Alabama Assisted Living
Top Rated Assisted Living Communities in Alabama
When a loved one can no longer live independently, an assisted living provider can be a good option. Assisted living residences are for residents who would like to maintain some independence. Still, they need help with meals, housekeeping, and some of the activities of daily living (ADLs), such as showering, getting dressed, or personal hygiene.
Alabama stretches across hills, valleys, plateaus, mountain towns, coastal plains, pinewoods, and sandy beaches. With such diversity, seniors may find housing options to meet their needs in an attractive location.
The typical resident population in Alabama's assisted living communities is 73% female. Overall, 89% of residents are ages 75 and older, with 33% of residents ages 75 to 84 and 56% ages 85 and older.
Assisted living communities in Alabama are for older adults who want to and can maintain their independence but need some help with daily living activities, meals, and household chores. The Bureau of Health Provider Standards of the Alabama Bureau of Public Health regulates all assisted living facilities in the state. Alabama offers three types of assisted living communities:
Specialty care assisted living facilities are assisted living facilities that have special licenses and are staffed to care for residents with a degree of cognitive impairment that prevents their admission into a typical assisted living facility. Both assisted living and specialty care communities are classified based on their resident capacity. Facilities caring for two to three adults are known as Family Facilities, Group Facilities are authorized to care for four to 16 adults, and Congregate Facilities are licensed for 17 or more adults.
Residents admitted to an assisted living facility in Alabama cannot:
All assisted living facilities in Alabama must provide three meals per day that meet the requirements set by the Food and Nutrition Board of the National Research Council. In addition to the requirement of meals, snacks and beverages must be available throughout the day and after the evening meal. Residents who require medically prescribed diets due to hypertension, diabetes, or hyperlipidemia must be provided modified diets to adhere to these prescribed diets. For facilities with 17 or more residents, a full or part-time professionally qualified dietitian must be available for consultations to meet the needs of the residents.
To provide a safe environment for their residents, communities have staff requirements.
If residents in the community require medications to be administered, the facility must hire a professional for these services. The professional must be a licensed health professional, like a registered or licensed practical nurse.
All facilities must be staffed by at least one individual with current CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) certification and an individual certified in AED utilization. An automated external defibrillator must also be available in the facility.
Initial and ongoing training is required of all staff in assisted living facilities. The training must include the following topics:
Administrators must complete six hours of continuing education every year, except for licensed nursing home administrators, who are exempt.
Assisted living facilities may not hire anyone whose name appears on the Alabama Department of Public Health Nurse Aide Abuse Registry.
Many assisted living facilities offer private apartment-style housing units, which are not required in Alabama. Housing units can be single- or double-occupancy. Bathroom and bathing may be shared but must have at least one bathtub or shower for every eight residents and one sink and toilet for every six residents.
There are several requirements that each assisted living community must provide for their residents. The facility must offer both general observations and health supervision to assist in identifying each resident's health condition and ability to function. The facility must assist residents with all ADLs and medication services and assess the need for medication attention or nursing services.
Each facility must also provide services such as laundry, housekeeping, medical transportation coordination, and a level of social activity for the residents.
Before admission, each resident must have a medical examination by a physician. This examination will be used to develop a care plan to be reviewed with the resident and any representative, if necessary.
ALFs must provide care and services in the resident’s care plan in Alabama. These services can include coordinating medical care and appointments. Communities may also deliver health services, with 43% of communities providing skilled nursing. Many have healthcare specialists and on-site services, with 33% of communities offering dental care. In addition, 47% of ALFs have hospice services.
Mental health issues are a growing consideration for communities, and services to address these concerns are becoming more common. In Alabama, 77% of communities conduct depression screenings and 40% offer mental health counselling. Social work programs are also found in 34% of ACHs. Social workers can provide counselling, conduct assessments, and help ensure residents access all the necessary resources.
Some assisted living residents live with various medical conditions. In Alabama, 43% have Alzheimer's disease or another form of dementia. In addition, 57% have high blood pressure, 36% have heart disease, 25% have depression, and 15% have diabetes.
The decision to move into an assisted living community can be difficult. Generally, you'll notice changes in your loved one that suggest they need assistance. Signs that this environment could be beneficial include increased isolation, loss of mobility, noticeable weight loss or gain, and signs of neglecting household chores.
Your older family member may be the one to start talking about assisted living. Moving into a home where cooking, laundry, and other chores are taken care of is appealing to many seniors who need help with some or all of the activities of daily living. These activities are key to a person's ability to stay independent, and being deficient in one or more can determine the type of help a person needs. In Alabama, 12% of residents need help eating. Other commonly used services include bed transfer (21%), toileting (29%), and walking (55%). Caregivers in ALFs help 44% of residents dress, and 57% need help bathing.
Residents can either administer medication to themselves or have medication assistance from the facility. Residents deemed “aware” of their medications can self-administer or receive assistance from a staff member, even if the staff member is not licensed. The term “aware” means that the resident can control their medications without creating a risk for themself. Injections, drops, inhalers, and suppositories are not included in the types of medications that residents can administer themselves. Assistance by unlicensed personnel is only permitted if the resident is in total control and direction of administering the medication.
Residents who need to be made aware of their medications can receive medication assistance by the licenced health professional on staff. If the facility manages and regulates a resident’s medications, specific requirements must be met:
The average cost of assisted living care in Alabama is $3,503. This cost is $997 lower than the monthly national average of $4,500. The cost of living in Alabama is less than the national average by 12.1%, with health care costs less than the national average by 8.8% and housing costs less than the national average by 29.9%.
The level of care a person requires impacts the cost of care, and so does where you live. The cost of assisted living ranges from a low of $2,150 in the Dothan area to a high of $4,771 per month in the Anniston area of Alabama.
Living close to one of Alabama’s borders may make assisted living in a neighboring state affordable. Two of Alabama’s neighbors have a higher average cost of assisted living. Florida and Tennessee have average costs of $4,000 and $4,105, while Mississippi has a lower average cost of $3,500. The cost of assisted living in Tennessee is roughly the same as in Alabama at $4,105.
How to Pay For Assisted Living
The Alabama Bureau of Public Health oversees the state's assisted living communities. Alabama also has a long-term care ombudsman program to handle complaints against long-term care facilities and advocate for assisted living residents. The Alabama Area Agencies on Aging provide information and access to resources for older adults. The Assisted Living Association of Alabama is a nonprofit organization that provides information regarding assisted living communities in the state to help people find the right community to meet their needs.
Older adult Alabamians are particularly vulnerable to fraud, exploitation, scams, and abuse. This issue has resulted in the elder law evolving to safeguard older adults and their families from harm. The Alabama Department of Senior Services’ Legal Assistance Program provides free services to adults at least 60 years of age to protect and secure their rights, benefits, and dignity. These services include advice and counselling, document preparation, legal representation, estate planning, Medicaid, and housing.
Alabama also offers legal help for low-income residents. Legal Services Alabama provides older adults with legal aid, assistance in civil matters, and other resources available throughout the state.
Under Chapter 420-5-4 of the Alabama Code of Regulations, all assisted living communities must be licensed and meet certain quality and safety standards. For example, each community must maintain written fire safety and emergency plan. The Bureau of Health Provider Standards of the Alabama Bureau of Public Health keeps residents safe by conducting periodic inspections and complaint investigations.
All staff members must receive initial and ongoing training on required care and safety topics. Administrators must also complete six hours of continuing education each year. To increase safety and ensure high-quality care, assisted living communities may not hire anyone whose name appears on the Alabama Department of Public Health Nurse Aide Abuse Registry.
When a loved one can no longer live independently, an assisted living provider can be a good option. Assisted living residences are for residents who would like to maintain some independence. Still, they need help with meals, housekeeping, and some of the activities of daily living (ADLs), such as showering, getting dressed, or personal hygiene.
Alabama stretches across hills, valleys, plateaus, mountain towns, coastal plains, pinewoods, and sandy beaches. With such diversity, seniors may find housing options to meet their needs in an attractive location.
The typical resident population in Alabama's assisted living communities is 73% female. Overall, 89% of residents are ages 75 and older, with 33% of residents ages 75 to 84 and 56% ages 85 and older.
Alabama Assisted Living Facilities (ALFs)
Assisted living communities in Alabama are for older adults who want to and can maintain their independence but need some help with daily living activities, meals, and household chores. The Bureau of Health Provider Standards of the Alabama Bureau of Public Health regulates all assisted living facilities in the state. Alabama offers three types of assisted living communities:
- Family assisted living communities for two to three residents.
- Group assisted living communities for four to 16 residents.
- Congregate assisted living communities for 17 or more residents.
Difference Between Assisted Living and Specialty Care Assisted Living
Specialty care assisted living facilities are assisted living facilities that have special licenses and are staffed to care for residents with a degree of cognitive impairment that prevents their admission into a typical assisted living facility. Both assisted living and specialty care communities are classified based on their resident capacity. Facilities caring for two to three adults are known as Family Facilities, Group Facilities are authorized to care for four to 16 adults, and Congregate Facilities are licensed for 17 or more adults.
Assisted Living Admission Restrictions
Residents admitted to an assisted living facility in Alabama cannot:
- Require restraints or confinement within the facility.
- Be unable to understand the facility's ‘unit dose’ medication system due to dementia.
- Have chronic health conditions that require extensive nursing care or observation.
- Require care beyond the assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs).
Assisted Living Food Service Requirements
All assisted living facilities in Alabama must provide three meals per day that meet the requirements set by the Food and Nutrition Board of the National Research Council. In addition to the requirement of meals, snacks and beverages must be available throughout the day and after the evening meal. Residents who require medically prescribed diets due to hypertension, diabetes, or hyperlipidemia must be provided modified diets to adhere to these prescribed diets. For facilities with 17 or more residents, a full or part-time professionally qualified dietitian must be available for consultations to meet the needs of the residents.
Assisted Living Staffing Requirements
To provide a safe environment for their residents, communities have staff requirements.
If residents in the community require medications to be administered, the facility must hire a professional for these services. The professional must be a licensed health professional, like a registered or licensed practical nurse.
All facilities must be staffed by at least one individual with current CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) certification and an individual certified in AED utilization. An automated external defibrillator must also be available in the facility.
Initial and ongoing training is required of all staff in assisted living facilities. The training must include the following topics:
- All applicable rules and statutes
- How to identify and report abuse, neglect, and exploitation of residents
- An overview of the needs of the elderly, mentally ill, and intellectually challenged
- Basic first-aid
- Nutritional needs of the elderly
- Signs and symptoms of dementia
- Fire and environmental safety
- Confidentiality of residents
Administrators must complete six hours of continuing education every year, except for licensed nursing home administrators, who are exempt.
Assisted living facilities may not hire anyone whose name appears on the Alabama Department of Public Health Nurse Aide Abuse Registry.
Assisted Living Housing Requirements
Many assisted living facilities offer private apartment-style housing units, which are not required in Alabama. Housing units can be single- or double-occupancy. Bathroom and bathing may be shared but must have at least one bathtub or shower for every eight residents and one sink and toilet for every six residents.
What Is Included With Assisted Living Care In Alabama?
There are several requirements that each assisted living community must provide for their residents. The facility must offer both general observations and health supervision to assist in identifying each resident's health condition and ability to function. The facility must assist residents with all ADLs and medication services and assess the need for medication attention or nursing services.
Each facility must also provide services such as laundry, housekeeping, medical transportation coordination, and a level of social activity for the residents.
Before admission, each resident must have a medical examination by a physician. This examination will be used to develop a care plan to be reviewed with the resident and any representative, if necessary.
Health Care Services
ALFs must provide care and services in the resident’s care plan in Alabama. These services can include coordinating medical care and appointments. Communities may also deliver health services, with 43% of communities providing skilled nursing. Many have healthcare specialists and on-site services, with 33% of communities offering dental care. In addition, 47% of ALFs have hospice services.
Mental health issues are a growing consideration for communities, and services to address these concerns are becoming more common. In Alabama, 77% of communities conduct depression screenings and 40% offer mental health counselling. Social work programs are also found in 34% of ACHs. Social workers can provide counselling, conduct assessments, and help ensure residents access all the necessary resources.
Some assisted living residents live with various medical conditions. In Alabama, 43% have Alzheimer's disease or another form of dementia. In addition, 57% have high blood pressure, 36% have heart disease, 25% have depression, and 15% have diabetes.
Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) Assistance Services
The decision to move into an assisted living community can be difficult. Generally, you'll notice changes in your loved one that suggest they need assistance. Signs that this environment could be beneficial include increased isolation, loss of mobility, noticeable weight loss or gain, and signs of neglecting household chores.
Your older family member may be the one to start talking about assisted living. Moving into a home where cooking, laundry, and other chores are taken care of is appealing to many seniors who need help with some or all of the activities of daily living. These activities are key to a person's ability to stay independent, and being deficient in one or more can determine the type of help a person needs. In Alabama, 12% of residents need help eating. Other commonly used services include bed transfer (21%), toileting (29%), and walking (55%). Caregivers in ALFs help 44% of residents dress, and 57% need help bathing.
Medication Assistance
Residents can either administer medication to themselves or have medication assistance from the facility. Residents deemed “aware” of their medications can self-administer or receive assistance from a staff member, even if the staff member is not licensed. The term “aware” means that the resident can control their medications without creating a risk for themself. Injections, drops, inhalers, and suppositories are not included in the types of medications that residents can administer themselves. Assistance by unlicensed personnel is only permitted if the resident is in total control and direction of administering the medication.
Residents who need to be made aware of their medications can receive medication assistance by the licenced health professional on staff. If the facility manages and regulates a resident’s medications, specific requirements must be met:
- The medication must be packaged on a unit-dose basis.
- The facility will assist, including reminders, bringing the container to the resident and opening it, including liquids.
Cost Of Assisted Living Care In Alabama
The average cost of assisted living care in Alabama is $3,503. This cost is $997 lower than the monthly national average of $4,500. The cost of living in Alabama is less than the national average by 12.1%, with health care costs less than the national average by 8.8% and housing costs less than the national average by 29.9%.
The level of care a person requires impacts the cost of care, and so does where you live. The cost of assisted living ranges from a low of $2,150 in the Dothan area to a high of $4,771 per month in the Anniston area of Alabama.
How Costs Compare In Nearby States
Living close to one of Alabama’s borders may make assisted living in a neighboring state affordable. Two of Alabama’s neighbors have a higher average cost of assisted living. Florida and Tennessee have average costs of $4,000 and $4,105, while Mississippi has a lower average cost of $3,500. The cost of assisted living in Tennessee is roughly the same as in Alabama at $4,105.
How to Pay For Assisted Living
Alabama Assisted Living Oversight
The Alabama Bureau of Public Health oversees the state's assisted living communities. Alabama also has a long-term care ombudsman program to handle complaints against long-term care facilities and advocate for assisted living residents. The Alabama Area Agencies on Aging provide information and access to resources for older adults. The Assisted Living Association of Alabama is a nonprofit organization that provides information regarding assisted living communities in the state to help people find the right community to meet their needs.
Legal Resources for Seniors in Alabama
Older adult Alabamians are particularly vulnerable to fraud, exploitation, scams, and abuse. This issue has resulted in the elder law evolving to safeguard older adults and their families from harm. The Alabama Department of Senior Services’ Legal Assistance Program provides free services to adults at least 60 years of age to protect and secure their rights, benefits, and dignity. These services include advice and counselling, document preparation, legal representation, estate planning, Medicaid, and housing.
Alabama also offers legal help for low-income residents. Legal Services Alabama provides older adults with legal aid, assistance in civil matters, and other resources available throughout the state.
Quality and Safety of Assisted Living Facilities in Alabama
Under Chapter 420-5-4 of the Alabama Code of Regulations, all assisted living communities must be licensed and meet certain quality and safety standards. For example, each community must maintain written fire safety and emergency plan. The Bureau of Health Provider Standards of the Alabama Bureau of Public Health keeps residents safe by conducting periodic inspections and complaint investigations.
All staff members must receive initial and ongoing training on required care and safety topics. Administrators must also complete six hours of continuing education each year. To increase safety and ensure high-quality care, assisted living communities may not hire anyone whose name appears on the Alabama Department of Public Health Nurse Aide Abuse Registry.
