North Carolina Assisted Living for Couples

Assisted living in North Carolina for couples

In the state of North Carolina, there are over 500 assisted living facilities. These senior living communities are located in the following cities: Raleigh, Goldsboro, Jacksonville, Rocky Mount, Burlington, Winston, and Wilmington. All ALFs in the state are licensed and regulated by the Division of Health Services Regulation, which belongs to the Department of Health and Human Services.

Assisted living facilities are classified into two categories, depending on the services they provide: assisted care homes (ACHs) and multi-unit assisted housing with services (MAHSs). Upon moving in, each resident goes through an examination to assess his/her needs. Based on the results of this assessment, an individual service plan is created. Service plans are updated every couple of months or after major health events.

As a general rule, ALFs do not accept residents whose needs exceed the available scope of care. The same goes for those who are mentally unstable, require restraints, or round-the-clock supervision. If a resident might be a danger to himself or others, the admittance will be refused. Additional grounds for refusal include: ventilator assistance, 24/7 skilled nursing care, a diagnosis of an infectious condition.

Living on your own at senior age might prove out to be difficult, so it is only normal you would consider other retirement solutions. Assisted living facilities welcome senior adults who are looking to spend their retirement years in peace, with a starting of 55 or 62. Prospective residents can be single or married, and they must be able to cover the required monthly fees. Additional conditions might apply, with each ALF being free to decide what eligibility should entail.

Financing and costs of assisted living in North Carolina

The average monthly cost of assisted living in North Carolina is around $3,600. By comparison, the national median is of $4,000. Compared to neighboring states, such as Virginia and Tennessee, North Carolina has more affordable rates. On the other hand, the costs of assisted living in South Carolina, West Virginia, and Georgia are lower. Georgia has more attractive fees, with an average of $3,100 per month.

Within the state, the cost of assisted living varies considerably. The most expensive ALFs are located in Wilmington, with an average of $5,300. Raleigh also has higher fees, reaching a value of $4,500. More appealing rates can be found in Goldsboro, Rocky Mount, and Burlington, with averages ranging between $2,700 and $2,800. Assisted living is more affordable than nursing home care and memory care, but more expensive than in-home care and independent living.

Assisted living costs in North Carolina

Assisted living communities accept seniors who are in need of long-term care, providing adapted housing, assistance with daily living activities, and specialized healthcare. Naturally, seniors also have access to a wide array of services and amenities. In the state of North Carolina, there are different assisted living facilities seniors can move into, all with diverse care packages. The overall costs are calculated in accordance with the care and benefits offered. However, not all communities of this kind offer skilled nursing care or this service is only available for a maximum of three months. In the paragraphs below, you will find additional information on the costs of assisted living in North Carolina.

Average costs of assisted living and memory care in North Carolina

How much does assisted living cost in NC? The average cost of assisted living in North Carolina is $4,000 per month or $48,000 per year. This is slightly lower than the national median of $4,500 per month or $54,000 per year. Within the state, the most expensive assisted living facilities are located in Raleigh, averaging at $5,300 per month or $63,000 per year. Fayetteville has the most affordable communities of this kind, averaging at $3,000 per month or $36,000 per year.

How much does memory care cost in NC? When it comes to memory care, the average cost in North Carolina is $5,000 per month or $60,000 per year. This is somewhat lower than the national median of $5,600 per month or $67,000 per year. Within the state, the most expensive memory care communities are found in Raleigh, with an average cost of $6,700 per month or $80,000 per year. Fayetteville has the most affordable facilities of this kind, averaging at $3,750 per month or $45,000.

Assisted living costs more than adult day health care, but it is more affordable than home care, home health care, and nursing home care. Memory care is more expensive than adult day health care, home health care, and assisted living. However, it is more affordable than nursing home care, which averages at $8,000 per month or $96,000 per year.

What goes into assisted living costs?

Assisted living facilities require a deposit fee to be paid in order to reserve your spot in the respective center. This is usually returned when the contract concludes and the residential stay begins. As for the costs, these are paid on a monthly basis, without other hidden costs. These communities do not have entrance fees. Factors influencing the overall costs include: marital status, available services and amenities, living unit type and size. Aside from utilities, residents have access to general services, such as laundry and linen service, housekeeping, meal plans, and general maintenance. Should additional services be available, these are offered at extra cost.

Care fees are determined in accordance with the daily living activities one receives assistance with. Aside from medication management and scheduled transportation, care packages include emergency response systems, daily activities, physical and occupational therapy. Second occupancy fees are covered by spouses who want to live together. Additional payment might be necessary for certain utilities, such as the Internet and cable access. Healthcare is available at extra cost, on a limited basis, usually from third-party providers.

What goes into memory care costs?

Dementia seniors receive the best care possible within memory care communities, along the room and board, healthcare, and constant support. Memory care residents also have access to various services and amenities, destined to improve the overall quality of life. Specialists cater to their specific needs, providing care packages that take into account both the type of dementia and the illness stage. As for the safety features, these are meant to reduce the risk of self-harm or wandering, as well as help seniors feel less confused. The assistance with daily living activities is included in the basic care package.

Memory care communities provide seniors with daily therapy sessions, where they can work on their memory, cognitive, and speech skills. In this way, they can delay the progression of dementia for as long as it is possible. General services are available, including meal planning and preparation, general maintenance, scheduled transportation, laundry and linen service. Care-related services are offered as well, such as wound care, diabetes care, mobility assistance, and incontinence care.

Senior living in North Carolina - cost comparison with other states

The cost of assisted living in North Carolina is below the national median. North Carolina is more expensive than South Carolina and Georgia, but more affordable than Virginia and Tennessee. The overall costs are as follows: South Carolina - $3,600 per month or $43,000 per year; Georgia - $3,500 per month or $42,000 per year; Virginia - $5,250 per month or $63,000 per year; Tennessee - $4,100 per month or $49,000 per year.

As for memory care, the cost in North Carolina is also below the national median. North Carolina is more expensive than South Carolina, but more affordable than Virginia and Tennessee. The overall costs are as follows: South Carolina - $4,500 per month or $54,000 per year; Virginia - $6,500 per month or $78,000 per year; Tennessee - $5,100 per month or $61,000 per year.

Finding the best senior living facility for your needs in North Carolina

Whether you are interested in assisted living or memory care communities, please remember that the costs might vary from one facility to the other. The overall costs are influenced by various factors, as you have seen above. It is a good thing to be aware of these and search for the facility that can meet both your needs and the available budget.

Allow us the pleasure to use our experience and knowledge in guiding you through the decision-making process. Just give us a call and we will give you detailed information on the costs demanded by each senior living facility. We take pride in matching seniors with the best communities, going the extra mile to ensure complete satisfaction. If desired, we can also discuss other details regarding the long-term care opportunities in your state.

Services provided to married couples by assisted living facilities in North Carolina

ALF services are available for all residents, whether married or single. The list of general services might include the following: housekeeping, general maintenance, 24/7 security, scheduled transportation, Internet and telephone access, emergency response system, errand running, shopping, meal planning and preparation, laundry and linen service, etc.

Residents receive minimal assistance with the activity of daily living, such as eating, grooming, dressing, toileting, and oral hygiene. They might also benefit from mobility assistance, but only to a limited extent. As a general rule, ALFs encourage their residents to be as independent as possible. The staff can provide supervision and medication management, depending on the resident's level of ability, registered nurses can supervise self-administration or handle the administration themselves.

Nowadays, many assisted living facilities have integrated memory care units, in order to cater to the complex needs of dementia residents. These benefit from the general range of services, but also from added assistance with ADLs, depending on the severity of their condition. Registered nurses will also monitor these residents to prevent injuries or self-harm. Additional services offered might include: diabetes care, wound care, tracheostomy services.

Amenities for couples moving to an assisted living in North Carolina

ALFs offer private living units to its residents, including for married couples. Each unit can be occupied by maximum two residents. All units must have a minimum square footage and accessibility features, including an emergency response system. It is mandatory for both living units and auxiliary spaces to have functional smoke and fire detection systems. Some ALFs allow residents to live together with their pets, but you should check the policy on such matters before committing to anything.

In terms of amenities, residents of assisted living facilities in North Carolina have access to a wide range of choices. Commonly-offered amenities include: fine-dining restaurant and cafes, learning center, art studio, woodworking shop, swimming pool, fitness center, weekly religious service, off-site trips, social clubs, library, computer room, gardening area, etc. Dementia residents might benefit from memory gardens and guided walks, as well as various therapies and courses at the learning center. Each facility might provide additional amenities to its residents.