Nursing Home in Birmingham, AL · CMS Data August 2026

Kirkwood by the River

How Does Kirkwood by the River Rate?

Kirkwood by the River is a 61-bed nonprofit nursing home in Birmingham, AL. CMS rates it 3 out of 5 stars overall (August 2026), with 4 for health inspections, 1 for staffing and 2 for quality measures. Its last standard health inspection, on October 7, 2021, cited 1 health deficiency.

CMS overall rating: 3 of 5
Deficiencies at last inspection: 1
Certified beds: 61

Reviewed by Senior Care Help Editorial Team ·October 6, 2026

3605 Ratliff Road
Birmingham, AL 35210

3 of 5 CMS overall · Average

From CMS Care Compare, data processed August 1, 2026. A listing is not an endorsement, and no home pays to appear.

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Nursing home (CMS listing)This facility

CMS Star Ratings

CMS star ratings for Kirkwood by the River
Rating	Stars	CMS label
Overall rating	3 of 5	Average
Health inspections	4 of 5	Above average
Staffing	1 of 5	Much below average
Quality measures	2 of 5	Below average
Quality for long-stay residents	3 of 5	Average
Quality for short-stay residents	1 of 5	Much below average

CMS compares each home with others in its state for the inspection rating. See how CMS star ratings work.

Staffing and Turnover

Staffing at Kirkwood by the River and the national median
Measure	This home	National median
Nursing staff turnover (past year)	36%	45%
Registered nurse turnover (past year)	33%	42%

Hours are reported by the home through CMS's payroll-based staffing data. Turnover is the share of nursing staff who left over the year. Why staffing matters.

Inspections and Penalties

Inspections and penalties for Kirkwood by the River
Last standard health inspection	October 7, 2021
Health deficiencies cited at that inspection	1
Deficiencies from complaint inspections (same rating cycle)	0
Fines in the past 3 years	None
Payment denials in the past 3 years	0

The full inspection reports, with each deficiency described, are on the home's Medicare Care Compare page. CMS notes that this home's most recent health inspection was more than 2 years ago.

Quality Measures for Long-Stay Residents

The share of residents in long-term care (101 days or more) at Kirkwood by the River who, according to CMS's resident assessments (2025Q2 to 2026Q1):

Long-stay quality measures for Kirkwood by the River
Residents who	This home	National median	Compared
Received an antipsychotic medication	39%	13%	Higher than the national median
Received an antianxiety or hypnotic medication	40%	18%	Higher than the national median
Had a fall with major injury	6.2%	2.8%	Higher than the national median
Have pressure ulcers	4.7%	4.2%	Higher than the national median
Lost too much weight	8.8%	4.7%	Higher than the national median
Were physically restrained	0.0%	0.0%	At the national median
Have depressive symptoms	0.0%	3.6%	Lower than the national median
Needed more help with daily activities over time	16%	13%	Higher than the national median

Lower is better for each measure. Antipsychotic use matters most for residents with dementia: what families should know.

About the Home

Facts about Kirkwood by the River
Certified beds	61
Average residents per day	54
Ownership	Non profit - Corporation
Legal business name	PRESBYTERIAN RETIREMENT HOMES OF BIRMINGHAM, INC.
Certified for	Medicare
First certified	September 2006
Setting	Part of a continuing care retirement community
Councils	Resident council

Before you choose, visit at different times of day and ask about openings, costs and Medicaid beds. How to choose a nursing home has CMS's checklist, and Alabama's Alabama Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program (334-242-5753) can answer questions about residents' rights. See all nursing homes and senior care in Alabama.