Assisted living provides a social living environment for seniors and access to personal care throughout the day to help with tasks such as bathing and medication management that may become more challenging with age or mobility loss. While this type of care can often be expensive, prices, averaging $6,040 per month, are exceptionally high in Birmingham, AL, especially considering that the state and national averages are only $3,798 and $4,459, respectively.
AssistedLiving.org spent dozens of hours researching the top assisted living communities in the Birmingham area to allow seniors and their families to find the community that’s right for them. Click through the facilities listed below to read in-depth reviews, what residents are saying, and details such as base pricing, room types, and more.
With an excellent location minutes from the Riverchase Galleria mall, River Highlands of Birmingham offers residents a…
4.39
Average of 23 reviews
Reviews gathered from around the web
Regency Retirement Village - Birmingham
285 West Oxmoor Road, Birmingham, AL 60599
Assisted Living
Independent Living
Memory Care
Respite
Regency Retirement Village - Birmingham provides residents with clean, smoke-free interiors and convenient amenities, including an on-site…
4.23
Average of 46 reviews
Reviews gathered from around the web
Greenbriar at the Altamont
2831 Highland Avenue South, Birmingham, AL 60595
Assisted Living
Independent Living
Skilled Nursing
Nestled in the historic and upscale Highland Park neighborhood between Rushton Park and Rhodes Park, Greenbriar at…
3.48
Average of 32 reviews
Reviews gathered from around the web
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In order to find the top assisted living communities in the Birmingham area, our team of researchers:
Sorted through 44 communities using our unique methodology
Spent over 9 hours researching assisted living communities in Birmingham
Read more than 95 reviews left by residents and their family members
After filtering out facilities that didn’t meet our high standards, we were left with 11 assisted living communities that earned our seal of approval. Through this process we discovered that the average cost of assisted living in the city of Birmingham is $3,645, which is higher than the state average of $3,250 and lower than the national average of $4,051.
Christina Drumm-Boyd
Certified Senior Advisor (CSA) and Geriatric Care Manager (GCM)
Christina Drumm-Boyd
Certified Senior Advisor (CSA) and Geriatric Care Manager (GCM)
Christina is a Certified Senior Advisor (CSA) and Geriatric Care Manager (GCM) who is passionate about seniors and their families. Along with her staff, Christina works hands-on with each client to find the best solutions for the challenges that often come with aging.
Read on for in-depth information about the top assisted living facilities in Birmingham, a brief dive into our methodology for determining the best assisted living communities, and a searchable directory of 44 communities in the Birmingham area.
How to Pay for Assisted Living in Birmingham, AL
Determining how to finance assisted living often starts with the question, “What’s the cost?” In today’s economy, where inflation plays a significant role, having current data is crucial for senior living financial planning. AssistedLiving.org has gathered cost information from its expansive network of over 75,000 senior living providers. This data offers a glimpse into the average expenses for assisted living in Birmingham and 15 additional cities within Alabama.
How Inflation Has Impacted the Cost of Assisted Living in Birmingham, AL
Assisted living prices continue to rise throughout the United States due to inflation, climbing 10% from 2022 to 2023, while Alabama’s average costs rose 14.5%. Prices in Birmingham also jumped 10% to hit $6,040 and may soar to $6,505 in 2024, based on trends showing how important it is for families to plan their finances in advance. Other cities in Alabama experienced similar increases, with costs in Sheffield rising from $2,725 to $2,985 and Jasper’s jumping by $383. Assisted living costs increased by 10% in Scottsboro, with forecasts suggesting another 8% rise in 2024.
Location
2022 Cost (Historical)
2023 Cost (Current)
2024 Cost (Estimated)
Birmingham
$5,513
$6,040
$6,505
U.S. Average
$4,070
$4,459
$4,802
Alabama
$3,316
$3,798
$4,045
Sheffield
$2,725
$2,985
$3,215
Jasper
$4,012
$4,395
$4,733
Scottsboro
$3,651
$4,000
$4,308
Assisted Living vs. Other Types of Care in Birmingham, AL
Compared to most cities throughout the U.S., there’s only a small difference between the average prices of assisted living and memory care in Birmingham at $6,040 and $6,638. Both types of care require providers to hire skilled professional caregivers and adhere to strict regulations, leading to overall higher costs. On the other hand, independent living only costs $3,262 and typically offers minimal support in addition to recreational opportunities and social amenities for outgoing seniors.
Care Type
Cost
Assisted Living
$6,040
Memory Care
$6,638
Independent Living
$3,262
Financial Assistance for Assisted Living in Birmingham, AL
Other Ways to Pay for Assisted Living in Birmingham, AL
Since not everyone can afford to pay for assisted living out-of-pocket, it’s important to find alternative methods to help make assisted living more affordable. Some of these options include:
Veterans Benefits
Life Insurance Policy
Long-Term Care Insurance
Reverse Mortgage
For more information about your options for making assisted living more affordable, visit our guide to Assisted Living in Alabama.
Free and Low-Cost Assisted Living Resources for Seniors in Birmingham, AL
Numerous resources are available in Birmingham, AL to support seniors during their retirement. AssistedLiving.org has gathered data on local groups, initiatives, and agencies, and organized them according to care categories for convenient access.
For details about resources across the state and in neighboring cities, please visit the Alabama state page on assistedliving.org.
Area Agency on Aging
Your local Birmingham Area Agency on Aging is a valuable resource for retirees, offering guidance on financial aid, in-home care, and long-term care planning. They also link seniors and caregivers to community resources.
Alabama’s Area Agencies on Aging (AAA) provide essential resources for older adults, offering access to senior nutrition programs, transportation assistance, and referrals to local assistance programs. They also connect seniors to services like home-delivered meals, discounted prescriptions, and help with household chores. Legal and insurance counseling services are available, as well as advocates through long-term care ombudsmen.
Food Assistance Programs
In Birmingham, various local initiatives are dedicated to promoting senior health through balanced nutrition. They offer services like meal delivery, communal dining, and food banks, ensuring elderly residents have access to affordable, nutritious food.
Meals on Wheels serves various communities in Alabama, providing essential support to older adults facing isolation and hunger. The program ensures the delivery of meals five days a week to individuals who are unable to cook, access food sites, or afford meals.
Food pantries offer free food to individuals and families in need. They distribute bags or boxes of donated items to those who reside within a designated area.
Food pantries offer free food to individuals and families in need. They distribute bags or boxes of donated items to those who reside within a designated area.
Food pantries offer free food to individuals and families in need. They distribute bags or boxes of donated items to those who reside within a designated area.
Food pantries offer free food to individuals and families in need. They distribute bags or boxes of donated items to those who reside within a designated area.
Food pantries offer free food to individuals and families in need. They distribute bags or boxes of donated items to those who reside within a designated area.
Food pantries offer free food to individuals and families in need. They distribute bags or boxes of donated items to those who reside within a designated area.
Food pantries offer free food to individuals and families in need. They distribute bags or boxes of donated items to those who reside within a designated area.
Food pantries offer free food to individuals and families in need. They distribute bags or boxes of donated items to those who reside within a designated area.
Food pantries offer free food to individuals and families in need. They distribute bags or boxes of donated items to those who reside within a designated area.
Free Used Medical Equipment
In Birmingham, numerous groups are addressing the steep expense of new medical equipment. They gather gently used items like wheelchairs, ramps, and walkers, providing them to local seniors and individuals in need.
STAR, an initiative by the Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services, facilitates access to assistive technologies for disabled adults. These technologies encompass a wide range of tools such as specialized computer software, communication devices, adaptive switches, auditory trainers, Braille readers, scooters, wheelchairs, adaptive vehicles, and lifts and ramps.
Home Repair and Modifications
In Birmingham, numerous programs are available to aid seniors and individuals with disabilities in financing home modifications and repairs. These programs, offering grants or loans, have diverse eligibility requirements specifically designed for retirees.
This program offers weatherization assistance to help households lower energy expenses. Services include installing insulation in attics, walls, and floors, sealing ductwork, repairing or replacing HVAC systems, fixing leaky faucets, upgrading windows and doors, and replacing incandescent bulbs with energy-efficient ones.
Legal Resources
In Birmingham, numerous agencies provide affordable or complimentary legal assistance to the elderly. They offer counsel on matters like estate management, living wills, and power of attorney. Some even serve as advocates for seniors’ rights in long-term care facilities.
The Alabama Legal Assistance Program offers free support to individuals aged 60 and above dealing with civil legal matters. This service covers a range of issues, including benefits appeals, elder abuse, financial exploitation, wills, end-of-life decisions, housing problems, and healthcare access. Qualified seniors can connect with legal professionals who provide counseling, advice, and representation.
Social Security Offices
In Birmingham, Social Security offices provide essential services to seniors and individuals with disabilities. They offer guidance on retirement benefits, disability allowances, and Supplemental Security Income.
Social Security provides income for retirees and individuals unable to work due to disability. Funding is derived from payroll taxes paid by employers, employees, and self-employed individuals. Upon retirement, monthly payments are determined by previous earnings.
Utility & Energy Bill Assistance
Organizations are available to aid low-income seniors in {catalog.city} struggling with home maintenance costs, including utility and energy bills. Emergency funding may also be accessible for those at risk of utility service termination due to unpaid bills.
LIHEAP assists low-income households in covering their heating and cooling expenses, particularly those at risk of losing utility services. By analyzing previous energy consumption, the program provides a single payment to the utility company for one season.
Veteran’s Services
Veteran services in Birmingham offer invaluable assistance to retired military personnel. These local entities guide veterans in utilizing their rightful benefits and provide counsel on diverse matters.
The Birmingham VA Medical Center offers comprehensive healthcare services for military veterans, their families, survivors, and caregivers. With a dedicated team of experienced medical professionals, the center provides a wide range of screenings and treatments, including cardiology, oncology, neurology, and mental health support. Additional services include hospice and palliative care, as well as transportation assistance for appointments. All VA-enrolled healthcare recipients are eligible to register for access to the Birmingham VA Medical Center.
Assisted Living Laws and Regulations in Birmingham, AL
Assisted Living Communities in Birmingham are required to follow a set of rules and regulations that are determined by the state. For an overview of those rules and regulations, see the information below. For more specific information, talk with your local community or Area Agency on Aging.
Our Methodology
It’s not what we research, but the way we research that makes AssistedLiving.org stand out. We start by identifying problems and challenges in the senior care industry by gaining insight from conversations with industry professionals, older adults, and those that care for them. Next, our research team led by industry experts apply our data-driven research techniques to understand the magnitude of the challenge and how to overcome it. Finally, we present our findings in easy-to-understand guides and studies and share our actionable results with influencers and caregivers, as well as the general public.
Facility Features (40%)
Facility Health Services Graded on health services provided on the facility including, but not limited to, on-site nursing, pharmacy, skilled nursing, medicine administration, etc
Facility Amenities Graded on the available amenities.
Affordability Financial assistance acceptance and overall costs and value.
Residential Quality (40%)
Resident Satisfaction Polling & survey of overall facility satisfaction.
Facility Complaint and Violations Number of complaints and violations the facility had. Taking into account improvement over time.
Location-Based Benefits Including, but not limited to, proximity to hospitals, ambulance response times, senior resources available, and state and city financial assistance.
Location Quality Local crime rates, incidents against older adults, air quality, climate.
