems.
Who Is Eligible?
Seniors must be a Georgia Power account holder, live in the home they are applying for assistance and have a household income that’s 200% less than or equal to the federal poverty guidelines for the current year.
How to Get Started
To receive answers to questions and concerns, contact the Home Energy Efficiency Assistance Program at (877) 310-5607 or email at [email protected]. You can also apply online.
What You Should Know
The FODAC home modification program provides seniors and families with young children with home modifications that improve their overall quality of life. These modifications may include installing ramps, widening doorways, installing chair lifts and making bathroom modifications. All modifications are done by a team of volunteers.
Who Is Eligible?
To receive services, individuals must have a disability that’s verifiable by a physician.
How to Get Started
To learn more about the program specifics, contact the organization directly at (770) 491-9014 or by email at [email protected].
What You Should Know
The NGCA heating assistance program helps low-income seniors pay their home energy bills. The program makes direct payments to the utility company and will pay an entire season of utility bills, including any back pay. Funds to the program are limited and available as first come, first serve. Assistance is also only available once per year.
Who Is Eligible?
Individuals who are eligible to receive grants through NGCA must have an income that is 150% of or below the federal poverty guidelines. The individual who is applying must be the person listed on the utility bill, and the utility bill must be in danger of being disconnected. Individuals who receive any form of federal funding, including temporary assistance for needy families, SSI and food stamps, are automatically eligible for assistance.
How to Get Started
To receive benefits through NGCA, contact the Northwest GA office at (770) 345-6531.
What You Should Know
The Meals on Wheels program of Cobb County is a nutritional program that helps seniors who are homebound receive hot meals. The meals come in a 5-pack and are ready to heat. They are delivered twice per year by trained volunteers. Additional services include congregate meals at local senior centers, well checks and companionship. Seniors who need help feeding their cat or dog may also sign up to receive pet food at no charge.
Who Is Eligible?
Eligibility is limited to seniors ages 60 and older who reside in Cobb County and who have a physical or mental disability that prohibits them from preparing their own meals, grocery shopping or traveling to a congregate meal site. They must also meet the program income requirements.
How to Get Started
For more information on how to get started to receive delivered meals, contact Meals on Wheels at (770) 528-5364.
What You Should Know
In Kennesaw and Cobb County, the homestead exemption reduces your home by 40% of the fair market value, which reduces the amount of property tax you owe on your home. You can only have a homestead exemption on one property, and it must be the one you live in. Applications must be submitted by April 1 for the current year to receive the exemption.
Who Is Eligible?
Seniors over the age of 65 are eligible for homestead exemption if they turn 65 on or before January 1 of the current year. They must own their own home, reside in the property and claim it as their primary residence.
How to Get Started
To apply for a homestead exemption, apply online or contact the Cobb County Tax Commissioner’s Office at (770) 528-8600
What You Should Know
Cobb County Senior Services provides a variety of programs and services that help seniors improve their overall quality of life. The organization operates the area senior centers, which serve as a safe gathering place for older adults in the community. They also offer community health education, connections for veterans and in-home services like personal care, transportation and respite care.
Who Is Eligible?
Seniors ages 60 and older who live in their own homes and the community can receive services through Cobb County Senior Services. Individual programs have different requirements.
How to Get Started
To learn more about Cobb County Senior Services, call the main office at (770) 528-5364.