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Assisted Living in Alabama

Alabama offers a diverse array of options for seniors who are ready to transition to assisted living. The state has a fairly significant senior population with 16.9% of residents aged 65 or over based on Census Bureau estimates for 2019.

The cost of assisted living in Alabama, on average, is $3,250 per month, which is significantly lower than the U.S. median of $4,051, and as of June 2020, the state had 318 assisted living facilities as well as a number of other senior care options.

This guide explores the cost of assisted living and other senior services in Alabama as well as financial supports available for seniors. Learn about the options that Alabama gives seniors who are looking to spend their retirement years in assisted living properties.


SeniorAdvice's Guide to Assisted Living in Alabama



Alabama has a Senior Score of 72%. This rating is based on the cost of living, climate, health care access, recreation and amenities as well as factors, such as crime rates and life expectancy. Alabama’s score puts it on par with the national average. 



SeniorScore™ for Alabama



The SeniorScore™ is calculated based on over 100 variables, some of which are shown below. The final score is curved based on a linear curving method. For More info visit senioradvice.com/seniorscore.

72

SeniorScore™ Overview

  • Alabama's SeniorScore™ of 72 is the same as the national average of 72.
57

Health & Safety

  • Alabama has high access to Medicare registered healthcare providers.
  • Alabama has an average number of hospitals within the state.
  • Alabama has an average number of senior living facilities within the state.
  • Alabama has an average number of home healthcare providers operating in the state.
  • The average life expectancy in Alabama is 75.4, compared to the national average of 78.6.
  • Alabama has a very high overall property crime rate compared to national averages.
  • Alabama has a high overall violent crime rate compared to national averages.
61

Recreation & Leisure

  • 28% of the population in Alabama are seniors, compared to 29% nationally.
  • Alabama has 259 golf courses in the state.
  • Alabama has a high number of municipal parks throughout the state.
  • Alabama has 2,607 churches in the state.
73

Finances

  • The property taxes average 0.91% of total income in Alabama, which is significantly lower than the national average of 2.79%.
  • The property taxes average 0.40% of property value in Alabama, which is significantly lower than the national average of 1.09%.
  • The average sales tax in Alabama is 8.25%, which is significantly higher than the national average of 6.97%.
  • The average state income tax in Alabama is 3.95%, which is significantly higher than the national average of 3.38%.
  • The mean household income in Alabama is $59,062, which is lower than the national average of $64,580.
  • Alabama's median household income is $45,642, which is significantly lower than the national average of $51,560.
  • The average per capita income in Alabama is $23,585, which is lower than the national average of $25,611.
  • Assisted living costs in Alabama average $34,915 per year, which are significantly lower than the national average of $42,700.
  • Nursing home costs in Alabama average $74,355 per year, which are significantly lower than the national average of $92,481.
  • Costs for adult daycare in Alabama average $8,870 per year, which are significantly lower than the national average of $17,931.
  • Costs for home healthcare in Alabama average $36,922 per year, which are significantly lower than the national average of $46,197.
  • The unemployment rate is about 9.72% in Alabama, which is significantly higher than then national rate of 8.26%.
  • The overall cost of living in Alabama is low compared to national averages.
  • 1.37% of the senior population in Alabama are financially responsible for at least one grandchild.
65

General Quality of Life

  • Alabama receives an average of 57.5 inches of rain per year.
  • Alabama has an average annual temperature of 62.7 degrees fahrenheit.
  • Alabama has an average low temperature of 50.4 degrees fahrenheit.
  • Alabama has an average high temperature of 74.0 degrees fahrenheit.
  • Alabama has an average population density of 277 people per square mile.
  • Alabama has a very low public school quality ranking.
  • Alabama has a low public school safety ranking.
  • Alabama has a low graduation rate of 82.09%.

The average life expectancy in Alabama is 75.4, which is slightly lower than the United States as a whole. When factoring in more than 100 data points, Alabama's Senior Score is in line with the national average.

The cost of living in Alabama is far lower than the national average, and this is reflected in the cost of assisted living and other senior care services. Access to hospitals, health care facilities and recreational amenities is also favorable. However, the state's Senior Score is pulled down by its poor rating for schooling and below-average graduation rate; however, this is something that's unlikely to concern most seniors. Sales tax in Alabama is also higher than the national average at 8.25%.



Top Assisted Living Facilities in Alabama



Keller Landing - Tuscumbia, AL

Keller Landing

813 Keller Ln

Tuscumbia, AL 35674

1-855-222-1541

6 Reviews  

Located at 813 Keller Ln in Tuscumbia, Alabama, Keller Landing is an 81 room senior care facility. The community is in a mostly middle income area, with a median per-family income of $38,747. With approximately 19,000 residents in ...

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East Glen - Birmingham, AL

East Glen

53 Medical Park Drive East

Birmingham, AL 35235

1-855-243-3078

6 Reviews  

East Glen is a 108 unit senior care facility situated in Birmingham, Alabama. With roughly 20,000 poeple living in the 35235 zip code, the encompassing area has a medium-density population. It is a generally middle income area, with ...

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The Cost of Assisted Living in Alabama



There is a median monthly cost of $3,250 for assisted living in Alabama. This is far lower than the U.S. average and means that the state compares well in terms of price to many of its neighbors. The overall cost of living in Alabama is low, and this is reflected in its senior care pricing as shown below.

  • Alabama: $3,250
  • National Average: $4,051
  • Mississippi: $3,524
  • Florida: $3,500
  • Tennessee: $3,900
  • Georgia: $3,335

The Cost of Assisted Living in Alabama's Top Cities

Birmingham and Montgomery are the two largest cities in Alabama. A typical assisted living facility in Birmingham costs slightly more than the state average, while those in Montgomery cost less than average. Fees in Huntsville tend to be far higher. Seniors who are looking for an affordable assisted living option in Alabama may wish to consider Tuscaloosa since it is a large city with an average assisted living cost that is significantly lower than the state average. Investigate assisted living properties across the state to learn which options would be the most suitable.

  • Birmingham: $3,645
  • Montgomery: $3,134
  • Mobile: $3,200
  • Huntsville: $3,900
  • Tuscaloosa: $2,909

Senior Care Cost Comparison in Alabama

Seniors who require assistance with day-to-day tasks have several options when it comes to their care. Those who require a high degree of medical care may find that a nursing home is the most suitable. However, with an average fee of $6,388 such services cost almost twice as much as assisted living. Seniors who are able to live independently for the most part may find that adult day care or in-home care allows them to remain in their own homes and stay connected to the local community. Adult day care services are the most affordable with a median fee of just $758 per month. Assisted living properties offer a compromise between those two options while giving seniors an opportunity to retain their independence and privacy by living in private rooms.

For comparison, the average fees charged by different types of care facilities in Alabama are:

  • Assisted Living: $3,250
  • In-Home Care: $3,394
  • Home Health Care: $3,432
  • Adult Day Care: $758
  • Nursing Home Care: $6,388

Financial Assistance for Assisted Living in Alabama



Medicaid Waivers


Phone Number: (334) 242-5000
Website: https://medicaid.alabama.gov/content/6.0_LTC_Waivers/6.1_HCBS_Waivers/6.1.2_Elderly_Disabled_Waiver.aspx

In the state of Alabama, Medicaid can be used to pay for a variety of senior care services. Programs available to seniors include the Alabama Medicaid Elderly and Disabled Waiver and the Home and Community Based Waiver. These programs are designed to support seniors and disabled persons who require some care but do not want to reside in a nursing home. The programs help seniors access the services that they need while retaining some independence and remaining a part of the community. Waivers bridge the gap between independent living and nursing home care and can offset the significant cost of care. Medicaid waivers are means-tested. Seniors with an income of less than $2,349 per month may be eligible for support under the program. There is a resource limit of $2,000 per applicant.


Supplemental Security Income


Phone Number: (800) 772-1213
Website: https://www.ssa.gov/ssi/

Supplemental Security Income is a federal program that's available via SSA offices in Alabama. The program is funded by general tax revenue rather than employment-related Social Security taxes. It is designed to assist low-income seniors and adults who are blind or living with disabilities. Supplemental Security Income can be used for food, clothing and shelter. The program is open to those who are aged 65 or older, meet citizenship requirements and have limited income and resources.

While SSI is a federal program, applications are assessed on a state level. Payments vary based on the circumstances of each applicant, and rates are set by the state. Contact the local branch of the SSA to discuss the application criteria and to find out the level of benefits being offered.


Alabama Assisted Living Rules and Regulations



The Alabama Public Health Department sets out the rules and regulations that assisted living facilities are required to follow. The department works to ensure that assisted living facilities promote the health and well-being of their residents and treat seniors with dignity and respect at all times.

Scope of Care

Assisted living facilities help seniors with clerical tasks, housekeeping, laundry, meal preparation and the activities of daily living, including grooming, dressing, bathing and transferring.

Care Plan Requirements

In Alabama, seniors have the right to be involved with the creation of their care plan, and where possible, preferences relating to medical care, doctors, hospitals, emergency plans and funeral arrangements should be respected. Each senior's care plan should be recorded as part of their personal file.

Medication Management Requirements

Seniors should not reside in an assisted living facility if they are unable to safely manage their own medication. Support should be provided to help seniors manage self-administration.

Staff Screening Requirements

Staff should be screened to ensure that they are reputable and act in a responsible manner with regard to dealing with seniors and managing the facility.

Staff Training Requirements

Staff members should receive training that reflects their position within the facility, the level of contact that they will have with seniors and the type of services that they are expected to provide. All staff, including administrative professionals, should have some degree of training. Staff should receive regular refresher training to ensure that seniors' well-being is fully protected.

Medicaid Coverage

Medicaid is available to eligible seniors receiving certain kinds of assistance to help them avoid requiring nursing home levels of care.

Reporting Abuse

Concerns and complaints about assisted living facilities should be directed to the Alabama Long Term Care Ombudsman at (866) 873-0366, and issues related to suspected elder abuse should be directed to the Department of Human Resources of Elder Abuse hotline at (800) 458-7214.


Free Assisted Living Resources in Alabama



Assisted Living Association of Alabama

The Assisted Living Association of Alabama is a nonprofit association that helps seniors find suitable assisted living facilities and access financial or other support. It advises seniors on their rights and provides information about choosing health care facilities that can meet their individual needs. The association has a large network of providers and also organizes conferences and training events for facility owners to help improve the standard of care that they offer to their residents.

Contact: Seniors can access support from the ALAA by calling (334) 262-5523.

Alabama Ageline


Alabama Ageline provides seniors and their loved ones with access to a variety of support programs including elder abuse prevention, caregiver assistance, signposting for Medicaid services, legal assistance, and assistance with long-term care services such as assisted living. Alabama Ageline serves as the first point of contact for those seeing advice relating to assisted living issues, whether that is finding a licensed facility, paying for senior care, or addressing concerns about a specific facility in Alabama.

Contact: Call (800) 243-5463 to learn more about the services offered by Alabama Ageline.


Alabama Agencies


Alabama Long-Term Care Ombudsman

Phone Number: (866) 873-0366


Website: https://alabamaageline.gov/ombudsman/

The office of the Alabama Long Term Care Ombudsman supports seniors and their families in the event of a dispute, complaint or concern relating to their assisted living arrangements. Seniors who have issues with an assisted living provider can contact the ombudsman to raise queries or complaints. The ombudsman investigates issues and will inform seniors about the outcome of any investigations that they raise.


Area Agencies on Aging


Phone Number: (800) 243-5463
Website: https://alabamaageline.gov/

The Alabama Department of Senior Services can connect seniors with their nearest Area Agency on Aging. There are more than 600 such agencies across the United States, and a number of these Aging and Disability Resource Centers are located in Alabama. These agencies help seniors find long-term care, respite services, financial assistance and legal advice. They can also answer other queries relating to assisted living services and senior care for residents of Alabama.


Veterans Affairs Offices in Alabama


Veterans and their spouses who are looking to move into assisted living may contact the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to learn about the financial support available to them. The Veterans Aid and Attendance benefit is a pension supplement that many veterans are eligible for and that can be used to offset the cost of assisted living. This benefit is available to veteran households whose income, excluding benefits, is lower than the Maximum Allowable Pension Rate. Contact the nearest Veterans Affairs office or an independent organization, such as Alabama Veterans Aid, for more detailed eligibility information and advice about how to apply for benefits as a senior, veteran household or a surviving spouse of a veteran.

Alabama has several Veterans Affairs offices, including branches in Montgomery, Huntsville and Birmingham as well as a mobile veteran's center that can be contacted at (251) 478-5906.


Social Security Offices in Alabama


There are several Social Security offices in Alabama, which makes it convenient for residents to seek advice from the agency without having to travel across the state. The Social Security Administration manages a number of state and federal benefits available to seniors that may be used to pay for all or part of the cost of assisted living. Some seniors may be eligible for Medicaid waivers or income supplements that can cover some of the costs of assisted living if the provision of that assistance would allow them to avoid moving into a nursing home. There are other means-tested Social Security benefits that may be available to certain seniors as well as tax breaks that could help to reduce the total cost of senior care and assisted living.

Seniors may make use of benefits calculators found on the SSA website, seek advice by calling their local office helpline or visit an Social Security branch in their area for a benefits consultation or to apply for assistance. A list of Social Security offices can be found on the SSA website.

 

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