9 Assisted Living Communities in Gastonia, North Carolina

The average cost of assisted living in the city is $3,803 a month. This guide is a starting point covering the cost of assisted living care in the city, as well as financing options to pay for it. You’ll find in-depth information on 9 Assisted Living Communities in Gastonia and several in surrounding areas. The Cost of Senior Care in Gastonia, NC

• Assisted Living: $3,803
• Nursing Home Care: $6,935
• In-home Care: $3,813
• Adult Day Health Services: $1,343

Genworth’s 2018 Cost of Care study shows that at $3,803 per month, assisted living costs in Gastonia are slightly higher than the state average of $3,693 and $197 below the national average. 

Prices are lower in nearby Fayetteville ($3,100) and Hickory ($3,300), while  prices are notably higher further west in Asheville ($4,491). Prices are also more expensive in cities north of Gastonia, such as Winston-Salem ($4,215) and Greensboro ($4,883).

Note: Senior care cost data wasn’t available for Gastonia, so data for the closest city, Charlotte, was used. 

In Gastonia, senior care services are priced depending on the level of care required, staff-to-senior ratio offered and location care is received. At $6,935 per month for a semiprivate room, nursing home care is the most expensive option because it includes around-the-clock skilled nursing along with room-and-board in a state-licensed facility.  Assisted living also includes room and board and costs less than in-home care from a homemaker or home health aide, based on 44 hours of service weekly. Adult day health is the least-expensive option because this service is delivered in a group setting for a limited number of hours on weekdays only. 

 

Medicaid, the national government health plan, provides 1 in 5 low-income North Carolina residents with health care coverage for emergency, acute, primary and long-term care services. Approximately 28% of NC Medicaid enrollees are elderly or disabled. 

Medicaid is designed to help those who cannot afford private health insurance, therefore, all applicants are required to meet income and asset limits. In North Carolina, seniors who receive Supplemental Security Income benefits or funds through the State-County Special Assistance program are automatically eligible for Medicaid enrollment. 

To qualify, seniors can earn no more than $1,041 per month ($1,410 per couple) and own no more than $2,000 in countable assets when applying as an individual or $3,000 when applying with a spouse. 

Income from all sources is included, although some assets, such as one vehicle, personal belongings and an owner-occupied home worth up to $585,00, are exempt. 

Seniors with excess income and high medical expenses may be able to enroll in Medicaid through the Medically Needy pathway. Also referred to as a Medicaid spend-down program, this pathway allows seniors to pay their own medical expenses up to a predetermined limit every six months. Once they reach the limit, Medicaid coverage takes effect for the remainder of the eligibility period. 

Note: This program cannot be used to reduce assets which exceed Medicaid limits. 

Personal Care Services

Seniors with Medicaid coverage who reside in an assisted living facility and  require help with at least two activities of daily living may be eligible for up to 3.5 hours of care daily through the Personal Care Services program. 

This Medicaid-entitlement program lets seniors who have a chronic illness, disability or age-related mobility loss that impacts their ability to eat, bathe, get dressed, use the toilet or navigate their environment remain in the community. An NC Medicaid designated assessor evaluates the care needs of each applicant and recommends services based on the applicant’s individualized service plan. 

To qualify, applicants must have one of the following unmet care needs: 

• Require some help from another person to safely perform three out of five ADLs
• Require extensive, hands-on help to perform one ADL and need at least some help to perform another ADL
• Be totally dependent on a caregiver to perform one ADL and need some help performing another ADL

With a written recommendation from a medical doctor, applicants may qualify for additional care hours (up to 80 per month) under the PCS Plus program. 

For more information on NC Medicaid, the MN pathway and the PCS program, contact Gaston County Social Services Division at (704) 866-3000. 

Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly

The Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly is a community-based program that lets seniors age in place in their homes or an assisted living facility by providing client-centered managed care services. 

PACE services include all Medicaid and Medicare services, such as primary care, transportation, home care, day health services, prescription medication and medical supplies. Participants also have access to the PACE center which offers recreational, social and nutritional programming and space for physical, occupational and speech therapy. 

Participation is voluntary and seniors are free to leave the program at any time. 

PACE accepts applications from seniors who:

• Are aged 55 or older

• Meet the NC Medicaid criteria for nursing home placement

• Want to remain in their community

• Can safely live in the community with the supports offered through PACE

• Live within a designated PACE service area such as Gastonia

• Are either enrolled in Medicaid, Medicare, or both or are able to pay for PACE privately

Note: PACE participants receive all of their Medicaid-covered services, including primary and specialty care, from PACE-affiliated providers. 

For more information, contact Senior TLC, the Gaston County PACE provider, at (704) 874-0600.  

Assisted Living Bridge Loan

Senior homeowners transitioning to an assisted living community who need access to cash in order to finance their move may be eligible for an assisted living bridge loan through Elderlife Financial. 

Structured as a 12-month line of credit with monthly interest-only payments, this loan is designed to fill the financial gap that may occur when seniors are selling their homes or waiting for private insurance to begin paying their assisted living costs. Funds can be sent directly to the care provider each month. 

Up to six borrowers can be listed on the loan, and an application can be completed over the phone in five minutes or less. In most cases, a response is provided within 24 hours, and the balance can be paid off at any time without penalty. 

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

Veterans and survivors who need help applying for VA benefits can contact the Veterans Service Officer at the Gaston County Department of Veterans Services. The VSO can also arrange for transportation to the VA medical center and VA outpatient clinic, assist with the VA appeal process and help disabled veterans obtain prosthetics and mobility devices. 

VA health services, including primary care and mental health, are available at the North Charlotte VA Clinic, an outpatient clinic affiliated with the W.G. (Bill) Hefner VA Medical Center in Salisbury. 

Gaston County Department of Veterans Services
965 Roberts Dr., Gastonia, NC 28054
(704) 866-3606

North Charlotte VA Clinic
8601 University East Dr., Charlotte, NC 28213-4353
(704) 597-3500

Seniors who need help navigating their health care options, support finding appropriate housing or access to a congregate meal program can contact an intake social worker at the Gaston County Social Service Department, Adult and Aging Services Section.  Adult and Aging Services Division
330 North Marietta St., Gastonia, NC 28052
(704) 862-7540

Senior Homes has an extensive directory of senior living options, with care and living providers across the United States.