Located along the Tennessee River, Florence is a city in northwest Alabama with an estimated population of 40,797, 7,547 of whom are seniors over the age of 65. The city’s cost of living is below the United States average, and it offers a range of entertainment and cultural attractions to suit seniors with varying interests and abilities. The Renaissance Faire is a particularly big event for the city. For emergency medical care, Helen Keller Hospital and North Alabama Medical Center are a couple of options in the area.
Including facilities in Muscle Shoals and other nearby towns, Florence’s seniors have a choice between six different assisted living communities. While senior care costs often vary depending on an individual’s wants and needs, results from the Genworth Cost of Care Survey 2020 show that most seniors are paying around $2,914 a month.
Hundreds of thousands of American seniors utilize assisted living, a figure that is only growing. For these seniors, assisted living combines residential housing,assistance in daily activities, and some healthcare. These communities also strive to provide an atmosphere that is comfortable and engaging for their residents… Read More >
At an average of $2,914 a month, Florence has some of the most affordable assisted living rates within a several hundred-mile radius. Tennessee and Mississippi are the most expensive neighboring states with respective assisted living costs of $4,039 and $3,713. Florida’s seniors spend about $750 more per month than older adults in Florence, while assisted living residents across Georgia spend around $3,500, making it the cheapest bordering state for care.
Florence’s average cost of assisted living is also lower than most cities throughout the state. In increasing order, Huntsville, Tuscaloosa and Birmingham are the next most affordable cities with average monthly assisted living rates of $2,990, $3,138, and $3,156, respectively. The median cost of care in Mobile is $3,318, and Decatur’s average is $3,513. With its $3,725 average cost of care, Montgomery is among the most expensive in Alabama.
Currently, Alabama’s Medicaid program covers the costs for various healthcare scenarios, including some types of long-term care, but it doesn’t cover the cost of assisted living. Waiver programs such as the Elderly and Disabled Waiver may help some seniors delay moving into a nursing facility with in-home services. Read more about the financial assistance options in the state on our assisted living in Alabama page.
Contact | Description | |
Northwest Alabama Council of Local Governments | (256) 389-0531 | The Department of Aging Services at the N.A.C.O.L.G. serves as the Area Agency on Aging for Florence. Some of the programs managed by the agency assist with obtaining Medicare, advocacy for assisted living residents’ rights and access to in-home support services through Medicaid. The Department of Aging Services can also connect seniors’ caregivers with the Alabama Cares program, which could provide some temporary respite care while seniors are waiting to move into an assisted living facility. |
Lauderdale Veterans Affairs | (256) 760-5845 | At the Lauderdale V.A., seniors who previously served in the armed forces can learn about free career training, V.A. medical care and check on their pensions and benefits. Although the closest Veterans Home is over an hour’s drive away from Florence, the servicemen and women at the Lauderdale V.A. can advise seniors on the eligibility requirements and application process. |
Lauderdale County Senior Centers | (256) 760-6436 | Out of the six senior centers within Lauderdale County, two are located in Florence. The community spaces give seniors regular opportunities to explore new hobbies, socialize with like-minded older adults, work on their fitness and take advantage of helpful services such as transportation and congregate meals. |
State Health Insurance Assistance Program | (256) 389-0538 | Volunteers with S.H.I.P. provide education and assistance to seniors who want a better understanding of Medicare. Counselors can meet directly with seniors or their caregivers, and all information is kept private between the involved parties. Connecting with low-income seniors and determining if they qualify for a Medicare Savings Plan or the Social Security Low-Income subsidy is a S.H.I.P. priority. |
Long Term Care Ombudsman Program | (334) 242-5743 | Working with seniors and their families, the Long Term Care Ombudsman program ensures that seniors in assisted living communities and other long-term care facilities are receiving quality care and that their rights are upheld. Ombudsmen investigate complaints about senior care facilities and strive to achieve a resolution in the senior’s favor without exposing their confidential information. |
Senior Community Service Employment Program | (256) 389-0561 | The S.C.S.E.P. matches seniors with employment in nonprofits and government organizations. Using funding from the Department of Labor, seniors’ compensation is subsidized with the goal of training participants to be able to acquire a job in the open market. To participate in the S.C.S.E.P., seniors must be at least 55 years old and meet the mental and physical demands of their position. |
The Bureau of Health Provider Standards in the Alabama Department of Public Health writes the laws governing the state’s assisted living facilities. Check out our assisted living in Alabama state page to learn more about the regulations for the state’s senior care communities.