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Memory Care in North Carolina

Overview of Memory Care in North Carolina

Whether you prefer laid-back beach towns, mountain hikes, or something in between, North Carolina has something to offer — and that’s what makes it an ideal retirement destination. The Outer Banks region along the state’s eastern coast is a popular tourist spot, featuring lighthouses, beaches, and countless other aquatic activities. It’s also home to Kitty Hawk, the seaside town where the Wright brothers made their historic first airplane flight. Then, on North Carolina’s western edge is where the breathtaking Blue Ridge Mountains run through the state. Peppered throughout all of North Carolina are small yet vibrant college towns like Asheville and Chapel Hill, along with larger metropolitan areas like Charlotte. Add mild weather and low property taxes to the mix, and it’s clear why the Tar Heel State has one of the fastest-growing populations in the United States.

Currently, A Place for Mom partners with more than 270 senior living communities in North Carolina that provide memory care.

The median monthly cost of memory care in North Carolina is about $5,500.

Top-rated Memory Care facilities in North Carolina

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3 Photos available

Spring Arbor of Kinston

3207 Carey Rd, Kinston, NC 28504
9.8
Review Score
25 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Anonymous - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

All staff is very friendly!! Some staff, not the aides, but house keeping needs to be on schedule 24/7 and the cooks need training. I do feel that they care about and love my Mom.

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12
12 Photos available

Arbor Landing at Ocean Isle

5490 Arbor Branch Dr, SW, Shallotte, NC 28470
9.8
Review Score
52 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Kara B - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

The community is just beautiful. Such a nice environment staff and management have put together. Very caring staff. Good food and fun activities.

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71
71 Photos available

Cadence at Mooresville by Cogir

198 E Waterlynn Rd, Mooresville, NC 28117
9.8
Review Score
46 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Anonymous - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

My father loves the facility and employees. My sister said the rooms are clean. The only problem was the 12 month wait. I understand most of that is out of your hands, but we were scrambling towards the end...

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Top-rated Memory Care facilities in Charlotte

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13
13 Photos available

The Charlotte

9120 Willow Ridge Rd, Charlotte, NC 28210
Anonymous - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

Dining room has been closed off and on due to staffing issues. Activities offered include bingo, holiday parties, etc. They had a price raise of 10% since the beginning of 2022. That was a large increase....

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7
7 Photos available

The Pines on Carmel Senior Living

5820 Carmel Rd, Charlotte, NC 28226
9.3
Review Score
56 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Sanae M - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

My sister had such a wonderful Care and all the staff was kind and wonderful I can not thank you enough to the Pine on Carmel and thank you very much to the all staff of memory care.

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41
41 Photos available

Cadence at Mint Hill by Cogir

5601 Margaret Wallace Rd, Mint Hill, NC 28105
8.6
Review Score
22 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Anonymous - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

The staff was ok, but didn't keep her from walking and falling with ER visits. Activities were mostly having her watch TV. Food was fine, but didn't make her eat and she needed the nourishment. For a large...

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Top-rated Memory Care facilities in Raleigh

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142
142 Photos available

Cadence at North Raleigh by Cogir

5219 Old Wake Forest Rd, Raleigh, NC 27609
8.8
Review Score
44 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Anonymous - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

The staff is very helpful, even when I need to call and can't be there in person. My mother has received good care. One problem to mention was when my mother was transported to the ER in the middle of the...

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19
19 Photos available

Brighton Gardens of Raleigh

3101 Duraleigh Road, Raleigh, NC 27612
8.4
Review Score
67 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Doug - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

They entire staff has been very attentive to both of my parents needs. The facility has been great with making sure my parents needs are met. I would definitely choose Brighton Gardens again.

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3
3 Photos available

Spring Arbor of Raleigh

1810 N New Hope Rd, Raleigh, NC 27604
6.5
Review Score
25 reviews
Jill K - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

The staff was very good and very attentive to my mother. Even times when I went at different times than my usual they were with her someone was. When she passed away I had just had open shoulder surgery so I...

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Top-rated Memory Care facilities in Durham

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10
10 Photos available
3
3 Floor plans available

Carolina Reserve of Durham

4523 Hope Valley Rd, Durham, NC 27707
8.8
Review Score
55 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Anonymous - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

I found Carolina Reserve to be bright, the walls are a warm color with white trim throughout, this highlights both cleanliness and care. The air smells clean everywhere. The staff is not only courteous and...

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10
10 Photos available
3
3 Floor plans available

Seasons at Southpoint

1002 North Carolina Hwy 54, Durham, NC 27713
8.6
Review Score
40 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Anonymous - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

What we like the most about the community is that the staff are very nice and they do a lot of activities for the residents there. Yes, we would recommend Seasons at Southpoint to other families

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7
7 Photos available

Cambridge Hills Assisted Living

140 Brookstone Lane, Pittsboro, NC 27312
7.5
Review Score
35 reviews
Anonymous - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

Has been way better than experience with other family members in similar situations. They have been very helpful when things are not so good with Dad. Very understanding and flexible. Cleanliness has been...

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Top-rated Memory Care facilities in Winston Salem

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13
13 Photos available

Homestead Hills

3520 Homestead Hills Dr, Winston Salem, NC 27103
5.5
Review Score
31 reviews
mch - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

My mother fell 3 times!! Had met with staff and executive director after the first fall. The first fall should not have happened. Not enough staff to care about the patients. Meet with caretakers on why...

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15
15 Photos available

Brighton Gardens of Winston-Salem

2601 Reynolda Road, Winston-Salem, NC 27106
9.2
Review Score
94 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Jodi - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

I'm glad my mom spent her last days at Brighton, it wasn't my first choice but it was my best choice and I'm glad we moved her there. I would recommend it

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22 Photos available
8
8 Floor plans available

PruittPlace Winston Salem

2500 Polo Ridge Ct, Winston-Salem, NC 27106
8.9
Review Score
83 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Donna - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

Every staff member I run into says hello! I am welcome to see my mom anytime and even eat with her if I want. The food is good and they have a great snack selection. My mom loves the games like bingo and...

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North Carolina laws and regulations for memory care facilities

North Carolina memory care communities can be stand-alone facilities or a special care unit (SCU) that shares a campus or building with another senior care facilities. The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) licenses memory care facilities as adult care homes (ACH) and regulates them through the Division of Health Service Regulation (DHSR). There are two types of ACH which are determined by the size of the facility. Family care homes serve 2-6 residents whereas a larger ACH is licensed for seven or more residents.[01]

Any facility serving residents living with dementia must be approved by the state to provide that care and have a license that indicates the number of beds reserved for dementia care. Memory care facilities must also follow specific staffing and facility requirements that include the following:[02]

  • There must be one staff member for every eight residents during day shifts.
  • A care coordinator must be present eight hours a day, five days per week.
  • Staff must have six hours of dementia-specific orientation within their first week of employment. After six months of employment, staff must have at least 20 hours of dementia-specific training.
  • Facilities are required to have secure outdoor access for residents.
  • Facilities must have locking doors or monitoring devices to discourage elopement.

In addition to memory care-specific requirements, facilities must provide standard ACH services and licensing regulations:[02]

  • Facilities must have proper staffing ratios which includes an administrator on duty at all times in addition to a staff activity director.
  • Residents must be assessed within 72 hours of admission.
  • A separate functional assessment to determine a resident’s level of functioning must be performed within 30 days of admission.
  • Facilities must provide three meals and three snacks each day.

Our Overview of Assisted Living in North Carolina provides additional information about adult care home regulations.

Why do licensure and inspection reports matter to families?

State regulations — and a community’s track record with inspections and licensing — offer important insights into safety and quality of care in senior living communities.

Download the Guide to Senior Living Licensure and Inspection Reports to learn what to look for in inspection reports and what questions to ask when touring communities. This resource explains how to use state licensure and inspection information to evaluate a community’s compliance, care standards, and responsiveness to issues.

Let our care assessment guide you

Our free tool provides options, advice, and next steps based on your unique situation.

North Carolina memory care violations and licensing information

Licensed adult care homes are inspected by the DHSR annually. Social service departments in a facility’s county monitor adult care homes quarterly and investigate complaints. Individual counties with adult care homes have a county-run advisory committee that promotes community involvement and works with facilities to help provide quality care.

While researching facilities for a loved one, the Department of Health and Human Services provides an updated list of licensed adult care facilities with special care units for individuals with dementia. Information can be found on the Adult Care Licensure Section page. Under the Facility Listings click on the “Facilities with Special Care Units” link and scroll until you find the facility you are searching for.

North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services contact information

North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services
101 Blair Drive
Raleigh, NC 27603

Phone: 888-893-1162

References

  1. Licensing of Family Care Homes, N.C. Administrative Code § 10A NCAC 13G. (1977 & rev. 2022).

  2. Licensing of Adult Care Homes of Seven or More Beds, N.C. Administrative Code § 10A NCAC 13F. (1977 & rev. 2022).

The information contained on this page is for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute medical, legal or financial advice or create a professional relationship between A Place for Mom and the reader. Always seek the advice of your health care provider, attorney or financial advisor with respect to any particular matter, and do not act or refrain from acting on the basis of anything you have read on this site. Links to third-party websites are only for the convenience of the reader; A Place for Mom does not endorse the contents of the third-party sites.