North Carolina is a vast state with diverse populations and areas. Adults over the age of 55 comprise 15.4% of the population and the state has made sure to invest in this population by offering many programs aimed at seniors such as the Senior Community Employment Program and Living Healthy Workshop. The state boasts farmland, mountains, small towns, and bustling metropolitan centers which ensures that it is an ideal retirement location.
Directory of Assisted Living Facilities in North Carolina
Our directory of facilities located in North Carolina is comprehensive and convenient. Finding the right assisted living facility can be something of a daunting task, using the tools provided below to locate the right amenities, services, pricing and more can make the research process easier.
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Paying For Assisted Living in North Carolina
Cost of Assisted Living in North Carolina
The median cost of assisted living in North Carolina is $3,693, lower than that of the national average of $4,000. Among its neighbors, it sits in the middle in terms of cost with Georgia being the lowest at $3,100, followed by South Carolina at $3,500. Tennessee and Virginia are significantly higher at $3,920 and $4,451, respectively.
North Carolina is a large and varied state, and the cost of the assisted living can reflect that. Raleigh, the state capital and the second most populous city, has the highest median at $5,700, significantly higher than both the state and national average. Goldsboro with a population of only 36,000 has the least expensive median at $2,750.
Median costs for assisted living in North Carolina are lower than those associated with other types of care except for independent living, and it is considerably less expensive than a semi-private room in a nursing care facility.
Financial Assistance for Assisted Living in North Carolina
Special Assistance
The Special Assistance program is a supplemental social security income program that helps low-income seniors who reside or plan to reside in a licensed long-term care facility may be able to qualify for. The program is 50% funded by the state, with the remaining balance funded by the counties. Special assistance will pay for rent and meals and provides a small monthly cash allowance so that recipients may purchase any sundry items they would like. Those that are eligible for special assistance will automatically qualify for Medicaid.
Who Is Eligible?
Any low-income adult over the age of 65 and living, or planning to live in an assisted living facility is eligible. Although Special Assistance is a form of supplemental insurance (SI), you do not have to already be receiving SI, but should be eligible. Those that are ineligible for SI should be ineligible solely due to income requirements.
Special assistance income eligibility is based on the adult care home rate set by the state government of $1,182 plus a $46 personal needs allowance, recipients must have a monthly income that falls below $1,228.
How to Apply
Applications for Special Assistance must be submitted in person at your local Department of Social Services office following an interview.
More Ways to Finance Assisted Living
Some additional ways to finance assisted living costs include:
- Veterans Benefits: Veterans can take advantage of several different pension programs to help cover the cost of assisted living. For more information, see the article on benefits.va.gov.
- Life Insurance Policies: Even if a spouse or loved one hasn’t died, certain types of life insurance policies can be used to pay for assisted living. More information is available at longtermcare.acl.gov
- Long-Term Care Insurance: Long-term care insurance is a type of insurance policy that pays for long-term care when it becomes necessary, including the cost of assisted living. For more information on the benefits and drawbacks of this financing method, visit longtermcare.acl.gov.
- Reverse Mortgages: Reverse mortgages allow seniors to access the equity from a home that they own, and these funds can be used to pay for assisted living. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development offers a federally insured reverse mortgage program.
Free Assisted Living Resources in North Carolina
Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program
The office of the long-term care ombudsman is an advocacy agency that is tasked with ensuring the safety and well-being of seniors in assisted living and other long-term care facilities. In North Carolina, there is one state and 16 regional offices that take and resolve complaints of abuse, or substandard care lodged against facilities. The offices also provide services pertaining to residents rights, Medicare qualifications, and assistance with wills and guardianship. For assistance with any of the above issues, you may contact the ombudsman at (919) 855-3400.
Area Agencies on Aging
Like all other states, North Carolina has local area agencies on aging that provide necessary services to the senior population that include transportation, meal delivery if living at home, caregiver and personal care support services. In addition to the standard programs that are offered in each agency, some county agencies offer additional programs such as grandparent fostering that pairs at-risk children with seniors 55 and older, or the Senior Companion program that connects adults over 55 with each other.
Find your county office in the list below, to determine what programs or services may be available to you.
Area Agency On Aging | Address | Phone Number |
---|---|---|
Albemarle Commission
(Serving the counties of Camden, Chowan, Currituck, Dare, Gates, Hyde, Pasquotank, Perquimans, Tyrrell, and Washington) |
512 South Church Street Hertford, NC 27944 |
(252) 426-5753 |
Cape Fear Council of Governments
(Serving the counties of Brunswick, Columbus, New Hanover, and Pender) |
1480 Harbour Drive Wilmington, NC 28401 |
(910) 395-4553 |
Centralina Council of Governments
(Serving the counties of Anson, Cabarrus, Gaston, Iredell, Lincoln, Mecklenburg, Rowan, Stanly, Union) |
525 North Tryon Street Charlotte, NC 28202 |
(704) 372-2416 |
Eastern Carolina Council of Governments
(Serving the counties of Carteret, Craven, Duplin, Greene, Jones, Lenoir, Onslow, Pamlico, and Wayne) |
233 Middle Street New Bern, NC 28563 |
(252) 638-3185 |
High Country Council of Governments
(Serving the counties of Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Mitchell, Watauga, Wilke and Yancey) |
468 New Market Boulevard Boone, NC 28607 |
(828) 265-5434 |
Isothermal Planning & Development Commission
(Serving the counties of Cleveland, McDowell, Polk and Rutherford) |
111 West Court Street Rutherfordton, NC 28139 |
(828) 287-2281 |
Kerr Tar Regional COG
(Serving the counties of Franklin, Granville, Person, Vance and Warren) |
1724 Graham Avenue Henderson, NC 27536 |
(252) 436-2040 |
Land-of-Sky Regional Council
(Serving the counties of Buncombe, Henderson, Madison and Transylvania) |
339 New Leicester Highway Suite 140 Asheville, NC 28806 |
(828) 251-6622 |
Lumber River Council of Governments
(Serving the counties of Bladen, Hoke, Richmond, Robeson and Scotland) |
30 CJ Walker Road Pembroke, NC 28372 |
(910) 618-5533 |
Mid-Carolina Council of Governments
(Serving the counties of Cumberland, Harnett and Sampson) |
130 Gillespie Street Fayetteville, NC 28301 |
(910) 323-4191 |
Mid-East Commission
(Serving the counties of Beaufort, Bertie, Hertford, Martin and Pitt) |
1385 John Small Avenue Washington, NC 27889 |
(252) 946-8043 |
Piedmont Triad Regional Council
(Serving the counties of Alamance, Caswell, Davidson, Davie, Forsyth, Guilford, Montgomery, Randolph, Rockingham, Stokes, Surry and Yadkin) |
1398 Carrollton Crossing Drive Kernersville, NC 27284 |
(336) 904-0300 |
Southwestern Commission Area Agency on Aging
(Serving the counties of Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Jackson, Macon, Swain and the Eastern Band Cherokee Nation) |
125 Bonnie Lane Sylva NC 28779 |
(828) 586-1962 |
Triangle J Council of Governments
(Serving the counties of Chatham, Durham, Johnston, Lee, Moore, Orange and Wake) |
4307 Emperor Blvd., Suite 110 Durham, NC 27703 |
(919) 558-2711 |
Upper Coastal Plain Council of Governments
(Serving the counties of Edgecombe, Halifax, Nash, Northampton and Wilson) |
121 W. Nash Street Wilson, NC 27894 |
(252) 234-5952 |
Western Piedmont Council of Governments
(Serving the counties of Alexander, Burke, Caldwell and Catawba) |
1880 2nd Avenue NW
Hickory, NC 28601 |
(828) 322-9191 |
Veterans Affairs
An increased pension amount is one of the benefits that U.S. Armed Services Veterans that are pension eligible may receive. This additional benefit has traditionally been used for nursing home care, but can be used to cover the cost of assisted living as well. Since Veterans Affairs does not classify assisted living facilities as nursing homes, veterans must be rated to qualify to use pension fund benefits in this way. Veterans that wish to find out if they can be rated to use benefits in this way should visit one of the local facilities listed below.
VA Office | Address | Phone Number |
---|---|---|
Alamance Vet Office | 201 W. Elm Street Graham, NC 27253 |
(336) 570-6763 Or
(336) 570-6734 |
Alexander Vet Office | 621 Liledoun Road, Box 8 Taylorsville, NC 28681 |
(828) 632-5411 |
Alleghany Vet Office | 348 S. Main St. Sparta, NC 28765 |
(336) 372-4850 |
Anson Vet Office | 111 North Greene Street Wadesboro, NC 28170 |
(704) 694-4418 |
Ashe Vet Office | 150 Government Circle Suite 2100 Jefferson, NC 28640 |
(336) 846-5575 |
Avery Vet Office | 175 Linville Street Newland, NC 28657 |
(828) 733-8211 |
Beaufort Vet Office | 1308 Highland Drive Suite 104 Washington, NC 27889 |
(252) 946-8016 |
Bertie Vet Office | 106 Dundee Street Windsor, NC 27983 |
(252) 794-5304 |
Bladen Vet Office | 301 S. Cypress Street Elizabethtown, NC 28337 |
(910) 862-6781 |
Brunswick Vet Office | #10 Referendum Dr. Ne Building F Bolivia, NC 28422 |
(910) 253-2233 |
Buncombe Vet Office | 199 College Street Asheville, NC 28802 |
(828) 250-5726 |
Burke Vet Office | 501 North Green St Morganton, NC 28655 |
(828) 439-4376 |
Cabarrus Vet Office | 363 Church Street N Suite 180 Concord, NC 28025 |
(704) 920-2869 |
Caldwell Vet Office | 905 West Avenue Nw Lenoir, NC 28645 |
(828) 757-1345 |
Camden Vet Office | Assistance Provided by the Elizabeth City VSC | (252) 331-4741 |
Carteret Vet Office | 3710-B John Platt Drive Morehead City, NC 28557 |
(252) 728-8440 |
Caswell Vet Office | 649 Firetower Rd. Yanceyville, NC 27379 |
(984) 232-7060 |
Catawba Vet Office | 25 Government Drive Newton, NC 28658 |
(828) 465-8255 |
Chatham Vet Office | 964 East Street, Suite 209 Pittsboro, NC 27312W. Chatham Sen Ctr 112 Village Lake Road Siler City, NC 27344 |
(919) 545-8334
(919) 545-8334 |
Cherokee Vet Office | 75 Peachtree Street Murphy, NC 28906 |
(828) 835-8663 |
Chowan Vet Office | 305 Freemason St., Suite 1148 Edenton, NC 27932 |
(252) 482-1033 |
Clay Vet Office | 54 Church Street Hayesville, NC 28904 |
(828) 389-3355 |
Cleveland Vet Office | 311 E. Marion Street Shelby, NC 28150 |
(704) 484-4803 |
Columbus Vet Office | 805 Pinckney Street Whiteville, NC 28472 |
(910) 640-6638 |
Craven Vet Office | 2402 Dr. Mlk Jr. Blvd New Bern, NC 28562 |
(252) 636-6611 |
Cumberland Vet Office | 301 E. Russell Street Fayetteville, NC 28301 |
(910) 677-2970 |
Currituck Vet Office | Assistance Provided by the Elizabeth City VSC | (252) 331-4741 |
Dare Vet Office | 107 Exeter Street Manteo, NC 27954 |
(252) 475-5604 |
Davidson Vet Office | 913 Greensboro Street Suite 101 Lexington, NC 27292 |
(336) 242-2037 |
Davie Vet Office | 277 Meroney Street Mocksville, NC 27028 |
(336) 753-6225 |
Duplin Vet Office | 169 Mallard St. Kenansville, NC 28349 |
(910) 296-2114 |
Durham Vet Office | 414 E. Main Street 1st Floor Durham, NC 27701 |
(919) 560-8387 |
Edgecombe Vet Office | 201 St. Andrews Street Tarboro, NC 27886 |
(252) 641-6286 |
Forsyth Vet Office | 3802-C Clemmons Rd. Clemmons, NC 27012 |
(336) 766-1496 |
Franklin Vet Office | Court House Annex, 113 S. Main Street Room 103 Louisburg, NC 27549 |
(919) 496-1939 |
Gaston Vet Office | 965 Roberts Drive Gastonia, NC 28054 |
(704) 866-3606 |
Gates Vet Office | 112 Court Street Gatesville, NC 27938 |
(252) 357-1780 |
Graham Vet Office | 12 North Main Street Robbinsville, NC 28771 |
(828) 646-6937 |
Granville Vet Office | 107 Lanier Street Oxford, NC 27565 |
(919) 693-1484 |
Greene Vet Office | 229 Kingold Blvd, Greene County Office Complex Snow Hill, NC 28580 |
(252) 747-7320 |
Guilford Vet Office | 1203 Maple Street Greensboro, NC 27405 325 E. Russell Ave Room 145 High Point, NC 27260 |
(336) 641-2957
(336) 641-7929 |
Halifax Vet Office | 26 North King Street Halifax, NC 27839 |
(252) 583-1688 Option 1 |
Harnett Vet Office | 817 S 8th Street Lillington, NC 27546 |
(910) 893-7574 |
Haywood Vet Office | 215 North Main Street Waynesville, NC 28786 |
(828) 452-6634 |
Henderson Vet Office | 1200 Spartanburg Highway Suite 200 Hendersonville, NC 28792 |
(828) 697-4817 |
Hertford Vet Office | 704 North King Street Winton, NC 27986 |
(252) 358-7811 |
Hoke Vet Office | 129 West Elwood Ave. Raeford, NC 28376 |
(910) 875-2147 |
Hyde Vet Office | 1223 Main St. Swan Quarter, NC 27885 |
(252) 926-4383 |
Iredell Vet Office | 200 S. Center Street Statesville, NC 28677
610 E Center Ave. |
(704) 878-3135
(704) 664-3869 |
Jackson Vet Office | 100 County Services Park Sylva, NC 28779 |
(828) 631-2231 |
Johnston Vet Office | 309 E. Market Street Smithfield, NC 27577 |
(919) 989-5067 |
Jones Vet Office | 418 Hwy 58 N Unit D Trenton, NC 28585 |
(252) 448-1121 |
Lee Vet Office | 1615 South 3rd Street Lee County Enrichment Center Sanford, NC 27330 |
(919) 776-0501 Ext. 2209 |
Lenoir Vet Office | 1136 Hwy 268 North Kinston, NC 28504 |
(252) 522-5050 |
Lincoln Vet Office | 206 Gamble Drive Suite A Lincolnton, NC 28092 |
(704) 736-8506 |
Macon Vet Office | 104 East Main Street Franklin, NC 28734 |
(828) 349-2151 |
Madison Vet Office | 462 Long Branch Road Marshall, NC 28753 |
(828) 649-2722 |
Martin Vet Office | 205 E. Main Street Williamston, NC 27892 |
(252) 789-4398 |
McDowell Vet Office | 100 Spaulding Road Marion, NC 28752 |
(828) 659-0833 |
Mecklenburg Vet Office | 700 N. Tryon Street Charlotte, NC 28202 |
(704) 336-2102 |
Mitchell Vet Office | 130 Forest Service Drive Bakersville, NC 28705 |
(828) 688-2200 |
Montgomery Vet Office | 219 South Main St. Troy, NC 27371 |
(910) 576-4711 |
Moore Vet Office | 707 Pinehurst Avenue Carthage, NC 28327 |
(910) 947-3257 |
Nash Vet Office | 120 W. Washington Street Nashville, NC 27856 |
(252) 462-2720 |
Northampton Vet Office | 100 West Jefferson Street Jackson, NC 27845 |
(252) 534-2621 |
Onslow Vet Office | 234 Nw Corridor Blvd Suite 201 Jacksonville, NC 28540 |
(910) 347-3309 |
Orange Vet Off | 113 Mayo Street Hillsborough, NC 27278 |
(919) 245-2890 |
Pamlico Vet Office | 828 Alliance Main Street Bayboro, NC 28515 |
(252) 745-4086 |
Pasquotank Vet Office | 1023 Us 17 South, Suite 2 Elizabeth City, NC 27909 |
(252) 331-4741 |
Pender Vet Office | 805 S. Walker Street Burgaw, NC 28425 |
(910) 270-5005 |
Perquimans Vet Office | 104 Dobbs Street Hertford, NC 27944 |
(252) 426-1796 |
Person County Vet Office | 216 Barden Place Roxboro, NC 27573 |
(336) 597-7891 |
Pitt Vet Office | 1717 West 5th Street Greenville, NC 27834 |
(252) 902-3090 |
Polk Vet Office | 75 Carmel Lane Columbus, NC 28722 |
(828) 894-0003 |
Randolph Vet Office | 158 Worth Street Asheboro, NC 27203 |
(336) 318-6909 |
Richmond Vet Office | 1401 Fayetteville Road Rockingham, NC 28379 |
(910) 997-8232 |
Robeson Vet Office | 113 W. Eighth Street Lumberton, NC 28358 |
(910) 671-3070 |
Rockingham Vet Office | 335 County Home Road Reidsville, NC 27320 |
(336) 342-8449 |
Rowan Vet Office | 1935 Jake Alexander Blvd West Suite A-2 Salisbury, NC 28147 |
(704) 216-8138 |
Rutherford Vet Office | 303 Fairground Road Spindale, NC 28160 |
(828) 287-6185
(828) 287-6064 |
Samson Vet Office | 335 County Complex Road, Suite 100 Clinton, NC 28328 |
(910) 592-2862 |
Scotland Vet Office | 507 West Covington Street Laurinburg, NC 28352 |
(910) 277-2597 |
Stanly Vet Office | 1000 North First Street, Suite 6 Albemarle, NC 28001 |
(704) 986-3694 |
Stokes Vet Office | 1012 Main St, Room 156 Danbury, NC 27016 |
(336) 593-2468 |
Surrey Vet Office | 1218 State Street Suite 700 Mt. Airy, NC 27030 |
(336) 783-8820 |
Swain Vet Office | 101 Mitchell Street Bryson City, NC 28713 |
(828) 646-6937 |
Transylvania Vet Office | 106 E Morgan Street Room 237 Brevard, NC 28712 |
(828) 884-3276 |
Tyrell Vet Office | 106 Water Street Columbia, NC 27925 |
(252) 796-0000 |
Union Vet Office | 407 N. Main Street Monroe, NC 28112 |
(704) 283-3807 |
Vance Vet Office | 300 South Garnett Street Henry A. Dennis Bldg Room 115 Henderson, NC 27536 |
(252) 438-4619 |
Wake Vet Office | 3000 Falstaff Road Raleigh, NC 27610 | (919) 212-8387 |
Warren Vet Office | 109 S. Main Street Warrenton, NC 27589 |
(252) 257-3385 |
Washington Vet Office | 112 Latham Avenue Plymouth, NC 27962 |
(252) 799-9764 |
Watauga Vet Office | 126 Poplar Grove Road Suite 203 Boone, NC 28607 |
(828) 265-8065 |
Wayne Vet Office | 2001 E. Ash Street Suite D Goldsboro, NC 27530 |
(919) 731-1490 |
Wilkes Vet Office | 109 North Street Wilkesboro, NC 28697 |
(336) 651-7327 |
Wilson Vet Office | 113 East Nash Street Suite 404 Wilson, NC 27893 |
(252) 237-2422 |
Yadkin Vet Office | 101 South State Street, Room 103 Yadkinville, NC 27055 |
(336) 849-7914 |
Yancey Vet Office | 110 Town Square Drive Room 12 Burnsville, NC 28714 |
(828) 682-1514 |
Social Security Offices
Social Security benefits are another option for financing assisted living costs. To gain better insight into what programs or benefits are available to you or a loved one, visiting or calling one of the offices on the list below may be helpful.
Social Security Office | Address | Phone Number |
---|---|---|
Ahoskie Social Security Office | 1231 W First St Ahoskie, North Carolina 27910 |
(866) 828-3810 |
Albemarle Social Security Office | 202 Charter St Brookwood Executive Pk Albemarle, North Carolina 28001 |
(866) 828-3810 |
Asheboro Social Security Office | 157 Dublin Square Rd Suite K Asheboro, North Carolina 27203 |
(866) 828-3810 |
Ashville Social Security Office | 800 Centre Park Drive Asheville, North Carolina 28805 |
(866) 828-3810 |
Charlotte Social Security Office | 2201 Coronation Blvd. Suite 100 Charlotte, North Carolina 28227 |
(866) 828-3810 |
Concord Social Security Office | 830 Florence St Nw Concord, North Carolina 28027 |
(866) 828-3810 |
Durham Social Security Office | 3511 Shannon Rd Suite 200 Durham, North Carolina 27707 |
(866) 828-3810 |
Elizabeth City Social Security Office | 1865 West City Drive Elizabeth City, North Carolina 27909 |
(866) 828-3810 |
Fayetteville Social Security Office | 145 Rowan St Fayetteville, North Carolina 28301 |
(866) 828-3810 |
Franklin Social Security Office | 2123 Lakeside Dr Franklin, North Carolina 28734 |
(866) 828-3810 |
Gastonia Social Security Office | 609 Cotton Blossom Cir Gastonia, North Carolina 28054 |
(866) 828-3810 |
Goldsboro Social Security Office | 915 W New Hope Road Goldsboro, North Carolina 27534 |
(866) 828-3810 |
Greensboro Social Security Office | 6005 Landmark Ctr Blvd Greensboro, North Carolina 27407 |
(866) 828-3810 |
Greenville Social Security Office | 2805 S Charles Blvd Greenville, North Carolina 27858 |
(866) 828-3810 |
Henderson Social Security Office | 858 S Beckford Dr Henderson, North Carolina 27536 |
(866) 828-3810 |
Hendersonville Social Security Office | 205 S Grove Street Hendersonville, North Carolina 28792 |
(866) 828-3810 |
Hickory Social Security Office | 1050 Us Hwy 321 Nw Hickory, North Carolina 28601 |
(866) 828-3810 |
Kinston Social Security Office | 2559 N Queen Street Kinston, North Carolina 28501 |
(866) 828-3810 |
Lumberton Social Security Office | 4430 Kahn Drive Lumberton, North Carolina 28358 |
(866) 828-3810 |
Mount Airy Social Security Office | Griffith Parkway 1187 North Andy Mount Airy, North Carolina 27030 |
(866) 828-3810 |
New Bern Social Security Office | 1420 Mccarthy Blvd New Bern, North Carolina 28562 |
(866) 828-3810 |
Raleigh Social Security Office | 4701 Old Wake Forest R Raleigh, North Carolina 27609 |
(866) 828-3810 |
Reidsville Social Security Office | 2402 Freeway Dr Reidsville, North Carolina 27320 |
(866) 828-3810 |
Roanoke Social Security Office | 833 Gregory Drive Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina 27870 |
(866) 828-3810 |
Rockingham Social Security Office | 220 East Greene St Rockingham, North Carolina 28379 |
(866) 828-3810 |
Rocky Mount Social Security Office | 1071 Hunter Hill Rd Rocky Mount, North Carolina 27804 |
(866) 828-3810 |
Salisbury Social Security Office | 1840 Jake Alexnder Bl W Salisbury, North Carolina 28147 |
(866) 828-3810 |
Sanford Social Security Office | 401 Tiffany Dr Sanford, North Carolina 27330 |
(866) 828-3810 |
Shelby Social Security Office | 707 Schenck St Shelby, North Carolina 28150 |
(866) 828-3810 |
Smithfield Social Security Office | 633 Venture Dr Smithfield, North Carolina 27577 |
(866) 828-3810 |
Statesville Social Security Office | 2038 Davie Ave Statesville, North Carolina 28625 |
(866) 828-3810 |
Washington Social Security Office | 1633 John Small Ave Washington, North Carolina 27889 |
(866) 828-3810 |
Whiteville Social Security Office | 204 South Lee Street Whiteville, North Carolina 28472 |
(866) 828-3810 |
Wilkesboro Social Security Office | 1517 River St Wilkesboro, North Carolina 28697 |
(866) 828-3810 |
Wilmington Social Security Office | 1528 S 16th St Wilmington, North Carolina 28401 |
(866) 828-3810 |
Wilson Social Security Office | 1911 Westwood Ave W Wilson, North Carolina 27893 |
(866) 828-3810 |
Winston- Salem Social Security Office | 1370 Lockland Ave Winston Salem, North Carolina 27103 |
(866) 828-3810 |
Assisted Living Laws and Regulations in North Carolina
Assisted living residences in North Carolina are licensed through the Division of Health Services Regulation (DHSR) an agency located under the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS).
Facilities that fall under the umbrella term of Assisted Living Residences are divided into two separate categories, assisted care homes (ACH) that must obtain licensure and multi-unit assisted housing with services (MAHS) which must register with the DHSR, but are not subject to the same licensure terms as ACH facilities. Both types of facilities are obligated to comply with rules set forth by the DHHS.
All facilities must provide a written copy of house rules and facility policies to residents at the time of move in. This should include a resident’s bill of rights, the facility grievance policy and procedures, as well as contact information for the local ombudsman and area agency on aging. Rates for resident care and services, and what specific needs of the resident cannot be met by the facility should also be included.
Assisted Living Service Plans
All facilities must provide a written copy of house rules and facility policies to residents at the time of move in. This should include a resident’s bill of rights, the facility grievance policy and procedures, as well as contact information for the local ombudsman and area agency on aging. Rates for resident care and services, and what specific needs of the resident cannot be met by the facility should also be included.
Assisted Living Admission Requirements
Assisted care homes may not admit residents that need supervision or care that reaches the level of nursing home care. Individuals with severe mental health or substance abuse issues or those that have a proven record of being a danger to themselves and others are prohibited from being admitted. Facilities cannot admit residents that are unable to comprehend and enter into a contract on their own, or that are totally dependent on personal care to complete at least four necessary tasks per day. Facilities may not admit patients that require ventilator assistance, round the clock nursing or residents with communicable illnesses.
Assisted Living Assessments
A pre-admission assessment must be conducted within 72 hours of moving into an assisted care home, with an additional assessment to be done for each resident before the expiration of the first 30 days of residency.
A physician completed assessment must be furnished to a multi-unit care home to determine the facility’s legal authority and their capacity to serve the needs of the resident, this will also determine if a more in-depth assessment will need to be done by the home health care service contracted by the facility.
In the event that an admitted resident is taken with a long-term illness that is not expected to clear within 90 days, discharge of the patient is mandated. Written notice of discharge is to be given to the resident 30 days before the date of discharge. Reassessments must also be completed no more than 10 days after a resident experiences a change in health status.
Assisted Living Scope of Care
Assisted care homes must provide at least one meal per day and through a written agreement, personal care services in the form of personal hygiene, eating and mobility aid through the facility or a home health agency licensed through the department of health and human services. Nursing care services may be provided on a per case basis. Assisted living residences must provide 24-hour staffing and resident supervision and arrange for transportation, personal care, activities, and housekeeping.
Assisted Living Medicaid Policy
In North Carolina Medicaid will not pay for room and board or meals but will cover personal care services up to 80 hours per month if prescribed by a physician. A resident will have to already be a Medicaid recipient and be able to show the need for help with tasks such as bathing, dressing or eating.
Assisted Living Facility Requirements
No more than two residents may reside in a room at any facility that was constructed after July, 2004. Private units are required to have a minimum of 100 square feet that does not include vestibules, bathrooms, kitchens, and closets. Shared units must have a minimum of 80 square feet per resident. A minimum of one toilet and sink is required per every five residents and 1 tub or shower per every 10 residents.
Smoke detectors are required to be in all hallways and spaced no more than 60 feet apart, and no more than 30 feet away from an end wall. Smoke and fire detection systems must be installed in all kitchens, dining rooms, living rooms, storage closets, laundry facilities, and must be interconnected with the facility alarm system.
Medication Management Regulations
Assisted care homes may offer medication management which may only be performed by staff that has completed a state-developed and mandated 15-hour medication administration course and exam that is state administered. Only after their competency has been verified in the facility of employment by a registered nurse, can staff begin medication administration.
Staffing Requirements
All facilities must at all times have an administrator, an administrator-in-charge or supervisor-in-charge in the facility at all times. A facility that has a memory unit must have specific staff that are trained in the proper care of residents with dementia and Alzheimer’s.
Staff Training Requirements
Administrators must be at least 21 and have successfully completed a 120-hour administrator in training program, hold an associates degree or two years of equivalent coursework at an accredited higher education institution. Administrators-in-charge must complete 12 hours per year of continuing education credits, plus a demonstrated 30 hours of coursework on specific topics. Supervisory staff must complete an 80-hour training program within six months of hire on topics specified by the department of health and human services.
Non-supervisory staff must complete competency evaluation in their specific personal care tasks with definitions and position requirements set forth by the department of health and human services. Medications administrators and their supervisors must complete six hours of continuing education each year.
Background Checks for Assisted Living
All employees in licensed facilities must submit to a criminal background check as well as a registry check and have no reports of abuse or neglect in the North Carolina Health Care Personnel Registry. Administrators must also submit to a fingerprint-based criminal background check as well as a registry check.
Requirements for Reporting Abuse
In North Carolina, anyone working in an assisted living facility is designated a mandatory reporter and may face criminal charges or fines if they fail to report the abuse of a resident. Reportable offenses include financial abuse and physical, sexual or psychological abuse. Anyone wishing to report elder abuse may call the Department of Health and Human Services Care Line at (800) 662-7030. Should the reporter believe that the resident is in immediate danger, he or she should call 911.
Residents may also call 911 or the care line to report the abuse of a fellow resident or themselves. They may also contact their local long-term care ombudsman office to file a report, the number for the county long-term care ombudsman should be prominently displayed in the facility.
Residents or their families may report a facility that falls outside of their scope of licensure or has unsafe environments. An unsafe environment would be anything that constitutes a physical danger to residents such as unkempt grounds, broken walkways, or failure to comply with general fire and safety requirements. To report a facility, you may call the Complaint and Intake Investigations Section at (800) 624-3004 or (919) 855-4500.
North Carolina COVID-19 Rules for Assisted Living Facilities
Note: The following information was compiled and most recently updated on 2/13/22. Since COVID-19 is a rapidly evolving crisis, be sure to contact your assisted living facility or local Area Agency on Aging for the most up-to-date information.
COVID-19 Rules in North Carolina |
|
---|---|
Are loved ones allowed to visit residents in their assisted living community? |
Yes |
Are residents required to quarantine after their loved ones visit? |
No |
Are loved ones required to wear masks when visiting residents? |
Yes |
Are Hairdressers and other non-medical contractors allowed in assisted living communities? |
Yes |
Are visitors screened for elevated temperatures before entering the assisted living community? |
Yes |
Are residents allowed to leave the assisted living community for non-medical reasons? |
Yes |
Are residents who leave required to quarantine when they get back to the assisted living community? |
No (Conditions Apply) |
Are assisted living communities required to cancel all group outings? |
No |
Are assisted living communities allowed to host group activities within the community? |
Yes (Conditions Apply) |
Are staff members regularly checked for elevated temperatures? |
Yes |
Are staff members regularly tested for COVID-19? |
Yes (Conditions Apply) |
Are residents regularly screened for COVID-19 symptoms? |
Yes |
Are residents regularly checked for elevated temperatures? |
Yes |
Are residents regularly tested for COVID-19? |
Yes (Conditions Apply) |
Sources: covid19.ncdhhs.gov www.cdc.gov
Learn More About the Best Assisted Living Communities in North Carolina's Top Cities
We’ve compiled a list of the best assisted living facilities in each the cities featured below using our unique methodology. View images, base pricing, room types, and more information about these communities by clicking on the links below.