Raleigh, North Carolina, has a variety of excellent senior care facilities. As the capital of North Carolina, Raleigh is known for its enriching museums and abundance of parks. Since 2022, Raleigh’s population has grown by 2.4%, making it one of the fastest growing cities in America. Seniors, families, and professionals are all drawn to Raleigh for its outdoor activities, family-friendliness, and high quality of life.
Of the nearly 480,000 people living in Raleigh, about 12% are over 65. Seniors living in Raleigh tend to be from the area, or have recently followed family. Raleigh has exceptional health care facilities, low crime, and mild weather, which make the City of Oaks an excellent choice for seniors. Seniors looking for a nursing home will find many wonderful options here.
The term “nursing home” is sometimes used as a general term for all senior living. Nursing homes are actually specialized facilities where seniors can receive round-the-clock medical care. While A Place for Mom doesn’t partner with traditional, stand-alone nursing homes, about 35% of Raleigh’s assisted living and memory care facilities provide some short-term skilled nursing care. These skilled nursing wings are a good fit for seniors who need short-term rehabilitation. Seniors who don’t need specialized medical care may be a better fit for Raleigh’s assisted living or memory care facilities.
This guide offers an in-depth look at senior care facilities in Raleigh. We use our proprietary data to uncover the cost of senior care, how to pay, and explain local laws and regulations. We also discuss senior-friendly transportation, health care, and activities in and around Raleigh.
No basis for an answer when it comes to the activities. He didn't participate in any activity. He died after being there 10 days. However, based on the experience we did have with the community, we would...
Great staff. [name removed] was very accommodating. We were scrambling to get my brother in law tranfered out of rehab into an assisted living facility. Falls river went out of there way to meet are needs...
My mom has been treated extremely well and she has been happy since her first day. They make her feel safe and comfortable, and address any needs quickly. I can't say enough about the staff, they go above...
Areas they could improve on would be - more attention to bathing, dressing and brushing of the teeth. However, we would recommend this community to other families for levels 5, 6 and 7.
I would recommend Sunrise of North Hills. Though my loved one does complain often about the quality of the food. The biggest problem that I have had is getting the Sunrise doctor to call me back and...
The staff treat your loved one as their family. The facility is clean and well maintained inside and outside. The staff smile at their patients, sing songs to them. Theres beautiful gardens to sit outdoors...
My loved one was a resident at Spring Arbor of Raleigh until they had a fire recently, which unfortunately displaced most of the residents. The staff at this facility was great. My loved one really liked the...
Staff turn over. Undocumented and / or reported incidents (injuries). Clothes not separated after the laundry process. We are exploring the idea to relocate to a new location.
I researched several places before deciding to choose Terrabella. All places are expensive but I found the cost to be reasonable and the level of care commensurate with the others. It was a difficult...
From the moment you walk into Abbotswood at Stonehenge you will realize what a special place it is. Spend some time and you will confirm your initial feelings. You will see smiling faces and happy residents....
Staff was very helpful and move in went smoothly. They urgently needed to move in, but couldn't get their desired apartment at that time. Once one became available they were able to move them into that...
The staff at Spring Arbor of Cary are wonderful, kind, patient and really care. The meals are average quality, although they have been improving. I can't say enough great things about the staff and...
My mother has made comments that the staff are all very kind to the residence As far as the activities go - It would be nice if they could take the residents on simple outings to somewhere other than target...
All of the categories I would rate 5 stars. I have had great experiences here. Nothing is perfect, but their cheerfulness and willingness to help at every turn is just so wonderful. We would absolutely...
I have lived here for 3 1/2 years and have loved it since day one. The residents and associates are both caring and supportive. There are plenty of activities to keep us busy and entertained: theme...
The staff is very well trained and genuinely caring of all the residents. They provide a number of interactive activities and entertainment. Above all, the atmosphere is much more family-like than any other...
This community came highly recommend to us, and we can't say anything other then we are completely impressed. When we first walk through the door someone is always there to greet us, and there is no stich...
My loved one at times complains of the food and she hears staff are unhappy with the chef. Some staff have quit bc of him, she was told. She was pleased with the activity director who may be away. I think...
We developed a proprietary recommendation system that orders Raleigh community options based on factors we know are important to seniors and their families:
We collect proprietary data from our network of 14,000+ senior living communities in the U.S., with regular refreshes of data and information
We have 387,000+ reviews from senior living residents and family members that provide first-hand accounts about senior living communities
Skilled nursing facilities, or nursing homes, are more expensive than other senior care facilities because they require more staffing, training, and equipment.
Nursing homes in Raleigh
The average cost of a nursing home is $7,600 per month.[04] This monthly fee typically includes the following:
Raleigh’s assisted living and memory care facilities are considerably more affordable than skilled nursing care. If your loved one doesn’t need long-term skilled nursing care, consider Raleigh’s other senior care facilities.
Assisted living in Raleigh
The average cost of assisted living is $6,300 per month.[03] The monthly fee typically includes the following:
Memory care in Raleigh
The average cost of memory care is $6,325 per month.[03] This monthly fee typically includes the following:
The overall cost of living in Raleigh is 3% lower than the national average. The cost is also 2% higher than the average in North Carolina, making Raleigh a moderately affordable place for most Americans. Housing costs have risen by 1.8% since 2022, driven by Raleigh’s booming technology and research economy.[05] Raleigh may be one of the most popular places to move in North Carolina, and senior living costs are rising with its popularity.
Senior living in Raleigh is slightly more expensive than other North Carolina cities, with the exception of Asheville. However, seniors are often willing to pay more for access to Raleigh’s exceptional medical facilities, green spaces, and senior living options.
Retirees will find that North Carolina is somewhat tax-friendly for seniors. Unlike most other states, North Carolina doesn’t tax retirement benefits from Social Security. As of 2023, other forms of income are taxed at a flat rate of 4.75%.[06]
How you decide to pay for senior care should be based on your personal financial situation. Most families use a combination of personal funds, such as retirement accounts or income, and public aid programs, such as veterans benefits, Medicaid, and Medicare.
Read on to learn some tried-and-true methods to keep your ideal senior care facility within reach.
Most families need to use some private funds to cover the cost of skilled nursing care. Private pay methods include anything from investment accounts, retirement savings plans, and long-term and life care insurance. Use these articles to learn more about how to leverage your private assets to pay for long-term care.
Number of veterans who live in Raleigh
About 40% of Raleigh veterans are 65+
Using veterans benefits to pay for a nursing home or senior care community
You or your loved one may be able to pay for some of your long-term senior care costs using veterans benefits. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers multiple benefits to assist veterans and their families. Each benefit has different eligibility requirements, so consider speaking with a veterans benefits counselor to help you with your application. One benefit to ask about is the Aid and Attendance benefit, which can be used to pay for anything that improves the veteran’s quality of life, including senior living expenses.
Eligibility for veterans benefits
Because VA benefits can be difficult to understand and apply for, we recommend contacting your local veterans service organization (VSO). VSOs are nonprofits often vetted by the VA. They often employ veterans benefits counselors who can help you or your loved one apply for benefits or appeal denied benefits. The options below include both the local North Carolina VA office and other nonprofit organizations that can offer some veterans benefits counseling.
Veterans benefits counseling in Raleigh
Resources for Raleigh veterans
North Carolina Department of Military and Veterans Affairs
413 North Salisbury St.
Raleigh, NC 27603
Phone: 844-624-8387
Disabled American Veterans (DAV) North Carolina
5623 Duraleigh Road
Raleigh, NC 27612-2700
Phone: 919-833-5567
Medicaid may cover nursing home care. Medicaid provides health insurance for low-income individuals, is administered by the state government, and funded by both the state and federal governments. In North Carolina, the Medicaid program is called NC Medicaid and is operated by the Division of Health Service Regulations through the NC Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS). Like all health insurance plans, NC Medicaid primarily covers medical care, although some state programs cover some long-term senior care services.
Does NC Medicaid cover nursing homes?
Yes, NC Medicaid covers most expenses at Medicaid-approved nursing homes. NC Medicaid typically covers the following in Raleigh’s nursing homes:
Nursing homes typically offer extensive medical care services, including:
Does NC Medicaid cover assisted living or memory care?
No, NC Medicaid doesn’t cover room and board at private assisted living or memory care communities. However, medically necessary care services may be covered. For instance, if a Medicaid-eligible senior receives medically necessary skilled nursing care through a Medicaid-affiliated home health care agency, the care may be covered by Medicaid. Usually, these seniors must go through one of the following programs to get care services covered at their home or senior community:
Who is eligible for NC Medicaid?
Seniors are eligible for NC Medicaid if they meet the following criteria:
Needs skilled nursing care. An individual’s physician determines whether or not there is a medical need for skilled nursing care. Some qualifying conditions include a need for respiratory services, dialysis, or a need for 24-hour supervision.
Eligible seniors who wish to use NC Medicaid to pay for their skilled nursing care will need to receive care from a skilled nursing facility or agency that accepts Medicaid. Be sure to ask your senior care facility if they do before attempting to cover expenses with Medicaid.
Raleigh resident Medicaid resources
North Carolina Medicaid Contacts
2501 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699
Phone: 888-245-0179
Email: Medicaid.Transformation@dhhs.nc.gov
Medicare is a federal health insurance program for individuals over 65 who have paid their Medicare taxes or are married to someone who has paid their Medicare taxes. Medicare only covers medical services, which means Medicare does cover some nursing home expenses. Read on to learn what aspects of skilled nursing care Medicare covers.
What does Medicare cover?
Medicare covers short-term and medically necessary expenses. A physician and a Medicare representative must both agree that the expense meets both of these criteria before submitting it for Medicare coverage. Medicare coverage is individualized. What’s considered medically necessary for one person may not be for another.
Here are examples of what Medicare often covers:
Here are examples of what Medicare may not cover:
Medicare Savings Programs in Raleigh
Like all health insurance programs, seniors are expected to pay for some medical care costs under Medicare through copayments, premiums, coinsurance, and prescriptions. Seniors can find help paying for these additional costs with one of North Carolina’s Medicare Savings Programs.
The following contacts can help you identify the right Medicare Savings Program for you:
Raleigh resident Medicare resources
Raleigh’s senior care facilities provide professional and compassionate care to local seniors. The North Carolina Division of Health Service Regulation (DHSR) regulates and licenses senior living facilities in North Carolina, including nursing homes. To maintain the high quality of Raleigh’s senior care facilities, the DHSR inspects all facilities annually. Inspections check how well the facilities follow federal and state guidelines for safety, ethics, and quality of life.
Find inspections and file a complaint
You can find all inspection results on the North Carolina Adult Care Licensure Section. You can also find a list of every facility that has been penalized by the DHSR using the Listings of Facilities with Penalties. If needed, you can file a complaint about your loved one’s senior care facility directly to the North Carolina DHSR or contact your local ombudsman office.
Regulations for skilled nursing facilities in North Carolina
All nursing homes in Raleigh follow North Carolina’s DHSR rules and regulations for nursing homes. Regulations are put in place to ensure that nursing homes offer ethical and safe care to its residents, and keep the quality of life in their facilities high. Some of the most important rules for nursing homes in Raleigh include the following:
Regulations for assisted living and memory care facilities in Raleigh
Like nursing homes, assisted living and memory care facilities are regulated by the DHSR. You can find all regulations for assisted living and memory care facilities on the North Carolina Rules and Statutes for Adult Care Homes. Some of the most important regulations for these senior care facilities include the following:
North Carolina Department of Health contact information
North Carolina Department of Health
101 Blair Dr.
Raleigh, NC 27603
Phone: 919-855-4800
The North Carolina state government doesn’t currently enforce any COVID-19 policies in senior living facilities. The North Carolina Department of Health offers COVID-19 mitigation guidance and training for long-term care facilities, including nursing homes, assisted living, and memory care facilities. Senior care facilities are expected to follow guidance from the CDC about handling the spread of COVID-19.
Common respiratory diseases, like COVID-19, the flu, and RSV, are tracked on the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Service’s Respiratory Virus Summary Dashboard. You can find how quickly these diseases are spreading in your area.
Masking. Senior care facilities may ask their staff members to mask to prevent the spread of disease.
Facility cleanliness. Senior care facilities maintain excellent hygiene standards in accordance with the rules and regulations from the North Carolina Department of Health.
Social distancing. Loved ones are allowed to visit senior care facilities at any time.
Quarantining. Senior care facilities often have quarantine wings for patients with respiratory diseases, but aren’t mandated to have them.
Raleigh, North Carolina, is one of the fastest-growing cities in the United States, and it remains popular among seniors. Since 2022, Raleigh’s population of nearly 480,000 has grown by 2.4%, and about 12% of the city’s population is over 65.[01,02] Seniors value Raleigh’s temperate climate, exceptional health care facilities, and public parks and museums. Known as the City of Oaks with its 200+ city parks, Raleigh combines the best of mid-sized city living and the outdoors. Raleigh’s reputation for bringing in young professionals and families means many seniors moving to Raleigh for senior living already have family nearby.
Compared to the rest of the state, Raleigh’s senior care facilities are some of the best. Excellent staffing ratios, high safety standards, and updated facilities increase the quality of life for residents. Seniors in need of 24-hour supervision and skilled nursing care may need to find a local nursing facility. If you or your loved one simply need help with daily activities or dementia-specific care, consider Raleigh’s assisted living or memory care facilities instead.
Learn more about Raleigh’s nursing homes, assisted living, and memory care facilities below to make an informed decision for yourself or your loved one.
Nursing homes in Raleigh
Nursing homes provide skilled nursing care and round-the-clock supervision for seniors who need short-term rehabilitative care after a procedure or an illness, or long-term care for seniors who need skilled nursing for the rest of their lives. A Place for Mom doesn’t partner with any traditional, stand-alone nursing homes. However, around 35% of our partnering assisted living and memory care facilities in Raleigh offer some short-term skilled nursing care.[03] These “skilled nursing wings” follow the same laws and regulations as traditional nursing homes.
Assisted living and memory care in Raleigh
For seniors who require nonmedical care, assisted living or memory care facilities can fulfill that need. In Raleigh, assisted living and memory care facilities are almost always offered on the same campus or in the same building. Facilities tend to be mid-sized, with between 25 and 70 residents. Most of these facilities are in quiet suburban areas less than 15 minutes from the nearest hospital. Updated interiors and well-kept outdoor areas are common as well. Many facilities have extensive amenities, such as indoor pools, exercise rooms, arts and crafts centers, and walking trails.
About 39% of Raleigh’s assisted living and memory care facilities are residential care homes.[03] These facilities offer the same type of care as larger assisted living and memory care communities, but are similar to residential homes and house between three and seven residents. While these facilities follow the same rules and regulations, they tend to be more affordable.
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Number of seniors over the age of 65 currently living in Raleigh
Percentage of seniors 65 and older within the Raleigh population
Median annual income for Raleigh seniors 65 and older
As part of the Research Triangle, Raleigh has exceptional health care facilities that are within a twenty-minute drive from most partnering senior care facilities. These hospitals all offer geriatric care, inpatient care, and most specialties.
Duke University Hospital offers a full range of primary and specialty care, including geriatrics, oncology, and ophthalmology. Considered one of the best hospitals in the nation, Duke University Hospital is a teaching institution where Duke University medical students and residents receive training. The hospital is located in Durham and patients have access to cutting-edge technology and treatments. It’s approximately 30 minutes from Raleigh’s city center and serves the entire Raleigh-Durham area.
The UNC Hospital System has eight different locations across North Carolina. The Raleigh location is called UNC REX Healthcare, and was named a five-star Hospital by the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS). It offers a full scope of primary and specialty care, including geriatrics, general surgery, and urgent care.
This private, nonprofit hospital system has three locations across North Carolina. The Raleigh location offers a range of primary and specialty services, including geriatrics, orthopedic surgery, and rehabilitation care. This hospital uses some of the most updated surgical and imaging technology to give patients the best care.
Seniors living in Raleigh’s nursing homes typically don’t need to worry about transportation around the city, as their needs are often met by the community. Assisted living and memory care residents in Raleigh may or may not want to travel independently depending on their health needs. Most senior care facilities in Raleigh offer complimentary transportation services or transportation for a fee. These services allow residents to attend appointments and events without having to find public transportation or drive their own vehicle.
Families and friends are able to take their loved one out for day trips and vacations. Traffic in Raleigh and throughout the Research Triangle — which encompasses Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill — can be challenging, especially during rush hour.
Seniors residing in Raleigh’s nursing homes will find plenty of activities and entertainment in their community. Approximately 61% of Raleigh’s assisted living and memory care facilities employ an activities director, and 100% of Raleigh’s senior care facilities are required by the DHSR to provide regular activities for residents.[03]
Card game nights, movie showings, visiting performers, social hours, exercise classes, and financial literacy courses are common in assisted living facilities. Memory care facilities tailor their activities to the abilities of their residents, often choosing musical games or soothing projects. Many assisted living and memory care facilities also take their residents on outings to local parks and museums.
Parks in Raleigh
Raleigh is known as The City of Oaks, and it certainly lives up to the name. The parks listed below are some of the most senior-friendly, offering groomed trails, wheelchair accessibility, and tranquility.
Cultural activities in Raleigh
The capital of North Carolina offers seniors and their families plenty of opportunities to learn and explore. Whether you choose to spend an afternoon browsing an art collection, learning a new language, or enjoying gourmet cuisine, Raleigh has everything you need.
Brookdale Meadowmont, Oak Hill Assisted Living and Cadence at Wake Forest by Cogir are the top-rated Nursing Homes facilities near Raleigh, NC. These Nursing Homes facilities received the highest rankings based on verified family reviews. See full list of communities.
The average cost of Nursing Homes in Raleigh is $5,393 per month. This cost may vary based on location, amenities, floorplan, level of care and other factors.
Macrotrends.net. (2023). Raleigh metro area population 1950-2023.
United States Census Bureau. (2021). Age and sex (S0101): Raleigh city [Data set]. American community survey.
A Place for Mom. (2022). A Place for Mom proprietary data.
Genworth. (2021). Cost of Care Survey.
Rentcafe.com. (2022). Raleigh, NC rental market trends.
North Carolina Department of Revenue. (2023). Tax rate schedules.
United States Census Bureau. (2021). Veteran status (S2101): Raleigh city [Data set]. American community survey.
NC Department of Health and Human Services. (2023). Medicaid eligibility.
United States Census Bureau. (2023). Mean income in the past 12 months (S1902): Raleigh city [Data set]. American community survey.
Ask an A Place for Mom local advisor at no cost.
Macrotrends.net. (2023). Raleigh metro area population 1950-2023.
United States Census Bureau. (2021). Age and sex (S0101): Raleigh city [Data set]. American community survey.
A Place for Mom. (2022). A Place for Mom proprietary data.
Genworth. (2021). Cost of Care Survey.
Rentcafe.com. (2022). Raleigh, NC rental market trends.
North Carolina Department of Revenue. (2023). Tax rate schedules.
United States Census Bureau. (2021). Veteran status (S2101): Raleigh city [Data set]. American community survey.
NC Department of Health and Human Services. (2023). Medicaid eligibility.
United States Census Bureau. (2023). Mean income in the past 12 months (S1902): Raleigh city [Data set]. American community survey.