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

Pros

• David loves the day program and enjoys the activities and road trips.
• Joi has been a huge help with MARTA and getting him acclimated.
• Art of Living has been a pleasant surprise.
• The staff at AOL are exceptional, patient, helpful, and professional, going above and beyond to support participants.
• Hassan is living his best life at AOL, loving the day program and living with his roommates.
• The owners and staff of Art of Living are truly remarkable for their care and support.

Cons

• A caregiver yelled at an exceptional adult in public, which the reviewer described as completely unacceptable.
• The same caregiver was heard shouting to slow down and to keep up, indicating a lack of patience with people who have exceptionalities.
• The reviewer stated that people with exceptionalities deserve respect and dignity and should not be humiliated publicly.
• The company was described as unprofessional, rude, and careless, allegedly saving money at the expense of service.
• There is a high turnover rate, with a different caregiver arriving every week, which the reviewer disliked.
• One reviewer claimed the owners are liars and that paychecks are withheld.

Review

Art Of Living - Community Living Arrangement XII is best suited for adults with developmental disabilities who want an active, socially engaged life in Decatur, combining a robust day program with supported, roommate-based living. It serves families seeking real-world independence: a steady calendar of activities, meaningful community involvement, and the chance to practice life skills in a supervised setting. The model rewards choice and ongoing development, with transportation support such as MARTA navigation helping residents move through the day with less friction. Those needing intensive medical oversight or a team with exceptionally consistent, long-term caregivers may want to compare alternatives that offer deeper clinical coverage and less staff turnover.

The program’s strengths are concrete and consistently praised. The day program is described as lively and well-rounded, with frequent activities and road trips that keep participants engaged. Residential living with three roommates fosters companionship and accountability, reinforcing a sense of belonging and daily purpose. Staff are repeatedly lauded for patience, professionalism, and going the extra mile, with Joi’s MARTA guidance singled out as particularly helpful. The emphasis on life skills, calendar-driven choice, and community integration creates a framework where independence is the measurable goal, not a distant aspiration. Communication from the team is generally portrayed as proactive and transparent, which underpins trust and ongoing participation.

Yet there are notable concerns that cannot be dismissed. A public incident at a local store involving a caregiver’s unprofessional behavior casts doubt on day-to-day demeanor and public interactions. Turnover appears to be high enough to disrupt continuity, meaning residents may repeatedly encounter new caregivers rather than building steady, trusting relationships. A few reviewers question ownership and management ethics, framing leadership as unreliable or dishonest. Taken together, these factors hint at undercurrents of instability that can undermine the very safety and reliability families expect from a supported living arrangement, especially for residents who rely on consistent routines and predictable caregivers.

Despite those tensions, the core advantages often outweigh the drawbacks for many families. The combination of a structured, activity-rich day program with a living environment that emphasizes independence provides tangible, real-world outcomes. Residents gain confidence through practiced life skills and regular community engagement, while families observe improved autonomy and safer daily living. Positive experiences emphasize safety, reliable communication, and staff attentiveness as recurring strengths, reinforcing the sense that the program can deliver meaningful growth when staffing remains stable.

Alternatives deserve careful consideration for families prioritizing unwavering staffing consistency and absolute continuity of caregiving. If weekly turnover or uneven caregiver quality causes substantial anxiety, it would be prudent to explore providers with longer-tenured teams, tighter supervision, or more formal succession planning. Programs that can demonstrate lower turnover, stronger governance, and clearer accountability may prove a better fit for those who fear gaps in care or perceived leadership gaps.

For families leaning toward Art Of Living, the next step is a deliberate site evaluation complemented by conversations with current residents and their families. Prospective plans should include questions about caregiver-to-resident ratios, actual turnover rates over the past year, and the escalation process when concerns arise. Verify that the activity calendar aligns with the loved one’s interests and that transportation arrangements reliably support daily routines. In the end, Art Of Living presents a compelling, practical option for independence-oriented care in Decatur. When caregiver stability is addressed and routines stay consistent, this community stands out as a thoughtful, effective choice; if not, it’s essential to have clear alternative options ready.

Located in Decatur, Georgia, this neighborhood provides a diverse range of amenities and services for senior residents. With a variety of restaurants such as Club Bolts, Chick-Fil-A, and The Brick Store Pub nearby, there are plenty of dining options to choose from. Additionally, there are several pharmacies including Walgreens and CVS Pharmacy in close proximity for convenience. For those who enjoy outdoor activities, parks like Glen Emerald Park and East Lake Park offer opportunities for leisurely walks or picnics. Nearby theaters such as Starlight Six Drive-In also provide entertainment options. In terms of healthcare, there are several physicians' offices and hospitals in the area including Oakhurst Pediatrics and Grady Memorial Hospital. Places of worship like Inman Park United Methodist Church and Kelley Chapel United Methodist Church cater to spiritual needs. Public transportation via MARTA stations is easily accessible for those without personal vehicles. Overall, this part of Decatur offers a balanced mix of amenities that cater to the needs of seniors looking for a vibrant community to call home.

Restaurants

• Club Bolts (0.6 miles)
• McDonald's (3 miles)
• Poco Loco (3.2 miles)
• Chick-Fil-A (3.4 miles)
• Trackside Tavern (3.6 miles)
• The Brick Store Pub (3.9 miles)
• Hattie B’s (3.9 miles)

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (1.5 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.7 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.6 miles)
• Kroger Pharmacy (3.6 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3.9 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3.9 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (4.8 miles)

Parks

• Glen Emerald Park (1.8 miles)
• East Lake Park (1.9 miles)
• Bessie Branham Park (2.6 miles)
• McKoy Park (2.6 miles)
• Toy Park (3.9 miles)
• Grant Park Neighborhood Association (4.1 miles)
• Pemberton Place (5.9 miles)

Theaters

• Starlight Six Drive-In (2.7 miles)
• AMC Madison Yards 8 (3.4 miles)

Physicians

• Oakhurst Pediatrics (2.8 miles)
• Dekalb Medical Ctrdecatur Decatur (4 miles)
• Thomas D Gurley Jr MD (4.3 miles)
• Atlanta OB/GYN (4.7 miles)
• Garson Padoan Sonia MD - Piedmont Urgent Care by Wellstreet (4.9 miles)
• Decatur Health Imaging (5.3 miles)

Cafes

• El Tesoro (3 miles)
• Muchacho (3.5 miles)
• Dancing Goats Coffee Bar (3.9 miles)
• Starbucks (4.9 miles)
• Starbucks Reserve (6.1 miles)
• Panera Bread (6.3 miles)

Transportation

• MARTA Inman Park - Reynoldstown Station (3.8 miles)
• Marta - Westbound (4 miles)
• MARTA - King Memorial Station (4.6 miles)
• Marta - Dome/Gwcc/Phillips Arena/Cnn Center Station (5.8 miles)
• MARTA - North Avenue Transit Station (5.9 miles)
• MARTA - Midtown Station (6.3 miles)

Places of Worship

• Inman Park United Methodist Church (3.8 miles)
• First Baptist Church of Decatur (4.1 miles)
• Avondale Church Of Christ (4.3 miles)
• Mountainside Seventh Day Adventist Church (4.3 miles)
• North Decatur Presbyterian Church (5.3 miles)
• Kelley Chapel United Methodist Church (5.8 miles)
• Haygood Memorial United Methodist Church (6 miles)

Hospitals

• Grady Memorial Hospital (5 miles)
• Atlanta VA Medical Center (5.7 miles)
• Marcus Autism Center (6.4 miles)