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With three distinct geographic regions and 12 major cities, North Carolina is a desirable retirement destination that offers something for everyone. Seniors who want to live by the beach can find their dream home in Wilmington or one of the scenic beach towns on the Atlantic Coast. The Piedmont is known for world-class universities and cutting-edge tech firms centered around The Research Triangle, and the Appalachian region is home to an assortment of vibrant cities, such as Asheville, that have their own unique style. With so many attractive features, it's no wonder that seniors represent more than 16% of the state's 10.4 million residents.
North Carolina has a SeniorScore of 72, which is on par with the national average. It received excellent rankings for General Quality of Life, thanks to its average population density and mild climate. Other positives include low property taxes and affordable long-term care. There are a high number of Medicare-registered physicians and home health care workers and an average number of hospitals in the area. Recreation & Leisure opportunities boosted the city's overall ranking, thanks to the high number of churches and public parks, as well as the state's 550 golf courses.
This guide includes information about in-home care costs, as well as information about home care services and financial assistance programs that can help North Carolina seniors age in place.
Located in Raleigh, North Carolina at 8360 Six Forks Rd Ste 103, Home Instead Senior Care is a senior home healthcare service provider offering home care services along with in-home health services. They offer various medical services including licensed nurses, ...
Duke Home Health is a senior home healthcare provider based in Durham, North Carolina at 4321 Medical Park Dr Suite 101. They offer in-home nursing as well as in-home care for senior clientele. They have been serving ...
Located at 915 N New Hope Rd Ste D in Gastonia, NC, Home Instead Senior Care is a in-home care company that offers in-home nursing as well as in-home personal care services. They provide different medical services such as stroke ...
Johnston Health Home Care and Hospice is a senior home care provider located in Smithfield, NC at 514 North Brightleaf Blvd, Suite 1502. They offer in-home nursing care as well as personal home care services to senior clientele. Since ...
Visiting Angels Living Assistance Services is a senior home health care company located in Chapel Hill, NC at 368 Deer Path. They provide personal home care along with in-home medical services for senior clientele. They offer different personal services ...
Located in Chapel Hill, NC at 1289 Fordham Blvd Ste E5, Home Instead Senior Care is a home healthcare company that offers in-home nursing services in addition to home care. They offer multiple personal services like offering companionship, toileting assistance, ...
Located in Raleigh, NC at 5003 Falls Of Neuse Rd Ste A, Visiting Angels Living Assistance Services is a senior home health care provider offering home healthcare as well as personal care services. They provide memory care and First Aid. ...
Home Health of Randolph Hospital is a senior home care provider based in Asheboro, North Carolina at 127 Macarthur St. They offer in-home personal care services as well as in-home health care for seniors. They have been providing care ...
Located in Greensboro, NC at 306 Pomona Dr Ste G, Home Instead Senior Care is a home healthcare company that offers in-home personal care services as well as in-home medical care. They provide multiple medical services including licensed nurses on ...
Located at 9009-c Perimeter Woods Dr in Charlotte, NC, Gentiva Health Services is an in-home care provider offering home care services as well as in-home medical services. They have been operating in North Carolina since 1992. They offer a variety ...
Located in Greensboro, NC at 2500 Summit Ave, Hospice and Palliative Care of Greensboro is a home care company that offers personal care services and in-home medical services. For almost 33 years, they have been providing care to clients throughout ...
Located at 1406-b West Innes St in Salisbury, NC, Advanced Home Care is a senior home health care company that offers personal home care services along with in-home medical care. They have been in business in Salisbury for 34 years. ...
Comfort Keepers is a home healthcare company located in Cary, North Carolina at 1616 Evans Rd Ste 160. They offer in-home care as well as home healthcare for senior clientele. They provide a variety of medical services including urinary ...
Advanced Home Care is a in-home care service provider based in Charlotte, NC at 2520 Whitehall Park Drive Suite 950. They provide in-home health care in addition to personal care services to senior clientele. They have been operating in ...
Located in Supply, North Carolina at 1120 Ocean Hwy W, Liberty Home Care is a home care provider offering home health care and personal care. For almost 8 years, they have been helping seniors throughout the Supply area. They ...
Well Care Home Health is a senior home health care service provider located in Raleigh, NC at 8341 Banford Way, Suite 001. They offer home care and in-home medical care for senior clients. For nearly 26 years, they have ...
Bayada Home Health Care, Inc is a in-home care service provider located in Winston Salem, North Carolina at 1605 Westbrook Plaza Dr. They offer home health services in addition to home care services to seniors. For nearly 27 years, ...
Personal Home Care of North Carolina is a home care provider located in Charlotte, North Carolina at 1515 Mockingbird Lane Ste 415a. They provide in-home health care along with home care services for seniors. For almost 8 years, they ...
Advanced Home Care is a home care provider based in Reidsville, NC at 8380 Nc 87. They provide in-home personal care as well as in-home nursing services for senior clientele. Since 1984, they have been serving clients in the ...
Located at 729 Vineyards Crossing in Lexington, NC, Caresouth Homecare Professionals is a senior in-home care company that offers home healthcare and personal home care. For nearly 24 years, they have been providing care to clients throughout the Lexington area. ...
The average cost of in-home care in North Carolina is $3,813 per month, regardless of the type of services provided. According to Genworth Financial's 2019 Cost of Care Survey, monthly costs in the state are $470 to $570 lower than the U.S. median. Nationally, the cost difference is likely due to home health care including additional services to home care, such as limited medical services.
Seniors in North Carolina enjoy below-average home care rates. At $3,813, the cost of homemaker services, which includes errands and chores, is fairly consistent across the region. Average rates are highest in neighboring Virginia, where seniors pay $4,195 for home care and $4,382 for home health care, which represents an increase of $380 to $570. In South Carolina, home health care costs $190 more per month, followed by Georgia at $96 and Tennessee at $79.
Cost of Home Care | Cost of Home Health Care | |
North Carolina | $3,813 | $3,813 |
United States | $4,290 | $4,385 |
Virginia | $4,195 | $4,382 |
Tennessee | $3,813 | $3,892 |
South Carolina | $3,813 | $4,000 |
Georgia | $3,813 | $3,909 |
With an average cost of $3,813 per month, in-home care is one of the more affordable options for seniors in North Carolina. A semiprivate room in a nursing home costs $7,057 per month, which is about 1.85 times more. Assisted living facilities cost $4,000 or about $200 more per month. Another option is adult day health care, which costs $1,170 per month and includes recreational activities and personal assistance provided in a group setting.
The cost of in-home care varies from $3,575 to $4,290 in North Carolina's largest cities, and average rates for home health care range from $3,623 to $4,481. Costs are highest in Raleigh and Durham, which comprise two legs of the site's thriving Research Triangle. Prices are even with or lower than the state median in Winston-Salem, and Greensboro is the state's most affordable city for in-home care. The average monthly cost of in-home care in this community is $3,623, and home care providers charge just $3,575, which is 16% lower than the national average.
Cost of Home Care | Cost of Home Health Care | |
North Carolina | $3,813 | $3,813 |
Charlotte | $3,890 | $4,195 |
Raleigh | $4,004 | $4,195 |
Greensboro | $3,575 | $3,623 |
Durham | $4,290 | $4,481 |
Winston-Salem | $3,718 | $3,813 |
North Carolina's Community Alternatives Program for Disabled Adults is a Medicaid Home- and Community-Based Services waiver available to disabled adults and individuals who are aged 65 and older and need help with activities of daily living. This waiver covers a wide range of supportive services, including personal assistance, chores, case management and services provided by in-home aides. It can also help with the cost of medical supplies, emergency response systems, nutritional support, caregiver training and other essentials.
Contact Information
To learn more about this program or to begin the application process, contact the state's Medicaid program or find the Area Agency on Aging in your community.
North Carolina's Medicaid program may cover the cost of certain medically necessary services provided in a private residence through its Home Health Services and Personal Care Services programs. These benefits can cover the cost of home health aides, skilled nursing, specialized therapies and other services typically provided by a home care agency. Individuals must be financially eligible for Medicaid and must require assistance with at least two activities of daily living to qualify.
Contact Information
Interested individuals should contact the NC Medicaid Clinical Section at 1-919-855-4360 to learn more about these programs.
PACE is a nationally endorsed managed care model that's available in select communities across North Carolina. This system allows adults aged 55 and older to receive long-term care, medical services and community-based supports through one provider. PACE covers primary care, skilled nursing, personal care attendants, home care coordinators, transportation and related services. It also offers recreational activities at specialized community centers. PACE is available to adults who qualify for Medicare or Medicaid, and private-pay options are available for those who earn too much to receive financial assistance. North Carolina has 12 regional service providers that serve a large portion of the state.
Contact Information
To see if services are available in your area, visit the NC Pace Association online.
Aid & Attendance is an enhanced pension available to military veterans, spouses and survivors. This supplement is available to eligible individuals who receive a basic pension and are likely to have substantial long-term care costs. Since this is a cash benefit, funds can be used for in-home care and other supports. To qualify, individuals must require assistance with activities of daily living, such as eating, bathing or dressing. Benefits are also available to pensioners who are housebound, bedridden or have severe vision impairments. The application requires a medical statement from a physician.
Contact Information
Contact the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs for more information about this program and the application process.
Since the programs mentioned above might not cover all the costs associated with home care, and not everyone may be eligible, alternative payment methods will often need to be explored. Some of these alternatives include out-of-pocket arrangements with siblings, annuities, reverse mortgages, private insurance, and more. Read SeniorAdvice's Guide to Paying for Home Care to find out more about your payment and financing options.
Home care and home health agencies in North Carolina are overseen by the Division of Health Service Regulation, Acute and Home Care Licensure and Certification Section. This government body sets specific standards about the types of services these companies may provide, as well as care planning, staffing and training.
Scope of Care | In-home aides employed by licensed home care agencies may assist residents with activities of daily living, including bathing, dressing, toileting, eating and walking. Home care agencies may also offer nursing services, physical therapy, respiratory therapy and home management assistance, which includes help with errands and household tasks. |
Care Planning | A written plan of care that's appropriate for the individual's needs must be developed by a home health nurse or therapist and attending physician within 90 days before the start of care or within 30 days after admission. The plan of care must be recertified every 60 days. Changes must be authorized by a physician. |
Medication Management | Home health agencies that provide nursing care may administer prescribed medications, and in-home aides may assist with self-administration. |
Staff Screening | Agencies must conduct a criminal background check on all direct-care workers within five days of making an offer of employment. |
Staff Training | In-home health aides must complete a comprehensive training program that includes 75 classroom hours and 16 hours of clinical experience. Agency directors must meet strict standards for education, training and supervisory work experience. |
Reporting Abuse | All health care facilities, including home care agencies, must report instances of suspected abuse within 24 hours. Reports must be made in writing and faxed to (919) 733-3207 or mailed to the Health Care Personnel Registry Investigations Branch, Division of Health Service Regulation at 2719 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699. |
Seniors in North Carolina have access to many programs and services that help older adults maintain their independence and safely age in place. Below, we've compiled a few of the most helpful resources:
North Carolina offers a generous property tax exemption to homeowners who are disabled or aged 65 or older and meet current income limits. The program waives property taxes on the first $25,000 or 50% of a home's appraised value. Individual income is limited to approximately $31,500, and guidelines are adjusted annually.
Contact Information
For more information or to download an application, visit the North Carolina Department of Revenue online.
The Low Income Energy Assistance Program offers financial assistance to seniors and low-income families in North Carolina who are struggling to pay their utility bills, meet local income limits and have no more than $2,250 in countable cash reserves. Seniors aged 60 and older can apply for financial assistance during the month of December.
Contact Information
To learn more or to apply for assistance, contact the NC Division of Social Services at (800) 662-7030.
The North Carolina Division of Aging and Adult Services, county social services departments and Area Agencies on Aging work together to provide home repairs, weatherization assistance and accessibility modifications for seniors across the state. Services are provided by local government agencies, nonprofits and community partners, such as Habitat for Humanity.
Contact Information
Interested seniors should contact their Area Agency on Aging to learn more about local partners that offer home repairs in their community.
North Carolina has 16 Area Agencies on Aging that serve seniors, caregivers and disabled adults in designated geographic regions. These federally designated nonprofits are a valuable resource for anyone who wants to age in place. They connect residents with home-delivered meals, in-home services, transportation and other community-based supports. Area Agencies on Aging also process applications for Medicaid waivers that cover in-home care.
Contact Information
To learn more, find an Area Agency on Aging near you.
This state agency helps veterans and military families access medical benefits, financial assistance and entitlement programs. The North Carolina Department of Veterans Affairs offers application assistance, benefits consultations and a comprehensive resource guide. Veterans who want to age in place may benefit from VA medical care, transportation for medical appointments, pension supplements and property tax exemptions. These are just a few of the benefits available to veterans in North Carolina.
Contact Information
To locate a Veterans Service Center in your community, visit the Department of Veterans Affairs online or call (844) 694-8387.
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