The 3 Best Memory Care Facilities in Birmingham, AL for 2023

Birmingham, AL, is home to an estimated 197,575 residents, and around 15.7% of the city is aged 65 and over, which places them in the high-risk group for Alzheimer’s and dementia-related disorders. According to information released by the CDC, the number of Alzheimer’s-related deaths in the city has decreased slightly by 1.55% between 2016 and 2020. However, this number is likely to increase as Alzheimer’s is now the seventh leading cause of death in the country. In addition, a 2020 study showed the number of seniors in America with Alzheimer’s is likely to double to 12.7 million by 2050.

Seniors living in Birmingham have access to several excellent memory care facilities where care is provided 24/7 by staff members trained in dementia care. These facilities offer a secure environment where seniors can feel safe. The communities provide the latest therapies shown to slow the effects of Alzheimer’s and related disorders. This guide gives an overview of the pros and cons of living in Birmingham, the average costs of memory care and lists resources for seniors.

The Alabama Department of Public Health oversees memory care facilities throughout the state, including those in Birmingham. The department establishes regulations for memory care facilities and issues licenses to those facilities that comply with state standards.

• The Cost of living in Birmingham is 9% lower than the national average. Health care, notably, is even lower, coming in at 16% lower than the national average, which can result in some savings for seniors seeking medical care in Birmingham.
• The Birmingham Jefferson County Transit Authority oversees the operation of fixed-route buses that run throughout the city. Seniors ages 62 and older can receive half-priced fares, which can make using public transportation affordable.
• Alabama doesn’t tax Social Security retirement benefits, which makes it a tax-friendly state for seniors. 
• Birmingham’s poor air quality may be problematic if you have lung issues. The city has some of the worst air quality in the Southeast, particularly particle pollution and ozone. However, there were fewer unhealthy high ozone days in 2022 than in 2021, indicating the city may be trending in a positive direction when it comes to air quality.
• Birmingham is a member of the AARP Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities. This designation indicates that the city’s leadership has made an active commitment to make the city a welcoming place for all ages, including seniors.

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.

The cost of memory care in Birmingham is $5,035 per month on average. This cost is below the national average making Birmingham an affordable place to receive the vital care needed to manage the devastating conditions surrounding Alzheimer’s disease.

In Birmingham, memory care costs are higher than the Alabama state average of $4,379. However, Birmingham’s memory care costs aren’t the highest in the state. Memory care facilities in some cities, such as Montgomery at $4,385 and Tuscaloosa at $3,938, cost less, on average, than Birmingham. However, memory care communities in other cities, including Auburn at $5,373 and Anniston at $5,964, cost more than Birmingham facilities. Additionally, Birmingham’s communities come in under the national average of $5,625 per month.

Other types of senior care are also available in Birmingham at a variety of price points. Adult day health care services are the most inexpensive option, costing $867 a month. Assisted living facility care costs $4,028 a month in Birmingham. Home health aides average $4,338, and homemaker services cost $4,242 per month. Nursing home care is the most expensive option, with a semi-private room averaging $6,768.

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.