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. 

Directory of Assisted Living Facilities in Bessemer, AL

Oaks on Parkwood

2651 Laurel Oaks Dr, Bessemer, AL, 35022

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 ha … (read more)
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 ha … (read more)

Self Nursing Home LLC

129 E Crest Rd, Bessemer, AL, 35023

I have visited Hueytown Retirement Lodge many times with my church growing up. Sometimes it was for Christmas or just to visit. The people that work at this assisted living facility were very nice and … (read more)
I have visited Hueytown Retirement Lodge many times with my church growing up. Sometimes it was for Christmas or just to visit. The people that work at this assisted living facility were very nice and … (read more)

Terrace Oaks Care & Rehabilitation Center

4201 BESSEMER HIGHWAY, Bessemer, AL, 35020


2014

Brookdale University Park Alabama

400 University Park Dr., Birmingham, AL, 35209

Brookdale University Park is described as a luxury senior living community. Located in one of Birmingham, Alabama’s quiet residential neighborhoods, this facility offers residents a life of peace and … (read more)
Brookdale University Park is described as a luxury senior living community. Located in one of Birmingham, Alabama’s quiet residential neighborhoods, this facility offers residents a life of peace and … (read more)

2015, 2022

Galleria Woods

3850 Galleria Woods Drive, Birmingham, AL, 35244

Galleria Woods was beautiful, but it was expensive. The rooms were very nice, and the staff was great. They also have cottages, and they were beautiful. They invited us for lunch, and it was impressiv … (read more)
Galleria Woods was beautiful, but it was expensive. The rooms were very nice, and the staff was great. They also have cottages, and they were beautiful. They invited us for lunch, and it was impressiv … (read more)

Maplewood Lane Assisted Living

223 Tucker Road, Helena, AL, 35080

I thought Maplewood Lane Assisted Living was a very homey place. The staff that I met there were all very cordial. There’s one lady that’s been working there for 27 years and she was just as great as … (read more)
I thought Maplewood Lane Assisted Living was a very homey place. The staff that I met there were all very cordial. There’s one lady that’s been working there for 27 years and she was just as great as … (read more)

2018, 2021

Gardens of Pelham

2124 Old Montgomery Highway, Pelham, AL, 35124

The tour experience with Gardens of Pelham was not as good as what we experienced with the other places. They showed us the units, but they weren’t prepared for us. There was probably some miscommunic … (read more)
The tour experience with Gardens of Pelham was not as good as what we experienced with the other places. They showed us the units, but they weren’t prepared for us. There was probably some miscommunic … (read more)

The Bungalows at Riverchase

2184 Parkway Lake Drive, Hoover, AL, 35244

The Bungalows at Riverchase assisted living is located off I-65 in Hoover, Alabama, the largest suburb of Birmingham, and just a short drive from Oak Mountain State Park, Aldridge  … (read more)
The Bungalows at Riverchase assisted living is located off I-65 in Hoover, Alabama, the largest suburb of Birmingham, and just a short drive from Oak Mountain State Park, Aldridge  … (read more)

Truewood by Merrill, Riverchase

1851 Data Dr, Hoover, AL, 35244

Located in a peaceful segment of Birmingham, AL, River Highlands of Birmingham is an assisted living community with a resort-like atmosphere and the best interest of its residents in mind. Residents r … (read more)
Located in a peaceful segment of Birmingham, AL, River Highlands of Birmingham is an assisted living community with a resort-like atmosphere and the best interest of its residents in mind. Residents r … (read more)

Greenbriar At The Altamont

2831 S. Highland Ave., Birmingham, AL, 35205

Greenbriar At The Altamont is located in Birmingham, Alabama, and surrounded by many parks and a host of amenities. The families of residents feel reassured that the professional and friendly staff pr … (read more)
Greenbriar At The Altamont is located in Birmingham, Alabama, and surrounded by many parks and a host of amenities. The families of residents feel reassured that the professional and friendly staff pr … (read more)

Country Cottages Hoover – CLOSED

4000 Greenwood Dr., Hoover, AL, 35216

Country Cottages at Birmingham, Hoover is an assisted living and memory care facility offering studio apartments to retired seniors in Hoover, Alabama, near the Woodmeadows neighborhood. Each apartmen … (read more)
Country Cottages at Birmingham, Hoover is an assisted living and memory care facility offering studio apartments to retired seniors in Hoover, Alabama, near the Woodmeadows neighborhood. Each apartmen … (read more)

Regency Retirement Village – Birmingham

285 West Oxmoor Road, Birmingham, AL, 35209

My dad is at Regency Retirement Village of Birmingham. I like the staff. They are very helpful, and they care about my dad. During this pandemic, they’ve been very good about taking care of them to ke … (read more)
My dad is at Regency Retirement Village of Birmingham. I like the staff. They are very helpful, and they care about my dad. During this pandemic, they’ve been very good about taking care of them to ke … (read more)

Woodlands Assisted Living

8071 Kimbrell Cut Off Rd., Mc Calla, AL, 35111

My mother was at The Woodlands. We chose this one because it was very neat and clean, but it wasn’t huge. My mother was very pleased with her stay. If she would have to go back, I would put her ther … (read more)
My mother was at The Woodlands. We chose this one because it was very neat and clean, but it wasn’t huge. My mother was very pleased with her stay. If she would have to go back, I would put her ther … (read more)

2013

Morningside of Vestavia Hills

2435 Columbiana Road, Birmingham, AL, 35216

My mother has been in the Morningside of Vestavia Hills for several months already. I would say that the room that she’s in is very safe for her. They have done several things that she asked for, like … (read more)
My mother has been in the Morningside of Vestavia Hills for several months already. I would say that the room that she’s in is very safe for her. They have done several things that she asked for, like … (read more)

South Highland Adult Care Center

2035 Highland Ave., Birmingham, AL, 35205

South Highland Center is located in Birmingham, Alabama, and caters to a diverse senior population. The facility specializes in those with memory issues, like Alzheimer’s and dementia. As such, it ens … (read more)
South Highland Center is located in Birmingham, Alabama, and caters to a diverse senior population. The facility specializes in those with memory issues, like Alzheimer’s and dementia. As such, it ens … (read more)

Mount Royal Towers

300 Royal Tower Drive, Birmingham, AL, 35209

Mount Royal was excellent and gorgeous, but I could not afford it with my budget. The tour was good, though. The services and the staff were great.
Mount Royal was excellent and gorgeous, but I could not afford it with my budget. The tour was good, though. The services and the staff were great.

Plantation Manor Retirement Community

6450 Old Tuscaloosa Hwy., Mc Calla, AL, 35111

I looked at Plantation Manor and I didn’t really like it. I didn’t have any negatives about the staff, and the staff was nice. They have a lot of patients, and they have quite a few residents who st … (read more)
I looked at Plantation Manor and I didn’t really like it. I didn’t have any negatives about the staff, and the staff was nice. They have a lot of patients, and they have quite a few residents who st … (read more)

Affinity Hospice

216 Aquarius Dr Suite 306, Birmingham, AL, 35209


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.

$3156

Bessemer

$3150

Alabama

$4300

The United States

$4135

Anniston

$2207

Gadsden

$3725

Montgomery

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.

$3718

Homemaker Services

$3813

Home Health Aide

$813

Adult Day Health Care

$3156

Assisted Living Facility

$6388

Nursing Home Facility (semiprivate room)

$6692

Nursing Home Facility (private room)

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.

Resource

Contact

Service

(205) 481-4117

The 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.

(877) 425-2243

The 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.

(877) 425-2243

Seniors 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.

(205) 458-3330

The 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