10 Best Memory Care Facilities in Charlotte, NC

The cost of memory care can leave many families and caregivers wondering how they’ll be able to afford it. While private sources of funding are the best place to start, others may want to access additional resources like long-term care insurance or Medicaid for long-term memory care.

In this section, we detail several forms of private payment methods that can be used to pay for memory care. We also go over several types of public funding options from federal and state health care programs to veterans benefits.

About 43% of our partnered memory care facilities exclusively accommodate residents with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. The rest are assisted living communities with specialized care units to accommodate residents with dementia.

Both types of communities are classified as adult care homes in North Carolina, and they are licensed to provide personal care and memory care service. They are regulated by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Division of Health Service Regulation (DSHR). All adult care homes that provide assisted living or memory care services must implement the following:

• Make the community available for visitations at least 10 hours every day.
• Provide transportation sources and laundry services at no additional fee.
• Develop activity programs that encourage participation from all residents.
• Assure that on-site licensed health professionals are available to evaluate residents’ health status and care plans.
• Prepare at least three nutritionally acceptable meals and snacks, with accommodations made for residents’ prescribed diets.
• Establish a care plan for each resident within 30 days of admission, which is based on a resident’s initial assessment and can be revised as needed.

You can find all of these rules and regulations for DSHR agencies on the DHHS website, as well as reports on licensed facilities in North Carolina.

Policies for special care units for memory care

Special care units for memory care residents have their own set of policies in addition to those for adult care homes. These policies should be created and executed by the individual facility, and they should address topics such as the following:

• Staff training requirements
• Specialized memory care services
• Additional costs and fees for different services
• Family support programs and ways families can be involved
• Safety measures in place for situations like wandering and aggressive behavior

Memory care unit admission and care plans

All adult care homes in North Carolina have admission requirements for residents to make sure their care needs don’t exceed a facility’s capacity, including memory care units.

People seeking admission to a memory care unit must undergo a pre-admission screening for cognitive impairment and have a confirmed medical diagnosis of Alzheimer’s or another type of dementia. A care plan must be developed within 30 days of admission. These plans are reviewed and updated quarterly to reflect a resident’s specific needs. Care plans should examine the resident’s:

• Behavior patterns
• Self-help capacities
• Level of cognitive impairment
• Physical abilities and/or disabilities
• Ability to perform their activities of daily living (ADL)

Memory care staff and training requirements

Memory care units must have staff available at all times. To make sure these facilities have the necessary staffing to accommodate the needs of residents, North Carolina law requires the following:

• A full-time care coordinator must be on-site at least five days per week.
• At least one staff member must be available for up to eight residents on the first and second shifts, which are typically during the day and through the evening.
• There must be one staff member for a maximum of 10 residents on the third shift, which is often the night shift.

Staff in memory care facilities undergo memory care training and orientation throughout their employment. Any staff who works in a memory care unit is required to complete a 6-hour orientation within their first week of employment.

Additionally, all staff members who are responsible for providing personal care and supervising residents in memory care must complete the following:

• 20 hours of dementia-specific training within the first six months of employment
• 12 hours of continued education annually — with 6 hours covering dementia-related topics

Building conditions

Memory care units in an assisted living facility are required to follow all North Carolina State Building Codes and local zoning laws for adult care homes. Additionally, memory care units have special building specifications that include the following:

• Memory care units should have direct access to a secure outdoor area.
• Memory care units must provide living and dining space of at least 30 square feet per resident.
• Security monitoring systems must be present in memory care units where exit doors are unlocked.
• Each memory care unit should have a sink and toilet for every five residents, with a shower and tub provided in every unit.
• Special care units for memory care residents must be separated from the rest of the facility by closed doors when it’s a portion or wing of the facility.
• Memory care units should limit or completely avoid the placement of loud mechanical objects like ice machines, alarm systems, and window air conditioners.

Reporting abuse and complaints

Any confirmed or suspected incidents of abuse, neglect, or exploitation of a resident are required to be reported by a facility. Facilities are also required to report any injuries or illnesses of a resident as soon as possible, no later than 24 hours after an incident. Anyone, however, can report abuse or neglect by filing a complaint to the NC DHSR. You can also contact your local ombudsman office and Area Agency on Aging to investigate any complaints.

North Carolina Division of Health Service Regulation (DHSR) contact information

809 Ruggles Drive
Raleigh, NC 27603
Phone: 919-855-3750

Centralina Area Agency on Aging contact information

525 N. Tryon St.
Charlotte, NC 28202
Phone: 704-372-2416

COVID-19 regulations for Charlotte memory care facilities

COVID-19 mandates for memory care facilities are generally set at the state level in North Carolina. There aren’t any mandates in place for memory care facilities in Charlotte, as of March 2023.

However, while many memory care facilities will likely follow state and local guidance for COVID-19, some may have stricter policies in place to protect residents and staff. It’s always a good idea to contact a prospective memory care facility directly for their most current guidelines. You can also reach out to the local Area Agency on Aging for more information.

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has guidance for long-term care facilities and a handy dashboard on its website. You can also find local COVID-19 data and resources on the Mecklenburg County website. Below, you can find a summary of COVID-19 guidance currently in place for Mecklenburg County.

While many may not associate a memory care facility with a home-like setting, Charlotte has some memory care communities that are downright darling. Take a look at what to expect from memory care in Charlotte and the types of amenities, activities, and services offered.

Memory care manors

Many memory care facilities in Charlotte exude charm with Victorian-inspired elements like welcoming walkways, enclosed covered porches with rocking chairs, and charming brick exteriors. Impeccably maintained landscaping surrounds the communities and often features lovely courtyards, raised garden beds, and swimming pools. Many communities immediately welcome residents and guests with bright, immaculate lobbies. Communities will also host activities in tastefully appointed common areas.

You can expect to find a range of floor plans for studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom units, with private and semi-private options available at most. These living spaces are designed to feel safe and familiar for memory care residents, with some units featuring kitchenettes, walk-in showers with seats, and ample natural lighting.

Gracious amenities

Charlotte memory care facilities provide an array of on-site amenities for residents. About 68% of memory care facilities have a professional chef on-site to prepare delicacies ranging from specialized dining programs to international cuisine. Most memory care facilities offer restaurant-style dining, with some communities also providing room service and anytime dining. Most of our partner communities are designed to accommodate residents with memory loss with enclosed courtyard spaces, wandering prevention systems, and visits from specialized therapists.

You can also expect to find five-star services at Charlotte memory care facilities, such as housekeeping, transportation, and personal laundry. Additionally, many communities boast convenient access to on-site conveniences, including fitness centers, beauty salons, and movie theaters. A selection of communities even have exclusive amenities, like putting greens, butterfly gardens, and a massage therapist.

Specialized activities for residents in memory care

Residents in memory care facilities have access to specialized activities and programs. About half of our partner communities offer reminiscence therapy programs to encourage residents to explore and recall positive memories, as well as sensory-based therapies. Some in-network communities also provide dedicated memory care programming that centers around reducing aggressiveness, boredom, and loneliness.

Other activities help promote socialization among residents in memory care facilities. Residents enjoy ample opportunities to pursue the hobbies they enjoy the most — from art classes to gardening clubs, and live performances to trivia games. Our partner memory care facilities in Charlotte also make it easy for residents to stay physically active with stretching classes, tai chi, and yoga classes. The majority of our in-network communities also host get-togethers for residents that include holiday parties, happy hours, and birthday parties.

Health care for seniors in Charlotte

Several highly ranked hospitals are located in Charlotte, which provide access to a range of extensive care services for seniors and those living with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. We highlight some of these first-rate medical facilities below.

Transportation for seniors in Charlotte

Complimentary transportation is provided at roughly 70% of our partnered memory care facilities in Charlotte, while around 30% of partner communities have at-cost transportation available. These services help residents safely get to and from appointments and errands. Visiting friends and families can utilize the Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS). CATS operates several bus and rail lines throughout Charlotte, and it offers paratransit services for people with disabilities.

Seniors age 60 and older can access transportation services via the Mecklenburg Transportation System (MTS). The services provide nonemergency transportation to help eligible seniors get to and from appointments and various errands or outings. You can find descriptions, eligibility requirements, and how to apply for the programs on the Mecklenburg County website.