Memory Care Communities in Athens, Alabama

Memory Care costs in Athens start around $3,690 per month on average, while the nationwide average cost of memory care is $5,694 per month.

It’s important to note that memory care rates in Athens and the surrounding suburbs can vary widely based on factors such as location, the level of care needed, apartment size and the types of amenities offered at each community.

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.

Located in northern Alabama, Athens is a suburban community with 25,600 residents, including more than 4,500 senior citizens. As part of Limestone County, the area has a lower prevalence of Alzheimer's and dementia compared to other parts of the state. In 2012, some 365 Athens residents, or about 8 percent of the Medicare population, were living with dementia. By 2015, this increased to 425, or 9.4 percent of the Medicare population.

To accommodate the specific daily care needs of this population, the Alabama State Board of Health has created a special licensing category for assisted living facilities that are qualified to care for residents who have Alzheimer's or dementia. Athens is currently home to one specialty care assisted living facility although several others are located in Madison and surrounding areas.

• Compared to the national average, Athens has a slightly lower rate of violent crime and a slightly higher rate of property crime. Although the community is noticeably safer than metropolitan Huntsville, memory care facilities are still required to have self-locking doors and other safety features to protect residents.
  
• Athens has a pleasant Southern climate with average lows and highs ranging from 30 degrees in January to 89 degrees in July. In addition to the high summer temperatures, the area experiences elevated humidity. Because older adults are more sensitive to extreme weather, memory care facilities must have systems for maintaining comfortable indoor and outdoor living areas in all conditions.
  
• The cost of living in Athens is 12 percent lower than the national average and similar to other parts of the state. While groceries, real estate and transportation are more affordable, residents pay 8 percent more for health care, which can lead to higher overall costs for seniors who have chronic medical conditions.
  
• Alabama's income tax policies benefit retirees. Federal Social Security and Railroad Retirement benefits are exempt, along with funds from many government pensions. Distributions from individual retirement accounts and employer-sponsored options are subject to individual income tax, which tops out at 5 percent.