According to North Carolina law, an assisted living residence is defined as group housing with a population of two or more adults who are provided with meal services, personal care services, and housekeeping services in a home like environment. Under North Carolina regulations, there are three types of assisted living residences recognized by the state: adult care homes, adult care homes that serve only the elderly, and multiunit assisted housing with services. It's possible that assisted living communities may also be referred to as personal care homes depending on their size.
There are currently 626 assisted senior care homes operating in North Carolina.
| City | Monthly Minimum | Monthly Maximum | Monthly Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asheville | $1,182 | $4,850 | $2,475 |
| Chapel Hill | $2,250 | $6,748 | $3,500 |
| Charlotte | $1,700 | $6,373 | $3,136 |
| Durham | $2,250 | $6,748 | $3,500 |
| Greensboro | $1,300 | $4,815 | $2,985 |
| Raleigh | $1,800 | $5,790 | $3,838 |
The average cost of assisted living in North Carolina is $3,000 per month. Compared to the remainder of the United States, North Carolina is number 10 on the list for least expensive states for long-term elderly care. Within the state, average costs between areas vary greatly depending on the location.
For more information about assisted living costs in North Carolina, check outGenworth’s 2015 Cost of Care Survey.
With roots stretching back to the birth of America, North Carolina offers a myriad of activities intertwining the history of the state and its majestic wilderness. Nationally known, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a section of the ancient and famous Appalachian Mountain Range. The park allows visitors to the mountain via walking trails featuring remains of Southern Appalachian culture.
For those who enjoy a more leisurely viewing experience, The Blue Ridge Parkway is a scenic ride through the mountains and valleys of North Carolina with multiple picnic spots overlooking the indigenous fauna and wildlife of the Tar Heel state
For those art lovers, North Carolina offers the North Carolina Museum of Art, which was the first public art museum opened and funded by the state and the federal government in 1956. Today, the museum has expanded their collection to include over 5,000 years of art exhibitions ranging from antiquity to modern pieces. With an outdoor amphitheater and over 40 galleries, the North Carolina Museum of Art is one of the premier art museums on the South.
North Carolina has a culture that is influenced by Deep Southern values and new business-minded ventures. North Carolina’s residents are friendly whether they are in the small coastal towns, Appalachian mountain towns, and even in the larger cities. People that live in this state know they have a good thing going, and have no problem sharing with tourists or new transplants.
Due to the constant variation of elevation between the mountains and the plains of North Carolina, the state experiences fours distinct seasons with 20-degree differences between areas of elevation. Although North Carolina is protected by the Appalachian Mountains, many cold fronts are tempered during the winter months. The average temperature drops to 20 degrees in the winter with much colder conditions on the mountains. Snow is seen year round on the peaks of the Appalachian Mountains with an average of 5 inches snow accumulation annually.
During the summer months, the mountains stay fairly cool with average temperatures rising to the 60-degree range. In central North Carolina, summer temperatures will soar to the 70 to 80-degree range typically. Rainfall is high due to seasonal thunderstorms, tropical storms and hurricanes coming from the Atlantic coast. Annually, North Carolina experiences 80-90 inches of rain.
Assisted Living homes are regulated by a state-to-state basis. Every state has a publicly accessible legal document outlining the regulations, licensing, operation and other rules for assisted living and personal care homes. The complete document outlining the regulations of assisted living residences in the state of North Carolina can be obtained via the NC Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Health Service Regulations website. Public records concerning inspections, citations, violations and the like pertaining to individual senior care residences can be obtained through the Department of Health and Human Services site. This department provides a full list of licensed homes and a full list of penalties received by each home.
North Carolina’s crime rate has been in decline, which is a testament to the state’s commitment to protecting its citizens. With any move, it is important to make sure you are aware of your surrounding so you can feel secure and have peace of mine. If you are not sure where to start, take a look at some of the safest North Carolina communities:
| Location | Violent Crimes Per 1,000 Residents | Property Crimes Per 1,000 Residents |
|---|---|---|
| Trent Woods | 0.47 | 6.39 |
| Pinehurst | 0.06 | 7.41 |
| Holly Springs | 0.67 | 8.93 |
| Elon | 0.31 | 10.49 |
(Source: safewise.com)
For those seeking financial assistance, North Carolina’s Medicaid program offers the Community Alternative Program for Disabled Adults for low-income and disabled residents. This program is designed to cover personal care services in any location the participant desires to receive the services. This includes assisted living communities. To find more information on this waiver program, please visit the official Community Alternative Program for Disabled Adults page via the NC Department of Health and Human Services website.
An alternate Medicaid option, North Carolina offers the Adult Care Home Assistance Program for low-income and elderly residents who require personal care and daily supervision but do not require full medical care. This program is designed to provide financial assistance to pay for the service costs and the housing costs associated with assisted living residences and those types of homes which fall under this definition: adult. To find more information on this Medicaid program, please visit the official Adult Care Home Assistance page through the NC Department of Health and Human Services website.
Alternate payment options are available. Families can apply for an assisted living family loan. This provides temporary or long-term financial assistance when paying for assisted senior care. The program allows multiple people to contribute to payment.
You don’t’ give up the rights afforded to you as a U.S. citizen or resident when you move into a North Carolina assisted living center. While residing in the home, a resident retains constitutional civil rights, rights of privacy, freedom of speech, and freedom of religion. The resident also retains the right to personal possessions, autonomy over personal finances, bodily autonomy, and power of attorney. The resident has a right to be informed of the process to file a complaint of unsatisfactory living situations, abuse, neglect and the like. The complete list of resident rights as guaranteed by the state of North Carolina can be viewed within the official regulations for assisted living residences beginning in article three.
North Carolina assisted living homes are required to provide appropriate health services that are ordered by an attending physician, as well as keep all medical information confidential, accurate, and complete. Medical records shall be readily accessible upon request and should be kept for a period no less than 11 years from death or discharge date.
Residents in North Carolina assisted living and personal care centers have access to their medical records and can request a copy of all or a portion of their medical records. They can also request a copy of some or all of the information, and it is to be provided at a cost not to exceed the community standard.
