13 Assisted Living Communities in Cary, North Carolina

The average cost of assisted living in the city is $5,750 a month. This guide is a starting point covering the cost of assisted living care in the city, as well as financing options to pay for it. You’ll find in-depth information on 13 Assisted Living Communities in Cary and several in surrounding areas.

• Assisted living: $5,750
• Nursing home semiprivate room: $7,125
• In-home care: $3,766
• Adult day health services: $1,192

In Cary, assisted living care costs an average of $5,750 per month, according to Genworth’s 2018 Cost of Care study. This is significantly more expensive than the national average of $4,000 per month. It’s also approximately $2,000 more per month than the North Carolina average of $3,693.

In some of North Carolina’s major metropolitan areas, such as Wilmington ($5,355), assisted living care is almost as expensive as it is in Cary. Other areas, such as Goldsboro ($2,750) and Burlington ($2,800), are much more affordable.

Note: Senior care cost data wasn’t available for Cary, so data for Raleigh, the closest major city, was used.

A major factor influencing the cost of senior care in Cary is the type of care that a senior needs. At $1,192 per month, adult day health care is approximately one-fifth the cost of assisted living care. Homemaker services and home health aides are also significantly less expensive than assisted living care. However, seniors may incur other costs if they decide to stay at home, such as rent, home maintenance and utilities, which are usually included in the price of assisted living care. The most expensive type of care in Cary, nursing home care, costs nearly $1,400 more per month than assisted living care. Cost of Homemaker/Home Health Aide Comparison Chart

• Assisted living: $5,750

• Homemaker services: $3,766

• Home health aide: $3,909

• Adult day health: $1,192

• Nursing home care (semiprivate room): $7,125

 

Medicaid is a government-sponsored health insurance program that provides health care coverage for eligible low-income Americans. Elderly adults, pregnant women, children, people with disabilities and other groups may be eligible for Medicaid coverage. North Carolina Medicaid covers an assortment of medically necessary services, such as doctor visits, hospital visits, outpatient therapy, nursing home care and home health services. It may also cover Medicare recipients’ deductibles, co-payments and premiums.

Seniors who live in Cary may be eligible for North Carolina Medicaid if they meet the program’s financial requirements. The monthly Medicaid income limit is $1,012 for a single senior and $1,372 for a couple. Resources, which include cash, retirement accounts and stocks, are limited to $2,000 for single seniors and $3,000 for couples. 

In addition to these financial requirements, seniors must either be U.S. citizens or have proof of immigration status and they must provide proof of residency. Seniors must also have a Social Security number or have applied for one.

The Medicaid Deductible program may help seniors who have high medical bills but exceed North Carolina Medicaid’s income and resource limits. Seniors who are accepted into this program spend their own money on medical bills until they reach their predetermined deductible. Once seniors meet this deductible, Medicaid coverage kicks in.

In North Carolina, there are three ways to apply for Medicaid. Seniors can apply online through the North Carolina ePass portal. They can also fill out a paper application and mail it to their county Department of Social Services (CDSS) office or visit this office to apply in person. The address is:

Wake County Division of Human Services
220 Swinburne St
P.O. Box 46833
Raleigh, NC 27620

Seniors who aren’t able to apply through any of these three methods can call the Wake County DSS at (919) 212-7000 to receive further assistance.

Personal Care Services Program

Seniors may be eligible to receive support from the Personal Care Services program, a Medicaid waiver. This program does not pay for room-and-board costs in assisted living facilities. However, it provides personal support services to seniors who need help with activities of daily living (ADLs). ADLs include bathing, dressing, eating, mobility and toileting.

To qualify for assistance through this program, seniors must have a disability or medical condition. They must also need at least limited hands-on assistance with three ADLs. Seniors who need help with two ADLs may qualify if they need extensive or full assistance with one. Eligibility for this program is determined based on an independent medical assessment. Since this program is an entitlement, anyone who is eligible can receive services.

For more information about Medicaid, seniors can call the North Carolina Medicaid Division of Health Benefits at (919) 855-4100.

Optional State Supplementation

Low-income seniors in Cary may be eligible to receive monthly funding from North Carolina’s Optional State Supplementation (OSS) program. This program provides an additional monthly benefit to seniors who live in adult care homes and receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments. Single seniors can receive a maximum monthly benefit of $554 from this program, while couples are treated as individuals and each may receive the maximum benefit amount. This includes a personal needs allowance of $46 per month, which seniors can use to purchase clothing or other personal items.

Seniors who are SSI eligible and live in a licensed assisted living facility may qualify for this benefit. To learn more about this benefit, seniors can visit their local Social Security office or call the Social Security Administration at (800) 772-1213.

PACE

The Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) provides support to eligible seniors in the Cary area. This program does not pay for room and board costs in assisted living facilities, but it may cover services that seniors who live in these facilities require, including personal care, nursing care and homemaker care.

To be eligible for PACE services, seniors must be 55 years of age or older. They must need the level of care that is provided in nursing homes but be able to safely live in an assisted living facility or elsewhere in the community. Seniors also must be enrolled in Medicaid and/or Medicare or have the ability to privately pay for their services.

Senior CommUnity Care of North Carolina is the PACE provider for Cary. For more information about PACE or to apply for services, call (919) 425-3000.

State and County Special Assistance

Low-income seniors may be eligible to receive cash supplementation from the State and County Special Assistance program. Seniors can receive a maximum monthly benefit of $1,228 from this program. The monthly benefit includes a personal needs allowance of $46, which seniors can use to purchase essentials.

To be eligible for this program, seniors must be 65 years of age or older and live in an approved assisted living facility. Seniors can apply in person at the Wake County DSS office. Seniors who are not able to apply in person can send another person to apply for them. For more information about this program, seniors can call the Wake County DSS office at (919) 212-7000.

Seniors can visit one of the community assistance agencies in the Cary area to receive information and support. The local AAA connects seniors with resources and support programs. Seniors can visit the Social Security office for assistance with Social Security benefits. Triangle J Council of Governments Area Agency on Aging 
4307 Emperor Blvd, Ste 110, Durham NC 27703
(919) 549-0551 Durham Social Security Office 
3511 Shannon Rd, Ste 200, Durham, NC 27707
(888) 759-3908

There are several Veterans Affairs resources located in the Cary area. Seniors can visit the Veterans Services office for assistance with VA benefits. Eligible veterans who require medical assistance can visit the VA hospital in nearby Durham or any of the four VA clinics in Raleigh. Individual and group counselling is offered through the Vet Center.

Wake County Veterans Services Office 
3000 Falstaff Rd, Raleigh, 27610
(919) 212-8387

Durham VA Medical Center 
508 Fulton St, Durham, NC 27705
(919) 286-0411

Raleigh Vet Center 
8852 Ellstree Ln, Ste 122, Raleigh, NC 27617
(919) 361-6419

Senior Homes has an extensive directory of senior living options, with care and living providers across the United States.