Memory Care in Birmingham, Alabama
In Birmingham, where over 14% of the population is aged 65 and over, Alzheimer’s has been on the rise in recent years. According to the CDC, there were 294 deaths in the city in which Alzheimer’s was the main cause, accounting for 6.33% of deaths that year. In 2018, there were 344 Alzheimer's-related deaths in the city, making up 6.67% of the total deaths. During that four-year span, the number of Alzheimer’s deaths increased by 17%. By comparison, the total death rate in Birmingham increased by 11%.
While there’s no cure for Alzheimer’s, the progression of this disease may be slowed through a combination of specialized programming and medication. For many seniors with dementia, memory care provides a safe, comforting environment where their cognitive, social and physical needs are met. This guide provides an overview of the cost of memory care services in Birmingham and how it compares to other Alabama cities and the nation as a whole. It also outlines the benefits of living in Birmingham and the local resources that are available to seniors.
The SeniorScore for Birmingham, AL
The SeniorScore is a livability score that assesses how comfortable a geographic region is for seniors based on factors such as access to healthcare, weather, crime and recreational amenities. It weighs four metrics, including General Quality of Life, Recreation & Leisure, Finances and Health & Safety, with a higher score indicating a greater level of comfort and suitability. Birmingham has a SeniorScore of 79, which is several points higher than the state and national scores of 72.
The categories in which Birmingham has the strongest scores are Finances at 75 and Recreation & Leisure at 70. The overall cost of living is very low, as are memory care fees, which may appeal to seniors and families with restrictive senior care budgets. The city sales tax rate is very high, and while state income taxes are high compared to the national average, Social Security benefits aren’t taxed at the state level. The city has a relatively low percentage of adults aged 55 and over, which may limit social opportunities. There are 37 golf courses in and around the city, 23 parks near the city center, 34 malls and shopping centers and 18 movie theaters.
Birmingham scores 66 in the Health & Safety and General Quality of Life categories. The city is home to a high number of Medicare-registered healthcare providers, along with 15 hospitals and 599 pharmacies. There’s also a very high number of fire stations serving the city, which may promote prompt response times in the event of an emergency. Year-round temperatures are ideal with very mild winters and warm summers. It has a dense population of 1,998 people per square mile.
Memory Care Costs in Birmingham, AL
In Birmingham, memory care is provided in specialty care assisted living facilities. These facilities are staffed and licensed to provide care for those with dementia and provide standard assisted living services such as personal care, housing, meals, medication services and health monitoring. However, they also have daily activities programs that are designed to serve residents’ needs and slow the progression of dementia. They have more robust staffing and staff training requirements than standard assisted living facilities, and the facilities themselves must have secured perimeters to accommodate residents who wander. On average, memory care costs 20-30% more than assisted living. Because there are no nationwide authoritative data sources that provide memory care costs information, the following data is based on the Genworth 2020 Cost of Care Survey with a 25% increase.
With memory care costs averaging $3,945 per month, Birmingham is one of the cheaper cities in the nation for this level of care. Its care costs are consistent with the statewide average of $3,938 and about 27% lower than the national average of $5,375.
Across Alabama, memory care costs vary considerably, ranging from $4,656 in the capital city of Montgomery to $2,759 in Gadsden. Birmingham is near the median at $3,945 per month. In Decatur and Auburn, care tends to be more expensive but is still less than the national average at $4,391 and $4,154, respectively. More affordable care may be found in Dothan, where seniors pay just $2,788 per month, or in Huntsville, where memory services average $3,738.
- Birmingham: $3,945
- Montgomery: $4,656
- Dothan: $2,788
- Decatur: $4,391
- Auburn Area: $4,154
- Gadsden: $2,759
- Huntsville: $3,738
Top Memory Care Communities in Birmingham, Alabama
Fair Haven Retirement Center is a 197 bed senior care facility situated in Birmingham, Alabama. The community is in a generally middle income area, with an average per-family income of $61,745. It has an average population density, with ...
Brookdale University Park is a 66 bed senior housing community for people 55 and over located in Birmingham, Alabama. The surrounding area is heavily populated, with about 31,000 individuals living in the 35209 zip code. With an average ...
North Hill Nursing and Rehabilitation Center is a 190 bed skilled nursing facility. It is located at 200 North Pine Hill Rd in Birmingham, Alabama. The encompassing area has an average population density, with around 15,000 people residing ...
Located at 1028 Bessemer Rd in Birmingham, Alabama, Fairview Health and Rehabilitation Center is a 163 bed nursing facility. With a median household income of $34,752, the facility is in a largely lower income area. It has an ...
St. Martin's In The Pines is a 138 room senior housing facility. It is located at 4941 Montevallo Rd in Birmingham, Alabama. The community is in a largely middle class area, with an average family income of $61,745. ...
Kirkwood By The River is a 61 unit senior community. It is located at 3605 Ratliff Rd in Birmingham, Alabama. With a median family income of $61,745, the facility is in a primarily middle class area. It ...
Located at 300 Royal Tower Dr in Birmingham, Alabama, Mount Royal Towers is a 143 unit senior housing community. The facility is in a predominantly middle income area, with an average household income of $53,792. It is heavily ...
Oak Knoll Health and Rehabilitation is a 100 unit nursing facility. It is located at 824 6th Avenue West in Birmingham, Alabama. The facility is in a primarily working class area, with a median household income of $24,776. ...
Located at 2500 Riverhaven Dr in Birmingham, Alabama, Golden Living Center - Riverchase is a 132 unit senior care facility. With approximately 33,000 individuals residing in the zip code of 35244, the surrounding area has a dense population. ...
Northway Health and Rehabilitation is located at 1424 North 25th St in Birmingham, Alabama. It is a 113 bed nursing care facility. The community is in a mostly lower income area, with an average household income of $21,854. ...
Regency Retirement Village - Birmingham is a senior care community located at 285 West Oxmoor Rd in Birmingham, Alabama. The facility is in a generally middle class area, with a median family income of $53,792. It has a ...
Country Cottages at Birmingham, Hoover is a senior community located at 4000 Greenwood Dr in Birmingham, Alabama. The encompassing area is heavily populated, with roughly 37,000 residents in the zip code of 35216. With an average household income ...
Located at 2366 Old Springville Rd, Elmcroft of Grayson Valley is a senior care community in Birmingham, Alabama. The community is in a mostly middle class area, with a median per-household income of $45,548. With roughly 48,000 people ...
Noland Health Services is a nursing facility located at 600 Corporate Pkwy Ste 100 in Birmingham, Alabama. With roughly 51,000 residents in the 35242 zip code, the encompassing area is heavily populated. It is a primarily well-to-do area, ...
Located at 2435 Columbiana Rd, Morningside of Vestavia Hills is a senior housing facility serving Birmingham, Alabama. The surrounding area has a dense population, with about 37,000 individuals living in the 35216 zip code. It is a largely ...
Located at 400 University Park Dr in Birmingham, Alabama, Brookdale Place University Park is a senior housing facility serving those over 55. The community is in a primarily middle class area, with an average household income of $53,792. ...
Home Care Associates is a senior care facility located at 1520 Cooper Hill Rd in Birmingham, Alabama. With an average per-family income of $61,745, the facility is in a predominantly middle class area. It has an average population ...
Located at 100 Woodside Dr, St Martins In The Pines is a senior housing facility in Birmingham, Alabama. With around 15,000 people residing in the zip code of 35210, the neighboring area has an average population density. It ...
Located at 570 Southland Dr, Rittenhouse Senior Living is a senior care facility serving Hoover, Alabama. The neighboring area has a dense population, with approximately 32,000 individuals residing in the zip code of 35226. It is a primarily ...
7 miles away from Birmingham, AL
Free Memory Care Resources in Birmingham, AL
Area Agencies on Aging Seniors in Birmingham are served by the United Way Area Agency on Aging or the Middle Alabama Area Agency on Aging, depending on whether they live in Jefferson or Shelby County. AAAs provide and coordinate a broad range of services for area seniors aged 60 and over, including non-emergency medical transportation, congregate meals, and ombudsman services. Through the AAA, seniors can receive legal assistance with creating wills and advance directives or assigning powers of attorney. The AAA also provides information and referrals for other local agencies. 201 Monroe Street, Suite 350, Montgomery, AL 36104 (334) 242-5743 https://alabamaageline.gov/aaa-locator/ |
Alzheimer’s of Central Alabama Alzheimer's of Central Alabama is an independent nonprofit organization that serves seniors in 21 counties across the central region of the state. It provides scholarships for attending adult day centers, continence products and Project Lifesaver bracelets to decrease the risk of wandering. The organization also facilitates support groups for seniors and families and provides information through a regular newsletter, its website, its telephone helpline and various community awareness and education programs. 300 Office Park Drive, Suite 225, Birmingham, AL 35223 (205) 871-7970 https://alzca.org/ |
Alzheimer’s Association Alabama Chapter The Alzheimer’s Association’s Alabama Chapter is headquartered in Birmingham and provides education and support services in all of Alabama’s counties. Through the chapter, seniors with Alzheimer’s can volunteer for clinical trials and participate in early-stage support groups and activities. The chapter also offers support groups for caregivers and family members of those with dementia, an online community, educational materials and programs and a community resource finder. To connect with local services or to receive information about Alzheimer’s disease and other memory-related disorders or emotional support, individuals can contact their local chapter of the nationwide 24/7 helpline at (800) 272-3900. 2151 Highland Avenue South, Suite 210, Birmingham AL 35205 (205) 379-8065 https://www.alz.org/al |
Birmingham Vet Center Qualifying veterans in Birmingham and the surrounding area can receive assistance with identifying and applying for federal, state and local programs. Through the local center, veterans can receive help applying for benefits such as disability compensation, the VA pension, the Aid and Attendance benefit and VA healthcare services. The center is open on weekdays during normal business hours, and services are provided in the evenings and weekends on a case-by-case basis. 400 Emery Drive, Suite 200, Hoover, AL 35244 (205) 212-3122 https://www.va.gov/directory/guide/facility.asp?ID=392 |
Jefferson County Senior Services Jefferson County Senior Services provides a broad range of services to Birmingham seniors who reside in the county. Some of these services include round-trip transportation to senior centers, incontinence supplies, geriatric case management, annual expos and information and referrals for community resources. The department also offers the Virtual Dementia Tour to provide insight to families and caregivers into what it’s like to live with dementia, along with free, confidential memory screenings. 716 Richard Arrington Jr. Boulevard N., Birmingham, AL 35203 (205) 325-5300 https://www.jccal.org/Default.asp?ID=355&pg=Senior |