The following resources can help you find the right form of senior care, Medicare, Medicaid, day care, in-home help, long term care, veterans benefits, housing, accessibility modifications, dementia, mental health, and eye care.
The Eldercare Locator is a public service of the U.S. Administration on Aging connecting you to services for older adults and their families. They can be reached at 1-800-677-1116.
Paying for Senior Care is a commercial website that provides a lot of free information about types of care, sources, and affordability. There is information specific to North Carolina and to veterans care. It also has a lengthy list of frequently asked questions about aging, medical care, social programs, and estate planning.
State of North Carolina Aging and Adult Services, including Long Term Care Ombudsmen who assist residents of long term care facilities in exercising their rights and attempt to resolve grievances between residents, families and facilities.
The Chatham County Council on Aging maintains the comprehensive Chatham County Aging, Disability, and Caregiving Services Resource Guide (updated Dec. 2019)
Wake County Resources for Seniors, Inc. offers information about Senior services in Wake County, including a directory of resources. A number of other helpful resources are also referenced on this list.
Wake County Senior and Adult Services is to maximize self-sufficiency, safety, health and independence so seniors and adults can remain safely in their community for as long as possible and to maintain the highest quality of life for those who reside in adult and family care homes in Wake County.
Find resources about Elder Scam and Fraud Prevention.
Medicare is a federal program that provides health coverage if you are 65 or older or have a severe disability, no matter your income. Medicaid is a state and federal program that provides health coverage if you have a very low income.
Most people age 65 and older have Medicare. Their insurance card has a red, white and blue stripe on the top of it. Seniors who have low income (less than about $1000 per month for an individual) may have Medicaid also. Their proof of eligibility is not a card, but a proof of eligibility letter sent once per year by their county social services. Some seniors have both Medicare and Medicaid.
I am a senior on a fixed income and I need some repairs, or accessibility modifications to my home, but I can’t afford to hire anyone or pay for services.
There are a variety of services in Wake and Chatham counties that may be a fit. This listing below outlines their guidelines.
NC Baptist Aging Ministry offers home modifications/ramps for seniors 65 and older. (Tel: 1-877-506-2226)
Rebuilding Together of the Triangle offers home repairs for low income/disabled homeowners in Chatham and Wake Counties.
USDA RD Single Family Repair Loan and Grants program (en Español) offers repairs for low income seniors and disabled homeowners to improve or rehab their homes that are in eligible rural areas of NC.
The State of North Carolina Environmental Quality Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) offers to install energy efficiency measures, smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, and minor repairs (weatherization). Can also repair or replace HVAC systems. Find a list of providers by county.
North Carolina Department of Health & Human Services Independent Living for People with Disabilities offers home modifications for low income disabled homeowners via one of its offices in the State.
WAKE COUNTY
Resources for Seniors of Wake County offers home improvements for seniors 60 and older, including ramps and hot water heaters. (Tel: 919-872-7933)
City of Raleigh Homeowner Repair Program offers services such as repairing leaking roofs, faulty plumbing, electrical or heating systems, broken windows, flooring, and lead paint removal for low income homeowners.
Habitat for Humanity Wake Home Preservation Program
Wake County Home Rehabilitation Programs offer a low-income Elderly and Disabled Homeowner Grant (for home modifications and repairs) or Emergency Homeowner Repair Grant (heating, A/C, well/septic, roof, and electrical hazards.) Contact the Housing and Community Revitalization Division (Tel: 919-856-5689).
Wake County Human Services Resource Guide outline various options for home repair resources. See page 49.
Town of Cary Housing Rehabilitation Program
CHATHAM COUNTY
Chatham County Council on Aging Home Repair Program installs assistive devices such as grab bars and makes minor home repairs including repair of steps and constructing railings. Contact Wynne Fields to learn more (Tel 919-542-4512).
Chatham County Aging, Disability and Caregiving Services resource guide -- See page 33 for information on home modifications.
Chatham County Habitat may be able to assist with home repairs through their A Brush with Kindness program.
https://www.medicare.gov/care-compare/?providerType=Physician&redirect=true
https://www.medicare.gov/blog/how-to-find-medicare-providers-near-you
Care.com
comfortkeepers.com
My parent/ grandparent/ spouse is getting older and needs in-home help. How do people pay for this care?
There are publicly-funded programs that will offer a little bit of assistance, but none that will provide more than a few hours per day of in-home care. Private home care agencies can be hired and paid for by the individual or family. To apply for Medicaid personal care services (an entitlement program for those with low income and low assets), contact the County Division of Social Services (links below).
For those with low income who earn too much to qualify for Medicaid, contact the following agencies to ask about in-home aide services. These same agencies are also good contacts for home delivered meals, caregiver support groups and respite care for the caregiver, medical transportation and potential other temporary assistance.
WAKE COUNTY
Wake County Human Services, offices throughout Wake County (Tel: 919-212-7000)
Resources for Seniors (Tel: 919-872-7933)
For assistance with locating private pay services, contact Resources for Seniors or Guiding Lights Caregiver Support Center in Raleigh.
CHATHAM COUNTY
Chatham County Social Services (Tel: 919-542-2759)
Chatham County Council on Aging (Tel: 919-542-4512)
I’m worried my older adult parent/grandparent or relative with dementia or cognitive impairment is spending too much time home alone. He/she isn’t really safe at home alone for long periods of time. Are there any options for him/her out of the house during the day?
Adult day care and adult day health centers are designed to help older adults and adults with cognitive impairments receive supervision and socialization during the daytime hours. Certified programs operate Monday-Friday from early morning to early evening. Participants can attend all day or half days up to five days per week. Adult day care centers are for people who may need reminders but don’t need any hands on assistance, and adult day health centers can help with some hands on care (personal care and medical tasks). Adult day programs typically cost $45 to $65 per day. There are some public funds (state adult day care, Medicaid, respite voucher programs) that will pay for the service for those who are eligible. Many people pay the daily rate out of pocket. There are also group respite options that operate one or two days per week for five hours per day or less that may also be an option for a lower cost than full day care. To search for adult day care and adult day health programs in your area, view the master contact list organized by county available from the NC Division of Aging and Adult Services.
I’m trying to relocate my parent from out of state to a facility here in NC or they need to move to an assisted living facility. Where can I get a list of facilities and how do I know the quality of their care?
Triangle J Area Agency on Aging can provide helpful tips, along with some of the other resources listed below.
Adult Care Home Ratings
Does Medicare pay for long term care in a facility like a nursing home?
If a person needs long-term care services in a skilled nursing facility, Medicare will cover up to 100 days of care only after a hospital stay of at least three days and only if daily medical attention is needed, such as wound care after surgery or physical therapy after hip replacement. The medical benefit portion will continue so long as you need skilled services and care for up to 100 days but not all days are paid for at 100%. Medicare pays 100 percent of the cost of the first 20 days; after that, there is a daily co-payment. Unless you have Medicare supplemental insurance, a 100-day stay could end up costing the individual/family more than $12,000 out of pocket. If the person needs to stay longer and does not qualify for Medicaid to step in and pay most of the bill, after 100 days the family has to pay the entire bill on their own. Medicare does not pay for a lower level of care such as assisted living or independent senior housing with assistance because individuals who can live in that kind of housing do not need daily care from medical professionals.
My older adult loved one served in the military or is the widow of someone who served in the military. How do I find out if they qualify for benefits?
Every county has at least one Veteran Service Officer. These are individuals paid by the county who can help research, at no cost to the family, potential veteran’s benefits and assist with applications.
Wake County Veterans Service Office
3000 Falstaff Road, Raleigh (919-212-VETS)
Chatham County Veterans Service Office
Representatives hold office hours in Pittsboro and Siler City a couple of days a week. Call for an appointment. (984-232-7060)
Are there therapists in our area who specialize in counseling for seniors?
Silver Linings for Seniors (919-741-5993) is a for-profit, Medicare approved providers for seniors, caregivers, and loved one. They have in-person service in Cary and teletherapy for the state of North Carolina. They state they can help with life transitions, stress management, depression and anxiety, family relationships, improved communication, recovering from trauma, grief and loss, aging gracefully, and coping with a medical diagnosis. Also check the mental health page for additional sources.
I am concerned my older adult family member may have Alzheimer’s disease or dementia. Who can I talk to for help?
There are a few dementia-specific services in North Carolina. These programs offer personal assistance with finding additional resources and information and may also have limited respite vouchers for the caregiver to get a break while a paid worker comes into the home, or the loved one with dementia is at a day program.
Project C.A.R.E (Caregiver Alternatives to Running on Empty) is a state-funded program managed in Wake and Chatham County by Duke Family Support Program (919-660-7510)
Dementia Alliance of North Carolina (919-832-3732)
Alzheimer’s Association (1-800-272-3900)
How do I get mental health care through Medicaid?
Mental health, intellectual and developmental disability, and substance use services available through Medicaid and managed care are organized into regional areas called Local Management Entities (LME). A person seeking a doctor, support group, crisis treatment, or other related services can call the assigned LME and should be able to get a person directing them to potential doctors or support.
For additional information on mental health care, see the mental health section of this website.
WAKE COUNTY
Wake County residents are assigned to Alliance Behavioral Health in Durham. (Tel: 919-651-8401 or Crisis line: 800-510-9132)
CHATHAM COUNTY
Chatham County residents are assigned to Cardinal Innovations Healthcare Solutions in Kannapolis, NC. (Tel: 704-939-7700 or Crisis line: 800-939-5911)
Is there any free or reduced cost eye care for senior citizens?
Be sure to check eligibility requirements as they vary by organization.
Eyecare America (The Foundation of the American Academy of Ophthalmologists) provides complimentary medical exams to qualifying senior citizens and those who need glaucoma testing.
North Carolina Lions Clubs (en Español) (follow links from this site to access other languages) provides services for blind and visually impaired.
North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Medical Eye Care Program
Community Low Vision Center (Durham)