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Families describe Kirkwood By The River as a caring, family-like community, especially praising the skilled nursing and rehabilitation staff during difficult end-of-life and recovery periods. Reviewers consistently highlight compassionate, personalized care and a peaceful, well-maintained campus along the Cahaba River.
AI-generated from reviews and community data.
Kirkwood By The River is a senior living community in Birmingham, Alabama offering Skilled Nursing / Long Term Care. Amenities include Guest Meals, Restaurant style Dining Room and Outdoor Patio. Families rate it 4.3 out of 5 across 98 reviews.
Kirkwood By The River is a Life Plan Community offering the full continuum of care in Birmingham, Alabama, situated on 120 acres of forested land along the Cahaba River. Founded over 45 years ago as a nonprofit created by Independent Presbyterian Church, the community provides Independent Apartment and Cottage Living, Assisted Living, Memory Care, Skilled Nursing, and Short-term Rehabilitation services.
Assisted Living at Kirkwood enables residents to maintain independence while receiving support with daily tasks such as bathing, dressing, eating, and transportation. Memory Care provides 24-hour personal care for those with mild to moderate memory loss, with a focus on companionship and security. Skilled Nursing offers both long-term and short-term rehabilitation services for those recovering from surgery, illness, or injury, with a higher ratio of caregivers to patients.
The community features maintenance-free apartment and cottage living options, with housekeeping services and nutritious meals included. Cottages come with private yards and garages, situated within the wooded natural environment. Residents enjoy access to scenic trails, river views, and amenities including the Cahaba Room overlooking the river and mountains.
Kirkwood's location along the Cahaba River provides natural beauty and a peaceful setting while remaining conveniently situated near Birmingham's shopping centers, medical facilities, and cultural venues. The 120-acre campus offers an active and secure environment designed to support residents through various stages of retirement.
Pets are welcome, as indicated by resident experiences with cottage living that includes yard space for pets to play.
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Help Me Choose4.3overall · 98 ratings combined
4.3★ on Google (98)
Barbara Brown
May 2026
When the rehab. Opened I was able to get my brother in there. Had just come from second hip replacement.(same hip) Words can not say enough for the care he recieved. I'm from Florida and had no idea which place to choose, as it turned out this was the best place. Environment, Staff, nurses, physical therapist were AMAZONG. He made friends there. Came home 98% better than when he went in. He got his life back. Thank You
Shirley LaFon
Feb 2026
Kirkwood by the River (KBTR) skilled nursing staff took extraordinary care of our Mother through her last days and we cannot thank you enough. She passed peacefully with dignity and grace. We had experiences with other assisted living and skilled nursing facilities and wholeheartedly endorse KBRR as second to none in this industry. God truly works through the hands and hearts of the KBTR staff. Thank You!
M. Bennet Broner
Jun 2025
I went to look at the new homes. Gorgeous. Saw only a small part of a common building. Very clean, spacious, nicely furnished. There were many amenities.
William Walker
Dec 2023
Both of my parents passed away at Kirkwood. This is the best facility in Birmingham. Is it perfect? No. None are. But this one is the best one in the area. I am so thankful to the staff and especially to Crystal who called me last Thursday to tell me I needed to get there immediately. Because of her call, my wife and I were able to spend the last hour of my mother's life with her and it was something I will always treasure. Thank you to Marissa, Crystal and all the people who cared for my father and mother.
Suzanne Long
Sep 2023
Staff and residents are very friendly and caring just like family. My mother in law was happier @ Kirkwood than she's ever been since I've known her(30 years). Last year, we had to move her to a memory care facility to be near us in Nevada. Even though she hasn't lived there for over a year, a sheet of funny comics arrives by mail from Claudia, the activities director at Kirkwood. She sadly doesn't remember Kirkwood or Claudia, but she feels important and cared for because of this gesture. We all enjoy the comics and appreciate this act of kindness from Kirkwood.
3 inspection visits in the last three years, 19 citations on file. Inspections are conducted by state agencies on behalf of the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
Implement emergency and standby power systems.
Severity F of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, widespreadCorrected Nov 8, 2021
Ensure receptacles at patient bed locations and where general anesthesia is administered, are tested after initial installation, replacement or servicing.
Severity E of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, patternCorrected Nov 8, 2021
To conduct inspection, testing and maintenance of fire doors by qualified individuals.
Severity E of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, patternCorrected Nov 8, 2021
Install smoke barrier doors that can resist smoke for at least 20 minutes.
Severity E of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, patternCorrected Nov 8, 2021
Install corridor and hallway doors that block smoke.
Severity E of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, patternCorrected Nov 8, 2021
Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Nov 11, 2021
Have properly located and lighted "Exit" signs.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Nov 8, 2021
Have proper medical gas storage and administration areas.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Nov 8, 2021
Conduct testing and exercise requirements.
Severity F of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, widespreadCorrected May 7, 2019
Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems.
Severity F of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, widespreadCorrected May 7, 2019
Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
Severity F of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, widespreadCorrected May 2, 2019
Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected May 2, 2019
Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Apr 4, 2018
Provide appropriate pressure ulcer care and prevent new ulcers from developing.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Apr 24, 2018
Provide care by qualified persons according to each resident's written plan of care.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Apr 24, 2018
Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Apr 24, 2018
Ensure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Apr 24, 2018
Honor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Apr 24, 2018
Install an approved automatic sprinkler system.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Apr 4, 2018
Source: CMS Care Compare, public federal data covering certified nursing facilities, refreshed monthly. Citations range from A (least serious) to L (most serious) on the federal scope and severity scale. Most citations are corrected quickly; review the details and ask the community about anything that concerns you.
Kirkwood By The River offers Skilled Nursing / Long Term Care.
Kirkwood By The River is located at 3605 Ratliff Road in Birmingham, Alabama.
Families describe Kirkwood By The River as a caring, family-like community, especially praising the skilled nursing and rehabilitation staff during difficult end-of-life and recovery periods. Reviewers consistently highlight compassionate, personalized care and a peaceful, well-maintained campus along the Cahaba River.
Kirkwood By The River had 3 government inspection visits in the last three years, with 19 citations on file according to CMS Care Compare data. The full history, including what each citation was for and whether it was corrected, is in the inspection section on this page.
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