Alabama Retirement Communities

Alabama can be roughly divided into three parts, like a 3-layer cake. The top (north) layer is mountainous (highest point around 1800 feet) and cooler, the middle flatter and warmer, with an incline toward the south. The bottom layer is even warmer, and ends at the Gulf. All around, though, temperatures in Alabama do not fluctuate that much. They range from an average in January of 54 degrees to a high of 84 degrees in July in Mobile on the Gulf. Alabama is 70% white, 26% black, 1.7% Hispanic and 0.7% Asian.

Alabama is known as “the Heart of Dixie.” It was the 22nd state to be admitted to the Union. It has also been the site of many American conflicts between the North and the South in the Civil War, and between white settlers and Native Americans. The people of Alabama are proud of their role in the Space Camps program; the first of three such camps – at which kids can experience what it’s like in outer space – is located in Alabama. In Athens is held the annual “Tennessee Valley Old Time Fiddlers’ Convention,” the “Granddaddy of Midsouth Fiddlers’ Conventions. Each year in May at the Old Monroe County Courthouse, actors put on a production adapted from Harper Lee’s novel To Kill a Mockingbird. You can go spelunking at the DeSoto Caverns in north central Alabama, or attend the Kentuck Festival of the Arts or have a look at the state’s 56-foot statue of Vulcan, the Roman god of fire.

If you have decided not to buy property in Alabama, but live in a retirement community instead, here are some facilities for you to explore. Most of these facilities offer the common amenities such as walking paths, business centers with computers, libraries, home theaters, fitness and wellness centers, restaurant-style dining, and various individual and group leisure activities. Cost will vary, and many facilities do not reveal their charges online, so it’s a good idea to contact the site directly.

Cedar Springs Senior Campus Independent Living�¯�¿�½
2505 Spring Ave. SW Assisted Living�¯�¿�½
Decatur, AL 35601

Cedar Springs boasts a “fully stocked fishing pond, weekly housekeeping service, billiards, three meals per day, beauty and barber shop, personal laundry and linen service, transportation to activities and “a team of professionalsâÂ?¦ready 24-hours a day for any emergency that might arise.” You can keep your dog or cat there, sit in the Gathering Room by the fireplace and chat with fellow residents, and attend Sunday worship services. There’s even a policeman onsite! Qualified personnel will render 24-hour wellness supervision

You can choose a 2-bedroom “patio home” or an apartment – studio, or one or two bedrooms.Ã?¯Ã?¿Ã?½

NHC Place, Anniston Independent Living�¯�¿�½
1335 Greenbrier Dear Road Assisted Living�¯�¿�½
Anniston, AL 36207

NHC Place provides, on their website, a handy list of questions you ought to ask each facility you consider when planning for your retirement:

1. Does the community maintain all grounds – lawn mowing, fertilizing, raking leaves, in-ground sprinkler system, and/or weeding?

2. Is a community pool important to you? Is it easily accessible to you? No community pool usually means a lower community maintenance fee. 3. Is there enough privacy between homes, back yards, and/or patios? Is there available extra parking for guests, or will your driveway meet that need?

4. Is the target age group for the community what you want?

5. Do amenities meet your needs (Grounds maintained, pool, and/or club house)

6. Are the floor plan(s) such that steps/stairs can be avoided?

7. Is there a master bedroom on the main level (if the home is multi-level)?

8. Is there sufficient storage (for those things from which you simply cannot part)?

9. Measure your vehicles!! Is the garage tall enough, long enough, and wide enough?

10. Is there a security system?

11. Is an emergency call system available?�¯�¿�½

Galleria Woods Nursing Assisted Living�¯�¿�½
3850 Galleria Woods Dr. Skilled Nursing�¯�¿�½
Birmingham, AL 35244

Galleria Woods offers air conditioning, balconies, cable hookup, satellite TV, a microwave and more in its individual units, alarms on doors, covered parking, a courtyard, diabetic care, early stage or mild Alzheimer’s care, electronic monitoring, pets on first floor and elevators.

Their assisted living amenities include 24-hour nurses, IV and incontinence care, special diet accommodation, recreation room, sprinkler systems, and swimming pool. On their website you’ll find photos and a virtual tour.Ã?¯Ã?¿Ã?½

John Knox Manor I & III Independent Living�¯�¿�½
4401 Narrow Lane Road Assisted Living�¯�¿�½
Montgomery, AL 36116

For assisted living, John Knox Manor offers eight private rooms and eight semi-private rooms, maximum residency 16 persons. Monthly fees run from $1,000-2,000. The minimum age is 25. For independent living, there are 130 apartments; minimum age 62. Monthly fees about $1,000.

Westminster Village Independent Living�¯�¿�½
500 Spanish Fort Blvd. Assisted Living�¯�¿�½
Spanish Fort, AL 36527 Skilled Nursing.

This one is for people who don’t have to worry about money:

“Financial options available; Return-of-Capital” Plan – entrance fees start at $81,600 with monthly service fees beginning at $1,331.00; this plan allows for 80% of the entrance fee to be refunded to you or your estate; Traditional Plan – entrance fees start at $48,000 with monthly services fees also beginning at $1,331.00; entrance and monthly fees are partially tax-deductible.

“Management by Life Care Services LLC, the industry leader with more than 35 years of experience in managing over 100 senior residence communities nationwide; governed by a local volunteer board of directors; affiliated with Infirmary Health System, Inc.”

Altamont Retirement Community Skilled Nursing�¯�¿�½
2831 Highland Ave. S. Assisted Living�¯�¿�½
Birmingham, AL 35205

Altamont caters to seniors who cannot live on their own, but fall short of needing nursing home care. Their assisted living provides a “home-like, congregate housing option that provides meals, housekeeping, laundry, personal care, health care services and social activities in a supportive setting.” They offer transportation, 24-hour security and staff available 24/7, with health and medical facilities “on-site or nearby.”Ã?¯Ã?¿Ã?½

Some of Altamont’s facilities offer dementia care in “a separate and secure Memory Care Neighborhood.'” In a few Assisted Living Residences, “the entire facility is devoted to providing a supportive environment for those with memory challenges.”Ã?¯Ã?¿Ã?½

If you need Assisted Living only, here are some facilities to check out:

Victorian Manor�¯�¿�½
105 Michelle Street�¯�¿�½
Hanceville, AL 35077�¯�¿�½

Magnolia Manors�¯�¿�½
660 Moore Rd.�¯�¿�½
Andalusa, AL 36420�¯�¿�½

Azalea Place�¯�¿�½
2411 Hwy 331 South�¯�¿�½
Bay Minette, AL 36507�¯�¿�½

Brad Lee Senior Living Center�¯�¿�½
1616 5th Ave. North�¯�¿�½
Bessemer, AL 35020�¯�¿�½

Five Points Senior Living Community�¯�¿�½
1945 Warrior Road�¯�¿�½
Birmingham, AL 35208�¯�¿�½

Hearthstone at Grayson Valley Retirement�¯�¿�½
2366 Old Springville Road�¯�¿�½
Birmingham, AL 35215�¯�¿�½

Jackson Home for the Elderly�¯�¿�½
5237 Richard Arrington Jr Blvd. North�¯�¿�½
Birmingham, AL 35212

McCafferty Retirement Home�¯�¿�½
367 McCafferty Road�¯�¿�½
Carrollton, AL 35447

The Willows of Demopolis�¯�¿�½
1607 Highway 43 South�¯�¿�½
Demopolis, AL 36732�¯�¿�½

Among these choices you should find one that suits you. Have a great retirement in the beautiful state of Alabama!