North Carolina Home Care

Home care in North Carolina is designed to provide seniors with the ability to receive care in their own homes while remaining as independent as possible. These services can range anywhere from weekly companionship to 24-hour hospice care. Currently, there are around 734 home care agencies found in North Carolina with an average monthly cost around $3,476.

Find HOME CARE Facilities In NORTH CAROLINA

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Home Care in North Carolina - Cost Comparison

Hiring a home care aide is a way to provide professional help for you or your loved one, ranging from bathing, dressing, feeding, toileting, and general hygiene, to performing instrumental tasks like housekeeping, general shopping, transportation or meal preparation. To get the professional help you or your loved one needs, you’ll have to decide whether a licensed medical professional or a non-medical paraprofessional would be a more appropriate fit. In many cases, these two positions do overlap, so when interviewing a caretaker be sure to understand what their role will require. 

There are a number of cities throughout North Carolina that have senior home care agencies but the median monthly cost ranges from:

  • Highest Cost: Raleigh $3,909
  • Lowest Cost: Fayetteville $2,955

CityHomemaker Services Monthly CostsHome Health Aide Monthly Costs
Asheville$3,527$3,813
Charlotte$3,384$3,623
Fayetteville$3,003$3,098
Greenville$3,384$3,337
Jacksonville$3,623$3,623
Raleigh$3,813$3,956
Rest of State$3,241$3,241

Recreation & Attractions in North Carolina

North Carolina has many beautiful sights and diverse natural areas to explore. Visitors and residents can enjoy the Blue Ridge Mountains, Grandfather Mountains, and the Pisgah National Forest for an outdoor experience like no other. Many also come to see the Wright Brothers National Memorial, commemorating the first successful sustained, powered flight. This memorial is situated on 428 acres and features relics from the past sure to excite and inspire. 

As a senior, there are still countless places to go and things to see in North Carolina. There are senior centers throughout the state that provide senior-friendly activities such as game nights, crafts, dance lessons, and technology seminars. Specialized senior trips are also available to places such as Biltmore Estate, Battleship North Carolina, or Jockey’s Ridge State Park.   

North Carolina's Climate, Geography & Culture

The climate in North Carolina supports four seasons with hot, humid summers, and mild winters. The coastal and inland areas have slightly different climates because of the impact the ocean has on moderating temperatures and increasing moisture levels. High temperatures during the summer average 88 degrees with an average low during the winter of 30 degrees. North Carolina gets more rain but less snow when compared to the country as a whole, averaging 48 and 6 inches of rain and snow respectively. More than 210 days out of the year are sunny, though, during hurricane season, these storms impact the state.

North Carolina's culture is a mix of urban and rural areas accented by an eastern coast. With city centers like Charlotte, Raleigh, or Chapel Hill, you'll find businesses and independent and unique craft restaurants and entertainment. Of course, North Carolina is mostly rural with many families operating small farms and enjoying the great outdoors. Many people tend to lean toward a traditional Southern culture, complete with horseback riding, target shooting, and off-roading. 

Crime & Safety in North Carolina

When searching for home care in North Carolina it helps to know which areas are safer compared to others. Not only can a safe, crime-free environment make an individual's care more effective, but it can also provide visiting family and friends with the peace of mind that their loved on is in a good area. Here are some of the safest cities found throughout the state:

LocationViolent Crimes Per 1,000 ResidentsProperty Crimes Per 1,000 Residents
Trent Woods0.476.39
Pinehurst0.067.41
Holly Springs0.678.93
Elon0.3110.49

(source: safewise.com)

North Carolina's Home Care Regulations & Laws

Medicare-certified home health aides in North Carolina are required to have a federal minimum of 75 hours of training, including 16 hours of supervised practical or clinical training and 12 hours of additional education every 12 months following their licensing. Each state’s approved programs for training and evaluation are overseen by federal legislation (42 CFR 484.36) to ensure national consistency. 

Payment Options for North Carolina Home Care

Paying for home care is possible through a variety of different methods, with some more financially plausible than others. After you’ve determined the general price of home care near you, understanding how to pay is next. 

Firstly, Medicare does not pay for non-medical in-home care services. Mostly, it is used for its Supplemental Insurances to cover Medicare copayments and deductibles. In order to qualify for Medicare coverage for in-home care, it must be deemed medically necessary. 

For veterans of the U.S., the Improved Pension and Homebound and Aid & Attendance Pension may be used to help pay for or cover the entire costs of home care. To learn whether you or a loved one qualifies for these benefits, contact your local Veterans’ Association or Area Agency on Aging

Most seniors will choose to pay privately to avoid the hassle of maintaining insurances and other qualifications. Besides using one’s own savings to pay for care, others may choose to pay through a reverse mortgage, by opening a home equity line of credit or by converting their life insurance policies. If you had purchased long-term care insurance earlier in life, this option is also very viable. 

Medicaid is an insurance program for low-income seniors and their families that can be used to pay for non-medical home care, home health care, and other home support programs. Since Medicaid rules are state-specific, your eligibility and benefits will change based on location. Care received outside of a nursing home is generally referred to as Home and Community Based Services (HCBS). 

Senior & Elderly Rights for Home Care in North Carolina

Medicare-approved home health care guarantees you a series of rights and protections designed to provide you with the best experience possible. Before receiving home care in any form, it is required that the home health care agency provides you with information detailing your rights.

You are entitled to participate in decisions regarding your care and can choose the home health agency pending your managed care plan (if applicable). At all times, your privacy, property, and individual autonomy must be respected by your caregiver within the parameters of the care provided. 

Remember you still retain the rights afforded to you by the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights, so contact a lawyer immediately if you think a violation has been made.

NC Home Care: Medical Record Rules & Regulations

In North Carolina, patients are able to access their medical records when requested. A copy or a summary of the records should be provided within a reasonable amount of time of the health care provider receiving the request. There may be charges for the preparation or copying of the medical records, and the health care provider should be prepared to explain and help in understanding the information if requested.

Finding the perfect senior care community is only part of making your loved one’s senior living transition smooth. At SeniorCaring, we know that it is also equally important to be aware of what other community services and resources are available to your family’s senior. Choose your location and find local resources for your senior.