Home Care in Macon, GA

The central Georgia city of Macon is a popular retirement option for its affordability and easy access to health care. In this region, older adults account for nearly 16% of the population, promoting access to age-informed medical care and community-based services. The city is home to two hospitals, Piedmont Macon Medical Center and Navicent Health, providing a combined total of over 400 beds and a wide range of primary and specialty care services. There are about 372 doctors per capita, which is about 80% higher than the national median of 210 doctors.

Macon is a budget-friendly option, which may make home care a financially sustainable option for retirees who want to remain in their homes even as their needs change. Its overall cost of living is about 25% lower than the national median and homes are especially affordable, costing about a third of the national average. Residents don’t pay state income taxes on their Social Security benefits and a large deduction is available for all other types of retirement income, further making Macon an affordable city for those who want to maintain their standard of living throughout retirement.

The 2021 Genworth Cost of Care Survey shows that home care is a cost-effective long-term care option for Macon residents, with seniors paying about $3,813 per month for services. This breaks down to an hourly rate of $20 for 44 hours of weekly care, or 8.8 hours of care per weekday. You may pay more for home care if you need personal care on evenings and weekends. On the other hand, you may be able to reduce out-of-pocket costs by using publicly funded community-based services or obtaining help from friends and family.

Seniors in Macon pay $3,813 per month for home care, which includes nonmedical services such as help with daily living activities, transportation and meal planning and preparation. Home health care, which includes skilled nursing services, is a little costlier at $4,004 monthly. Local rates are competitive compared to the state averages of $4,290 for home care and $4,385 for home health care. Nationally, average rates are even higher at $4,957 and $5,148, respectively. In the nearby city of Warner Robins, both levels of care cost $4,099 per month, and in Columbus, seniors pay $4,290. In Atlanta, home care rates average $4,290 but home health care exceeds the state average at $4,576.

Meals on Wheels of Middle Georgia

What You Should Know

Meals on Wheels of Middle Georgia provides home-delivered meals to help housebound individuals in Macon remain safely in their homes. It has trained and screened volunteers who deliver hot meals to qualified individuals five days per week. Each meal is planned by a dietitian and contains a third of the USDA dietary requirements for seniors. Medicaid-eligible individuals may also receive frozen or shelf-stable meals to supplement hot meals. The organization also provides dog and cat food for Meals on Wheels clients.

Who Is Eligible?

To determine eligibility for home-delivered meals, Meals on Wheels considers factors such as whether the applicant needs help with daily living activities such as bathing and walking, if they’re receiving help within the home and their nutritional risk status. Applicants must also live within the service area. Even if you don’t meet requirements for free meals, you can pay for cost effective meals. As of 2022, the weekly rate for five hot meals is $30.

How to Get Started

To learn more about Meals on Wheels, including eligibility criteria and how to sign up for meals, you can call the agency at (478) 745-9140.

Middle Georgia Area Agency On Aging

What You Should Know

The Middle Georgia Area Agency On Aging provides home and community-based services to those aged 60 and over in the Macon region, helping older adults to remain in their own homes for as long as possible throughout retirement. Through this agency, you can access home-delivered and congregate meals, respite care services, housekeeping and chore services and personal care. The agency operates the Wellness Program, which promotes health aging through education on safely using prescription medications, proper nutrition and age-friendly exercises, and provides care consultations with evidence-based information. It also operates senior centers throughout the region, one of which is in Macon, to help those who live alone to avoid isolation and boredom.

Who Is Eligible?

Services through the Area Agency On Aging are open to Macon residents aged 60 and over. Some programs have additional eligibility criteria based on need or income.

How to Get Started

To learn more about these programs, call the main office at (478) 751-6160. You can also email the agency at [email protected].

Macon-Bibb County Economic Opportunity Council, Inc.

What You Should Know

The Macon-Bibb County Economic Opportunity Council, Inc., is a nonprofit organization that serves income-qualifying individuals in the Macon region through a variety of supportive programs and services. Through its Emergency Assistance program, it provides emergency funds for housing, utility payments or medical services. The organization provides regional transportation services to help you attend medical appointments and complete necessary errands, as well as homeless prevention services for qualified individuals. It also administers LIHEAP, which provides one-time financial assistance with utility bills to help program participants avoid disruptions in service during the winter and summer months.

Who Is Eligible?

To get financial assistance through this nonprofit organization, you must meet income guidelines. Some services, such as transportation, may have age-based requirements.

How to Get Started

You can learn more about the eligibility criteria for these programs and services by calling the organization at (478) 738-3240 or submitting a message through the online contact form.

Senior Property Tax Exemption

What You Should Know

There are several programs available to homeowners in Macon to help them reduce what they owe in property taxes. Depending on your age and income, you may be eligible to claim a $4,000 exemption in addition to the standard homestead exemption. You may be able to claim an additional exemption that reduces what you pay toward taxes for educational purposes, as well as the floating inflation-proof exemption that keeps your property taxes from increasing when your home appreciates in value. Disabled veterans and the unmarried surviving spouses of deceased veterans may also be able to claim an exemption to reduce or eliminate their property tax burden.

Who Is Eligible?

To qualify for the additional homestead exemption, you must be at least 65 years old and meet income restrictions. Those aged 62 and over can claim the floating inflation-proof exemption and the exemption from educational taxes. The Homestead Exemption for Disabled Veterans is open to qualified disabled U.S. veterans and their surviving spouses.

How to Get Started

To learn more about these programs, you can contact the Macon-Bibb Tax Commissioner at (478) 621-6500.

2-1-1

What You Should Know

United Way of Central Georgia operates 2-1-1, a free phone-based information and referral service available to Macon area residents. You can call this helpline for personalized assistance with finding community-based services and programs to supplement paid home care services. Some services you may access include home-delivered meals, friendly visitor or phone call services, transportation, durable medical equipment loans and prescription drug assistance.

Who Is Eligible?

Everyone w+ho resides in Georgia is eligible to get information and assistance through 211 regardless of their age, income or disability.

How to Get Started

To speak with an adviser, you can dial 2-1-1 from any phone. Alternately, you can call (478) 745-4732 or fill out and submit an online contact form.