The 10 Best Memory Care Facilities in Huntsville, AL for 2024

Located on the banks of the Tennessee River, Huntsville is home to 216,963 people. An estimated 16.2% of them are over 65, putting them at increased risk for Alzheimer’s. This fatal disease causes a loss of memory and function, resulting in increased hospitalizations and long-term care stays in people with the disease compared to those without. In Huntsville, Alzheimer’s-related deaths increased by 42.23% in only four years, between 2016 and 2020. In comparison, total deaths in the city rose by only 17.29%.

Residential dementia care can help reduce these hospitalizations and deaths by providing supervision and evidence-based interventions that slow the progression of Alzheimer’s. They have safety features to help prevent falls and accidents, as well as trained nursing staff to respond to emergencies. These staff members also help residents with activities of daily living like bathing, taking medications and transferring to and from wheelchairs. This guide talks about the cost of memory care in Huntsville and some of the resources the area has to offer to seniors.

Alabama’s Department of Public Health oversees and partners with various services and providers throughout Huntsville and the state to ensure adherence to state regulations and quality levels of care. Quarterly reports are available for seniors and their families to reference when choosing suitable long-term care options, along with licensing information for memory care providers and a directory of licensed facilities.

• Huntsville’s cost of living is a bit higher than the statewide average, but it’s more affordable than the national median. With an overall score of 90.7 based on a 100-point scale, Huntsville is 10% cheaper than the U.S. average. Residents also have access to lower prices for groceries, housing and utilities.
• Based on a 100-point scale, health care costs in Huntsville are about 8% higher than the U.S. average, with a score of 108. However, seniors have access to 231 physicians per 100,000 population, which is higher than the national average of 210. 
• For medical services, Huntsville seniors can visit Huntsville Hospital and be assured of quality care and excellent service. The hospital is an award-winning, full-service facility providing world-class cardiology care, stroke care, nationally recognized laboratory services and select medical rehab services. As strokes and memory loss can go hand in hand, neurological care here is among the best in the state.
• Seniors in Huntsville can enjoy hot and humid summers, mild winters and 199 sunny days per year to spend outdoors. For those who don’t like the cold, residents will only see about 2 inches of snow per year, compared to 55 inches of rain. Huntsville also ranks 7.3 on a 10-point comfort index, placing it on par with other cities as a pleasant place to live in Alabama. 
• Although crime in Huntsville receives a ranking nearly double the U.S. average, recent measures taken by law enforcement have caused a drastic reduction in criminal activity through heightened awareness in all communities. These efforts have helped make the city much safer for residents. For those in memory care communities, residents can be comforted by 24/7 security to ensure seniors are free from harm.
• Huntsville is surrounded by natural beauty, with several parks and hiking trails for outdoor enjoyment. Among the parks is the Huntsville Botanical Garden, where seniors may find peace to enhance their memory care services. An abundance of cultural attractions allow seniors to engage with museums and galleries. Quiet and familiar surroundings are often desirable to help maintain comfort for seniors with memory loss.

Note: Residential memory care is usually offered in assisted living facilities, and in general, memory care rates tend to be 20-30% higher than assisted living rates. No national database currently tracks memory care costs in the United States, so we’ve estimated the monthly memory care costs listed below by adding 25% to the rates listed in Genworth’s 2021 Cost of Care Survey.

Seniors in Huntsville pay an average of $3,345 per month for assisted living, but costs can vary depending on the community location and amenities provided. 

In Huntsville, memory care costs an average of $4,181 per month, which is $200 less than Alabama’s statewide average and $1,450 lower than the national median. Prices in nearby Decatur are comparable at $4,299 per month, but Florence is $1,000 higher than Huntsville. The lowest cost for memory care in this area can be found to the southeast in Gadsden at $3,504. Near the center of the state is Birmingham, which is on the higher end, but still $600 less than the national average.

Adult day health care is the most affordable care option in Huntsville at $1,138 per month. In-home and home health care share an equivalent monthly rate of $4,004 and are ideal options for seniors able to remain at home. Assisted living is a residential care option with access to 24-hour staff for a lower price than memory care at $3,345 per month. Seniors requiring around-the-clock skilled nursing care can access a semiprivate room at a nursing home for a higher monthly rate of $6,844. 

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

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

For more information about different ways to finance memory care, visit our Memory Care in Alabama page.