Crimson Village Community Resources
A starting point for older adults, caregivers and families
Finding the right resource can be overwhelming. We've gathered local, state, and national organizations that can help older adults and their families navigate caregiving, health, finances, transportation, living at home, and other challenges that can come with aging.
Whether you're looking for help today or planning for the future, these organizations are a good place to start.
Aging & Caregiver Support
Area Agency of Aging of West Alabama
Our featured resource.
Its Aging & Disability Resource Center helps older adults, people with disabilities and caregivers understand their options for long-term support and connects them with local, state and federal programs. It provides information, referrals, screening and options counseling.
Area Agency on Aging of West Alabama
Alabama Lifespan Respite
Lifespan Respite provides respite reimbursement/voucher services, education, training and respite referrals.
Alabama Lifespan Respite
Alabama CARES
A very important resource for family caregivers. Services include information, support groups, assistance, respite and supplemental services.
Alabama CARES
One Door Alabama
One Door Alabama is Alabama's "No Wrong Door" system for accessing long-term services and supports. Its ADRCs serve as the entry point.
One Door Alabama
Dementia & Brain Health
Alzheimer's Association
This is an excellent national resource because its 24/7 helpline connects people with dementia information, local resources, support, education, care planning, safety assistance and caregiver support.
Connect for Joy
Connect for Joy brings adults living with memory loss and related conditions together for social connection, meaningful activities and supportive relationships. The volunteer-based program also provides caregiver support and respite opportunities.
Support Groups (Area Agency on Aging of West Alabama
The Area Agency on Aging of West Alabama's Caregiver Assistance page lists various support groups with meeting locations, dates, and times.
Alzheimer's Foundation of America
Another worthwhile national resource. Its National Memory Screening Program offers free, confidential memory screenings through participating sites and provides education and support resources.
Caring Days
Caring Days provides adult day services for individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease, dementia and other memory disorders. The program offers engaging activities and caregiver respite, along with support groups and educational resources for families.
Home Health Care & Hospice Care
Home Health Care vs. Hospice Care: Home health care provides skilled medical services—such as nursing and rehabilitation therapies—to help people recover from illness or injury, manage chronic conditions, or maintain independence at home. Hospice care focuses on comfort, symptom management, and quality of life for individuals with a life-limiting illness, while also supporting their families and caregivers. Eligibility and services vary, so families should consult their healthcare provider or the agency directly to determine which type of care may be appropriate.
Amedysis Home Health Care
Amedisys provides home health and hospice services designed to help individuals receive skilled medical care and support in the comfort of home. Home health services can include skilled nursing, physical, occupational and speech therapy, while hospice focuses on comfort, symptom management and quality of life for individuals with a life-limiting illness.
Enhabit Home Health & Hospice
Enhabit provides personalized home health and hospice care. Home health services include skilled nursing, physical, occupational and speech therapy, medical social work and home health aide support. Hospice services provide interdisciplinary care focused on comfort, dignity, symptom management and support for patients and their families.
DCH Home Health Care
DCH brings skilled healthcare services into the home. Services include skilled nursing, physical, occupational and speech therapy, medical social services, nutritional support and personal care. DCH also offers specialized services such as medication management, diabetes education, wound care and home-safety assessments.
ProHealth Home Health & Hospice
ProHealth provides home health and hospice services to individuals and families throughout the Tuscaloosa area. ProHealth emphasizes personalized care and support for both patients and their families.
Non-Medical Home Care/Personal Care
Lipford Home Care
Lipford Home Care provides non-medical in-home support to help older adults remain safe, comfortable and independent at home. Services include personal care, companionship, homemaking, meal preparation, light housekeeping, transportation, errands, medication reminders and respite care. Lipford serves Tuscaloosa and surrounding communities and has a local office in Tuscaloosa.
Right at Home
Right at Home provides personalized in-home care for seniors and adults with disabilities. Services include companionship, personal care, homemaking, transportation, medication reminders and nursing services, along with specialized support for conditions such as Alzheimer's disease, dementia, diabetes and Parkinson's disease. Care plans are tailored to each individual's needs.
Transportation, Meals & Daily Living
FOCUS 50+
FOCUS 50+ provides programs and services that help Tuscaloosa County adults age 50 and older remain active, healthy and independent. Services include door-to-door transportation for medical and social-service appointments, pharmacy visits and basic grocery shopping, as well as senior activity centers, meals, recreation and other supportive services.
Meals on Wheels/Community Service Programs of West Alabama
Meals on Wheels provides midday meal delivery to individuals who are homebound and/or unable to prepare meals for themselves. The volunteer-based program provides nutritious meals while also offering recipients regular contact, companionship and a greater sense of security. The program serves Tuscaloosa County and is administered by Community Service Programs of West Alabama in partnership with area churches.
West Alabama Food Bank
West Alabama Food Bank works to reduce hunger and food insecurity throughout nine West Alabama counties, including Tuscaloosa County. The organization distributes food through a network of community partner agencies and offers programs including food pantries, mobile food distributions, the Senior Brown Box Program, and other nutrition initiatives. Its Food Finder can help individuals and families locate a nearby food pantry or other food-assistance resource.
Tuscaloosa Transit Authority (TTA)
TTA provides affordable public transportation throughout Tuscaloosa, including fixed-route bus service and ADA-accessible Demand Response transportation for eligible riders within the city limits. Demand Response service can provide transportation to medical appointments, shopping, dialysis and other destinations by appointment.
FOCUS 50+ Meals
FOCUS 50+ provides hot, nutritious lunches to Tuscaloosa County adults age 60 and older at five senior activity centers throughout the community. In addition to meals, the centers offer opportunities for nutrition education, health education, recreation and social connection.
Financial Benefits, & Legal Help
Alabama State Health Insurance Assistance program (SHIP)
Alabama SHIP provides free, unbiased Medicare counseling to Alabama residents and their families. Trained counselors can help with Medicare benefits and enrollment, Medicare Advantage and prescription drug plans, Medigap, Medicare Savings Programs, claims and appeals, and other Medicare-related questions. SHIP counselors are not affiliated with insurance companies and do not sell insurance.
Social Security Administration (SSA)
SSA provides information and services related to Social Security retirement, disability and survivor benefits, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Medicare enrollment, and Social Security numbers and records. Through a my Social Security account, individuals can apply for benefits, check application status, estimate benefits, manage their information and access important documents.
Legal Services Alabama
Legal Services Alabama provides free civil legal assistance to eligible low-income Alabamians. Its services include help with public benefits, housing, consumer protection, elder issues, estate planning and other civil legal matters. LSA has a local office in Tuscaloosa and a statewide call center for determining eligibility and accessing services.
Medicare
Medicare.gov is the official federal resource for Medicare information. Use the site to learn about Medicare coverage and costs, compare Medicare Advantage and prescription drug plans, find participating healthcare providers, manage your Medicare account, and learn about your rights and protections.
Alabama Legal Assistance Program
The Alabama Legal Assistance Program provides no-cost legal assistance to eligible Alabama adults age 60 and older. Services can address issues involving healthcare and long-term care, Medicare and Medicaid, Social Security, housing, consumer concerns, elder abuse and exploitation, powers of attorney, advance directives, guardianship and wills.
Health, Mental Health & Wellness
Mary Starke Harper Geriatric Psychiatry Center
A state-operated facility of the Alabama Department of Mental Health providing inpatient psychiatric services for adults age 65 and older from across Alabama. The center offers specialized geriatric psychiatric treatment and a multidisciplinary range of services, including individual and group therapy, medication management, occupational and physical therapy, recreational therapy, nutritional counseling and recovery support.
NAMI Tuscaloosa
NAMI Tuscaloosa, the local affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, provides mental health education, peer and family support, and advocacy for individuals and families affected by mental illness in Tuscaloosa County. Programs include support groups, educational programs and community outreach designed to reduce stigma and help individuals and caregivers connect with resources and support.
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline provides free, confidential, 24/7 crisis support for people experiencing emotional distress, mental health or substance use concerns, thoughts of suicide, or simply needing someone to talk with. Call or text 988, or use the online chat. You do not have to be suicidal to contact 988, and family members can also reach out for help supporting a loved one.
Indian Rivers Behavioral Health
A nonprofit community behavioral health provider serving Tuscaloosa, Bibb and Pickens counties. Services include adult and child behavioral health care, outpatient counseling, case management, substance use treatment, crisis services, residential programs and other supportive services. Indian Rivers also operates Hope Pointe Crisis Care, a 24/7 crisis center in Tuscaloosa providing immediate assessment, stabilization and connection to ongoing care.
Safety, Advocacy & Resident Rights
Alabama Long-Term Care Ombudsman
The Alabama Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program provides confidential advocacy for residents of nursing homes, assisted living communities, specialty care facilities and other long-term care settings. Ombudsmen help residents and their families understand resident rights, address concerns about care or treatment, resolve complaints, and advocate for quality of life and appropriate services. Residents, family members, friends, and facility employees can contact an ombudsman for assistance.
Adult Protective Services
Adult Protective Services (APS) helps protect vulnerable adults from abuse, neglect, exploitation and abandonment. In Alabama, APS is administered through the Department of Human Resources (DHR). Anyone who suspects that an older or disabled adult is being abused, neglected or financially exploited can make a report. Reports may be made anonymously, and the statewide Adult Abuse Hotline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Connection, Recreation & Lifelong Learning
FOCUS 50+
FOCUS 50+ provides programs and services designed to help Tuscaloosa County adults age 50 and older remain active, healthy and independent. Programs include senior activity centers, recreation and social activities, nutritious meals, transportation, volunteer opportunities and other supportive services. FOCUS 50+ serves adults at many stages of life, from those who are homebound to those looking for opportunities to stay active and connected.
211: Help Finding the Right Resource
211 Connects Alabama is a free, confidential service that helps individuals and families find local health and human-service resources. Trained specialists can connect callers with assistance for needs such as food, housing, transportation, healthcare, mental health, senior services, legal assistance and veterans' programs. Help is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by dialing 2-1-1 or 888-421-1266; you can also text your ZIP code to 898-211 or search the online resource database. Tuscaloosa County is served by the local 2-1-1 Information and Referral office.
OLLI at The University of Alabama
The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at The University of Alabama provides adults with opportunities for lifelong learning, social connection and personal enrichment. Members can participate in a wide range of courses, field trips, social events, travel and special programs, with offerings available in Tuscaloosa and online. There are no grades, exams or required educational credentials—just opportunities to learn, explore and connect with others.
Veterans
VA Tuscaloosa
VA Tuscaloosa Health Care provides comprehensive healthcare and support services for eligible Veterans throughout western Alabama. Services include primary and specialty care, mental health, geriatrics, rehabilitation, pharmacy, social work and other medical and supportive services. The Tuscaloosa VA Medical Center also provides resources for Veterans and their families and caregivers, including assistance navigating VA healthcare and community care.
Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs
The Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs helps Alabama Veterans and their families access the state and federal benefits and services they have earned. Through Veterans Service Offices located throughout the state, ADVA provides assistance with VA claims, compensation and pension benefits, healthcare enrollment, education benefits, burial benefits and other programs. ADVA also oversees Alabama's state veterans homes and other programs supporting Veterans and their families.
Tuscaloosa County Veterans Service Office
The Tuscaloosa County Veterans Service Office, operated through the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs, helps Veterans and their dependents access federal and state benefits. Veterans Service Officers can provide assistance with VA compensation and pension claims, benefits applications, appeals and other veterans' benefits and services. Services are provided at no cost to eligible Veterans and their families.