Adult Care Homes in Durham, North Carolina

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Adult Care Homes in Durham, NC: How to pay for, Laws and Regulations and Questions to ask…

Searching for adult care homes in Durham, NC is becoming quite popular on account of its greenery and the revitalization of its downtown. Durham is also a national leader in health-related activities, which are focused on the Duke University Hospital and many private companies. With a generally warm climate and friendly atmosphere, these features and more have led to Durham becoming a preferred location for senior citizens to retire and seek care. 

adult care homes in durham, nc

Adult Care Home and other terms

It is good to know the other terms/names of services you may hear when searching for certain senior housing: 

Many states actually designate adult care homes as assisted living/residential care facilities because they all fall under the same license. Be sure to check if your state designates care homes under the same license as other housing options.

  • Other related terminology:
  • Board and care home
  • Care home
  • Adult family home 
  • Residential care home 
  • Adult foster home
  • Personal care Home
  • Community Residential Care Facilities
  • Rest Homes

About Adult Care Homes in Durham

An adult care home may be ideal for a senior who can no longer manage their health and safety in their own home, and may need care. North Carolina is a beautiful place full of majestic scenery, a cheerful climate and is home to 1.75 million senior citizens. These are private residences that provide a home-like setting, and typically care for 2 to 6 residents. There are facilities like assisted living in North Carolina that house up to 100 residents and may be called adult care homes. In an adult care home, residents may require very light assistance or may be more dependent with several care needs. It is best to ask individual locations as you look for care about their specific policies and licenses. The Division of Health Service Regulation is responsible for all licensing of adult care homes. The Department of Human Resources oversees these residences in the state of North Carolina.

Considerations when looking for care in Durham

Durham is the core of the four-county Durham-Chapel Hill Metropolitan Area, which had a population of 649,903 at the 2020 census. In Durham, the summers are hot and muggy, the winters are short and very cold, and it is wet and partly cloudy year round. Over the course of the year, the temperature typically varies from 32°F to 89°F and is rarely below 19°F or above 95°F.

Cities Near Durham

  • Hillsborough – 14 miles north
  • Chapel Hill – 11 miles west
  • Raleigh – 26 miles south

Pricing and How to Pay for Adult Care Homes

The average cost per month for an adult care home in North Carolina is about $3,100 / month. The cost will vary throughout the state, as is common with all senior care. By comparison, one month of care in an assisted living community is above $4,800 / month. Nursing homes average $7,000 or more / month in North Carolina.

You want to consider your payment options for assisted living, memory care, and care homes. For these services, Medicare is NOT an option for payment.

The most common payment for these services would be out of pocket Private Pay and assessing a combination of retirement funds, personal savings, and pension payments.

Medicaid can also be an option, be sure to see if you or a loved one qualifies.

Long-Term Care insurance is also a possible option in cases of chronic conditions, be sure to see if you or a loved one qualifies.

For our Veterans and spouses of veterans, be sure to assess Veteran Aid and your eligibility for these benefits.

Medicare – NO:

  • Medicare does NOT pay for Assisted Living.
  • People 65 years and older and individuals with end stage renal disease are eligible for Medicare benefits, no matter their income.
  • Coverage is meant for people in need of short-term care.

Private pay – YES:

  • Many families pay for assisted living with private funds.
  • Private pay can be a combination of retirement funds, personal savings, and pension payments.
  • Family members may contribute funds to pay for assisted living or other senior housing and care.

Medicaid – MAYBE:

  • Medicaid provides health coverage to millions of Americans. Eligible participants include: low-income adults, elderly adults and people with disabilities.
  • Medicaid is administered by state, according to federal requirements. The program is funded jointly by each state and the federal government.
  • Every state has their own individual Medicaid assistance program.
  • National guidelines are in place do decipher how states must spend Medicaid money, but with allowances toward the guidelines.
  • The state determines what levels of care will be covered by Medicaid, who is eligible, and how much the state will reimburse the care community.
  • If you are unsure whether you qualify for Medicaid, you should apply. You may be eligible depending on your household income, family size, age, disability and other factors.

Long-term Care Insurance – MAYBE:

Long term care insurance is a great way to pay for assisted living, and planning ahead is important when considering how to pay for senior housing and care. Nearly 75% of people over the age of 65 will require long-term care and services at some point. Buying into long-term care insurance when a person is in their 50s and 60s is the most common time to do so.

  • Long-term care insurance helps cover the costs of chronic medical conditions.
  • Individuals and couples with the ability to pay into long-term care insurance have the advantage of a head start in allocating funds for senior care.

Veteran Aid and Assistance – MAYBE:

This benefit is available to some military veterans and surviving spouses who live in an assisted living community and those who have in-home care.

  • There are specific guidelines, but a veteran may qualify for as much as $2,050 each month.
  • A veteran with a sick spouse may be eligible for $1,600 per month.
  • If a veteran has passed, their surviving spouse can qualify for $1,300 per month.

Questions to Ask

Finding an assisted living community can be overwhelming. Here are some tips on things to be observant of:

  • Make sure the facility is clean and well maintained. You can tell a lot about the operation by noting what is clean and maintained. Are doorknobs loose or damaged? Do you see any frayed carpet or trip hazards?
  • Visit during lunch hour to observe what the residents are eating. Ask questions about the nutrition program. Is there diversity in meals, healthy fruits and vegetables served at all meals, drink options?
  • Speak to residents and/or family members to learn their perspective.
  • Ask about staff and resident engagement. Get a feel for how staff interact with residents.
  • Ask about the life enrichment programs. Activities are crucial when it comes to quality of life and play a key role in care for older adults.
  • And finally (along with a plethora of more things to consider), get to know the leadership in the building. If you feel good around the Executive Director, Head Nurse, Lead Activities Director and even the Chef or Janitor, it is a good sign you can trust them with the care of your loved one.

Local Hospital and Healthcare Providers

Duke Regional Hospital

3643 N Roxboro St

Duke University Hospital

2301 Erwin Rd · In Duke University

Select Specialty Hospital – Durham

3643 N Roxboro St 6th Floor

North Carolina Specialty Hospital

3916 Ben Franklin Blvd

Centralina Area Agency on Aging Centralina AAA serves as the lead funder for aging services in the nine county region surrounding Charlotte, NC. Direct services also include evidence-based health programs and training and education.

North Carolina Division on Aging and Adult Services The Division of Aging and Adult Services (DAAS) works to promote independence and enhance the dignity of North Carolina’s older adults, persons with disabilities, and their families through a community-based system of opportunities, services, benefits, and protections- to ready younger generations to enjoy their later years- and to help society and government plan and prepare for the changing demographics.

The NC Seniors’ Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP) The Seniors’ Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP) answers questions and counsels Medicare beneficiaries and caregivers about Medicare, Medicare supplements, Medicare Advantage, Medicare prescription drug plans, long-term care insurance and other health insurance concerns. The counselors on our toll free line offers free and unbiased counseling on Medicare health care products. The North Carolina SMP Program provides assistance with Medicare/Medicaid billing errors, fraud and abuse.

Senior Legal Helpline Legal Aid of North Carolina’s Senior Law Project provides free civil legal help to North Carolinians who are 60 years of age or older. Priority is given to those with the greatest need. The Senior Law Project helps with wills, powers of attorney, public benefits (Medicaid, food stamps, Supplemental Security Income Program, Social Security Disability Insurance, etc.), abuse and neglect, unemployment compensation, housing (foreclosure, eviction, subsidized housing, repairs, utilities, etc.), consumer issues and wrongful repossession.

Eldercare Locator This is a great resource to search for specific care in specific counties and cities. This database is a nationwide resource that connects older Americans and their caregivers with trustworthy local support resources. Connect with services such as meals, home care or transportation, or a caregiver education or respite from caregiving responsibilities. The Eldercare Locator is a public service of the Administration on Aging (AoA), an agency of the U.S. Administration for Community Living.

Medicare provides a search feature to find & compare providers near you, most senior housing and care providers are included on CareAvailability.com. Find & compare plans in your area. Determine if you qualify for premium savings

Medicaid offers information on how to apply for Medicaid, eligibility criteria, links to local state offices, and additional resources

The Alzheimer’s Association is the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer’s care, support, and research. Whether you are living with Alzheimer’s or caring for someone with the disease, information and resources are available.

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Written by The Care Availability Team
Experts in the senior care & retirement living industries

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