Nursing homes in Alabama are some of the highest rated skilled nursing homes in the country. With around 22% of all nursing homes receiving 5 stars overall from the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, the growing senior citizen population seems to agree that Alabama hasn’t lost that Southern hospitality yet!
The Medicare Nursing Home Compare from February 2015 showed that compared to the national average, residents in Alabama received:
Currently, Alabama has 227 nursing homes, defined as: “A business entity that is engaged in providing housing, meals, and care to sick or disabled individuals who require, on a daily basis or more frequently, medical care, nursing care, or rehabilitations services…”
Choosing the right care option is only part of the process of your loved one’s transition into a new phase of life. Considering costs, location, and the history of a skilled nursing facility can be guiding stars for making the best decision.
| City | Monthly Minimum | Monthly Maximum | Monthly Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham | $5,020 | $5,960 | $5,540 |
| Dothan | $5,440 | $6,390 | $6,020 |
| Florence | $5,170 | $6,180 | $5,780 |
| Gadsden | $5,170 | $6,630 | $5,510 |
| Huntsville | $5,170 | $6,690 | $5,840 |
| Mobile | $5,020 | $6,300 | $5,320 |
| Montgomery | $5,020 | $6,390 | $6,020 |
| Tuscaloosa | $5,110 | $5,320 | $5,170 |
Median annual rates for nursing homes in Alabama are $76,267 annually for a private room and about $69,715 for a semi-private room. As it likely your loved one will need extensive care in considering the move to a nursing home, their mobility may be limited. However, it’s still important to choose a vibrant and safe location for their physical and mental health.
For more information on nursing home care costs in Alabama, check out: Genworth's 2015 Cost of Care Survey - Alabama.
There are various attractions in Alabama that seniors and their families could enjoy. Those with historical military interests can check out the USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park on the Mobile Bay. There is a collection of military equipment to explore including a battleship, a submarine, and an aircraft collection. Nature lovers may appreciate the beauty of Little River Canyon National Preserve. The park features waterfalls, canyon rims and bluffs, pools, boulders, and sandstone cliffs. The Birmingham Museum of Art has a nationally recognized collection of over 17,000 works dated from 3000 BCE to the present.
Alabama is a land filled with civil rights history, music, and fine cuisine that includes delicious barbecue and fresh seafood. Around the world, many of us have heard Lynard Skynard's hit Sweet Home Alabama. Alabama's music culture includes blues, country and jazz music played in their bars. Near Mobile, AL, you can eat fresh seafood from the fishing village in Bayou La Batre, which was featured in the 1994 film Forrest Gump.
Alabama is classified as a humid subtropical climate. The average annual temperature is 64ºF. In the southern parts of the state, it tends to be warmer near the Gulf of Mexico. This contrasts with the northern regions, especially in the Appalachian Mountains that experience cooler weather. Alabama summers bring scorching temperatures averaging in the 90-degree range. Winters in Alabama are typically mild, recording average temperatures in January of 40ºF. With these warmer temperatures during the winter, snow is a rarity in Alabama. The state sees about 56 inches of rainfall annually.
Alabama nursing homes are subject to state laws and regulations. Nursing aides must be a licensed health physician under Alabama state laws. Nurse aides must be deemed competent to provide nursing related activities and complete a training and competency evaluation program, or must be determined competent by the Alabama Nurse Aide Registry. Every aide should be evaluated every year and the nursing home must provide at least 12 hours of in-service training annually.
FBI Crime Report data shows that the average violent crime rate of Alabama’s 30 safest cities is actually 55% less than the national average. Margaret, Helena, and the city of Southside come in as the top three safest places to consider when choosing a nursing home or other care option for your loved one. Although proper nursing homes are often well secured, it’s important to be aware of the surrounding area for the sake of your loved one’s peace of mind and the safety of any visitors or family.
| Location | Violent Crimes Per 1,000 Residents | Property Crimes Per 1,000 Residents |
|---|---|---|
| Margaret | 0.22 | 6.68 |
| Helena | 0.64 | 10.18 |
| Southside | 1.06 | 12.33 |
| Mountain Brook | 3.9 | 14.77 |
(Source: Safewise)
Helping your loved one transition to a nursing home living option can be a hefty fee for most to pay out of pocket, especially if long-term care is being sought. Alabama Medicaid is a great financial resource for those who qualify and can make a world of a difference for lower-income families seeking a premium nursing home. It’s best to review the specifics involved with seeking quality senior care in order to know if this option is best for you and the needs of your loved one.
In Alabama, nursing home residents have the following rights:
The nursing home must inform residents of his or her rights and all the rules and regulations concerning resident conduct and responsibilities. This information must be given to residents both, orally and written, in a language that the resident can understand.
The nursing home is required to provide or obtain laboratory, radiology, diagnostic, or other health care services as ordered by the attending physician. Also, the nursing home is required to keep confidential, accurate, complete, and readily accessible clinical records that must be retained for at least five years from the date of discharge.
The resident has the following rights regarding their medical care:
Nursing homes in Alabama are required to inform each resident who is entitled to Medicaid benefits, in writing, at the time of admission to the nursing home or when the resident becomes eligible for Medicaid. They are also required to let residents know what items are included in the nursing home that the resident may not be charged, as well as the items and services not covered.
Alabama nursing homes are also required to:
