Memory Care Communities in Asheville, North Carolina

When trying to decide how to pay for memory care, one of the first questions that comes up is "How much does it cost?" With the impact of inflation, it's more important than ever to have up-to-date information when making a financial plan for senior living. To help shed light on real senior living prices, Caring.com has compiled proprietary cost data from its network of more than 75,000 senior living providers to provide insight into the average cost of memory care in Asheville and 35 other cities in North Carolina.

While many families use their own funds or personal assets to pay for memory care, there are plenty of additional options to cover these costs. Some additional ways to finance memory care costs include:

• Veterans Benefits
• Life Insurance Policy
• Long-Term Care Insurance
• Reverse Mortgage

For more information about different ways to finance memory care, visit our Memory Care in North Carolina page.

Costs of long-term care in Asheville vary according to the type of senior living. In 2023, specialized memory care is the priciest option, at $8,951 per month. Independent living is more than 50% cheaper, averaging $4,078. Assisted living, which includes help with day-to-day tasks and personal care, costs roughly $5,144. Older adults should assess their support needs and consider their living preferences and finances when deciding on the best type of care.

The organization responsible for overseeing North Carolina’s memory care facilities is the Adult Care Licensure Section of the Division of Health Service Regulation. The section inspects facilities and takes action against those that violate regulations. It also investigates complaints and supports facilities by training care providers and conducting consultations.

• Asheville’s county, Buncombe, offers a property tax exclusion for seniors 65 years of age and up and younger individuals with disabilities. Additionally, a tax deferment is available for the same populations, and another tax break applies to veterans with service-connected disabilities.
• Asheville’s property and crime rates exceed the national average. In Best Places’ rating system, Asheville’s rate of property crime is 67.2, much higher than the U.S. average of 35.4. Similarly, its violent crime rate of 33.1 surpasses the U.S. average of 22.7. Seniors and family members concerned about crime are sure to find the security features of memory care communities attractive.
• The highly rated Mission Hospital gives medical care to Asheville’s residents. Its emergency department is open 24/7, and it has a Level II trauma center and a well-regarded cardiovascular care department. Another Mission facility, Asheville Specialty Hospital, focuses on acute care.
• The cost of living in Asheville is 5.7% higher than the national average, with housing and health care spending standing out as particularly expensive. However, Asheville residents pay 17.2% less than average for transportation and 3.3% less than average for utilities, and the cost of groceries is above average by only 3.1%.
• In terms of climate, Asheville is one of the most pleasant places to live in North Carolina. The city receives 212 sunny days per year, which equates to a full week more than the national average of 205 sunny days. Spring, summer and fall often bring quite enjoyable weather. While temperatures can dip in winter, the city averages only 10 inches of snow per year.
• To get around, eligible Asheville seniors can use a service known as Call a Ride, which is useful for running errands and reaching medical appointments. Another option is using one of Buncombe County’s transportation programs.