Alabama has over 200 nursing home facilities located across the state. In general, Alabama nursing homes provide high quality care for their residents; the Alabama Nursing Home Association reports that 86% of residents and 85% of family members would recommend their long-term care centers to others. All nursing homes in Alabama must meet the standards of care established by the Alabama Department of Public Health.
Medicare and Medicaid Services
The vast majority of Alabama's nursing homes and long-term care facilities accept Medicaid as a form of insurance, which can be a deciding factor for applicants and families searching for the right centers for their loved ones. The federal government offers an online service through the Medicare website, Nursing Home Compare, for people searching for the best option for long-term care. The service allows an individual or family member to compare information about quality of staff, services, and safety in long-term care facilities in multiple counties at once. People can also compare the amount of time that staff members spend with individuals in each facility, and how it compares with the state and the national average. The site also displays which locations accept Medicare and Medicaid services. The Alabama Department of Public Health still recommends that potential applicants visit these long-term care facilities in person, and observe services and ask potential questions to staff members in person before applying.
Long-Term Care Facilities and COVID-19
The Alabama Department of Public Health continues to keep an updated list of coronavirus cases across care centers. Information on the COVID-19 virus can be found easily online. Long-term care facilities have instituted several recommended policies limiting non-essential visitors to protect residents and long-term care employees. Across counties, cases may vary, but all nursing homes in the state are required to abide by public health guidelines.