What Is a Personal Care Home? A Plain-English Guide for Families
If a doctor, social worker or friend has suggested a "personal care home" for someone you love, you may be wondering what exactly that is, and whether it's the right fit. Here's a clear answer.
The short version
A personal care home is a residential home where adults live and get help with everyday activities like taking medications, bathing, dressing and getting around. It provides a bed, meals and supervision, usually in a smaller, more home-like setting than a large senior community.
In Georgia, the state defines a personal care home as a dwelling that provides or arranges housing, food service and one or more personal services for two or more adults who aren't related to the owner. Georgia's Department of Community Health licenses and inspects them.
What a personal care home usually provides
- A private or shared bedroom
- Meals and snacks
- Supervision of or help with self-administered medications
- Help with bathing, dressing, grooming and toileting
- Help with walking and transfers
- Housekeeping and laundry (this varies by home)
- Activities and a family-style living environment
What it generally doesn't provide
- Nursing care. Personal care homes aren't nursing homes. Residents who need continuous skilled nursing, such as injections, tube feeding or oxygen titration, usually need a different setting. Outside providers like home health agencies can visit.
- Help for people who can't get out in an emergency. Residents generally need to be able to walk or move themselves and exit the home in an emergency with minimal help.
- Memory care without certification. A home can't operate a memory care program unless it has the separate state certification. Ask directly.
Who it tends to fit
A personal care home is often a good match when someone:
- Can no longer manage daily activities safely alone
- Needs medication supervision and daily help but not round-the-clock nursing
- Gets around independently or with a walker or wheelchair
- Would do better in a small home than in a large community
- Is leaving the hospital and needs a place with support while recovering
Personal care home vs. other options
| Personal care home | Assisted living community | Nursing home | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | Small (2 or more residents) | 25 or more residents | Larger |
| Nursing | Not provided; outside providers visit | Limited nursing | 24-hour skilled nursing |
| Setting | Home-like | Apartment-style community | Clinical |
For a closer comparison, read Personal Care Home vs. Assisted Living in Georgia.
What to ask before you choose
- Is the home licensed, and can I see the permit and the latest inspection report?
- What levels of care does the home accept, and when would my relative need to move?
- Who is on-site overnight, and how many residents does each staff person care for?
- What's included in the monthly fee, and what costs extra?
- How are medications handled?
You can check a home's license and inspection history through the Georgia Department of Community Health's personal care homes program, and ask any home to show you its permit and latest inspection report.
Cost and payment
Costs vary by home and by the care a resident needs. We explain how pricing works and who pays in How Much Does a Personal Care Home Cost in Georgia?.
Find a home near you
You can browse licensed care homes by city on Jadely's care home search, and contact homes directly.
This article is general information, not medical or legal advice. Talk with your relative's doctor, social worker or care manager about the right level of care, and confirm a home's license with the Georgia Department of Community Health.
Sources
- Georgia Rules and Regulations, Chapter 111-8-62 (Personal Care Homes): https://rules.sos.ga.gov/gac/111-8-62
- Georgia Department of Community Health, Personal Care Homes: https://dch.georgia.gov/divisionsoffices/hfrd/facilities-provider-information/personal-care-homes
