Assisted Living in Carteret County, NC

Assisted Living Costs in Carteret County

The average monthly cost of assisted living in Carteret County ($3,125) is below the state ($3,693) and national ($4,000) averages. Prices are higher in neighboring areas, such as New Bern ($3,588) and Wilmington ($5,355), and they’re comparable in Durham ($3,150) and Hickory ($3,300). 

Statewide, assisted living costs are lowest in Rocky Mount and Goldsboro ($2,750) and highest in Raleigh ($5,750). 

Note: Senior care cost data wasn’t available for Carteret County, so data for the closest city, Jacksonville, was used. 

The Cost of Assisted Living in Surrounding Areas

Care Cost Comparison

In Carteret County, the average monthly cost of senior care starts at $758 for adult day health services and goes up to $6,874 for a semiprivate room in nursing home care. This wide price range reflects the significant differences in care settings, hours of direct service and types of care. 

Assisted living costs $3,125 and includes semiprivate or private accommodations, meals and access to common amenities, such as crafting rooms, gardens and libraries. Hiring in-home help is more expensive at $3,813 to $4,004 per month, and these costs are in addition to ongoing living expenses involved with maintaining a home. 

Senior Care Cost Comparison Chart

Financial Assistance for Assisted Living in Carteret County

Medicaid in North Carolina

Medicaid is a nationwide program that provides low-income Americans with access to essential health services. It’s jointly funded by the federal and state governments and administered by each state.

By law, every Medicaid plan must include coverage for hospital, physician, home health and nursing facility services. Optional benefits, such as vision and dental care, hospice care, adult day health and case management, may be provided through state-specific programs

In North Carolina, Medicaid is administered through the NC Medicaid Division of Health Benefits. To qualify for coverage that includes access to Medicaid waivers, seniors aged 65 and older can earn up to $1,041 per month ($2,082 per married couple) and own up to $2,000 in countable assets ($3,000 per married couple). Applicants must also be U.S. citizens or qualified immigrants, have a valid Social Security number and be permanent residents of the state. 

Personal Care Services

Seniors who meet Medicaid enrollment criteria and need help with two or more activities of daily living due to disability, chronic illness or age-related deterioration may be eligible for the Personal Care Services program.

This Medicaid home and community-based program funds up to 3.5 hours per day and 60 hours per month of personal care, allowing seniors to remain in their home or an approved assisted living facility. 

The five activities of daily living covered under this program include dressing, eating, using the toilet or managing a colostomy bag, grooming and moving about the home. Seniors may also receive assistance with housekeeping if that assistance is directly related to the qualifying ADLs. For example, a PCS-funded aide may clean the bathroom after helping a senior use the toilet or take a bath. 

To qualify for PCS or PCSP services, seniors must: 

• Need extensive hands-on help to perform at least one of two ADLs, or
• Need some help to complete at least three ADLs, or
• Be entirely dependent on another person for help performing at least one of two ADLs

As an entitlement program, all applicants who meet enrollment criteria are provided with services. 

To learn more about NC Medicaid and the PCS/PCS Plus program, contact the Carteret County Department of Social Services at (252) 728-3181.  

Other Financial Assistance Programs for Assisted Living

State/County Special Assistance Program

Low-income adults with disabilities and seniors aged 65 and older who are U.S. citizens or qualified aliens that have few assets and need the level of care provided in a residential facility may qualify for the State/ County Special Assistance program.

This program provides a maximum benefit of $1,228 per month that seniors can use to pay for assisted living costs. The maximum rate that a licensed residential facility can charge SA recipients is $1,182 per month, which provides recipients with a monthly $46 personal needs allowance. 

Seniors who are approved for SA benefits are automatically approved for Medicaid enrollment. 

For more information on current SA income and assets limits, contact the Carteret County Department of Social Services at (252) 728-3181. 

Assisted Living Bridge Loan

Seniors planning a move into an assisted living setting and require short-term financing to cover their care costs may qualify for an  assisted living bridge loan through Elderlife Financial. 

This 12-month open loan is geared towards seniors who have a good credit rating and are selling their home, cashing out investments or waiting for insurance benefits. The loan is structured as an open line of credit, therefore, interest is charged only on the money the borrowers actually use, and monthly payments are interest only. 

Seniors can submit an application over the phone for free in as little as 15 minutes, and approval usually takes 24 hours or less. 

For more information contact Elderlife Financial at (888) 228-4500. 

Assisted Living Resources in Carteret County

Senior Center

The Carteret County Department of Aging Services operates the Leon Mann, Jr. Enrichment Center, a multipurpose community center for seniors aged 50 and older. 

The center offers a variety of free daily activities, including movie screenings, tai chi classes, bible study groups and bridge games. There are also regular health screening workshops, support groups for seniors with chronic illnesses and a low-cost lunch program. 

Leon Mann, Jr. Enrichment Center
3820 Galantis Dr., Morehead City, NC 28557
(252) 247-2626

Transportation and Support Services

Seniors who need door-to-door accessible transportation services can register for the Carteret County Area Transportation System by calling (252) 240-1043. 

Friends of Aging in Carteret County is a nonprofit organization that provides free home delivered meals for seniors aged 60 and older. The organization also operates a friendly visits program to help housebound seniors stay engaged with the community. For more information, call (252) 247-2626. 

Veterans Services

The Carteret County Veterans Services Office helps veterans and their families obtain their maximum entitlements from local, state and federal programs. The VSO can assist with VA health care enrollment, obtain service records and provide up-to-date information on claims applications and appeals. 

The Beaufort VA Outpatient Clinic provides primary care and mental health services. Comprehensive diagnostic, emergency, acute and specialty care services are available at the Charleston VAMC. 

Carteret County Veterans Services Office
3710-B John Platt Dr., Morehead City, NC 28557
(252) 728-8440

Beaufort VA Clinic
1 Pinckney Blvd., Beaufort, SC 29902-6122
(843) 770-0444