Located in Mobile, AL at 1515 University Blvd, South, Saad Healthcare is a home healthcare company that offers in-home health care and also personal care services. They have been in operation in Mobile for 40 years. They offer multiple personal ...
Home Care in Alabama
- Home Care Directory for Alabama
- Home Care Costs in Alabama
- Financial Assistance for Home Care in Alabama
- Alabama Home Care Rules and Regulations
- Free Home Care Resources in Alabama
Thanks to its low cost of living, rich history and wealth of entertainment options, Alabama is a popular retirement state. It ranks sixth in the Kiplinger list of best states to retire, with the magazine stating it offers many of the perks of Florida for less money. Alabama has a population of 4.9 million, and 17.03% of its residents are aged 65 or over.
The SeniorScore for Alabama is 72, which puts it in line with the national average. The SeniorScore is a rating of how desirable seniors may find a particular destination for retirement based on a variety of metrics, such as the cost of living, access to health care, environmental factors and recreation options. Alabama scores particularly well for Finances, thanks to lower-than-average taxes and a generally low cost of living. It also scores well for General Quality of Life due to the low population density and warm summers in the state.
In this guide, we examine the cost of home care and home health care services in Alabama, as well as financial assistance and senior services to help older adults remain in their own homes for as long as possible in their retirement.
Top Home Care Agencies in Alabama
Located in Huntsville, Alabama at 2715 Spring Gate Ln SE, Home Instead Senior Care is a senior in-home care provider that offers in-home medical care as well as personal home care. They offer different medical services including wound care, diabetes ...
Located at 1526 Gilmer Ave in Tallassee, Alabama, Community Home Care is a senior home health care company offering home care services along with in-home medical care. Since 1994, they have been serving customers throughout the Tallassee area. They ...
Dale Medical Center Home Health is a senior home care service provider based in Ozark, Alabama at 126 Hospital Ave. They offer in-home care and also in-home medical care for senior clientele. Since 1993, they have been providing care ...
Spectrum Home Health Agency is a home care provider located in Huntsville, AL at 1310 Pulaski Pike, Unit A. They provide in-home personal care services and in-home medical care to senior clientele. For nearly 35 years, they have been ...
Gentiva Health Services is a senior home health care provider located in Clanton, AL at 118 6th Street South. They offer personal home care and home health services for seniors. Since 2009, they have been providing care to clients ...
Located at 1108 East Park Dr in Birmingham, AL, Gentiva Health Services is a home care company that offers in-home care and in-home health care. For almost 34 years, they have been providing care to customers in the Birmingham area. ...
Located in Cullman, Alabama at 1912 Alabama Highway 157, 2nd Floor, Cullman Regional Medical Center Home Care Services is a senior home care company that offers personal care services along with home healthcare. They have been serving customers in the ...
Located at 2059 Columbiana Rd Ste 105 in Birmingham, AL, Home Instead Senior Care is a senior home healthcare company that offers in-home nursing services and also personal care. They can provide a variety of medical services like stroke care, ...
Infirmary Homecare of Mobile is a home care provider based in Mobile, Alabama at 4358 Midmost Drive, Suite A. They provide in-home medical care along with in-home personal care services to senior clientele. They have been operating in Alabama ...
Located at 1690 Beltline Road, Suite B in Decatur, Alabama, Alacare Home Health and Hospice is a senior home care service provider that offers in-home nursing care along with personal care. They have been serving clients in Alabama since 2001. ...
Amedisys Home Health Care is a home health care provider located in Mobile, AL at 273 Azalea Road, Suite 104, Bldg 2. They offer in-home health services as well as personal care services for seniors. Since 1977, they have ...
Located in Hamilton, Alabama at 2448 Military Street, South, Marion County Home Care is a senior home care company offering in-home medical care as well as personal home care services. Since 1966, they have been serving customers in the Hamilton ...
Gentiva Health Services
2200 Riverchase Parkway, Building 700
Birmingham, AL 35244
Located in Birmingham, AL at 2200 Riverchase Parkway, Building 700, Gentiva Health Services is a home healthcare provider offering in-home medical care and also home care. For nearly 39 years, they have been providing care to customers throughout the Birmingham ...
Hga Homecare of Decatur
2708 Highway 31 South, Suite B
Decatur, AL 35603
HGA Homecare of Decatur is a senior in-home care provider located in Decatur, Alabama at 2708 Highway 31 South, Suite B. They offer in-home nursing services as well as in-home personal care services to senior clients. Since 1979, they ...
Central Alabama Homecare
345 Walker Chapel Plaza
Fultondale, AL 35068
Central Alabama Homecare is a in-home care service provider located in Fultondale, AL at 345 Walker Chapel Plaza. They provide personal care in addition to in-home medical services for senior clientele. For almost 39 years, they have been providing ...
Southeast Alabama Homecare
810 Hedstrom Drive, Suite One
Dothan, AL 36301
Located at 810 Hedstrom Drive, Suite One in Dothan, Alabama, Southeast Alabama Homecare is a senior home care company offering home care along with in-home medical services. They have been operating in Alabama since 1978. They can provide licensed nurses. ...
Southeast Alabama Homecare
804 Glover Ave
Enterprise, AL 36330
Located at 804 Glover Ave in Enterprise, AL, Southeast Alabama Homecare is a home care service provider that offers in-home nursing care as well as in-home personal care. They have been serving clients in Enterprise since 1976. They offer multiple ...
Amedisys Home Health of Blountsville
1106 2nd Avenue E
Oneonta, AL 35121
Amedisys Home Health of Blountsville is a home health care company located in Oneonta, AL at 1106 2nd Avenue E. They provide personal home care and also home health care for seniors. For almost 43 years, they have been ...
Home Instead Senior Care
923 Stage Rd Ste P
Auburn, AL 36830
Located at 923 Stage Rd Ste P in Auburn, AL, Home Instead Senior Care is a in-home care company that offers personal home care services along with home healthcare. They can provide a variety of personal services including assistance with ...
The Cost of Home Care in Alabama
Based on data from the Genworth Financial Cost of Care Survey 2019, the average monthly cost of home care in Alabama is $3,394. Home health care services, which include home care services plus basic medical care, are slightly more expensive, at $3,432 per month. Fees for both services in Alabama are far lower than the national averages of $4,290 for home care and $4,385 for home health care.
The Cost of Home Care in Alabama Compared to Nearby States
Home care in Alabama is more affordable than the United States average. Fees for both home care and home health care are lower than in the states that surround it. Costs are fairly similar in Mississippi, with home care costing just $38 more and home health care $95 more per month. The difference is slightly higher in Georgia and Tennessee, where home care is $3,813 per month. Florida is the most expensive neighboring state, at $4,004 per month.
Cost of Home Care | Cost of Home Health Care | |
Alabama | $3,394 | $3,432 |
The United States | $4,290 | $4,385 |
Florida | $4,004 | $4,195 |
Georgia | $3,813 | $3,909 |
Tennessee | $3,813 | $3,892 |
Mississippi | $3,432 | $3,527 |
The Cost of Other Senior Care Options in Alabama
Alabama residents have several options for senior care, including adult day care, assisted living facilities and nursing home care. Adult day care is the most affordable option, costing just $758 per month for care delivered in a group setting. Assisted living services, which include room and board plus support with the activities of daily living, carry fees similar to that of in-home care, at $3,250 per month. Nursing home care is the most expensive, averaging $6,388 per month for room and board plus skilled nursing services.
- In-Home Care: $3,394
- Home Health Care: $3,432
- Adult Day Care: $758
- Assisted Living Facility: $3,250
- Nursing Home Care: $6,388
The Cost of Home Care in Alabama's Top Cities
The cost of home care varies across the state of Alabama. Home care fees in Huntsville and Birmingham are above the state average, at $3,813 and $3,619 per month, respectively. The cost of home care and home health care in Mobile is also slightly above the state average, at $3,527 for both services. Fees tend to be lower in the southern areas of the state, with the cost of home care in Daphne being close to the state average. Montgomery and Dothan are among the most affordable cities in the state for home care.
Cost of Home Care | Cost of Home Health Care | |
Alabama | $3,394 | $3,432 |
Huntsville | $3,813 | $3,861 |
Birmingham | $3,619 | $3,623 |
Montgomery | $3,232 | $3,232 |
Dothan | $3,051 | $3,384 |
Mobile | $3,527 | $3,527 |
Daphne | $3,432 | $3,432 |
Financial Assistance for Home Care in Alabama
Elderly and Disabled Medicaid Waiver
The E&D Waiver program is a Home and Community-Based Services Waiver for seniors who are frail or have higher care needs. Those aged 65 and over who would qualify for a nursing-home level of care and who are eligible for Medicaid and meet the asset and income requirements can apply for this program. This is not an entitlement program, so there may be waiting lists in some areas to access it.
Contact Information
For more information about the E&D Waiver, the eligibility requirements and how to apply, visit the Alabama Medicaid page.
State of Alabama Independent Living Medicaid Waiver
The SAIL Waiver is designed to help disabled individuals live in the community either in their own home or with a loved one. The waiver is open to those who meet the financial requirements and have a qualifying diagnosis or are otherwise certified as needing in-home care. Any personal care services must be provided by a Medicaid-certified home health agency unless no services operate in the patient's geographic area.
Contact Information
For more information about the waiver or to apply, seniors can call the Alabama Medicaid office at (800) 362-1504
Alabama Community Transition Medicaid Waiver
The ACT Waiver is aimed at those who currently reside in a nursing home and are looking to return to independent living. There's no age restriction, and the waiver is open to anyone who meets the asset limits and has a condition that requires the level of care offered in nursing homes. Program participants can direct their own care services and, in some cases, hire a spouse or adult child to provide care.
Contact Information
For more information about the waiver call the Alabama Department of Senior Services at (800) 243-5463.
More Ways to Pay for Home Care
Since the programs mentioned above might not cover all the costs associated with home care, and not everyone may be eligible, alternative payment methods will often need to be explored. Some of these alternatives include out-of-pocket arrangements with siblings, annuities, reverse mortgages, private insurance, and more. Read SeniorAdvice's Guide to Paying for Home Care to find out more about your payment and financing options.
Alabama Home Care Rules and Regulations
The Alabama Department of Public Health regulates medical services, including home health care, in Alabama. Those who are receiving in-home care under a Medicaid waiver must use a Medicaid-certified home care or home health care agency. The ADPH lays out the requirements for service providers regarding care plans, training, background checks and complaints.
Scope of Care | Home care aides offer assistance with the activities of daily living and basic housework or other chores. Home health aides provide similar services, along with basic medical care in accordance with a clearly defined care plan. |
Care Plan Requirements | Home health agencies must agree to care plans with the patient's physician before starting care. This plan of care must clearly indicate the responsibilities of the home health aide and must be reviewed regularly. If there's a need to cease the program of care, the aide should devise a plan to ensure continuity of care for the patient. Home care agencies aren't required to have a care plan for nonmedical services. |
Medication Management Requirements | Home care aides cannot administer medication; however, they may assist with self-medication. Home health aides are permitted to administer medication as described in the patient's plan of care. Any deviation from the plan or change of medications must be agreed with the patient's physician. |
Staff Screening Requirements | Home care and home health care agencies must ensure all employees who have direct contact with patients pass a full criminal background check, and their details must be checked against the National Sex Offender public website. |
Staff Training Requirements | Home care and home health care agencies must ensure all aides have the correct training for the services they provide. Training requirements vary, but NCA Certified Patient Care Technician or Assistant qualifications are sufficient for some roles. Certified Nurse Aides are permitted to perform some nursing-related duties in a home health care setting and can use this work to maintain their Alabama nursing registry status. There's no formal certification for home care aides. |
Medicaid Coverage | Seniors in Alabama who qualify for one of the state's Home and Community-Based Services Waivers such as the E&D or SAIL Waiver may use this to pay for the cost of home health care or home care. It's possible to pay family members to provide some in-home services. |
Reporting Abuse | Reports of abuse, neglect or exploitation of seniors can be made to the Department of Human Resources Adult Protective Services. Reports can be made online using the Adult Abuse Reporting Form. |
Free Home Care Resources in Alabama
Seniors in Alabama have access to many programs and services that help older adults maintain their independence and safely age in place. Below, we've compiled a few of the most helpful resources:
Elderly Nutrition Program
Those aged 60 and over can receive home-delivered meals or dine at a local congregate nutrition center under the Elderly Nutrition Program. This program serves approximately 4 million meals per year across the state and is funded by state and federal dollars. Seniors have the option of making a donation toward the cost of their meals, and donations are reinvested into the program to provide meals for more seniors.
Contact Information
For more information, seniors can call the Alabama Ageline at (877) 425-2243.
State Health Insurance Assistance Program
The State Health Insurance Assistance Program provides impartial advice about Medicare and health insurance programs, including Medicare Advantage, Medigap and Medicaid. Advisors are highly trained, are informed about the latest rules and policies and don't receive commission for any recommendations they make. There's no charge for this service.
Contact Information
For contact details of the nearest SHIP provider, seniors can call (800) 245-5463.
Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program
The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program is a state-funded program open to low-income Alabama residents of all ages. The program helps residents meet the cost of their home energy bills. For the purposes of the program, energy bills are defined as the cost of heating and cooling the home. To be eligible, a household's income must be no more than 150% of the federal poverty level.
Contact Information
To apply, seniors can contact the nearest county LIHEAP agency.
Alabama Weatherization Assistance Program
The Alabama Weatherization Assistance Program is run with funding from the Department of Energy and helps low-income families reduce their bills by improving the energy efficiency of their homes while also maintaining the resident's health and safety. The program is open to households whose income is no more than 200% of the federal poverty level.
Contact Information
To apply for the Weatherization Assistance Program, seniors can contact the nearest Weatherization Coordinator.
Alabama Legal Services Program
The Alabama Legal Assistance Program is a free service open to those aged 60 and older who are facing civil legal issues. The service assists with benefits appeals, elder abuse and financial exploitation, wills and end-of-life decision making, housing issues and access to health care. The program connects eligible seniors with legal experts who provide counseling, advice and representation.
Contact Information
More information is available at (800) 243-5463.
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