North Carolina Assisted Living

Assisted living facilities in North Carolina are termed Assisted Living Residences, Adult Care Homes (ACH) and Multi Unit Assisted Housing with Service Facilities. The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services oversees the licensing for all types of assisted living facilities and North Carolina retirement homes. The homes that serve 2-6 residents are considered ACH’s and those that serve 7 and up are called ACH’s also.

Cost of North Carolina Assisted Living

Statewide, a senior citizen will be looking at $3,673 per month for assisted living in North Carolina, which is below the $4,000 national average but not by much. The least expensive assisted living facilities are located in Burlington, Goldsboro, Rocky Mount, Fayetteville, Jacksonville and Durham. The range for those cities varies between $2,750 to $3,150 per month. The most expensive cities average $5,355 to $5,750 monthly, which is pretty high over the national average. Cities with that assisted living cost range include Raleigh and Wilmington. The most disturbing part is when you count in dementia and Alzheimer’s care, at least $1,101 more over the top of any of those figures per month will need to be added. That brings the range for the state of North Carolina between $5,000 and $7,000, give or take.

Memory care is more expensive because of the extra security for those that may be a flight risk and those who may injure themselves due to the memory issues they have at whatever stage they currently are. Specialized security equipment and door locks have to be in perfect working order at the facilities. So, the cost is justified but still out of the range of many. Good planning and the use of some of the senior living waivers that will assist the senior in the adult day care or foster care facility may be the way to go to cover the payment for assisted living or assisted living with memory care. Alternatively, at home care with a nursing aide is an option when assisted living facility care is not required or can be postponed.

There is one waiver that will supplement cost of care in a North Carolina assisted living environment called the Personal Care Services Waiver Program. This is a waiver available to low-income North Carolina seniors, with an income cap at $1,041. They do not, like most waivers, cover room and board, so you’d have to pay for that out-of-pocket. The waiver covers personal care and is self-directed, meaning the senior resident can hire and fire as needed whomever they wish to care for them at the senior living facility they are in.

Other ways that can help pay for assisted living in North Carolina include things you may have earned in life such as a supplementation program through retirement. Was the senior a public servant like a police officer or firefighter? Were you or your loved one a US military veteran? Did the elderly adult take out any long-term-care insurance previously? Are they able to cash out annuities? What about non-profits that help the elderly with senior living in North Carolina? This is all worth checking out. With some good timing and use of waivers, your loved one will be able to pay for care at home or in adult day care, as long as possible. The timing may be just right so that by the time they need assisted living in North Carolina, they are able to pay for it.

Assisted Living Unit Requirements in North Carolina

A minimum of 100 square feet of floor space must be provided for single occupancy assisted living units in North Carolina, and 80 per resident if double occupancy is required. There is no specification for MAHS multi-unit style assisted living. There must be no more than 1-2 residents per assisted living unit. There can be shared bathroom facilities. There must be one sink and one toilet for every 5 residents and a bathtub and or shower unit for every 10 residents in a North Carolina assisted living facility.

How to convince your aged parent to move to an assisted living facility in North Carolina

Imagine after long research and touring various assisted living facilities in different states, you and your siblings finally resolve that your aged parent should move into an assisted living in North Carolina. But the news didn’t go down well with your older parents who might feel they don’t need such help and they are better off in their homes. It can be painful to watch your aged parent struggle with house chores or other activities in the home, together with the stress that comes with a declining health condition as a result of aging. It is even more devastating when they bluntly refuse to seek help or move to a facility where they can get the help they need. How can you convince your aged parent to consider moving to assisted living in North Carolina? Below are a few practical suggestions.

• Avoid power struggles

As much as you can, avoid nagging or shouting. It won’t help the situation. Arguing and slamming doors will only damage the relationship. Instead, use the opportunity to let your aged parents see reasons why they should move to an assisted living facility in North Carolina. Help them to see the amenities they stand to enjoy and how their needs would be catered for daily.

• Be persistent

You must realize that deciding to move to another place or city far away from the people you love and the places you are already used to is not an easy decision for anyone. So you should not expect to resolve the decision to transition into a North Carolina assisted living facility within just one conversation. Expect your aging loved one to struggle with the decision for several weeks or months. During this time, you should be persistent yet subtle in your approach.

• Show sensitivity to their feelings

Avoid judgment, criticism, and abusive words. You don’t have to remind your parents that they were the cause of their condition or that they don’t know how to manage their lives well enough. Instead, let them know that you are genuinely concerned about them and that is the reason  for their move into assisted living in North Carolina, which is born out of love and the desire to see them live their lives to the full.

• Understand that timing is everything

By now, you should know the best time to speak with your parents about sensitive issues such as moving to a North Carolina assisted living facility. Ensure they are in a relaxed or happy mood. Don’t start the discussion when they are feeling tensed up or depressed.

• Seek professional help

If, after a few months, your loved one is still reluctant to move to an assisted living community in the state of North Carolina, then it might be just the right time to seek professional help, depending on the severity of the issue or the urgency of the move. If the health condition of your aged parent is declining, and they still feel they don’t need to move, you might consult a counselor or a support group to help.

Moving from home to seek care in an assisted living facility is not easy for anyone. Your aged parents need enough time to overcome the emotional trauma and struggles that come with such a move.