What notice must Alabama assisted living give before raising rates?
Every Alabama ALF resident has the right to 30 days' prior written notice, to both the resident and the sponsor, of any increase in fees or charges.
Read the admission agreement for how level-of-care charges work. If the facility adds a fee because a parent's needs changed, that is still a charge increase, and the 30-day written notice rule applies. Keep every notice; the ombudsman will ask for them if there is a dispute.
Can an Alabama ALF move my parent to another room?
Not without 30 days' prior written notice of an involuntary room or roommate change, unless the move is needed because the resident or roommate shows a pattern of conduct harmful or dangerous to themselves or others.
Residents also have the right to wear their own clothes and keep personal possessions, including toiletries, except items too large to store in the room. Ask how much furniture is allowed and whether the facility charges to move it.
What must be posted inside an Alabama assisted living facility?
State inspection reports and any corrective action plans from the past 24 months must be posted in a prominent place, and if there was no inspection in that time, the most recent one; contact information for complaints and advocacy must also be posted in a resident common area.
On a tour, find the binder or board. Its absence is itself a compliance problem. If the most recent report is older than you expected, compare it with ADPH's online list of posted surveys, which our facility pages summarize.
Who helps when resident rights are not respected in Birmingham?
The Long-Term Care Ombudsman, run locally by the United Way Area Agency on Aging in Jefferson County, the Middle Alabama Area Agency on Aging in Shelby, St. Clair, Blount, Walker and Chilton counties and West Alabama's AAA in Bibb County, advocates for residents for free.
The ombudsman can visit, attend care meetings and negotiate with the facility. Regulatory complaints about an ALF go to ADPH's assisted living complaint hotline at 1-866-873-0366; suspected abuse, neglect or exploitation also goes to DHR Adult Protective Services at 1-800-458-7214.
At a glance
| Alabama ALF residents have | Alabama ALF residents do not automatically have | |
|---|---|---|
| Money | 30 days' written notice of any fee increase | A cap on how much rates can rise |
| Rooms | 30 days' notice of an involuntary room change | A guaranteed private room |
| Records | Posted inspection reports from the last 24 months | Access to other residents' records |
| Advocacy | A free ombudsman | A free lawyer |
Sources: Ala. Admin. Code chapters 420-5-4, 420-5-10 and 420-5-20; ADPH Bureau of Health Provider Standards; ADPH Health Care Facilities Directory and Deficiencies applications; Alabama DHR Adult Protective Services. See our editorial standards.
