Kirkwood By The River is a nonprofit senior living community located in Birmingham, Alabama, situated on a wooded campus along the Cahaba River. Offering a full continuum of care, the facility provides nursing home services as its primary care type, with additional support for independent living, assisted living, memory care, and continuing care retirement. Certified by Medicare and participating since 2006, Kirkwood By The River can accommodate 56 current occupants and features upgraded apartments and renovated common areas designed to meet a range of resident needs as those needs evolve.
The facility’s care offerings include specialized memory care, which is delivered within a secured community environment designed to enhance safety for residents living with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. Nursing staff are available to provide incontinence care, ambulatory support, and full assistance with activities of daily living such as bathing, eating, dressing, and toileting. Kirkwood By The River also offers diabetes care, medication management, and is equipped to accept residents with psychiatric needs. Medical support is broadened by on-site or on-call services including physical therapy, speech therapy, podiatry, optometry, and massage therapy. In addition, hospice care is available when needed.
Amenities at Kirkwood By The River include a barber/beauty salon, fitness center, and tailored fitness programs. Residents can participate in clubs, community groups, religious services, and a variety of organized activities such as chair yoga and family events. The facility promotes resident and family involvement through councils and emphasizes strong communication between staff, residents, and families. Staff retention is highlighted as a strength, fostering consistency in care and a sense of community. The campus is designed to be tranquil and scenic, offering opportunities for spiritual and recreational engagement.
Transportation services at Kirkwood By The River include both complimentary and at-cost options, supporting residents with medical appointments as well as non-medical trips such as shopping or recreational outings. This service is intended to facilitate continued engagement with the broader Birmingham community while ensuring access to necessary healthcare.
Resident and family reviews often commend the clean, well-maintained environment and personal attention from staff, especially in independent and assisted living levels. Reviews indicate a warm, community-oriented atmosphere and satisfaction with resident safety and daily life. However, some feedback points to challenges in the skilled nursing and memory care units, with references to occasional understaffing or slower response times. Prospective residents or their families are encouraged to personally visit and assess the care units to ensure alignment with their individual needs. Kirkwood By The River provides a range of care and services within a supportive environment, with a focus on continuity and quality of life as resident needs change over time.
Costs at this community start at $10,238 and range up to $15,000. The average price in the community is $12,500, which is more than the average price in the area of $4,402. The cost of nursing homes in this area is essentially the same as the cost throughout the state. If the resident needs other services, additional services may increase the monthly cost.
