Art Of Living - Community Living Arrangement XI in Decatur, GA

Pros

• The experience with Art of Living is great.
• David loves the day program.
• There are lots of activities and road trips.
• Joi is a huge help with MARTA and getting him acclimated.
• Art of Living is a pleasant surprise.
• AOL is a lifesaver for families.
• Hassan is living his best life at AOL.
• The staff is exceptional and patient, going above and beyond.

Cons

• A reviewer observed a caregiver at Dollar Tree yelling openly at an exceptional adult, loudly enough to disturb a phone call, calling the behavior completely unacceptable.
• The same reviewer noted the caregiver’s repeated yelling to slow down and then to keep up, implying that a lack of patience means this line of work isn’t suitable.
• Another reviewer characterized the company as unprofessional, rude, careless, and bogus, citing a high turnover with a different caregiver every week.
• The same reviewer alleged the owners are dishonest and may hold paychecks, concluding they would not use the service again.

Review

Art Of Living - Community Living Arrangement XI in Decatur is best suited for adults with developmental differences who want a structured, activity-rich day program paired with a small, residential setting that emphasizes independence and community integration. The model works best for families that value hands-on staff support, predictable routines, and tangible opportunities to practice life skills in real-world settings. The combination of a residential home with three roommates and a robust day program creates a pathway from supervised activity to practical independence, reinforced by a calendar-driven approach and ongoing community engagement. When the goal is meaningful daily engagement plus steady support, this community stands out.

Those who may want to consider alternatives are precisely the ones most sensitive to staffing stability and leadership transparency. If flawless, uninterrupted caregiver consistency is non-negotiable, this CLA model may feel unpredictable given turnover concerns voiced by some reviewers. Prospective families should also scrutinize how issues are handled by administrators, especially around staff conduct and accountability. For clients requiring intensive clinical oversight or highly specialized therapies beyond the program’s scope, broader clinical supports or a different setting could be a better match. In short, it’s not the sole answer for every level of need, but it is an extraordinarily strong fit for independence-minded individuals within a supportive, activity-forward framework.

On the positive side, the core appeal rests on a well-rounded day program loaded with activities and even road trips, which keeps residents engaged and socially connected. The program’s design centers on choice, with residents given meaningful options and a monthly calendar that guides what will be done each day. Independence is actively encouraged through life skills training and regular community involvement, not just passive supervision. Family testimonials emphasize the staff’s patience, professionalism, and willingness to go above and beyond, turning living arrangements into actual life progress. When working well, residents like Hassan blossom, daily structure, peer interaction, and purposeful tasks culminate in a sense of achievement and belonging that families say is transformative.

However, the most vocal critiques warrant careful consideration. A cited incident at a local store revealed a caregiver raising her voice toward a resident, a red flag about staff demeanor and boundaries that cannot be ignored. Turnover and leadership trust also surface in several critiques, with accounts of fluctuating caregivers, questions about pay practices, and the impression that owners may lack consistency or transparency. While these views are not universal, they signal real risk factors: inconsistent staffing can undermine progress, and perceived leadership gaps can affect safety, communication, and overall morale. Such factors may not derail success for every resident, but they undoubtedly merit rigorous inquiry before committing.

Yet the favorable signals often outweigh the negatives when viewed in aggregate. The praise for patient, capable staff and the emphasis on communication and family updates create a reassuring backbone for families navigating care decisions. The program’s structure, frequent activities, life skills teaching, and community integration, provides concrete avenues for progress that residents, and their families, can measure over time. Safety and a sense of security are repeatedly highlighted, reinforcing the value of a tight-knit residential setup. For many, these strengths dilute concerns about turnover if they enter with clear expectations, strong on-site leadership, and procedures that address behavior and continuity of care.

Decision-makers should approach with a practical, action-oriented plan. Prioritize an on-site visit during active programming to observe how staff interact with residents, how the group dynamics function, and whether turnover seems visibly disruptive. Ask for specific data: staff-to-resident ratios, the average tenure of direct caregivers, and the process for handling complaints or discipline. Request recent incident reports and a tour of safety protocols, plus a direct conversation with the program director about how chronic turnover is addressed and what assurances exist around consistency of caregivers. If the answers inspire confidence, Art Of Living XI becomes a compelling choice for families pursuing enhanced independence within a nurturing, activity-rich environment. If not, it’s prudent to explore options with more predictable staffing and stronger, verifiable leadership oversight.

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (0.4 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.1 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3.3 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3.6 miles)
• Kroger Pharmacy (4.2 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (4.5 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (4.5 miles)

Parks

• East Lake Park (1.4 miles)
• McKoy Park (2.1 miles)
• Bessie Branham Park (2.6 miles)
• Glen Emerald Park (2.8 miles)
• Toy Park (3.4 miles)
• Grant Park Neighborhood Association (4.8 miles)
• Piedmont Park (6.2 miles)

Restaurants

• Club Bolts (1.7 miles)
• Poco Loco (2.9 miles)
• Trackside Tavern (2.9 miles)
• The Brick Store Pub (3.2 miles)
• Leon's Full Service (3.2 miles)
• Taqueria Del Sol (3.3 miles)
• Wild Heaven Craft Beers (3.4 miles)

Physicians

• Oakhurst Pediatrics (2.3 miles)
• Dekalb Medical Ctrdecatur Decatur (3.3 miles)
• Atlanta OB/GYN (3.9 miles)
• Decatur Health Imaging (4.5 miles)
• Thomas D Gurley Jr MD (4.8 miles)
• Garson Padoan Sonia MD - Piedmont Urgent Care by Wellstreet (5.1 miles)

Transportation

• Marta - Westbound (3.2 miles)
• MARTA Inman Park - Reynoldstown Station (4.2 miles)
• MARTA - King Memorial Station (5.2 miles)
• Marta - Dome/Gwcc/Phillips Arena/Cnn Center Station (6.4 miles)
• MARTA - North Avenue Transit Station (6.4 miles)

Places of Worship

• Avondale Church Of Christ (3.3 miles)
• First Baptist Church of Decatur (3.5 miles)
• Mountainside Seventh Day Adventist Church (3.6 miles)
• Inman Park United Methodist Church (4.2 miles)
• North Decatur Presbyterian Church (4.5 miles)
• Kelley Chapel United Methodist Church (5.3 miles)
• Haygood Memorial United Methodist Church (6 miles)

Cafes

• Dancing Goats Coffee Bar (3.4 miles)
• El Tesoro (3.4 miles)
• Muchacho (4.1 miles)
• Starbucks (5.2 miles)
• Starbucks Reserve (6.5 miles)

Theaters

• Starlight Six Drive-In (3.8 miles)
• AMC Madison Yards 8 (4 miles)

Hospitals

• Atlanta VA Medical Center (5.2 miles)
• Grady Memorial Hospital (5.6 miles)
• Marcus Autism Center (6.1 miles)