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Nursing Homes in Birmingham, Alabama

Birmingham is the largest city in Alabama and the seat of Jefferson County. It's home to an estimated population of 209,403, with 14.9% being in the 65+ age group. The city's older residents have easy access to a choice of excellent health care facilities. Among the 15 hospitals in the area is the University of Alabama at Birmingham Hospital, ranked #1 in the state by U.S. News & World Report, and nationally ranked in eight specialties, including cancer care and cardiology. The weather is favorable for seniors, with lows in winter rarely dropping below 32 degrees Fahrenheit and frequent summer highs of 92 degrees.

Birmingham's nursing homes are safe and comfortable places for seniors who need medical levels of care but don't require hospitalization. Nursing home care is typically tailored to each resident by a physician and administered 24/7 by qualified nursing staff. Facilities also provide treatments for various conditions, such as surgery recuperation. However, seniors who can live semi-independently may find assisted living facilities or home health care to be more suitable for their needs.

This guide covers nursing home costs in more detail, additional information about Birmingham and a list of helpful resources for seniors and their families.



The Senior Score for Birmingham, AL



Birmingham has an excellent SeniorScore of 79, which is seven points above the state and national averages. The city scores well in all four categories. Finances performs best with a score of 75, followed by Recreation & Leisure, at 70. The General Quality of Life and Health & Safety categories share third place with scores of 66.

The cost of living in Birmingham is a major attraction for seniors. According to Sperling's Best Places, the city's cost of living index stands at 74.1, which is better than the state average of 82.3 and significantly better than the national average of 100. Of particular interest to families considering nursing home care is the city's health costs, which outperform the state and national averages at 93.3. Although seniors in nursing homes often have restricted mobility, Birmingham still offers them plenty of ways to enjoy their recreation and leisure time. There are 23 parks in the area, including the beautiful Birmingham Botanical Gardens and Vulcan Park & Museum, where seniors can enjoy a range of world-class exhibits and the museum's beautiful parkland.

Although Birmingham has below-average air quality — which isn't unusual in a city of its size — it can boast above-average water quality. It's also an easy place to get around, with typical commute times shorter than comparable cities. Another attraction for Birmingham's older population is the high number of Medicare-registered physicians. According to Doctor.com, the current figure is 1,151 and includes family doctors, internists and cardiologists. The city and neighboring areas are home to 65 senior living facilities, so families looking for the ideal nursing home for their loved ones are assured of plenty of choices in Birmingham.


 
 

Nursing Home Costs in Birmingham, AL



Seniors and families in Birmingham considering nursing home care should budget for fees of around $6,388 per month for a semiprivate room. Figures published in the 2020 Genworth Cost of Care Survey also show that Birmingham's typical costs are very competitive, being below the state average of $6,540 and significantly lower than the national average of $7,756. However, it's worth comparing the range and quality of the services offered by each facility as fees often reflect the levels of care and diversity of treatments provided. Many nursing homes deliver additional medical therapies, such as speech improvement, and bigger living spaces for their residents.


Although Birmingham's average costs are among the most attractive in Alabama, cities such as Gadsden and Tuscaloosa have even lower fees, at $6,266 and $6,235, respectively. However, to find significantly lower costs in the state, it's necessary to travel down to Auburn, where families are more likely to pay $5,399, an annual saving of $11,868. There are several major cities with costs greater than Birmingham. Seniors in Montgomery and Anniston can expect to pay around $6,540 per month for their care, while up in Decatur, the average fee leaps to $7,604.

  • Birmingham: $6,388
  • Decatur: $7,604
  • Gadsden: $6,266
  • Anniston: $6,540
  • Tuscaloosa: $6,235
  • Montgomery: $6,540
  • Auburn: $5,399


Top Nursing Care in Birmingham, Alabama



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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St Martins In The Pines - Birmingham, AL

St Martins In The Pines

100 Woodside Dr

Birmingham, AL 35210

1-855-221-7955

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 ...

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Free Nursing Home Resources in Birmingham, AL



Long-Term Care Ombudsman

The Long-Term Care Ombudsman is an office within the Alabama Department of Senior Services that advocates for the rights of residents in senior living facilities throughout the state. The ombudsman's role includes making unannounced visits to care facilities to conduct basic inspections and converse with the residents, ensuring they understand their rights and making notes of their complaints. Ombudsmen investigate all complaints made by residents, their families and third parties. 

201 Monroe Street, Suite 350, Montgomery, AL 36104

(877) 425-2243

https://alabamaageline.gov/ombudsman/

VA Aid and Attendance Benefits

VA Aid and Attendance benefits are monthly payments given to qualifying U.S. military veterans and their spouses. Paid with the VA pension, the purpose of the payments is to help cover some of the costs of nursing home care. The amount varies, depending on the circumstances of the individual, with the maximum monthly payments being $1,881 for a single vet, $1,209 for a surviving spouse and $2,230 for a couple. Vets unsure if they qualify can check their status using the free online tool provided by VeteranAid.org.

950 22nd Street North, Suite 777, Birmingham, AL 35203

(205) 731-0037

https://www.va.gov/pension/aid-attendance-housebound/

Alabama Medicaid

Medicaid is a state and federally funded benefit for low-income seniors that can cover most or all of the costs of their nursing home care. To be eligible for Medicaid, the senior will need to be at least 65 years of age, a U.S. citizen, an Alabama resident and have lived in a licensed nursing home for a minimum of 30 consecutive days. The applicant will also need to be medically approved for nursing home care by a qualified physician and have financial resources of no more than $2,000.

501 Dexter Avenue, Montgomery, AL 36104

(800) 362-1504

https://medicaid.alabama.gov/content/3.0_Apply/default.aspx

Area Agency on Aging of Jefferson County

The Area Agency on Aging of Jefferson County is administered by United Way, a nonprofit organization that provides services for free to Birmingham's seniors (although some agencies it refers seniors to may charge fees). It can help those currently in other forms of care who may be thinking of transitioning to a nursing home. The agency can also help caregivers plan for the future in addition to arranging legal advice from attorneys who specialize in Elder Law.

3600 8th Avenue South, Birmingham, AL 35222

(800) 243-5463

https://www.uwaaa.org

Alabama SHIP (State Health Insurance Assistance Program)

SHIP is a free service for seniors who have Medicare and those who need assistance to enroll. Counselors can help seniors understand their current coverage and identify the best plans to deal with shortfalls. Although Medicare can't pay for nursing home costs, it can be used to pay for the first 30 days, which may be useful to seniors who need temporary nursing home care to help them recover from surgery. It can also help seniors who cannot apply for Medicaid until they have spent 30 consecutive days in a nursing home.

201 Monroe Street, Suite 350, Montgomery, AL 36104

(877) 425-2243

https://alabamaageline.gov/ship/


 
 
 
 

Frequently Asked Questions



Question
How much do nursing homes cost in Alabama?

Answer
With a range between around $133 and $318 per day, the mean price of nursing home care in Alabama is around $5,640 per month.

Question
How much is nursing care in Birmingham?

Answer
The price of nursing home care in Birmingham, Alabama averages between $5,550 and $8,040 monthly, with a median of $6,450 (or approximately $78,475 per year).

Question
What services are included with nursing care?

Answer
Nursing care can be provided in either private or shared rooms, contingent upon the budget. Services typically include round-the-clock monitoring, pain management, physical therapy, meal preparation, and occupational therapy.

Question
Can I pay for nursing care in Birmingham with Medicaid?

Answer
The following nursing homes in Birmingham accept Medicaid: Birmingham Nursing and Rehabilitation Center East, Plantation Manor Nursing Home, St. Martin's In The Pines, Golden Living Center - Trussville, and Sylacauga Health and Rehab Services.

Question
What are the demographics of Birmingham?

Answer
The city has a total population of 493,806, with 1,074,321 people in the surrounding metropolitan area. Those 55 and over constitute 24% of the community.

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