The 3 Best Assisted Living Facilities in Fort Payne, AL for 2024

 

Nestled between Lookout Mountain and Sand Mountain in the  Appalachians, Fort Payne is a short drive from state and national parks, offering a wide variety of outdoor activities, including bird watching, hiking, kayaking and fishing. Fort Payne and the surrounding areas are home to 3 assisted living facilities, costing  an average of $2,803 per month, significantly lower than both the Alabama and national medians of $3,503 and $4,500, respectively.

To help you find the best community for your needs, our directory features 27 reviews reviews for these facilities, with an average rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars stars.

Alabama's Department of Health licenses and regulates assisted living facilities in Fort Payne. Under the Bureau of Health Provider Standards, it ensures all residential care communities that provide personal care services adhere to federal and state rules. In addition, each facility must employ an administrator licensed by the Alabama Board of Examiners of Assisted Living Administrators.

 

• At 61 physicians per 100,000 people, Fort Payne’s physician-per-capita ratio is more than 70% below the national norm of 210. However, several local medical facilities look after the health care needs of seniors, including Northside Medical, Northeast Alabama Health Services Fort Payne Clinic and DeKalb Regional Medical Center, which specializes in cardiology, ophthalmology and senior behavioral health.

 

• The cost of living in Fort Payne is 6.2% lower than the U.S. average. In addition to saving on assisted living, retirees will also save on food, health care, transportation and housing.

 

• Fort Payne experiences hot, humid summers with temperatures over 80 degrees Fahrenheit, hitting 88 degrees in July. Winters are mild, averaging 32 degrees and rarely dipping below 18 degrees Fahrenheit, allowing seniors to enjoy outdoor activities throughout the year.

 

• Although public and private pensions are tax-free, income from retirement accounts, such as 401(k)s and IRAs, is subject to taxation at 2% to 5%. However, seniors on low incomes can take advantage of Social Security Income being exempt from taxation.

 

• Seniors in Fort Payne have a 1 in 676 chance of becoming a victim of violent crime, significantly lower than the Alabama average of 1 in 244. Property crime is more common, with 1 in 56 residents reporting a burglary or theft. However, assisted living communities take extra precautions to protect residents by employing safety measures, such as video surveillance and gated entries.

 

• DeKalb County Rural Public Transportation serves seniors in Fort Payne, providing scheduled journeys to destinations within the city. Retirees aged 60 and older also qualify for a door-to-door service via DeKalb Area Rural Transit (DART). For a small donation, seniors can schedule on-demand trips in wheelchair-accessible vehicles.

 

Retirees in Fort Payne spend an average of $2,803 per month to reside in an assisted living community.

Fort Payne has some of the most affordable assisted living in the country. At $2,803, rates are $1,697 below the national median and significantly lower than the state average of $3,503. Residential care is more expensive elsewhere in Alabama, with seniors in Anniston paying an additional $1,968, and those in Birmingham spending $1,225 more each month. To the north, Huntsville assisted living facilities charge $3,345, an increase of $542. Only the Southern Alabama city of Dothan is more affordable than Fort Payne, with seniors paying monthly fees of $2,150.

Fort Payne retirees can choose from different care types, depending on their needs. At $2,803, assisted living is the most affordable option. Seniors remaining in their own homes spend an additional $1,008 every month employing the personal care services of an in-home care agency or the basic medical care provided by home health care attendants. The costliest form of senior care is for older adults requiring 24-hour skilled nursing and monitoring, with nursing homes charging monthly fees of $6,266 for a semi-private room, $3,463 more than assisted living facilities.

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.