In-Home Care in Alabama

Alabama has a sizable senior population comprising more than 869,000 residents or 17.3% of the state’s total population. The state is also home to several highly ranked hospitals, including the University of Alabama at Birmingham Hospital and Huntsville Hospital. The cost of living ranks far below the national average. Combined with year-round warm weather and easy access to both beaches and mountains, these factors make Alabama a popular landing spot for older Americans looking for a place to retire.

Alabama also offers abundant choices for in-home care, which includes help with meal preparation, shopping, cleaning and other domestic tasks. There is also home health care, which consists of clinical services such as occupational and physical therapy. In-home care in Alabama costs $3,813 per month, while home health care is just a bit more at $3,851 per month.

This guide provides an overview of in-home care in Alabama. Below you’ll find information on average costs throughout the state as well as explanations of what Medicaid and Medicare cover and how to determine eligibility for these benefit programs. This guide also lists resources available to help seniors in Alabama age in place safely and comfortably, and it outlines the current COVID-19 safety protocols required by home health care and in-home care providers in Alabama.

According to the Genworth Cost of Care Survey, Alabama has some of the lowest in-home care costs in the country, averaging $3,813 per month in 2021. This figure is far below the national average of $4,957 per month and lower than all of the surrounding states except Mississippi, which has the same average costs. Florida’s in-home care costs, at $4,767, are the highest in the region, followed by Tennessee at $4,576 and Georgia at $4,290.

The cost of in-home care in Alabama can vary depending on the city and the region of the state. Of Alabama’s largest metropolitan areas, Birmingham has the highest monthly in-home care costs at $4,242, followed by Huntsville at $4,004 and Mobile, which sits right at the state average with monthly in-home care costs of $3,813.

Alabama seniors have health care service options beyond in-home care. Nursing home facilities provide the highest and most intensive level of care, but they are also much more expensive than in-home care, averaging $6,676 per month in Alabama for a semi-private room. Assisted living facilities, at $3,503 per month on average, are slightly cheaper than in-home care, but the senior loses the benefit of getting to remain in their own home. Home health care, which is similar to in-home care but includes clinical services such as physical and occupational therapy, is roughly the same price as in-home care at $3,851 per month. The least expensive option, averaging $758 per month, is adult day health care.

Medicaid does not directly pay for non-clinical in-home care in Alabama, but the state has several waiver programs to help defray the cost of care. These programs include the Alabama Community Transition (ACT) Waiver, the Elderly and Disabled Waiver, and the Personal Choice Waiver.

The fastest way to apply for Medicaid in Alabama is to do it online. You can also apply in person at a local Medicaid office or call (800) 362-1504 to receive assistance over the phone.

What Information You Will Need

To apply for Medicaid in Alabama, you will need to prove your identity, your healthcare needs and your financial eligibility. In order to do this, you’ll need an ID card in the form of a driver’s license or passport and a Social Security card; information about your current healthcare or insurance provider; and financial documents that may include tax returns and statements from your bank and retirement accounts.

In general, Medicare does not cover the cost of non-medical home care. That being said, there are situations in which Medicare provides some coverage for medical home care, referred to as “Home Healthcare.” There are several eligibility restrictions for coverage, including that individuals must be homebound and have a referral from their doctor specifically for home healthcare services.

Below is an overview of some of the skilled medical professionals whose in-home services are typically covered by Medicare – for more in-depth information, refer to our Guide to Home Healthcare.

• Physical Therapists: Physical therapy is used to help patients recover from injuries (broken bones, knee injuries, etc.), treat ongoing conditions such as arthritis, and assist in recovery from surgeries and procedures such as a knee or hip replacement.
• Visiting Nurses: Licensed nurses can provide a number of medical services for those who don’t need to stay in the hospital, but do need regular medical services such as wound care, changing feeding tubes, etc.
• Occupational Therapists: Occupational therapists help seniors regain or maintain the ability to accomplish normal, daily tasks, such as bathing, dressing, eating, and other daily activities.
• Speech Therapists: Speech therapists help seniors who are struggling to adequately communicate due to a stroke, dementia, or any other cause regain the ability to functionally communicate using a variety of means. Additionally, speech therapists help to keep seniors independent by modifying diets, teaching special techniques to swallow safely, and retraining associated muscles.

As mentioned above, in-home care is distinctly different from home healthcare. But, there can be some overlap in services between the two types of care. So, while Medicare doesn’t cover non-medical in-home care, there are in-home care services that may be covered in special circumstances when they’re provided in conjunction with home healthcare (such as an occupational therapist helping with eating or dressing)

To find quality home care providers near you, simply input the zip code or city where you would like to start your search. We have an extensive directory of home care agencies all across the nation that includes in-depth information about each provider and hundreds of thousands of reviews from seniors and their loved ones.