Assisted Living in Durham, NC

Assisted Living Costs in Durham

In Durham, North Carolina, the average monthly cost of assisted living care is $3,150, which is lower than both the state and national average, according to Genworth’s 2018 Cost of Care Study. Within North Carolina, the only major metropolitan areas that are significantly less expensive than Durham are Burlington ($2,800), Goldsboro ($2,750) and Rocky Mount ($2,750). Assisted living care in Durham is especially affordable compared to Raleigh ($5,750) where care costs nearly twice as much.

Cost of Assisted Living Comparison Chart

• Durham: $3,150
• National average: $4,000
• State average: $3,693
• Burlington: $2,800
• Goldsboro: $2,750
• Greensboro Area: $4,883
• Raleigh: $5,750
• Rocky Mount: $2,750
• Winston Area: $4,215

Care Cost Comparison

The cost of senior care in Durham varies greatly depending on the type of care a senior requires. Nursing home care ($7,224) is twice as expensive as assisted living ($3,150), and homemaker services and home health aides cost approximately $1000 more per month than assisted living. Seniors who choose these in-home services must also consider additional costs that come with remaining at home, such as rent, utilities and groceries. For seniors who only need part-time care, Durham’s adult day health care services are inexpensive compared to assisted living, costing about half as much per month.

Cost of Homemaker/Home Health Aide Comparison Chart

• Assisted living: $3,150
• Homemaker services: $4,147
• Home health aide: $4,195
• Adult day health: $1,528
• Nursing home care (semiprivate room): $7,224

Financial Assistance for Assisted Living in Durham

Medicaid in North Carolina

NC Medicaid is a public insurance program that provides health coverage for low-income adults, pregnant women, children, elderly adults and other eligible Americans. States are required to provide certain mandatory benefits to Medicaid recipients, such as physician services, inpatient and outpatient hospital services and prescriptions, and Medicaid may opt to provide additional benefits, including nursing home care, personal care and medical equipment.

Seniors in Durham may be eligible for Medicaid if they meet certain financial income and asset requirements. For single seniors, the monthly income limit is $1,012 with assets valued at no more than $2,000, while couples are limited to an income of $1,372 per month and $3,000 in assets. Resources don’t include a senior’s home, car, home furnishings or other necessary items, but it does include cash, bank accounts, stocks and other similar assets.

The state’s Medicaid Deductible plan may help seniors who don’t meet these financial requirements but do have high medical costs. Seniors pay for their own health care costs until they meet their deductible, then Medicaid kicks in.

Seniors who are interested in Medicaid coverage can apply through the North Carolina ePass online portal. They can also choose to complete a paper application and take or mail it to:

Durham County Department of Social Services 
414 E Main St, Durham, NC 27701.

Seniors who need help applying for Medicaid or have questions can call (800) 662-7030.

North Carolina’s Personal Care Services (PCS) program may cover hands-on personal care for seniors who live in assisted living facilities. This program is considered an entitlement since it’s offered under North Carolina’s Medicaid State Plan, and the need for assistance is determined by an independent medical assessment performed by the Division of Medical Assistance (DMA). To be eligible for support through the PCS program, seniors must need help with three activities of daily living (ADLs), which are defined as eating, dressing, bathing, toileting and mobility. Alternately, seniors who need assistance with only two ADLs may qualify if their need is extensive.

To apply for the PCS program, fax a paper application form to the Liberty Healthcare Corporation at (919) 307-8307. Seniors must have parts of the form completed by a doctor. Seniors who have questions about this program can call (855) 740-1400.

Other Financial Assistance Programs for Assisted Living

Veterans Aid and Attendance Program

Veterans and survivors who need help paying for assisted living may be able to receive an increased amount in addition to their monthly pension from the Veterans Aid and Attendance Program. 

To qualify for this program, seniors must be eligible for a VA pension and meet at least one of the following requirements:

• Require help with activities of daily living
• Be bedridden
• Be a patient in a nursing home
• Deemed legally blind

To apply for these benefits, seniors can write to the Philadelphia VA Regional Office at the address listed below. The Philadelphia office serves veterans in North Carolina and the rest of the east coast. The VA recommends including copies of evidence that support the need for assistance, preferably a report from the senior’s doctor.

Philadelphia VA Regional Office 
Department of Veterans Affairs
Claims Intake Center
Attention:  Philadelphia Pension Center
P.O. Box 5206 
Janesville, WI  53547
(800) 827-1000

State and County Special Assistance

Low-income seniors who reside in assisted living facilities may be eligible for financial assistance from the State and County Special Assistance Program. This funding can be used to pay for room and board costs. To be eligible for this program, seniors must have a medically verified need for assisted living care and meet the income eligibility requirements.

The maximum benefit provided by this program is $1,182 per month, although an individual’s benefit amount is determined by subtracting their monthly income from this maximum benefit. Seniors also receive an allowance of $46 per month that they can use to purchase clothing, books and other personal items.

To apply for State and County Special Assistance, seniors can visit:

Durham Department of Social Services
414 E Main St in Durham, NC.

Seniors are advised to bring personal verification, including income and bank account information, proof of age and proof of identity. Seniors who need help applying or have questions about this program, can call the Durham Department of Social Services at (919) 560-8000.

Assisted Living Resources in Durham

Veterans Affairs

Several resources in Durham provide support and information to veterans and survivors, and eligible seniors can visit the Veterans Service Office for benefits information and other services. 

Durham County Veterans Service Office 
414 E Main St, Durham, NC 27701
(919) 560-8387

Hillandale Road Clinic I 
1824 Hillandale Rd, Durham, NC 27705
(919) 383-6107

Hillandale Road Clinic II 
1830 Hillandale Rd, Durham, NC 27705
(919) 286-0411 ext. 7483 

Durham VA Health Care System 
508 Fulton St, Durham, NC 27705
(919) 286-0411

Senior Centers

Seniors can visit any of the four Durham Center for Senior Life (DCSL) locations listed below for scheduled activities and socialization opportunities. These senior centers offer exercise classes, health education programs, walking groups, arts and crafts classes and many other activities.

DCSL Downtown Center 
406 Rigsbee Ave, Durham, NC, 27701
(919) 688-8247

DCSL at Little River 
8305 Roxboro Rd, Durham, NC 27503
(919) 477-6066

DCSL at JFK Towers 
4900 N Roxboro Rd, Durham, NC 27704
(919) 477-9813

DCSL at WD Hill 
1308 Fayetteville St, Durham, NC 27707
(919) 688-9158

Area Agency on Aging

Seniors can visit the Durham AAA location to learn more about the health care services and programs available to them. Family caregivers can also visit the AAA to learn about available community services, support groups and supplemental services.

Triangle J Area on Aging 
4307 Emperor Blvd, Ste 110, Durham, NC 27703
(919) 549-0551