Assisted Living in Alabama

Aid and Attendance

Learn more and apply online at va.gov.

Veterans who receive a VA pension may also be eligible for the Aid and Attendance benefit, a monthly cash allowance that veterans receive in addition to their standard pension amount. The benefit is intended for veterans in need of long-term care services and may be used towards paying for Assisted Living.

Reverse Mortgages

Learn more about your options and how to apply at ftc.gov

If you own a home, you may be able to use a reverse mortgage to help pay for Assisted Living. Reverse mortgages are loans that one can take out against the value of their home, essentially converting some of the home's equity into cash. Reverse mortgage loans do need to be repaid with interest, typically within 12 months of receiving the loan.

Long-Term Care (LTC) Insurance

Learn more about Long-Term Care Insurance and how to apply for a policy at acl.gov.

Seniors who already have long-term care insurance may be able to use it to pay for Assisted Living. Most policies cover at least a portion of the cost, but it depends on the specific policy terms. Note that older adults who are already in need of Assisted Living will not typically be eligible to sign up for a LTC insurance policy.

Area Agencies on Aging

(800) 243-5463 

The 13 Areas Agencies on Aging Alabama cover the 67 counties in Alabama. They work closely with Aging and Disability Resource Centers (ADRCs) to provide important information and access to resources for seniors. When these resources aren't available, agencies work with local organizations to put them in place. The ADRCs help seniors make informed choices about their services and supports.

Long-term Care Ombudsman

(800) 243-5463

The ombudsmen of the Alabama Long-term Care Ombudsman (LTCO) program advocate for seniors who have made allegations of neglect or abuse against an LTC facility. The ombudsman investigates alleged complaints and works to resolve issues between seniors and facilities. Ombudsmen also help advise seniors on Medicare or Medicaid billing issues and how they can appeal decisions that have resulted in a denial of service. Ombudsmen also educate the broader community about the rights of seniors in long-term care facilities.

Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs

334-242-5077

The Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs operates four veterans' homes through the Alabama Veterans Homes program. These veterans' homes are a very affordable assisted living solution for senior veterans, their spouses or survivors. Applications may be obtained from local veterans' service offices or downloaded from the Alabama State Veterans Home Program website.

Assisted Living Association of Alabama (ALAA)

(334) 262-5523

A nonprofit 501(c)4 corporation dedicated to promoting excellence in all aspects of assisted living in Alabama, the ALAA provides information to consumers about assisted living facilities in the state, including a complete listing of all available facilities. Seniors considering an assisted living facility can access a compilation of facts and figures about assisted living to help them in their search for the right community.

Legal Assistance Program

(800) 243-5463

Seniors across Alabama can access the Legal Assistance Program. The Legal Assistance Program provides services free of charge, protecting and securing the rights, benefits and dignity of adults aged at least 60 in Alabama. Seniors can work with legal professionals on several personal legal issues. These issues include advice and counseling, legal representation, preparation of legal documents, negotiation estate planning, Medicaid eligibility, landlord/tenant issues, contract disputes and debt collection. All of the Legal Assistance Program's services are provided free of charge.

SeniorRX

(800) 243-5463

SeniorRX helps seniors aged at least 55 who've been diagnosed with chronic medical conditions requiring regular medication. The program helps seniors who need medications but may have difficulties paying for them to prevent more serious medical complications in the future. People who qualify for the program receive a free or low-cost three-month supply of medications from various pharmaceutical companies. If the senior remains eligible for the program, their prescriptions can be renewed.

Are loved ones allowed to visit to provide emotional support?

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Are relatives allowed to visit for end-of-life care?

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Are residents required to quarantine after visiting with a loved one?

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Are visitors required to wear PPE (including masks) in order to visit residents?

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Are non-medical contractors (such as hairdressers and entertainers) allowed in senior living facilities?

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Are visitors checked for elevated temperatures?

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Are visitors required to answer questions about health, travel, and potential virus contact?

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Are residents allowed to leave (errands, visiting family, etc.) for non-medical reasons?

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Are residents who leave required to quarantine when they return?

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Are senior living communities required to cancel all group outings?

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Are residents allowed to eat meals together in a common area?

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Are residents allowed to gather in common areas for group activites?

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Are staff members regularly required to do a temperature check?

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Are staff members regularly tested for COVID-19?

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Are staff members members regularly required to do a health and safety screening, including questions about travel, contact with positive cases, etc?

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Are residents regularly screened for COVID-19 symptoms?

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Are residents regularly checked for elevated temperatures?

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Are residents regularly tested for COVID-19?

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Assisted Living Service Plan Requirements

Before they can be admitted, physicians examine potential residents to determine their healthcare needs. That exam helps the physician and the facility develop a comprehensive care plan. The creation of this plan of care includes input from physicians, residents or their third-party representatives.

Assisted Living Admission Requirements

While most seniors who require assistance with ADLs can reside in an assisted living facility in Alabama, facilities cannot admit seniors who need restraints, can't understand the in-house medication system, require daily skilled nursing care or have been diagnosed with severe mental health issues. Facilities can make exceptions for seniors who require care for 90 days or less if they are receiving hospice care for a non-mental health issue.

Assisted Living Scope of Care

Assisted living facilities must provide general health supervision, medication assistance, housekeeping, laundry and transportation to medical appointments. They must also aid with ADLs, including bathing, manicure/pedicure, food service, personal safety, shaving and hair care. An outside agency or hospice care organization working with the facility can provide some of these services.

Assisted Living Medicaid Policy

While Medicaid does not cover assisted living facilities in Alabama, there is an outside chance some seniors may be able to use the Alabama Medicaid Elderly and Disabled Waiver. Normally this waiver assists seniors receiving in-home care, but seniors can occasionally justify its use in a small assisted living facility. Many facilities also do not accept any payments using this waiver, so it's essential to check with the facility to see if they accept it.

Assisted Living Facility Requirements

Units in Alabama can be single or double occupancy. Apartment-style living is not required. Units can share bathrooms and showers or tubs, but there must be at least one sink and toilet for every six residents and at least one shower or bathtub for every eight residents.

Medication Management Regulations

Residents can administer their medication if they understand their medical conditions and are judged to be competent. They can also ask for assistance from licensed or unlicensed staff members.

Only medication packaged in single-dose units can be stored in the facility. Staff can help residents remember to take their medications, open them or pour liquid medications, but they cannot administer the medication. They may not give injections or prepare medications in any other way. Staff must record every medication given in the resident's medication administration record.

Staffing Requirements

No minimum staff-to-resident ratios exist for assisted living facilities in Alabama. All facilities need an administrator to oversee operations and personal care staff to provide resident care. If the facility plans to administer medication, it must have a registered nurse or licensed nurse practitioner and staff.

All facilities must have an automated external defibrillator (AED). There must always be one employee on-site certified in its use by the American Red Cross or the American Heart Association. Also, at least one employee must be approved in CPR.

Staff Training Requirements

Assisted living staff must be trained upon hire and then regularly on the following subjects:

• Federal, state and facility-specific laws and policies
• Guidelines for spotting and reporting abuse, neglect or exploitation of seniors
• First aid
• Basic elderly nutrition
• Fire safety
• Indications of dementia
• Facility administrators must annually complete at least 6 hours of continuing education

Background Checks

Everyone considered a worker at an assisted living facility, including contract employees, volunteers and applicants, must undergo a background check and be fingerprinted. No one who appears on the Alabama Department of Public Health Nurse Aide Abuse Registry can be employed in an LTC facility.

Reporting Abuse

All staff and employees in assisted living facilities in Alabama are legally required to report suspected abuse or exploitation of seniors. These include causing pain or injury, intentional deprivation of care, refusing to provide essential services such as food and shelter, reckless infliction of anguish or exploitation of an individual or their resources.

Whenever a staff member or employee witnesses or suspects a case of abuse or neglect, it should be reported to local law enforcement or to the Abuse Hotline at (800) 458-7214.