Which counties does Birmingham Senior Advisor cover?
We cover seven counties: Jefferson, Shelby, St. Clair, Walker, Blount, Chilton and Bibb, which together had about 1,197,766 residents and 224,984 people 65 and older on July 1, 2025.
| County | Seat | Population | Age 65+ | ALF + SCALF licenses | Nursing homes | Area agency on aging |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jefferson | Birmingham | 665,742 | 124,311 | 28 | 34 | United Way AAA of Jefferson County |
| Shelby | Columbiana | 238,552 | 43,293 | 17 | 3 | M4A |
| St. Clair | Pell City and Ashville | 98,206 | 19,105 | 3 | 5 | M4A |
| Walker | Jasper | 65,140 | 13,726 | 6 | 5 | M4A |
| Blount | Oneonta | 60,156 | 11,952 | 5 | 2 | M4A |
| Chilton | Clanton | 47,708 | 8,705 | 1 | 1 | M4A |
| Bibb | Centreville | 22,262 | 3,892 | 0 | 1 | West Alabama AAA (WARC) |
Why do the counties use different area agencies on aging?
Alabama divides aging services into regions: Jefferson County has its own agency run by United Way, M4A covers Shelby, St. Clair, Blount, Walker and Chilton, and Bibb County belongs to the West Alabama region based in Northport.
| Area agency on aging | Counties (of our seven) | Main phone | Toll-free / ADRC |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Way Area Agency on Aging of Jefferson County (UWAAA) | Jefferson | (205) 458-3330 | 1-800-AGE-LINE (1-800-243-5463) |
| Middle Alabama Area Agency on Aging (M4A) | Shelby, St. Clair, Blount, Walker, Chilton | 205-670-5770 | 1-866-570-2998 |
| West Alabama Regional Commission Area Agency on Aging (WARC) | Bibb | 205-333-2990 | 1-800-432-5030 |
How should a family choose a county?
Choose the county where the people who will visit most live or work, then compare the licensed options there and in the next county over; county lines matter for agencies and services, but not for where a parent may live.
Medicaid, ADPH licensing and the rules on this site are statewide, so moving between counties does not change eligibility or the standards a facility must meet.
Which county has the oldest population around Birmingham?
Walker County has the highest share of residents 65 and older among the seven counties, about 21% in the Census Bureau's July 1, 2025 estimates, while Jefferson County has by far the largest number, about 124,000.
Shelby County has the second-largest older population and much of the region's newer assisted living, concentrated along Interstate 65 and U.S. 280. Bibb County is the youngest of the seven counties by its share of residents 65 and older.
Where do the seven counties' hospitals send patients for rehab?
Hospital case managers refer patients to certified nursing homes and inpatient rehabilitation hospitals across county lines, so a Walker or Chilton County resident discharged from a Birmingham hospital may be offered rehab in Jefferson County.
Ask for a facility near the family who will visit, and ask whether the patient can transfer closer to home once stable.
