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The 10 Best Assisted Living Facilities in Bessemer, AL for 2024

Located in Jefferson County, Bessemer is a suburban city, approximately 20 minutes southwest of Birmingham’s downtown. According to the 2020 census, 18.7% of its 26,000 residents are aged 65 and older, an above-average percentage, suggesting the city is more popular than many with seniors. This may be its significantly lower-than-average cost of living, plethora of services providing low-cost transportation and proximity to excellent health care facilities. The city is also home to numerous golf courses and several popular festivals that attract fans of the blues, jazz and Caribbean music.

Bessemer’s assisted living facilities are suitable for seniors who need some help with common tasks, such as managing their medications and preparing meals. They are staffed by caregivers trained to ensure seniors reside in clean homes and eat healthy food without otherwise infringing on their independence. The average fee in Bessemer is $3,156 per month, which is only $6 more than the state average but a significant saving of $1,144 per month when compared to the national median.

This guide considers the benefits and drawbacks of living in Bessemer. It also compares senior care costs in Alabama and lists some resources for Bessemer’s seniors. 

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Assisted Living Facilities in Bessemer, Alabama

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What to Consider About Assisted Living in Bessemer

The agency that regulates assisted living facilities throughout Alabama is the Bureau of Health Provider Standards, a division of the Alabama Department of Public Health. Its duties include certifying facilities that pass health and safety inspections and ensuring continued compliance with license conditions by conducting unannounced inspections.

Benefits and Drawbacks of Assisted Living in Bessemer

  • Bessemer has an average cost of living index of 74.3, which suggests the city is significantly more affordable than many in the state and the country, where the mean indices are 82.3 and 100, respectively. The health care cost index is slightly above average, at 101.1. However, these costs can be offset by the substantially lower averages for transportation and groceries. 
  • Bessemer’s climate is generally senior-friendly. Temperatures in January are usually a chilly 33 degrees but snowfall rarely rises above one inch annually, so seniors concerned about slippery sidewalks and roads needn’t be concerned for most of the year. In summer, it’s common to see the dial hovering around a comfortably warm 91 degrees, although the above-average annual rainfall of 57 inches results in some days where the combination of heat and humidity may concern some seniors. 
  • Due to its location within the heavily-populated Birmingham metropolitan area, Bessemer has below-average air quality. However, it’s not dangerously so and the city’s water quality scores an excellent 81/100, which is far above the national average.
  • Property and violent crime in Bessemer are significantly above the state and national averages. However, seniors are less likely to be victims of crime if they take some precautions, such as living in neighborhoods with less crime. These include Concord, Pleasant Hill and Hopewell. Also, many assisted living facilities have additional security and staff on-site 24/7. 
  • The primary hospital in Bessemer is Medical West, which provides a full range of services. The city also has a large number of physicians registered to treat those with Medicare and seniors looking for more choice are within minutes of Birmingham’s numerous hospitals, which includes the nationally ranked University of Alabama at Birmingham Hospital.
  • Seniors in Bessemer looking for low-cost transportation in the city and Jefferson County have several choices. These include MAX, a paratransit service for any purpose, MTA, a service for medical appointments only, and ClasTran, which serves seniors outside the MAX network.

Paying for Assisted Living in Bessemer

The 2020 Genworth Cost of Care Survey reveal’s Bessemer’s seniors pay only $6 more than average for Alabama, at $3,156. However, they pay significantly less for assisted living than the typical American, who pays around $13,728 per year more for similar services.

The Cost of Assisted Living in Nearby Cities

Although slightly above-average, Bessemer’s costs are not the highest in Alabama. Seniors in Montgomery pay around $3,725 for assisted living, while their peers in Anniston pay $4,135. Some cities are more affordable, however, such as Gadsden, where costs average $2,207 per month.

Bessemer

$3,156

Alabama

$3,150

The United States

$4,300

Anniston

$4,135

Gadsden

$2,207

Montgomery

$3,725

The Cost of Other Types of Senior Care

Assisted living is an affordable option in Bessemer for seniors best served by its offering. Its typical costs of $3,156 are lower than those of homemaker and home health aide agencies, who typically charge around $3,718 and $3,813 for their respective services. However, assisted living isn’t the most affordable choice. Able-bodied seniors can get care in adult day centers for approximately $813 per month. Those who need 24/7 care will need to budget for monthly nursing home fees of $6,388 for a semiprivate room and another $304 for a private one.

Homemaker Services

$3,718

Home Health Aide

$3,813

Adult Day Health Care

$813

Assisted Living Facility

$3,156

Nursing Home Facility (semiprivate room)

$6,388

Nursing Home Facility (private room)

$6,692

Note: Care cost data for Bessemer was not available, so data for the closest city, Birmingham, was used instead.

Financial Assistance for Assisted Living in Bessemer

There are several programs to help seniors cover the costs of assisted living in Madison. One such program is the Elderly and Disabled Waiver offered through Alabama Medicaid, which may also have other programs for which seniors can apply. 

Learn more about these programs, plus who’s eligible, on our Assisted Living in Alabama page.

Financial Assistance for Assisted Living in Alabama

More Ways to Pay for Assisted Living

While many families use their own funds or personal assets to pay for assisted living, there are plenty of additional options to cover these costs. Some additional ways to finance assisted living costs include:

  • Veterans Benefits
  • Life Insurance Policy
  • Long-Term Care Insurance
  • Reverse Mortgage

For more information about different ways to finance assisted living, visit our Assisted Living in Alabama page.

Free Assisted Living Resources in Bessemer

Bessemer and Jefferson County seniors can access a wide range of programs aimed at helping them deal with age-related matters. These examples show where to go for help when in dispute with a care provider, when in need of state and federal benefits and how to get the most from Medicare.

ResourceContactService
Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs(205) 481-4117The Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs employs local service officers whose purpose is to help U.S. military veterans and their dependents access benefits provided by the state and federal governments. The officers can also help vets who qualify for VA Aid and Attendance apply for the benefit, which can contribute towards their residential care costs. They can also refer vets and their families to the Bessemer VA Clinic when they are in need of medical services.
Long-Term Care Ombudsman(877) 425-2243The Long-Term Care Ombudsman is a free state-sponsored service for seniors residing in care communities throughout Alabama. Ombudsmen are volunteers who regularly visit assisted living facilities to talk to residents, ensure they understand their rights within the community and investigate any complaints they may make. Complaints can be of any nature, such as disputes over transfers, but if the complaint suggests criminal behavior, such as elder abuse, the ombudsman will pass it on to the proper authority.
State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP)(877) 425-2243Seniors in receipt of Medicare and those ready to apply can contact a SHIP counselor, who will provide impartial information, advice and support. The counselors are trained to clarify the different Medicare plans for seniors and help them choose the best insurance for their long-term health care needs, including private insurance plans. However, as the counselors are unbiased, they won't try to sell insurance to seniors. They can also help with an appeal if a senior is denied Medicare.
United Way Area Agency on Aging of Jefferson County(205) 458-3330The United Way Area Agency on Aging of Jefferson County is a nonprofit organization that manages multiple resources for seniors in and around Bessemer. Although many focus on aging in place, the agency can also assist seniors in residential care communities. This help can include access to free and low-cost legal services for seniors.

Assisted Living Laws and Regulations in Bessemer

Bessemer-area assisted living communities must adhere to the comprehensive set of state laws and regulations that all assisted living communities in Alabama are required to follow. Visit our Assisted Living in Alabama page for more information about these laws.

Assisted Living Laws and Regulations in Alabama

Reviews of Communities Nearby

Assisted Living

Sherry

I am a friend or relative of a current/past resident

Review of Oaks on Parkwood

My mother-in-law went to Oaks on Parkwood. She has been there for three weeks now. She's very happy there. She's been very welcomed and very happy. Her room is nice, and she's got enough room to be...

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Assisted Living

Herman

I visited this facility

Review of Oaks on Parkwood

The Oaks on Parkwood is pretty expensive, but it is one of the best. They have activities. They even have a heated pool. Their heated pool is better. They have just about everything. You can have...

Read more

Assisted Living

Reviewer

I am a friend or relative of a current/past resident

Review of Oaks on Parkwood

My mom lived at The Oaks on Parkwood and it was below par. There were problems with housekeeping, mold on the carpet, the bathroom, her room was not being cleaned properly, and drinking glasses...

Read more

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The material on this site is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for legal, financial, professional, or medical advice or diagnosis or treatment. By using our website, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

Caring.com

Caring.com is a leading online destination for caregivers seeking information and support as they care for aging parents, spouses, and other loved ones. We offer thousands of original articles, helpful tools, advice from more than 50 leading experts, a community of caregivers, and a comprehensive directory of caregiving services.

 

The material on this site is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for legal, financial, professional, or medical advice or diagnosis or treatment. By using our website, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

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