Skilled Nursing Near Durham, NC

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Durham Skilled Nursing: Search Near You, How to Pay, Licensing, Local Resources, and Questions to Ask

With it’s warm climate and friendly atmosphere, North Carolina is a popular place for seniors. Locals enjoy 34 state parks and 14 national parks including the Appalachian National Scenic Trail and the famous Blue Ridge Parkway. North Carolina is a beautiful location for those looking at assisted living services. Skilled Nursing facilities in Durham could accept State Medicaid, private payers, and long-term care insurance which helps to relieve the financial burden of senior care, and could be more cost effective than home care.

About Skilled Nursing in Durham

For an individual who requires physical or cognitive care, providing home care can be difficult and costly. Skilled Nursing communities do an incredible job filling that need. Levels of senior care range from minimal, such as providing meals and housing, to advanced care, such as mobility assistance and medication administration. Skilled Nursing facilities provide individualized health management in a comfortable setting and focus on maintaining independence, privacy, and dignity. Adult care homes relieve the burden of home caregivers and offer seniors a more enriching quality of life.

Considerations When Looking for Skilled Nursing 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. Durham is home to several recognized institutions of higher education, most notably Duke University and North Carolina Central University. Durham is also a national leader in health-related activities, which are focused on the Duke University Hospital and many private companies. In recent years the city of Durham has stepped up revitalization of its downtown and undergone an economic and cultural renaissance. These features and more have led to Durham becoming a preferred location for senior citizens to retire, so the need for Skilled Nursing in Durham is significant.

Cities Near Durham

  • Redwood, NC.
  • The Oaks II, NC.
  • Kensington Trace, NC.
  • Brigadoon, NC.
  • Lowes Grove, NC.
  • Birchwood Lake Estates, NC.
  • Meadow Estates, NC.
  • Ridgefield Park, NC.

The Cost of Skilled Nursing in Durham

The average cost per month in North Carolina is $4,050. Costs will vary because of the level of care a resident requires, and additional amenities, as well as the city in which you find a community or facility. Benefits of assisted living are being able to provide health services to those who may need assistance with the activities of daily living. Demand is on the rise, and so too is the cost of assisted living facilities. Accordingly, costs have risen an average of 4.65% since 2020, and the national average for a private, one-bedroom with round the clock care was reported to be $54,000 annually in 2021.

North Carolina state average: $4,050
Raleigh: $5,400
Wilmington: $5,300
Fayetteville: $3,000
Charlotte: $4,450
Winston-Salem: $5,000

Paying for Senior Living and Care will vary depending on a few factors. For instance, the level of care needed; the income and savings of the resident; the state and location of the community; or if the resident is a veteran. In the United States there are over 400 programs that may offer some monetary relief for senior care, but often the majority of costs are covered by private funds and family assistance. These funds come from our Federal, State, and Local Governments. 

It is important to take your time when exploring payment and coverage options.

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.

Medicare -MAYBE:

Medicare will TYPICALLY cover Skilled Nursing (SNF) care ONLY under these factors: 

  • 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.
  • The person has Medicare Part A, and has available days left in their benefit period. The person has a qualified hospital stay. (3 consecutive midnights or more) 
  • The individual must enter SNF within 30 days of leaving the hospital. 
  • The person’s doctor has ordered inpatient services at a skilled nursing facility. 
  • The individual must need and receive the skilled care daily. The care provided must be care that the person can only receive in a SNF. 
  • The person needs skilled services because of an ongoing condition or a new condition that started while in a SNF for treatment of an ongoing condition. 
  • The skilled services must be reasonable and necessary for the treatment of the condition.  
  • You must receive the care in a Medicare certified SNF.

Medicaid – MAYBE:

Medicaid can be a payer source if the patient needs both care and has a financial hardship based on the individual state criteria. Eligible participants include: low-income adults, elderly adults and people with disabilities. The program is funded jointly by each state and the federal government; and national guidelines are in place do decipher how states must spend Medicaid money, but with allowances toward the guidelines. Every state has their own individual Medicaid assistance program. Each state determines what levels of care will be covered by Medicaid, who is eligible, and how much the state will reimburse the care community.

  • Skilled nursing falls under Medicaid’s Nursing Facility Services. 
  • People who are eligible for Medicaid must meet the state criteria for skilled nursing care. 
  • The state of residency must abide by federal law and regulations when setting their skilled nursing care requirements.  
  • The patient meets the state guidelines for income and asset limits.

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.For a clearer understanding on coverage contact your State Health Insurance Assistance Program.

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 in Durham

Duke Regional Hospital

3643 N Roxboro St

(919) 470-4000

Medicare accepted

Duke University Hospital

2301 Erwin Rd · In Duke University

Open 24 hours · (919) 684-8111

Medicare/Medicaid accepted

Select Specialty Hospital – Durham

3643 N Roxboro St 6th Floor

Open 24 hours · (984) 569-4040

Medicare/Medicaid accepted

North Carolina Specialty Hospital

3916 Ben Franklin Blvd

Open 24 hours · (919) 956-9300

Medicare/Medicaid accepted

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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