Charlotte’s 133 home care agencies offer seniors and people with disabilities the support they need to continue living at home. In Charlotte, the average cost of home care is $28 per hour, however, total costs vary depending on a client’s needs. Home care is a suitable option for seniors looking to age at home or for adults who need personal care as they recover from an injury or illness. To help you find the ideal Charlotte home care agency, we offer listings and insights into local costs, payment options, client reviews, and information on state licensing requirements.
Use our cost calculator to compare your loved one’s current living and home care expenses against the cost of senior living in Charlotte.
Seniors and adults with disabilities often look to their insurance for home care coverage, whether it’s private health insurance, Medicare, or Medicaid, before turning to personal funds. However, nonmedical home care services like personal care and housekeeping typically aren’t covered. Sometimes providers will cover these services as part of at-home medical care, if they’re determined to be medically necessary.
Most people use private funds to pay for home care expenses. These may include retirement income, savings, funds from health savings accounts (HSA), long-term care (LTC) insurance, or life insurance policies. In Charlotte, veterans and their eligible spouses may also qualify for veterans benefits that can help offset home care costs.
Paying for home care
Get an overview of all payment options for home care.
VA home care benefits
See how VA benefits can help veterans and their spouses pay for home care.
Home care and LTC insurance
Learn how to use long-term care insurance to cover home care costs.
Yes, Medicare can pay for home care if it’s provided as a necessary part of at-home medical care services.[01] If an individual requires medical services prescribed by a doctor to treat illness or injury at home, not simply nonmedical services like assistance with activities of daily living, meal preparation, and upkeep around the house, Medicare may pay for necessary care. However, care is only covered if the home care agency is Medicare-certified.
If you have questions about Medicare, the Seniors’ Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP) offers free, unbiased counseling to Medicare beneficiaries and their caregivers. SHIIP counselors can help you learn what you qualify for and prevent billing errors and fraud.
Yes, North Carolina’s Medicaid program — NC Medicaid — can pay for home care in Charlotte. NC Medicaid covers Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS), which includes some nonmedical home care services like assistance with activities of daily living, including:[02]
NC Medicaid may not cover all nonmedical home care services, however. For instance, meal preparation and light housekeeping will not be covered unless they’re part of an at-home medical care plan that’s been prescribed by a doctor and deemed medically necessary.
The Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) is a managed care program that offers services and supports to help seniors live at home for as long as possible. To enroll, individuals must meet the following requirements:
They must also be enrolled in Medicare, Medicaid, a dual Medicaid-Medicare program, or be able to privately pay.[03]
To learn more information about the PACE program that serves Charlotte’s county — Mecklenburg County — visit the PACE of the Southern Piedmont website.
Veterans and their eligible spouses can contact the Mecklenburg County Community Support Services’ Veterans Services Division for information on veterans benefits that can be used to pay for home care. This division enables veterans to access multiple veterans service organizations (VSOs) in one place. It’s especially helpful for veterans who are unsure about their eligibility for benefits.
Veterans service officers at the Veterans Services Division can identify the most useful VSOs, look into benefits eligibility, and even help you with the application process. You can walk in or schedule an appointment with an officer using the contact information below.
Valerie C. Woodard campus
3205 Freedom Drive
Charlotte, NC 28208
Phone: 704-336-2102
Walk-in hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
If you would like to contact a VSO directly, you can use the links below.
Before selecting a home care agency, we recommend reviewing your options. Consider factors like North Carolina’s home care licensing requirements along with each agency’s hiring practices, fees, and minimum care requirements. Learning this information during your search can help you vet out options and confidently choose an agency.
Also keep in mind the type of care needed. Some home care agencies listed on this page provide only nonmedical services. Others may provide only medical care, and still others may provide both. Get a thorough understanding of all care needed, especially if medical care is needed, to ensure your or your loved one’s care needs can be met by any prospective home care agencies.
In Charlotte, the North Carolina Division of Health Service Regulation (DHSR) under the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) licenses and regulates home care agencies. After initial licensure, the agency must renew its license every year.
To obtain a license, home care agencies must do the following:[04]
Home care agencies, including the ones listed on this page, must complete license training from one of the a DHSR-approved trainer:[05] Home care agencies offering medical care or skilled nursing must obtain a similar license, but they must follow additional requirements because they provide medical services.[06]
Home care agencies in North Carolina must require the following of home care aides:[07]
Some home care agencies have their own hiring requirements, so make sure to ask the following:
Charlotte home care agencies usually have an hourly rate for care, but fees and minimum care requirements may vary from agency to agency. To avoid any surprises, ask prospective agencies the following:
Ask these 10 questions to help you find the right home care agency.
Gentle Shepherd Care, Affordable Family Care Services, Inc - Charlotte, NC and Impressions Home Care are the top-rated Home Care facilities near Charlotte, NC. These Home Care facilities received the highest rankings based on verified family reviews. See full list of communities.
The average cost of Home Care in Charlotte is {{ zipAverageCost }} per month. This cost may vary based on location, amenities, floorplan, level of care and other factors.
Home care is provided by an aide who comes to a senior’s home to help with daily chores and activities of daily living. It can be offered anywhere a senior calls home — including a house, senior apartment, independent living, or assisted living. Learn more about home care.
Home care services are customizable to a senior’s unique needs. Services can include companionship, help with chores like cooking and housekeeping, or assistance with activities of daily living, like toileting and bathing. Explore home care services in more detail.
Home care provides nonmedical services for seniors who require assistance with daily tasks like housework, bathing, dressing, and transportation. In contrast, home health care is prescribed by a doctor and includes services like skilled nursing care and therapies, health monitoring, and medication administration that are provided by licensed medical professionals. Read more about home care vs. home health care.
Medicare.gov. Home health services.
NC Medicaid. (2022, March). Fact sheet: LTSS service description and eligibility requirements.
NC Medicaid Division of Health Benefits. North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. (2024). Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE).
North Carolina Division of Health Service Regulation. North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. Home care licensure information.
North Carolina Division of Health Service Regulation. North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. (2023, July 3). Home care provider training.
North Carolina Division of Health Service Regulation. North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. (2008, October 15). Establishing a certified home health agency.
North Carolina Division of Health Service Regulation. North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. (2012, July 23). Home care aide FAQ.
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Medicare.gov. Home health services.
NC Medicaid. (2022, March). Fact sheet: LTSS service description and eligibility requirements.
NC Medicaid Division of Health Benefits. North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. (2024). Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE).
North Carolina Division of Health Service Regulation. North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. Home care licensure information.
North Carolina Division of Health Service Regulation. North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. (2023, July 3). Home care provider training.
North Carolina Division of Health Service Regulation. North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. (2008, October 15). Establishing a certified home health agency.
North Carolina Division of Health Service Regulation. North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. (2012, July 23). Home care aide FAQ.