Written & Reviewed by
Last updated: May 29, 2026
Bottom line: Georgia has 12 Area Agencies on Aging, often called AAAs. These regional offices help older adults, adults with disabilities, and caregivers find meals, rides, senior centers, Medicare counseling, home help, caregiver support, legal help, and long-term care options. The fastest statewide starting point is the Aging and Disability Resource Connection at 1-866-552-4464.
If you need urgent help now
Call 911 if someone is in danger, has a medical emergency, or may be hurt right now. Do not wait for an Area Agency on Aging to call back in a safety emergency.
For abuse, neglect, or exploitation in a home or community setting, Georgia Adult Protective Services takes reports through 1-866-552-4464, option 3. The official APS page says APS is not a first responder, so call 911 first if danger is immediate.
For a mental health or suicide crisis, call or text 988. Georgia says 988 calls, texts, and chats are answered by the Georgia Crisis and Access Line through 988 in Georgia, day and night.
For food, rent, shelter, utilities, disaster help, or local nonprofit referrals, dial 2-1-1. Georgia 211 connects callers with community resources.
Fast help numbers for Georgia seniors
| Need | Best first call | What to ask for | Reality check |
|---|---|---|---|
| Find your local AAA | 1-866-552-4464 | Ask for the ADRC or your county AAA. | Services are based on the older adult’s county. |
| Find a senior center | Your local AAA or county senior services | Ask for meal sites, senior centers, and transportation. | Some centers need membership or a short intake. |
| Meals | Your local AAA | Ask about congregate meals and home-delivered meals. | Home meals may need a screening. |
| Medicare questions | 1-866-552-4464, option 4 | Ask for Georgia SHIP. | SHIP counselors do not sell plans. |
| Home care waiver | Your local AAA | Ask about the Elderly and Disabled Waiver Program. | The state says there is often a waitlist. |
| Facility complaint | 1-866-552-4464, option 5 | Ask for the long-term care ombudsman. | Call 911 first if danger is immediate. |
Contents
What Georgia AAAs can do
Area Agencies on Aging are local planning and service offices. Georgia uses the Aging and Disability Resource Connection, or ADRC, as the front door for many aging and disability questions. The state ADRC page says the system helps older adults, people with disabilities, families, caregivers, and professionals find long-term support options.
An AAA may screen your need, check your county, and connect you with a provider. The AAA is not always the final provider. It may send you to a senior center, meal program, transportation provider, legal group, Medicaid office, caregiver program, or county agency.
Georgia’s estimated population was 11,302,748 on July 1, 2025, and 15.7% of residents were age 65 or older, according to Census QuickFacts. Georgia has 159 counties, so the right office depends on where the older adult lives.
For broader state benefit paths, see our Georgia senior grants guide. Use this AAA page when you need a local starting point for meals, rides, home help, senior centers, caregiver help, or Medicare counseling.
Georgia AAA directory by region
The table below is based on the current Georgia Division of Aging Services listings. You can also check the state AAA directory before calling.
| AAA region | Counties served | Main phone | Official link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta Regional | Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry, Rockdale | 1-866-552-4464 or 404-463-3333 | State listing |
| CSRA | Burke, Columbia, Glascock, Hancock, Jefferson, Jenkins, Lincoln, McDuffie, Richmond, Screven, Taliaferro, Warren, Washington, Wilkes | 706-210-2000 or 1-888-922-4464 | State listing |
| Coastal Georgia | Bryan, Bulloch, Camden, Chatham, Effingham, Glynn, Liberty, Long, McIntosh | 912-514-1629 or 1-800-580-6860 | State listing |
| Georgia Mountains | Banks, Dawson, Forsyth, Franklin, Habersham, Hall, Hart, Lumpkin, Rabun, Stephens, Towns, Union, White | 770-538-2650 or 1-855-266-4283 | State listing |
| Heart of Georgia Altamaha | Appling, Bleckley, Candler, Dodge, Emanuel, Evans, Jeff Davis, Johnson, Laurens, Montgomery, Tattnall, Telfair, Toombs, Treutlen, Wayne, Wheeler, Wilcox | 912-367-3648 or 1-888-367-9913 | State listing |
| Middle Georgia | Baldwin, Bibb, Crawford, Houston, Jones, Monroe, Peach, Pulaski, Putnam, Twiggs, Wilkinson | 478-751-6466 or 1-888-548-1456 | State listing |
| Northeast Georgia | Barrow, Clarke, Elbert, Greene, Jackson, Jasper, Madison, Morgan, Newton, Oconee, Oglethorpe, Walton | 706-369-5650 or 1-800-474-7540 | State listing |
| Northwest Georgia | Bartow, Catoosa, Chattooga, Dade, Fannin, Floyd, Gilmer, Gordon, Haralson, Murray, Paulding, Pickens, Polk, Walker, Whitfield | 1-800-759-2963 | State listing |
| River Valley | Chattahoochee, Clay, Crisp, Dooly, Harris, Macon, Marion, Muscogee, Quitman, Randolph, Schley, Stewart, Sumter, Talbot, Taylor, Webster | 706-256-2900 | State listing |
| Southern Georgia | Atkinson, Bacon, Ben Hill, Berrien, Brantley, Brooks, Charlton, Clinch, Coffee, Cook, Echols, Irwin, Lanier, Lowndes, Pierce, Tift, Turner, Ware | 912-285-6097 or 1-888-732-4464 | State listing |
| Southwest Georgia | Baker, Calhoun, Colquitt, Decatur, Dougherty, Early, Grady, Lee, Miller, Mitchell, Seminole, Terrell, Thomas, Worth | 229-432-1124 or 1-800-282-6612 | State listing |
| Three Rivers | Butts, Carroll, Coweta, Heard, Lamar, Meriwether, Pike, Spalding, Troup, Upson | 678-552-2838 or 1-866-854-5652 | State listing |
Reality check: Confirm the county when you call. If the first office says you are outside its area, ask for a transfer or the correct AAA phone number.
How to find senior centers in Georgia
Many people land on this page while looking for senior centers in Georgia. Senior centers are not all run the same way. Some are county senior centers. Some are city recreation sites. Some are meal sites under the aging network. Others are multipurpose centers with exercise rooms, classes, trips, lunch, benefits help, or caregiver support.
Start with the county where the older adult lives. Call the AAA and ask, “Which senior center or meal site serves this county?” Then ask the county or city senior services office about schedules, membership, transportation, fees, meals, and accessibility.
If you are looking for food, do not ask only for “a senior center.” Ask about congregate meals, home-delivered meals, food pantry referrals, and transportation to meal sites. Our senior food programs guide explains other food options while you wait.
| Center | City or county | Phone | Official link | What it may help with |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dorothy C. Benson Senior Multipurpose Facility | Sandy Springs / Fulton County | 404-613-4900 | Fulton centers | Multipurpose senior center with meals, fitness, social activities, computer, art, and wellness options. |
| Helene S. Mills Senior Multipurpose Facility | Atlanta / Fulton County | 404-613-5820 | Fulton centers | Classes, recreation, lunch, wellness, fitness, social activities, and senior services support. |
| Lou Walker Multipurpose Senior Center | Stonecrest / DeKalb County | 770-322-2900 | DeKalb centers | Multipurpose center with meals, classes, health and wellness, caregiver resources, and support. |
| Lawrenceville Senior Center | Lawrenceville / Gwinnett County | 678-277-0970 | Lawrenceville center | Transportation, breakfast, lunch, counseling, fitness classes, art, trips, and group activities. |
| Centerville Senior Center | Snellville / Gwinnett County | 678-277-0230 | Centerville center | Transportation, meals, counseling, fitness, classes, arts and crafts, trips, and volunteer activities. |
| Marietta Senior Center | Marietta / Cobb County | 770-528-2516 | Marietta center | Daily meals, nutrition education, trips, art, games, group exercise, and possible transportation. |
| Senior Wellness Center | Marietta / Cobb County | 770-528-5355 | Wellness center | Gym, yoga, tai chi, art, lifelong learning, cooking space, and Medicare counseling by appointment. |
| Frank Chester Senior Center | Columbus | 706-225-3727 | Frank Chester | Senior center activities, wellness, recreation, social connection, and local senior programming. |
| Henry H. Brigham Community Center | Augusta-Richmond County | 706-771-2654 | Brigham center | Community and senior center space at a city park with recreation, fitness, walking track, and community activities. |
| Mary Flournoy Golden Age Center | Savannah | 912-651-2192 | Mary Flournoy | Congregate meals, crafts, computer lab, fitness, games, health checks, and senior programming. |
Reality check: Call before going. Lunch programs, transportation, schedules, fees, membership rules, and accessibility can change. Some centers are for independent adults and are not adult day care. If a center cannot help, ask it to name the AAA, county senior services office, or meal provider for your area.
Common help from Georgia AAAs
| Service | What it may help with | Who may qualify | Where to apply | Reality check |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Meals | Senior center lunches, home-delivered meals, nutrition tips, and wellness classes. | Older adults who meet local meal rules. Home meals often need a health or homebound screen. | Call your AAA or check Georgia’s nutrition page. | Delivery routes may be limited. |
| In-home help | Homemaker help, personal care, chores, reassurance calls, and emergency response systems. | Older adults who need help staying safe at home and meet local screening rules. | Ask your AAA about in-home services. | Some help is short term or limited by funding. |
| Caregiver help | Respite, adult day referrals, support groups, education, and counseling. | Family caregivers, unpaid helpers, and some older relatives raising children. | Ask your AAA about caregiver programs. | Respite hours may be limited. |
| Medicare counseling | Plan choices, drug coverage, Medicare Savings Programs, and Extra Help questions. | People with Medicare, family members, and caregivers. | Call 1-866-552-4464, option 4. | Counselors are neutral, but they cannot choose a plan for you. |
| Legal help | Non-criminal legal issues, benefits problems, housing matters, and elder-rights questions. | Georgians age 60 and older, based on case type and program capacity. | Ask your AAA or use Georgia’s legal help page. | Urgent court deadlines need fast action. |
| Home care waiver | Adult day care, personal care, home-delivered meals, respite, and other home supports. | People who are Medicaid eligible, need a nursing home level of care, and choose home care. | Georgia says the EDWP application starts through AAAs. | There is often a waitlist. |
Meals and food help
Many seniors call an AAA because food is harder to afford, shop for, or cook. Georgia AAAs can connect people to senior center meals, home-delivered meals, nutrition education, and nearby food resources.
What it helps with: Congregate meals are group meals at senior centers or other meal sites. Home-delivered meals may help people who cannot safely shop or cook because of health, disability, or mobility needs.
Who may qualify: Rules depend on the program and county. Older adults with health limits, no steady ride, limited support at home, or a high nutrition risk should ask for a screening.
Where to apply: Call your local AAA. If you need food today, call 2-1-1, a food pantry, a faith group, or your county senior center while the AAA screening is pending.
Reality check: A meal request is not always same-day help. Some areas have waiting lists, limited delivery routes, or limited meal-site hours.
Rides and transportation help
Transportation is one of the hardest parts of aging in Georgia, especially outside large cities. AAA-linked transportation may help with rides to medical visits, senior centers, meal sites, grocery trips, or other needed appointments.
What it helps with: Local transportation may include scheduled rides, senior center transportation, medical rides, or referrals to public transit and nonprofit ride programs.
Who may qualify: Programs often focus on older adults who cannot drive, cannot use regular public transit, or have no family ride. Some areas give first priority to medical appointments.
Where to apply: Call your AAA and ask, “What senior transportation is open in my county?” In metro Atlanta, also ask whether Empowerline, county transit, or paratransit may fit.
Reality check: Rides often need advance notice. A ride may not be door-to-door in every county. Weather, distance, driver shortages, and rural roads can affect service. Our senior transportation help guide gives more ways to ask for rides.
Home care and Medicaid waiver help
Georgia’s Elderly and Disabled Waiver Program, often tied to Community Care Services Program and SOURCE, may help some older adults get care at home instead of in a nursing home.
What it helps with: The waiver may include service coordination, adult day care, personal care, home-delivered meals, respite, and other home or community supports.
Who may qualify: Georgia says applicants must be Medicaid eligible, be at least 65 or meet disability rules if younger, meet nursing home level of care, choose home or community care, and use only one waiver at a time.
Where to apply: Start with your local AAA. If you are comparing ways to pay for help at home, see our Georgia home care guide for other payment paths.
Reality check: The state says there is often a waitlist, and services depend on capacity and need. Being screened does not mean care starts right away. Ask what to do while waiting.
Caregiver support
Caregivers often call after a parent, spouse, or grandparent becomes unsafe alone. Your AAA may offer caregiver screening, respite options, adult day referrals, support groups, training, and other local supports.
What it helps with: Caregiver programs may help with a short break, support groups, education, counseling, adult day referrals, and help understanding care options.
Who may qualify: Family caregivers, unpaid helpers, and some grandparents or older relatives raising children may be eligible, depending on the program. Grandparents can also review our Georgia grandparents guide.
Where to apply: Call your AAA and ask for caregiver support or respite. If you hope to be paid for caregiving, our Georgia caregiver pay guide can help you ask better questions.
Reality check: Respite is usually limited. A program may offer a few hours, a short break, or referral help. It may not replace a full care plan.
Medicare, legal help, and housing referrals
AAAs can also point seniors to free Medicare counseling, legal help, housing referrals, and other local resources. Georgia SHIP helps with Medicare questions. Elderly legal assistance may help older adults with non-criminal legal issues.
For housing needs, the AAA may refer you to local nonprofits, senior housing lists, public housing offices, or 2-1-1. You can also use our Georgia housing help guide for rent, shelter, and housing options.
If you use Georgia Gateway for SNAP, Medicaid, TANF, or other benefits, see our Georgia Gateway guide before you apply. If the need is an apartment search, our Georgia apartments guide explains housing lists and common problems.
Reality check: The AAA is not a housing authority, court, bank, or Medicaid eligibility office. It can guide you and refer you, but another agency may make the final decision.
How to start without wasting time
- Write down the county: The correct AAA is based on the older adult’s county, not the caller’s county.
- Call 1-866-552-4464: Ask for the ADRC or the local AAA for that county.
- Say the main problem first: Meals, rides, senior center, bathing help, caregiver break, Medicare, legal help, housing, or abuse report.
- Ask what is open now: Some programs may have funding, while others may have a waitlist.
- Ask about nearby centers: If you want social activities or lunch, ask for senior centers, meal sites, and transportation.
- Get names and dates: Write down who you spoke with, the date, and the next step.
- Ask for backups: If you are put on a waitlist, ask for 2-1-1, senior center, food pantry, transit, or nonprofit options.
Information to have before calling
| Information | Why it helps |
|---|---|
| Name, age, county, and phone number | The AAA must route the request to the right local office. |
| Living situation | Staff may ask if the person lives alone, with family, in senior housing, or in a facility. |
| Health and daily needs | Meals, personal care, respite, and waiver programs may need a basic needs screen. |
| Income and Medicaid status | Some programs do not need income proof, but Medicaid waiver programs do. |
| Doctor or discharge papers | These can help if the person needs care at home after an illness, fall, or hospital stay. |
| Urgent deadlines | Court dates, shutoff notices, eviction papers, and discharge dates need quick attention. |
Phone scripts you can use
Script for finding your AAA
“Hello, I live in [county] County. I am calling for help for an older adult who needs [meals, rides, home help, caregiver support, Medicare counseling]. Can you connect me with the Area Agency on Aging or ADRC for this county?”
Script for finding a senior center
“I am looking for a senior center or meal site in [county/city]. Can you tell me which centers serve this area, whether lunch or transportation is available, and whether we need to register first?”
Script for home care
“We are trying to keep an older adult safe at home. They need help with [bathing, dressing, meals, supervision, rides]. Can you tell me if EDWP, CCSP, SOURCE, or non-Medicaid home services may fit?”
Script for caregiver support
“I am the main caregiver and I need a break before this becomes unsafe. Can you screen us for respite, adult day care, caregiver counseling, or support groups?”
What to do if denied, delayed, or overwhelmed
If the AAA says you do not qualify, ask why. Ask whether the reason is age, county, income, Medicaid status, medical need, waitlist priority, or missing papers. Then ask what other program might fit.
If you are waiting for a call back, call again after a few business days unless the worker gave you a different date. Keep your notes short and clear.
If the issue involves a nursing home, personal care home, or assisted living concern, ask for the long-term care ombudsman at 1-866-552-4464, option 5. If your concern is abuse in a long-term care facility, Georgia says to contact Healthcare Facility Regulation at 1-800-878-6442 through the state abuse report page.
Backup options while you wait
- For food: Call 2-1-1, ask local churches, check food pantries, and ask the senior center about meal sites.
- For home safety: Ask the doctor, hospital discharge planner, or county health department about short-term help.
- For Medicare: Ask Georgia SHIP for counseling before plan deadlines. Our Georgia Medicare Savings guide explains one money-saving path.
- For disability needs: If the need is tied to disability, our Georgia disability help guide may help you ask the right office.
- For housing: Contact 2-1-1, local housing authorities, and local nonprofits while you wait for referrals.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Waiting until a hospital discharge day to ask for home help.
- Calling the wrong AAA and giving up instead of asking for a transfer.
- Asking for “free help” instead of naming the need: meals, rides, bathing, respite, Medicare, or senior center.
- Assuming a senior center lunch program is open to walk-ins every day.
- Skipping 2-1-1 when the need is food, rent, shelter, or utilities today.
- Not writing down the worker’s name and next step.
Spanish summary
Resumen en español: En Georgia, las Agencias del Área sobre el Envejecimiento ayudan a personas mayores, adultos con discapacidades y cuidadores. Pueden ayudarle a encontrar comidas, centros para personas mayores, transporte, ayuda en el hogar, apoyo para cuidadores, consejería de Medicare, ayuda legal y opciones de cuidado a largo plazo.
Para empezar, llame al 1-866-552-4464 y diga el condado donde vive la persona mayor. Si hay peligro inmediato, llame al 911. Para una crisis de salud mental, llame o mande texto al 988. Para comida, renta, servicios públicos o refugio, marque 2-1-1.
About this guide
This guide uses official federal, state, local, and other high-trust nonprofit and community sources mentioned in the article.
Editorial note: This guide is produced based on our Editorial Standards using official and other high-trust sources, regularly updated and monitored, but not affiliated with any government agency and not a substitute for official agency guidance. Individual eligibility outcomes cannot be guaranteed.
Verification: Last verified May 29, 2026, next review August 29, 2026.
Corrections: Please note that despite our careful verification process, errors may still occur. Email info@grantsforseniors.org with corrections and we will respond within 72 hours.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not legal, financial, medical, tax, disability-rights, immigration, or government-agency advice. Program rules, policies, and availability can change. Readers should confirm current details directly with the official program before acting.
Dates and review
Last updated: May 29, 2026
Next review: August 29, 2026
Frequently asked questions
What number should I call to find my Georgia Area Agency on Aging?
Call 1-866-552-4464. Ask for the ADRC or the local Area Agency on Aging for the county where the older adult lives.
Can Georgia AAAs help me find a senior center?
Yes. Ask your AAA for senior centers, meal sites, transportation, and local senior services in the older adult’s county.
Do Georgia AAAs help only people over 60?
No. Many aging services focus on older adults, but Georgia’s ADRC also helps adults with disabilities, caregivers, families, and professionals find long-term support options.
Can a Georgia AAA help with home-delivered meals?
Yes. AAAs can screen or refer older adults for home-delivered meals and senior center meals. Availability depends on the county, route capacity, and program rules.
Can an AAA approve Medicaid for me?
No. The AAA can help you understand waiver options and may start screening for services, but Medicaid eligibility decisions are handled through the state process.
Who do I call to report elder abuse in Georgia?
Call 911 if the person is in immediate danger. For suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation in the community, call 1-866-552-4464 and choose option 3.
Choose your state to see senior assistance programs, benefits, and local help options.
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