In general, assisted living helps with daily tasks such as bathing, dressing, meals, and medication. Memory care adds a secure setting, routines, and staff trained for Alzheimer's disease and other dementias.
In Georgia, assisted living for seniors who need daily help is licensed as a personal care home.
Smyrna Village is a Georgia licensed personal care home specializing in memory care. We also welcome residents who need personal care at different levels of support. Families can compare both in one home in Smyrna.
How a day differs
These are general differences between the two kinds of support. Homes are not all the same. The person's doctor should say what level of support is needed.
- Assisted living centers on help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, meals, and medication.
- Memory care adds closer supervision through the day.
- Memory care uses a secure walkable setting.
- Memory care staff expect repetition and confusion.
- Memory care includes structured activities such as the Montessori-based Active Minds program.
Signs memory care may fit better
These signs are general. They are not a diagnosis, and they are not medical advice. Ask the person's doctor.
- Getting lost, or trying to leave home unsafely.
- Confusion that makes a quiet street unsafe.
- Needing more reminders through the day.
How Smyrna Village offers both
Smyrna Village is a Georgia licensed personal care home specializing in memory care. We also welcome residents who need personal care at different levels of support. The home is family-owned and veteran-owned. The address is 1418 Spring St SE, Smyrna, GA 30080.
The community has 46 licensed beds across 38 private and shared suites. Help with daily activities is part of the day. Medications are given only by Georgia-certified medication aides and recorded in an electronic medication record. A visiting registered nurse supports resident care. Staff trained in dementia caregiving are on site 24/7. Awake staff are on duty overnight. Step-free, ground-level entrances to both floors.
Kayla Turner, Executive Director, meets the resident and family before move-in and reviews medical records to confirm Smyrna Village can meet the person's needs.
Who is not a fit
Smyrna Village cannot admit anyone who needs 24-hour skilled nursing, a ventilator, IV therapy, or tube feeding, or who shows active physical aggression. This is not a nursing home. If you are sorting a personal care home or a nursing home, read that comparison before you choose a setting.
How to decide
Three conversations usually settle the question: the doctor, a tour, and a meeting with the Executive Director.
Step 1: Ask the person's doctor
Ask the person's doctor what level of support is needed.
- Ask whether the need is help with bathing, dressing, meals, or medication.
- Ask whether a secure setting and more reminders through the day are needed.
Bring the doctor's answer to the tour. This page does not diagnose.
Step 2: Tour the home
See the home in person before you decide.
- Tours are daily, by appointment. Call (404) 490-3719 to set the time.
- Families may visit any time and sign in and out.
The public phone is also answered after hours by community leadership.
Step 3: Meet the Executive Director and start paperwork
Meet the Executive Director, then start the paperwork from home.
- The meeting is with the resident and family, and it includes a review of medical records.
After that meeting, you can start an admissions packet online at https://www.smyrnavillage.com/admissions/start.