In-Home Care in North Carolina

North Carolina is home to over 10 million people, including a large senior community that makes up nearly 17% of the population. It has the ninth-largest senior community in the nation, and seniors are the fastest-growing demographic in the state. Many of North Carolina’s cities and counties are listed on the AARP Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities, but no matter where you live in the state, you can find access to community-based services that help you maintain your independence and quality of life throughout your retirement years.

North Carolina is an affordable option for those seeking in-home care. Overall, the state’s cost of living comes in about 10% below the national median. Seniors don’t pay state taxes on their Social Security income, which may help those who rely primarily on this form of income to afford long-term care. In-home care is relatively affordable at $4,385 per month.

This guide outlines what you can expect to pay for in-home care throughout that state and how rates compare to other senior care options. It also covers some ways that you may be able to pay for care, highlights local agencies that serve seniors and provides answers to frequently asked questions regarding in-home care.

The 2021 Genworth Cost of Care Survey reports that seniors in North Carolina pay competitive in-home care rates of $4,385 per month. This is nearly $600 lower than the national median rate of $4,957 and cost-effective compared to most of North Carolina’s bordering states. In Virginia, care costs are considerably higher at $4,767. In Tennessee, clients pay $4,576 for services, and in South Carolina, agencies charge $4,433. Only Georgia has more economically priced care, with rates averaging $4,290 per month.

In-home care costs vary throughout North Carolina, but rates in all cities are at or below the national median. Of the surveyed cities in the state, Raleigh is the costliest place to obtain care, with fees coming in at $4,957 per month. In Charlotte, care costs are considerably lower but still exceed the state median at $4,668, and in Wilmington, rates average $4,576. Seniors in Rocky Mount pay comparatively low monthly fees of $4,290, and seniors in Jacksonville pay $4,195. In Hickory, care is affordable at $4,099. Goldsboro has the lowest surveyed rates in the state of $3,813.

Seniors pay $4,385 for in-home care as well as home health care, which is similar but also includes skilled nursing services, making home-based care the second-most expensive long-term care option in North Carolina. Only nursing home care is costlier at $7,483 per month. Older adults may save money by moving into an assisted living facility, which provides personal care services along with housing, meals and recreational activities. For those who want to remain in their homes while obtaining affordable care, adult day care may be a viable option at $1,197 per month.

While North Carolina is a generally affordable state for in-home care, for some seniors, monthly expenses exceed what they can pay for with their retirement income. Fortunately, NC Medicaid provides coverage for in-home care for income-qualifying individuals in the state. It pays for services directly under its Personal Care Services program, which pays for an approved number of hours per month of attendant care. Because this program is part of regular Medicaid, it doesn’t have enrollment caps and those who qualify are guaranteed services.

The Personal Care Services program features services provided by in-home aides who provide non-medical care to help you age in place. Services include:

To be eligible for services, you have to undergo an independent assessment that’s conducted by or on behalf of NC Medicaid. You must need partial help with at least three activities of daily living (ADLs) or partial help with one ADL and extensive or full help with a second ADL.

NC Medicaid also covers in-home care through the Community Alternative Program for Disabled Adults program. This program provides home-based care as an alternative to nursing home care for those who need assistance due to age or disability.

You can apply for Medicaid online through ePASS or HealthCare.gov. Alternately, you can fill out a paper application and submit it to your nearest Division of Social Services office in person, by fax, through email or through the postal service. You can also contact the DSS to check on the status of your application.  

What Information You Will Need 

To expedite the approval process, you should ensure that you have supporting documents on hand before submitting your Medicaid application. Some documents that you should have include:

• Driver’s license or state-issued ID card 
• Policy numbers for primary health insurance, including TRICARE or Medicare 
• Birth certificate 
• Social Security card 
• Proof of income 
• Proof of assets 

In general, Medicare does not cover the cost of non-medical home care. That being said, there are situations in which Medicare provides some coverage for medical home care, referred to as “Home Healthcare.” There are several eligibility restrictions for coverage, including that individuals must be homebound and have a referral from their doctor specifically for home healthcare services.

Below is an overview of some of the skilled medical professionals whose in-home services are typically covered by Medicare – for more in-depth information, refer to our Guide to Home Healthcare.

• Physical Therapists: Physical therapy is used to help patients recover from injuries (broken bones, knee injuries, etc.), treat ongoing conditions such as arthritis, and assist in recovery from surgeries and procedures such as a knee or hip replacement.
• Visiting Nurses: Licensed nurses can provide a number of medical services for those who don’t need to stay in the hospital, but do need regular medical services such as wound care, changing feeding tubes, etc.
• Occupational Therapists: Occupational therapists help seniors regain or maintain the ability to accomplish normal, daily tasks, such as bathing, dressing, eating, and other daily activities.
• Speech Therapists: Speech therapists help seniors who are struggling to adequately communicate due to a stroke, dementia, or any other cause regain the ability to functionally communicate using a variety of means. Additionally, speech therapists help to keep seniors independent by modifying diets, teaching special techniques to swallow safely, and retraining associated muscles.

As mentioned above, in-home care is distinctly different from home healthcare. But, there can be some overlap in services between the two types of care. So, while Medicare doesn’t cover non-medical in-home care, there are in-home care services that may be covered in special circumstances when they’re provided in conjunction with home healthcare (such as an occupational therapist helping with eating or dressing)

To find quality home care providers near you, simply input the zip code or city where you would like to start your search. We have an extensive directory of home care agencies all across the nation that includes in-depth information about each provider and hundreds of thousands of reviews from seniors and their loved ones.