Wiregrass Times

In the fourth quarter of 2023, Extendicare Health Center stood out as the largest nursing home in Houston County, according to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).

Data shows that the nursing center had a total of 170 beds available, three more than the average in Houston County as of the fourth quarter of 2023. They aided an average of 140.1 residents during that period.

Extendicare Health Center had an overall rating of 2 from the CMS, which lags behind the average of 3 recorded for nursing homes in Alabama.

During the quarter, Wesley Place on Honeysuckle stood out as the second largest nursing home in Houston County, with 166 beds available. Westside Terrace Health and Rehabilitation Center came in third place, with 165 beds available.

As of the fourth quarter of 2023, Extendicare Health Center has spent a total of $655 in one fine and suffered one penalty.

In total, there were two for-profit nursing homes in Houston County, Alabama.

According to US Census data, in 2020, nearly 1 in 6 Americans were aged 65 years or older. Since 1920, the older population skyrocketed from 4.9 million to 55.8 million, reflecting a growth rate of roughly 1,000%, five times higher than the average growth for the overall U.S. population.

A 2021 study suggests that nearly half of this age group, roughly 28 million individuals, may require long-term services and support. Additionally, the study projects that over a third of them may eventually need nursing home care.

“Living a long life is something that many of us want and could get,” said Jesse Slome, executive director of the American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance, an insurance education group. “But when we live a long life, the chances of us needing long-term care increase exponentially. But when you need that type of care, there are limited options.”

Rank	Nursing Home	Overall Rating
1	Extendicare Health Center	2
2	Wesley Place on Honeysuckle	2
3	Westside Terrace Health and Rehabilitation Center	4