Presbyterian Homes of Georgia has served older adults across the state since 1949, starting with its first community in Quitman. The organization runs six senior living communities in Georgia, each with a blend of services like independent living, assisted living, memory care, nursing home care, skilled nursing, rehabilitation, respite care, and home care, so folks can get help as their needs change or if they want support for a short time. Some places, like Presbyterian Home, Quitman, offer nearly the whole range, while others focus on assisted or independent living, like the campus on East Screven Street for assisted living or the one on West Screven Street for independent living. The facilities also have names like The Orchard At Stone Creek and Fellowship Home At Brookside, each offering combinations of care-some including memory care and respite care, and others with strong rehab programs for folks getting back on their feet.
The main value is to keep residents active and connected, offering lifelong learning, fitness classes, trips, volunteer work, and casual gatherings, so people can join in as much or as little as they like. Outdoor features like a peaceful fishing lake, regular outings, walking paths, and a garden area give people places to relax or spend time with neighbors. Most communities have 24-hour security, on-site pharmacy, a postal center, a hair salon, and transportation, while staff manages both inside and outside grounds maintenance, so residents don't have to fuss over chores. Many housing options are maintenance-free and pet-friendly, including cluster homes, villas, and cottages with kitchens, private bathrooms, and air conditioning.
Rooms often have high-speed internet, cable TV, and emergency alert systems. There's restaurant-style dining, with meals prepared by a professional chef, allergy- and diabetes-friendly options, and people can eat whoever they're hungry throughout the day, not just at set times. Housekeeping, laundry, transportation, and help moving in are all available, as are church services and activities for the mind and body. Residents who need help with daily life get assistance with bathing, dressing, toileting, and medication, offered discreetly and kindly, and there's always staff nearby for emergencies.
Presbyterian Homes of Georgia operates as a nonprofit, Christian ministry with a mission of compassionate and covenantal care that reaches seniors regardless of background, race, gender, creed, or income. The organization reinvests profits back into its communities to keep services strong. The Caring Hands Fund helps folks stay even if they run out of money, so they're not asked to leave because of financial hardship. The company works with churches and supports statewide ministry programs for older adults, offering guides and toolkits on affordable housing, aging, and dementia support.
Amenities include dining halls, a coffee shop, computer rooms, game and activity spaces, a library, movie theater, fitness and spa areas, swimming pools, garden plots, and plenty of places for hobbies or social groups. There are therapy and rehab services for those who need extra support, so residents can recover from sickness or injury close to home. The group offers resources for dementia care--spaces are safe and staff is highly trained, with specialized activities for people with memory issues. Membership programs, group purchasing plans, a member directory, and an affordable housing toolkit are helpful for those who want more support or resources.
A senior IT leader named Jarod Smith and community leadership like Ken Rhudy and Rhett C. Partin help manage operations. Founded in 1985 and now employing over 1,000 people, Presbyterian Homes of Georgia has grown through its long partnership with Presbyterian churches and continues to open new campuses, including one in Athens scheduled to open late in 2020. The grounds are spread across about sixty acres, blending Southern hospitality with modern needs, and the goal remains to help seniors live fully, with dignity, security, and a sense of belonging.
