Older adults seeking a stress-free, relaxing pace of life may want to consider independent living. This isn’t a living situation that provides medical care or supervision. Instead, it’s for seniors who want a built-in community right at their front door. Here, life is catered to you and all the activities you enjoy.
From social gathering areas to amenities such as fitness centers and complimentary transportation, independent living options in Birmingham, Alabama, can take the hassle out of life for seniors who are ready to relax. In fact, Birmingham itself is a great place for independent living given its many top-rated attractions as well as its competitive cost of living, which sits roughly 17% below the national average. With 11 independent living facilities within 10 miles of downtown Birmingham alone in our network, you’ll have plenty of options to choose from.
In this guide, we’ll cover the various options available, their costs, ways to pay, as well as options for health care and transportation. We’ll also take a look at the Birmingham community and things you can do here. The Birmingham area offers a stimulating experience for those seeking independent living options. From the Birmingham Museum of Art to the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame, with many top-rated dining options in between, Birmingham has something suited to everyone’s taste.
We have been thrilled with our move in experience at The Danberry. They have gone well above the call of duty to insure that the move in experience for our Mom has been as smooth as possible. Melissa and her...
What has made Monark Grove such a great experience so far is the staff. [name removed], [name removed], [name removed], and [name removed] are great. We also really like the programs different activities...
There idea of aging in place. Brookdale at Home has been a life saver. My dad gets to stay in "independent living" but can get assistance with all things on an as needed basis. The staff is amazing. I feel...
We moved my grandmother to Proveer at Grand View about 6 months ago. She seems happier and more cognizant then I have seen her in several years. The staff is wonderful. I bring my children to visit their...
The staff are the friendliest people you could meet. They will go out of their way to make sure you're comfortable and happy. As far as the activities go, I think that they could do more things away from...
My loved one is currently a resident at Town Village Vestavia Hills and everything has been great for her at this facility so far. The staff, all of them, are nothing short of awesome. The facility manager,...
Everything is great except they can be really slow with important maintenence requests such as the AC. Overall is it a great place, especially for our price point.
Our objective was to find a place for my 95 year old mother with the type of dementia that still allowed her to think rationally, but was incapable of retaining any new information, even during a brief...
After much research we chose Cahaba Ridge six years ago as the best senior community for my in-laws as they moved from out of state to be near us. We are so glad we did. This is truly an aging-in-place...
We are very pleased with the quality of care. Like any long term care facility the family needs to be involved in monitoring their loved one's care. They should visit often. We would recommend the Gardens...
Its very nice and have lots of activities. A few complaints about the dining. For instance they are on lock down now for covid and she and several other residents did not get any breakfast this morning
Pleasant Villa Retirement home was excellent! They were very caring, super clean, excellent condition, and ran very professionally and reasonably priced. We have nothing but good things to say about these...
My Husband and I recently decided we wanted to change our lifestyle and take it easy l called A PLACE FOR MOM I got calls from representatives of several independent living communities. The first I called...
My grandmother moved to Columbia Cottage a few months ago. I have been amazed by the wonderful, caring staff that go above and beyond to care for my grandmother. My grandmother loves the painting classes and...
From the first time that I visited Galleria Woods, I knew that it was the place for me! I love my Garden Home and the privacy that it gives me overlooking the Cahaba River. I enjoy my walks up to the "Big...
So far we have had a very good experience with St. Martins in the Pines. The staff are wonderful and very friendly, and you can tell they really take good care of our loved ones. The facility itself is very...
I wanted to write a review for the Regency Retirement Village and share our experience. We planned an out-of-state move with my mother-in-law of 90 years. This was a very tough move for us to make but we...
Very caring staff. Lived there through covid. They checked on me daily. Had to move back with family to help care for great grands after my son passed away. May move back some day.
This community was very nice and the people were very friendly however, I needed my aunt in a community where they gathered and there were more gathering places at another community. The people were very...
We chose Kirkwood by the River because of the convenient location for me and it was a relatively good price compared to some others we looked at. She had a 1 bedroom and it was about 600 square feet. The...
The facility is pretty nice, I think some things could be upgraded. But mom is very pleased. The staff is very friendly and quick to address any issues we have. They do housekeeping often and her room is...
My loved one has recently moved into this community and so far everything is going well for him there. The staff have been very friendly and I am comfortable with the quality of care they are providing him....
We developed a proprietary recommendation system that orders Birmingham community options based on factors we know are important to seniors and their families:
We collect proprietary data from our network of 14,000+ senior living communities in the U.S., with regular refreshes of data and information
We have 387,000+ reviews from senior living residents and family members that provide first-hand accounts about senior living communities
According to A Place for Mom’s data, the average actual monthly cost of living for independent living facilities within our network of partners in Birmingham is $3,188,[01] which is around 17% lower than the national average.[01] This cost includes any associated fees and service fee add-ons, but it can vary depending on location, floor plan, amenities, and additional services.
Below, you’ll see the average baseline costs of independent living in the Birmingham area. Please note that this information doesn’t include add-on fees.
Once you’ve decided on the community you’d like to live in, the next step is figuring out payment options.
Fortunately, there are several ways to pay for your stay. These include private payment options and U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits. Unlike assisted living, however, independent living doesn’t accept Medicaid, Medicare, or long-term care insurance. Although you won’t be able to use Medicaid or Medicare to pay for your home, you may find that Medicaid or Medicare will cover the costs of potential in-home care services that you may need. Here, you’ll find everything you need to know about your payment options.
How private payment options are calculated will depend largely on your finances. This includes your income, savings, Social Security benefits, pensions, investment returns, plus any of the following:
Senior veterans might wonder how to cover independent living costs. Here are ways that we recommend funding your independent living expenses.
Seniors who qualify for a VA pension are able to use this monthly income for their costs of living. To qualify for the pension, veterans ages 65+ must have served at least one day during wartime. Additionally, they must also meet certain net worth and income standards defined by Congress. As of December 2022, a veteran’s net worth must be lower than $150,538 in order to qualify for a pension.
VA healthcare participants with disabilities who receive a pension might also qualify for VA Aid and Attendance. To receive the VA’s Aid and Attendance benefit, one of the following eligibility requirements must be true:
Senior veterans in or looking to move to the Birmingham area can find local assistance through the Jefferson County Veterans Service Office of Birmingham or the Birmingham VA Medical Center.
Birmingham’s United Way also has the Priority Veteran program, which helps senior veterans find permanent housing and assists with living expenses. It also offers advocacy for disputes and in obtaining benefits. The local Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) chapter and Disabled American Veterans (DAV) chapter can also offer legal representation and benefit advisory.
There are approximately 9,061 veterans living in Birmingham
Percent of Birmingham veterans that are 65 or older, according to the US Census Bureau
Resources for Birmingham veterans
Jefferson County Veterans Service Office
1515 Sixth Ave. S, Five West
Cooper Green Mercy Health Services
Birmingham, AL 35233
Phone: 205-521-7305
Hours: Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Birmingham VA Medical Center
700 S 19th St.
Birmingham, AL 35233
Phone: 205-933-8101
Hours: 24/7
VFW, Kelly Ingram Post 668
1801 11th Ave. N
Birmingham, AL 35234
Phone: 205-252-2696
Email: cmd@vfw668.org
DAV Birmingham Chapter 4
238 Second Ave. N
Birmingham, AL 35204
Phone: 205-202-4460
Priority Veteran Office
3600 Eighth Ave. S
P.O. Box 320189
Birmingham, AL 35232
Phone: 866-460-3827
Email: information@priorityveteran.org
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Local Veteran Service Officer
Angela Hunter
a.hunter@va.alabama.gov
In Birmingham, the Medicaid program is simply called Alabama Medicaid. This is healthcare for low-income residents that pays for services such as medical appointments, hospital stays, and rehabilitation. You can apply for Alabama Medicaid online and use this document for guidance.
To apply for Alabama Medicaid you will need the following information:
Alabama Medicaid doesn’t cover the rent cost of independent living. However, if you require in-home health care services, it’s a helpful resource. You can use the Home and Community-Based Waiver Services program to access these options. This includes information on the Personal Choices program, which allots individuals a monthly allowance for necessary services.
Help with navigation benefits can be found through the local United Way or the long-term care ombudsman program. The local ombudsman representatives are Sheree Head, Marc Newell, and Lakinda Taylor.
Birmingham resident Medicaid resources
Alabama Medicaid
600 Beacon Parkway W
Birmingham, AL 35209
Phone: 866-371-4073
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
United Way Area Agency on Aging of Jefferson County
3600 Eighth Ave. S
Birmingham, AL 35222
Phone: 1-800-243-5463
Alabama’s Long-Term Care Ombudsman
Phone: 1-800-AGE-LINE (1-800-243-5463)
Medicare is a federal program for people 65 and older, certain younger people with disabilities, and people with end-stage renal disease. Like Medicaid, Medicare does not cover the cost of housing or rent. However, it can be a very useful tool for those who need help with things such as medical equipment, doctor visits, and hospital stays.
There are several Medicare programs specific to Birmingham available for those who are eligible. Some help with costs, some help with advocacy. The State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) in Alabama covers many needs that seniors might have from caregiver assistance to legal assistance. The local ombudsman is a great resource for those needing protection, specifically in regards to their health, safety, welfare, and rights granted to Alabama’s long-term care residents. The ombudsman is available for anyone to use.
Additionally, there are two Social Security Administration offices in Birmingham. The Alabama Department of Senior Services (ADSS) helps people navigate Medicare, but it doesn’t cover medical costs. Instead, It’s a cabinet-level agency that administers programs for those with disabilities, caregivers, and senior citizens. The UWAAA of Jefferson County works under the direction of the ADSS to assess the needs of older persons, distribute funds, and implement a wide range of programs accordingly.
Birmingham resident Medicare resources
Social Security Administration
1200 Reverend Abraham Woods Jr. Blvd.
Birmingham, AL 35285
Phone: 866-397-4238
Hours: Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
1972 Gadsden Highway
Birmingham, AL 35235
Phone: 800-772-1213
Hours: Monday through Friday 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Alabama Department of Senior Services
Alabama Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program (Virginia Moore-Bell, Director)
RSA Tower
201 Monroe St.
Suite 350
Montgomery, AL 36104
Phone: 334-242-5753
Email: ageline@adss.alabama.gov
United Way Area Agency on Aging of Jefferson County (UWAAA)
3600 Eighth Ave. S.
Birmingham, AL 35222
Phone: 1-800-243-5463
Birmingham ombudsman representatives (part of the UWAAA)
Contact: Sheree Head
Contact: Marc Newell
Contact: Lakinda Taylor
There are no laws and regulations for independent living communities in Alabama, only for assisted living facilities. There’s also no set list of of requirements to live in an independent facility or community in Alabama, but there are some common requirements that we see throughout the state:
Alabama Department of Public Health
201 Monroe St.
Montgomery, AL 36104
Phone: 1-800-252-1818
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Birmingham suggests that all persons follow U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance when it comes to protecting themselves and others from the contraction and spreading of COVID-19. To protect yourself, you’re encouraged to do the following activities:
You can find a test-to-treat site near you by clicking here. You can also learn more about Alabama’s COVID-19 guidance here.
Vaccinations. The state of Alabama strongly encourages all persons to stay up to date with vaccines and boosters.
Masking. Masking is not required in the state of Alabama with the exception of medical facilities.
Independent living in Birmingham is for senior adults seeking a community where they can socialize and live a hassle-free life. Seniors will be surrounded by great Southern cuisine, beautiful parks and outdoor spaces, plus access to excellent healthcare services.
The average cost of an independent living facility in Birmingham is around 17% less than the national average, according to A Place for Mom’s data. Despite this, you still get many perks from independent living here. These include social activities and outings, home maintenance and repair, nutritious meals and snacks, laundry services, and housekeeping.
You will find that the independent living facilities in Birmingham tend to either be standalone communities (roughly 50%) or part of a larger entity, such as a continuing care retirement community (CCRC), a form of long-term care that allow seniors to first move into a community in independent or assisted living and then transition into memory care if needed. Other independent living communities in Birmingham offer facilities for independent living, assisted living, and memory care on the same premises but aren’t designated as CCRCs.
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Number of seniors over the age of 65 currently living in Birmingham
Percentage of seniors 65 and older within the Birmingham population
Median annual income for Birmingham seniors 65 and older
Birmingham is home to two highly ranked hospitals as well as a host of other medical facilities and senior-specific clinics.
Out of 4,515 hospitals in the U.S., UAB hospital is ranked number 36 in the nation when it comes to geriatric services. In particular, UAB also specializes in cardiology, heart surgery, neurology, and is known for its cancer center.
Known for its cardiology program, orthopedics program, and cancer center, Ascension St. Vincent’s Birmingham is a Catholic hospital that has been serving the community for 120 years. It is in the top three hospitals in Alabama.
This healthcare system offers many programs and services for veterans. Some of these programs and services include a crisis line for veterans, vocational rehab, and caregiver services. With several locations, veterans in Birmingham can find an outpatient center somewhere nearby.
This medical center is known for cardiology, orthopedics, and women’s health.
This medical center is known for its cancer center, heart and vascular health center, and orthopedics program.
Known for its cancer center, orthopedics program, neurology and neurosurgery program.
Due to Birmingham’s layout and spread, most residents use cars as their main mode of transportation. Although there is public transportation available, it’s not as robust as the options in other major cities.
Fortunately, Jefferson County’s Senior Services Division oversees a transportation service called ClasTran. ClasTran provides essential transportation for seniors residing in senior centers in Brighton, Center Point, Clay, Exeter-Fairfax, Fairfield, Forestdale, Hoover, Hueytown, Leeds, Edgewater, Sylvan Springs, Hopewell, Midfield, Morris and Tarrant Monday through Friday.
MAX Transit offers paratransit door-to-door services to seniors and individuals with disabilities. The cost is $2.50 per ride. SilverRide another door-to-door transit for seniors. Much like MAX Transit, all drivers have been trained to assist people with mobility issues. UberASSIST is Uber’s ride-sharing service that is specifically for individuals with disabilities.
Birmingham has a walk score of 33, which means getting around on foot is not a great option. This is a score out of 100 calculated based on a city’s public density, walking routes, public transit options, and bike infrastructure. [02]
Birmingham has no shortage of fun things to do. Whether it is a weekday or a weekend — or whether you want to be outside or inside — the city has something intriguing to offer near you.
Automotive enthusiasts, history buffs, art lovers, and others will be happy to see the variety of attractions and interesting sites in the Birmingham area:
Birmingham has a wide range of outdoor activities, including opportunities for those with disabilities:
Those looking for senior-specific activities can visit one of these three senior centers, all within 25 minutes of downtown Birmingham:
Gardens of Pelham, Danberry at Inverness and Monark Grove Greystone are the top-rated Independent Living facilities near Birmingham, AL. These Independent Living facilities received the highest rankings based on verified family reviews. See full list of communities.
The average cost of Independent Living in Birmingham is $3,748 per month. This cost may vary based on location, amenities, floorplan, level of care and other factors.
A Place for Mom. (2023). A Place for Mom proprietary data.
Walk Score. Living in Birmingham.
Ask an A Place for Mom local advisor at no cost.
A Place for Mom. (2023). A Place for Mom proprietary data.
Walk Score. Living in Birmingham.