Across Georgia state, families are feeling the impact of a rapidly aging population. In just one year—from 2022 to 2023—the state added more than 60,000 seniors, making older adults one of the fastest-growing age groups.

At the same time, over 188,000 people are already living with Alzheimer’s disease, and that number is expected to increase by 27% this year in 2025.

For many families, this surge isn’t just a number—it’s deeply personal. It means more people navigating memory loss with a parent, more unpaid caregivers juggling work and worry, and more communities needing resources they may not have. As the number of seniors population raises, so does the urgency to strengthen our dementia care systems across Georgia—from rural towns to urban centers.

Rising Care Costs & Financial Strain

For thousands of Georgia families, caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s isn’t just emotionally overwhelming—it’s financially challenging, too. According to the Alzheimer’s Impact Movement (AIM), Medicaid expenditure on Alzheimer’s care in Georgia is predictable to hit $1.7 billion in 2025. But statistics like that only tell part of the story.

Behind the scenes, more than 384,000 Georgians are walking into caregiving roles—often without pay, training, or a break. They’re daughters, sons, spouses, and neighbors who are altering work, family, and the deep emotional toll of seeing someone they love to slip away, by moment.

Nationwide, the cost of Alzheimer’s and dementia care is expected to reach $384 billion in 2025, with experts warning that the figure could rise to $1 trillion by mid-century. But for families in the thick of it, those numbers aren’t about economics; they’re about hard choices, sleepless nights, and doing everything likely to hold on to dignity, linking, and hope.

2025 GEORGIA ALZHEIMER’S STATISTICS

3. Shrinking Workforce & Caregiving Gaps

Care resources are stretched thin. Georgia ranks among the states experiencing a critical caregiver shortage, with only about 24 home‑health aides per 1,000 seniors, well below national needs. Hospitals also see high rates of dementia-related readmissions and emergency visits, signaling gaps in long-term community care.

4. Rural Inequities: Miles Between Care

In rural Georgia, getting access to dementia care isn’t as simple as calling a local clinic—it often means packing up for an all-day trip. According to a recent study from the University of Georgia, none of the state’s rural counties have a PET scan facility, and only one offers lecanemab, a promising new treatment for early-stage Alzheimer’s.

For families already overwhelmed by caregiving, this means driving two to three hours or more just to get a diagnosis or begin treatment. These aren’t just road trips, they’re time away from work, time away from other children or loved ones, and hours spent worrying on the road, all while carrying the emotional weight of a devastating disease.

This isn’t just a gap in geography, it’s a gap in access, in prospect, and in hope. For many rural caregivers, the journey isn’t only measured in miles—it’s measured in exhaustion, sacrifice, and the heartache of feeling left behind.

5. Geriatric Workforce Shortfall

Till date Georgia has about 139 practicing geriatricians—but that won’t be nearly enough in the years ahead. Experts estimate that by 2050, the state will need at least 388 to meet the growing demand from its aging population. Without action to expand the geriatric workforce, many families may find it ever more difficult to access specialists who truly understand Alzheimer’s, dementia, and the unique care needs of older adults.

What This Means for Families & Providers

• Family caregivers will face growing physical, emotional, and financial difficulties—especially in rural areas with limited services.
• Home care agencies must invest in specialized dementia training and remote care technology to reach underserved regions.
• Policy leaders and health systems need to expand geriatric and care aide training and ensure reasonable access to diagnostic tools—no matter a family’s ZIP code.

Meeting Georgia’s Growing Memory Care Needs

As Georgia’s senior population continues to grow, so does the need for a stronger, more accessible dementia care system. The figures are strong—but behind every number is a real family navigating daily life with compassion, concern, and hope.

To meet this challenge, it will take all of us—caregivers, healthcare providers, policymakers, and communities—working together to ensure that no one is left behind due to their age, ZIP code, or diagnosis.

At Assisting Hands, we’re proud to be part of that solution. Our trained caregivers provide in-home Alzheimer’s and dementia care that’s personal, empathetic, and accessible—serving families throughout Cumming, Georgia and beyond.