DEV | TEST h1 template (view-level fallback) Assisted Living

When it comes to paying for assisted living in Charlotte, seniors and their families have a variety of options to choose from. In some circumstances, families can source from their private and public funds to pay for the costs of assisted living in Charlotte.

You’ll learn about the options seniors or their families might have on hand to cover costs of assisted living. We also outline several public resources, such as Medicaid, Medicare, and VA benefits, that may be available to help you pay for care services.

In North Carolina, assisted living facilities — also called adult care homes — are defined as residences that provide round-the-clock personal care services. Assisted living facilities in Charlotte are licensed and regulated by the Division of Health Services Regulation (DHSR), which operates under the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). You can find a full list of rules and regulations for DHSR agencies on the NC DHHS website.

All licensed North Carolina assisted living facilities are inspected annually to make sure communities are in compliance with rules like the following:

• Assisted living facilities must provide a minimum of three nutritionally balanced meals per day, with snacks available between meals.
• Assisted living facilities must coordinate at least 14 hours of planned group activities per week and offer at least one monthly outing to each resident.
• Assisted living facilities must provide personal care and supervision that’s under residents’ care plans and meets their individual needs.
• Assisted living facilities must develop a care plan for all residents, based on a resident’s initial assessment. It must be completed within 30 days of admission and revised following future assessments.
• Assisted living facilities must have a minimum of 10 hours per day available for visitations.

Building requirements

North Carolina assisted living facilities must meet all building requirements in the North Carolina State Building Code and local zoning laws. Assisted living communities in North Carolina are also regulated for a facility’s physical environment. These regulations are in force to make sure residents have suitable and safe living arrangements. Some of these environmental regulations include the following:

• All recreation and dining rooms must have windows and be located off of a lobby or corridor.
• Hand grips must be provided in all tubs, toilets, and showers used by residents.
• Bedrooms must have a maximum occupancy of two residents.
• Facilities must have at least one toilet and sink per five residents.

Additionally, assisted living communities must maintain plumbing, and electrical equipment. Facilities must also meet fire safety code requirements that include the following:

• Smoke detectors should be in every hallway and be no more than 60 feet apart.
• A fire alarm pull station should be installed within five feet of each exit.
• Smoke and fire detectors in every storage room, dining room, kitchen, and laundry facility.

Resident admission requirements and assessments

Assisted living communities will generally have admission requirements for prospective residents. These are in place to make sure residents have the right amount of care and supervision in their assisted living community. By law, assisted living facilities in North Carolina can’t admit seniors who meet any of the following criteria:

• They need a ventilator.
• They have care needs that exceed the services the assisted living facility can provide.
• They require round-the-clock skilled nursing care.
• They have a communicable disease.
• They pose a threat to the health and safety of others.
• A doctor or physician determines placement in an assisted living facility isn’t suitable.

Residents of assisted living facilities have to undergo a pre-admission assessment within 72 hours of moving into a community. Residents must complete an additional assessment within 30 days of admission and on an annual basis after. These annual assessments help identify any significant changes to a resident’s health status or abilities, like the following:

• Changes in mobility
• Impaired decision making
• A decline in two or more activities of daily living

Residents found to have significant changes in their assessments will be referred to the appropriate health professional.

Residents’ rights

Residents should receive a copy of an assisted living facility’s policy upon move in that cover topics, like grievance policies and procedures, as well as contact information for the local Area Agency on Aging and ombudsman program. It should also have a declaration of residents’ rights, which includes facility standards, like the following:

• Residents have the choice to participate in community activities.
• Residents will be treated in a dignified manner that respects their individuality and privacy.
• Residents will receive care that’s in compliance with federal and state laws.
• Residents have the right to complain or voice their suggestions without fear of retaliation from staff.

Reporting abuse

All staff members at assisted living facilities in North Carolina are required to report any resident abuse, and they may be subject to criminal charges or fines for failing to do so. To report abuse, you can contact the DHS Care Line or the local ombudsman office below.

North Carolina Division of Health Service Regulation (DHSR)

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

Centralina Area Agency on Aging

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

COVID-19 regulations for Charlotte assisted living facilities

As of February 2023, there are no statewide mandates or regulations for COVID-19 in North Carolina. However, COVID-19 and its variants are still a concern for high-risk populations. The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) currently recommends long-term care facilities, like assisted living facilities, follow the latest guidance and data. To contact them regarding COVID-19 questions, you can  dial 1-800-232-4636. You can also find the latest updates on the DHHS COVID-19 dashboard, which includes protocols on the following:

When it comes to assisted living, Charlotte is filled with magnificent communities designed just for seniors to find all they want out of life. Read on for some key features you can expect from assisted living facilities in Charlotte.

Palatial living arrangements

Many of our partner assisted living facilities in Charlotte offer a variety of layout options, which can range from private or semi-private studios to one- and two-bedroom apartments. Select communities feature kitchenettes with mid-size refrigerators and microwaves. You’ll also find accessible bathrooms with walk-in showers, optional private balconies, and oversized windows at many of our Charlotte in-network assisted living facilities.

Regal amenities

Marvelous amenities await seniors at our partnered assisted living facilities. Take an enchanting stroll through impeccably manicured grounds, where you may find charming courtyards and gazebos, raised garden beds, and serene fountains. Or, treat yourself to five-star amenities like on-site salons, state-of-the-art fitness centers, and chef-prepared meals. Other services and amenities include housekeeping, personal laundry, and transportation. Some communities even offer the convenience of delivery services on commodity items like toilet paper, tissues, toothpaste, and dental floss.

Robust social programs

Delight in the activities you love the most with tastefully appointed indoor common rooms available at most of our in-network assisted living facilities. The majority of our partner communities coordinate group outings to local senior hot spots. You can expect most assisted living communities to offer a wide-ranging social calendar with daily activities — from cooking clubs and art classes to yoga and brain fitness. Look forward to plenty of opportunities to simply mingle with friends at events like barbecues, birthday celebrations, holiday parties, and wine tastings.

Health care for seniors in Charlotte

Remarkable medical care and health services are widely available in Charlotte. We highlight some of the area’s top hospitals below.

Transportation for seniors in Charlotte

Around 82% of our partner assisted living facilities in Charlotte offer on-site transportation services to their residents. Many find community transportation services offer the safest way to get to appointments and run errands.

For visiting friends and relatives, the Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) has several bus and rail routes throughout the city. CATS also offers paratransit services to people who can’t access fixed routes because of a disability.

Additionally, the Mecklenburg Transportation System (MTS) has nonemergency transportation services available for eligible seniors in Charlotte. Read on to learn about some of their services and their unique eligibility requirements.

• Medicaid transportation utilizes the CATS bus services to take Medicaid-eligible seniors to medical-specific destinations.
• Veterans services transportation helps qualified veterans get to and from Charlotte medical clinics, as well as VA hospitals within North Carolina.
• Urbanized area general purpose provides nonemergency transportation for seniors age 60+ to locations within Charlotte that include beauty salons, grocery stores, and recreation centers.
• Elderly disabled transportation assistance helps seniors age 60 and older get to and from dialysis or chemotherapy treatment.

Overall, Charlotte is a fairly car-dependent city, but it does offer access to public transportation options and some bike lanes. You can see how WalkScore ranks Charlotte for its walkability, public transit, and bike friendliness below. All scores are out of a possible 100.