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Decatur is a prime retirement destination for seniors who are seeking an affordable midsize community with a distinctive Southern flair. Located on the Tennessee River’s Wheeler Lake, this up-and-coming city of 54,445 has a strong economy that continues to evolve.
Assisted living care is often the choice of seniors who like the idea of remaining socially active in their later years. In Decatur, the average monthly cost of such care is $3,439, according to data from the Genworth 2021 Cost of Care Survey. That’s extremely close to the average monthly price in Alabama, but 24% less than the national average.
In this guide to assisted living in Decatur, we’ll compare the relevant costs across different Alabama cities and also examine some free or low-cost programs that offer support for Decatur’s older population.
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 >
COVID-19 restrictions and rules for Assisted Living Facilities are typically set by the state – to see the rules in your state, you can read our guide to Assisted Living in Alabama. Keep in mind that there may be other policies that communities put in place to protect their residents, so you should contact your local community for more information. Additionally, you can contact your local Area Agency on Aging to learn more – find contact information here.
Decatur seniors can expect to pay an average of $3,439 per month for assisted living care.
Decatur’s price is within $100 of the Alabama average, $3,503. However, it’s also roughly $1,000 lower than the U.S. average of $4,500.
Alabama’s highest prices are in Anniston, where the average monthly cost for assisted living, $4,771, is roughly $1,330 higher than Decatur’s. Auburn, at $4,298, is roughly $860 more expensive than Decatur. Birmingham is just over the $4,000 mark at $4,028, making it roughly $600 more expensive than Decatur. Monthly prices are within $100 of Decatur’s in Montgomery, where seniors pay $3,500, and in Mobile, where they pay $3,523. Huntsville’s seniors see very slightly lower prices than Decatur’s, paying $3,345 a month. Alabama’s lowest assisted living prices are in Dothan, where the average monthly cost is $2,150 a month — approximately $1,300 cheaper than Decatur.
Since not everyone can afford to pay for assisted living out-of-pocket, it’s important to find alternative methods to help make assisted living more affordable. Some of these options include:
For more information about your options for making assisted living more affordable, visit our guide to Assisted Living in Alabama.
| Contact | Description | |
| North Central Alabama Regional Councils of Governments | (800) 243-5463 | This government-sponsored economic development commission serves as the Aging and Disability Resource Center and Area Agency on Aging for residents in Morgan County. The agency provides information about long-term care and connects seniors and caregivers with a range of home- and community-based services. It sponsors health and wellness programs and supports nearly two dozen local senior centers. |
| Decatur Senior Activity Center | (256) 355-7275 | Located on Memorial Drive, the Decatur Senior Center provides a variety of fun activities in a warm, welcoming environment. Seniors can meet friends for cards, mahjong, dominoes, line dancing or a game of pool. The center also offers nutritionally balanced meals and convenient take-and-bake casseroles that receive rave reviews from members. |
| Morgan County Commission on Aging | (256) 341-4980 | The Commission on Aging operates several local activity centers and congregate meal sites, including the Turner-Surles Senior Center on Sycamore Street. These facilities offer low-cost meals and a variety of recreational opportunities, including fitness classes, games, crafts and bus trips. These centers are open to residents aged 60 or older and their spouses. |
| Alabama Department of Senior Services | (800) 143-5463 | The Department of Senior Services works with a statewide network of Area Agencies on Aging to administer a variety of age-related benefits and services. It sponsors the State Health Insurance Assistance Program, which assists more than 37,000 Alabamans annually, and it helps residents save more than $30 million on prescriptions each year through SenioRx. Decatur residents can contact the department for more information about Medicaid waivers, respite care grants and legal services. |
| Morgan County Veterans Service Office | (256) 351-4636 | Veterans who need help paying for assisted living or medical services can access state and federal benefits through the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs. Staff members at the Morgan County office provide information about available programs and help local veterans complete applications and file appeals. Pensions, Aid & Attendance and long-term care benefits can help with the cost of assisted living, and many services are available to survivors and dependents. |
| Legal Services Alabama | (256) 536-9645 | The Huntsville office of Legal Services Alabama assists Decatur seniors with a variety of noncriminal legal issues. This nonprofit handles civil cases with an emphasis on housing, public benefits, consumer rights and abuse intervention. It also offers educational resources, outreach events and taxpayer clinics. Although LSA primarily serves low-income families, grants are available for seniors and veterans. |
Assisted Living Facilities in the Decatur area are required to follow a set of rules and regulations that are determined at the state level. For an overview of those rules and regulations, see the information below. For more specific information, talk with your local community or Area Agency on Aging.
