Allison Schneider-Gulledge Assisted Living Locators of the Triangle

In the Triangle area, which includes Western Wake, Durham, Orange, and Chatham counties, there are over 150 Independent Living, Assisted Living, and Memory Care communities where I primarily work.

Unfortunately, the Triangle is the most expensive area in the state for senior living. Independent Living costs start at around $3000 for a small studio and can go up to $8,000 or $9,000 for a large 2-bedroom in a newer community. The average cost is approximately $4,000. Assisted Living can range from $5,000 for a small studio with minimal care to $8,500 – $9,000 for someone requiring significant care, with an average cost of about $6,800. Sharing a room can reduce this cost by a little over a third. Memory Care is typically shared and can range from $6,500 to $12,000, depending on the community and the level of care needed. Moving just outside the Triangle by as little as 30 minutes can reduce costs by over a third.

Yes, there are a limited number of communities in the Triangle area that accept Medicaid as payment for assisted living and memory care. In North Carolina, this type of Medicaid is called Special Assistance, and you must be living in or getting ready to move into a community before you can apply. In 2024, the maximum income limit for assisted living eligibility is $1,326, and for memory care, it is $1,700.

Most assisted living communities have a minimal wait of 4-6 weeks, if that. Memory care communities may take a bit longer, sometimes up to 90 days, depending on the community. If you are looking for a specific room size or view, you may have to wait several months, depending on the community. Independent living typically has little to no wait unless you are seeking a very specific type of apartment. Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs), which require a significant upfront buy-in and provide various levels of care, may have significant wait periods of 5-10 years.

Yes, independent living communities have home care agencies available that residents can hire to provide additional care and services. Some home care agencies are onsite 24 hours a day, while others are available for a limited number of hours per day. They offer services such as medication reminders, assistance with showering and dressing, apartment cleaning, laundry, and companionship.

In North Carolina, there are several differences between independent living and assisted living. Independent living is not regulated by the state and does not have to meet specific care standards. Assisted living is regulated by the state and is required to meet various care requirements. For example, in assisted living, they must provide three meals and three snacks per day, while independent living is not required to provide any meals or snacks, although most offer one or two meals a day. Assisted living automatically provides care with activities of daily living (ADLs) like showering, dressing, toileting, medication management, and feeding if needed. Independent living does not and requires individuals to hire a home care company for those services. In summary, assisted living offers 24/7 care on demand for one price, while independent living provides scheduled care, typically from 7 am to 7 pm either 5 or 7 days a week, at an additional cost to the individual.