Community News
Georgia Governor Removes $2 Million Dementia Respite Care Funding from Budget
A Georgia State University study found memory care facilities in Georgia average $3,849 per month, with dementia patients spending nearly 83% of monthly income on long-term care. The Georgia chapter of the Alzheimer's Association urged lawmakers to appropriate an additional $2 million for respite care during the current legislative session; the measure passed both chambers but was removed from the budget by Governor Brian Kemp. In Floyd County, police last year found a wandering 74-year-old Alzheimer's patient army-crawling through woods after escaping a memory care facility. Sue Jones of Cobb County, who sold her home to fund her husband's years-long dementia care, has since started a support group for other caregivers in that county.