205-956-2184
Kirkwood by the River, a Life Plan Community with natural beauty and maintenance-free amenities, is where all of life’s priorities come together…family, friendship, independence, and health. Now with more choices and flexibility, including Cottage Living, expanded dining options, and a new, state-of-the-art Assisted Living and Memory Support building, Kirkwood is perfectly situated to provide peace of mind and financial and personal security while you enjoy what matters most.
Kirkwood, ideally located on 120 acres of forested land along the Cahaba River, began as a nonprofit created by the Independent Presbyterian Church to offer continuing care retirement to seniors in the Birmingham area. This spirit continues today and is evident in all offered levels of care: Independent Apartment and Cottage Living, Assisted Living, Memory Care, Skilled Nursing, and Short-term Rehabilitation.
Driving Directions
Kirkwood by the River proudly offers the full continuum of care. That means you will experience the unique peace of mind that comes from having a plan as you transition through the stages of retirement. As a Life Plan Community, our primary focus is on helping our residents live independently and fully, on their own terms. Living at Kirkwood allows you to enjoy your retirement with confidence.
Enjoy the benefits of living in an active and secure environment without the stress and hassles of home maintenance or repairs. Our apartments offer beautiful views and sounds of surrounding woods and river. Housekeeping services and nutritious meals in our dining room make you feel like you are staying at a resort.
Learn More
Our Assisted Living is set up to enable and encourage as much independence as possible, with the security of having support and assistance with daily tasks such as bathing, dressing, eating, transportation, and more.
Learn More
Kirkwood provides 24-hour personal care for those with mild to moderate memory loss. Family members will rest easy knowing their loved ones are receiving the highest levels of companionship and care.
Learn More
Kirkwood offers both long-term private pay services and short-term rehabilitation services for those recovering from surgery, illness or injury. The care is customized with a higher ratio of caregivers to patients.
Learn MoreClick the button to view our contact us page.
Contact Us Today
For more than 40 years, one of the many reasons our residents enjoy living at Kirkwood by the River is the ideal location. Kirkwood features the surroundings of a relaxing vacation get-away with the convenience of being just minutes away from Birmingham’s shopping, medical centers, and cultural venues. Here’s a glimpse of life at a place we love to call home.
Our residents come from different backgrounds and bring their unique qualities, talents, and life experiences to complete the Kirkwood community. Here are just a few reflections from some individuals who call Kirkwood their home.
I fell in love with the cottage and the view from my back porch. I am excited to have a yard for Ginger, my poodle, to play in and my own garage, all within an established retirement community!
My husband and I looked at a number of places when deciding to move to a retirement community. For the most part, we found communities that said, ‘We’re going to take care of you.’ But Kirkwood was different. It wasn’t just about taking care of us. It was also about having fun, having friends, and living life to the fullest. The attitude at Kirkwood was positive and the atmosphere was comforting. We simply couldn’t resist. Without a doubt, the location was ideal. The Cahaba Room that overlooks the river, the mountains, the trails – there were just so many things about life. The community was lively. It was alive.
We realized we were approaching an age where we might need more assistance than what just downsizing could provide. Knowing we have my sons nearby and the levels of care should we need it is comforting, and the beautiful hillside, river, and the woods makes it that much more appealing. We don’t know of any other community that has the woods, the various levels of care, and so many different amenities.
We were moving my parents down from the Cleveland area to be near us. I looked at almost every retirement place in the Birmingham area. The second I turned into Kirkwood’s drive and drove up the hill, I knew that I’d found the perfect place for my parents to live in Alabama. In the six years that my parents have been at Kirkwood, I have always felt nothing but love and helpfulness from every staff member. Everyone is always helpful with a pleasant attitude. You can truly see and feel the family atmosphere. I’m happy that my parents can call Kirkwood their home.
When we learned that Cedar Ridge was being developed, that seemed to fit our needs very well. It is the ideal place for the next phase of our retirement.
One thing that we feel is very important here at Kirkwood by the River is the relationship that we have between the staff and the residents. They are dedicated to making our life here as safe and secure and pleasurable as possible. That goes a long way.
The community's cottage living surrounded by a wooded, natural environment with access to future healthcare services is what attracted us to Kirkwood!
