According to Genworth’s 2019 Cost of Care Survey, the average cost of assisted living in Alabama is $3,250 per month. Alabama is one of only two states in which Medicaid does not cover the costs of assisted living in a residential care setting. Instead, they offer the Elderly and Disabled waiver system to help pay for a limited amount of in-home care. Recipients must have illnesses, disabilities, or injuries that keep them from leaving home without special equipment or the help of another person. Seniors who qualify can receive services such as a day rehabilitative program, respite care, help with housekeeping duties, personal care, and meals delivered to their home.
Since the goal of Alabama’s waiver system is to keep seniors in their homes as long as possible until they need long-term medical care, some seniors end up going to nursing home level care before it is actually necessary. If your loved one is at the “in-between” stage of needing more than home care, but not quite at the level of nursing home care, then consider the following options to help pay for assisted living.
- Life Insurance Benefits and Conversions
- VA Benefits
- Tax Credits
- Assisted Living Loans
- Long Term Care Insurance
Best Assisted Living Centers in Alabama
1. Columbia Cottage Mountain Brook (Birmingham, Alabama)
Known for its mild winters and attractive green spaces, Birmingham, Alabama is a popular place for retirement. At Columbia Cottage Mountain Brook, nestled in a quiet residential community, seniors enjoy a quaint, homelike environment with private rooms and cozy common areas to spend time with peers. We chose Columbia Cottage as a top assisted living facility for seniors because of its CareSteps program, which regularly evaluates residents to determine if their daily needs are being met. If residents are showing more dependence in ADL and IADL checklists —such as they do after finishing rehabilitation— staff demand changes and pricing decreases. If they need more help as time progresses, then more staff help can be added to their daily routines, and costs will be re-evaluated. Residents at Columbia Cottage enjoy:
- Nurse supervised staff
- 24-hour scheduled and unscheduled attention
- Three home-style meals a day
- Planned off and on site recreation
- Scheduled transportation
- Weekly thorough housekeeping and daily tidy up
- Weekly personal laundry service
Cost begins at $3,760 per month.
2. Truewood by Merrill (Hoover, Alabama)
Family members of Truewood residents take comfort in knowing their loved ones receive excellent medical and emotional care on site. Concierge medical services are always available, and seniors of all care levels enjoy stimulating activities including chair yoga, strength training, swimming, ice cream socials, movies, and Bible study programs. Truewood’s personalized approach allows residents to maintain their independence while receiving help with bathing, grooming, dressing, medication management, and nutritious meals served in a variety of dining venues.
Cost begins at $3,554 per month.
3. Thrive at Jones Farm (Huntsville, Alabama)
Thrive’s philosophy is to treat their residents like people, not patients. A Director of Excitement schedules activities such as live music, painting classes, shopping trips and meals out to keep seniors active and engaged, and every employee on site is certified by the National Institute for Dementia Education.Meals are social occasions at Thrive, with home-cooked fare served restaurant-style with attentive table-side service. When they’re not being entertained, residents receive assistance with hygiene, housekeeping, and all other activities of daily living.
Cost begins at $4,195 per month.
4. Morningside of Madison (Madison, Alabama)
This Five Star Senior Living community offers a lot for a lower price than many other assisted living facilities. Morningside of Madison residents enjoy spacious apartments, a highly skilled 24-hour staff, and fresh restaurant-style meals that adhere to doctor-recommended diets. Five Star aims to promote a holistic approach to active living with its Lifestyle360 program, which focuses on five dimensions of wellness:
- The Intellectual Dimension: helping residents stay mentally fit.
- The Social Dimension: offering opportunities to engage with their peers.
- The Physical Dimension: offering fitness opportunities to work around chronic health conditions.
- The Emotional Dimension: offering life enrichment programs to meet seniors’ sensitive needs.
- The Spiritual Dimension: offering programs to engage the spirit, such as those having to do with nature and pets.
Cost begins at $2,570 per month.
5. Traditions of Athens (Athens, Alabama)
With landscaped courtyards and the chance for seniors to do their own gardening, Traditions of Athens is a wonderful place for Alabama residents to enjoy the great outdoors while getting the assistance they need. Seniors take comfort in knowing they have access to 24/7 caretakers, a resident physician, and an emergency medical alert system. They also enjoy social time with neighbors doing crafts, listening to live music, participating in Bible studies, and even taking excursions to watch local baseball games.
Cost begins at $3,050 per month.
6. Atria Regency (Mobile, Alabama)
Atria Regency residents have everything on site for comfortable living and constant entertainment. Reading enthusiasts will appreciate a well-stocked library, musicians will love the lobby’s baby grand piano they can play, and active seniors will love the impressive fitness center. A professional on site beauty salon is the perfect place for getting dolled up, and plenty of outdoor patio space allows pet owners to spend time with their furry friends. Atria offers independent living, assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing facilities. So if a loved one needs change, they don’t have to move far.
Cost begins at $2,195 per month.
7. Murray House (Mobile, Alabama)
The Murray House community receives great reviews for such an affordable price. Conveniently located within walking distance of Government Street shops and restaurants, residents have access to entertainment both on and off site. An activity coordinator plans daily social activities as well as cultural outings, and 24-hour trained staff provides assistance with medications and daily care. To ensure safety, an emergency lanyard is administered to all residents.
Cost begins at $1,800.
8. The Gardens of Wetumpka (Wetumpka, Alabama)
Just 19 miles outside of Montgomery, the Gardens of Wetumpka include a 32-bed community with plentiful positive reviews by satisfied residents and family members. It’s conveniently located near day-trip destinations like the scenic Coosa River as well as museum and shops, and offers scheduled transportation for errands and appointments. A full calendar of events includes pet therapy, crafts, and music recitals; and a professional care staff is always available to help with daily grooming and medication management. The Gardens of Wetumpka seem to be thriving by operating on six principles:
- Nurture the spirit of residents by caring for the whole mind, body, and spirit
- Deliver personalized care with one-on-one attention to maintain dignity and self esteem
- Offer freedom of choice by giving each resident the opportunity to decide what to do and when to do it
- Protect privacy by committing to each resident’s personal dignity and privacy
- Encourage independence by offering a resident’s right to self-reliance in all possible ways
- Involve family and friends by welcoming them to participate in care, discussions, and activities
Cost begins at $2,940.
9. EastChase Senior Living (Montgomery, Alabama)
EastChase Senior Living is an all-inclusive community aiming to give residents a sense of independence while providing help when needed. Assistance with medication, hygiene, and mobility is always available; but seniors are encouraged to stay active with outdoor walking paths, a fitness center, and excursions to the nearby EastChase Mall. An in-house chef prepares delicious country cooking entrees that make every guest feel right at home.
Cost begins at $3,100.
10. John Knox Manor (Montgomery, Alabama)
Outdoor opportunities abound in this beautiful senior living community. John Knox Manor is surrounded by tranquil gardens and walking paths, and a backyard wildlife habitat offers a unique place to relax and interact with nature. Residents always have access to licensed physicians, nurses, podiatrists, psychiatrists; and physical, occupational, and speech therapists. Three nutritious meals are served each day, and to encourage social interaction, an activity calendar is always packed. Spiritual seniors love that there are church services on site.
Cost begins at $2,497 per month.
