Cost of Memory Care in Charlotte, NC
The cost of Memory Care for those with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia ranges from $4,200 per month to $7,000 per month. The average cost is $6,165 per month or about $73,987 per year.*
In North Carolina, more than 180,000 people are living with Alzheimer’s disease, while there are currently more than 6 million Americans living with Alzheimer’s. (Source: ALZ.org) As these numbers continue to grow, the demand for specialized care services for those individuals with Alzheimer’s and dementia grows fast across the country.
About Charlotte, North Carolina
Located in the southern part of the Piedmont region of North Carolina, Charlotte is positioned on the border of North and South Carolina. Nicknamed the “Queen City”, Charlotte was named in honor of Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, the queen consort of British King George III when the city was founded. Today, Charlotte is consistently ranked among the top growing cities in the Southeast.
For seniors who are living in the area or looking to relocate, Charlotte is a beautiful place to call home during your retirement. For those who may require additional care services in memory care, there are two pricing models to consider when searching for retirement communities.
Charlotte Memory Care Pricing Models
When you begin touring memory care facilities in Charlotte, arrive prepared with a variety of questions to assist you in learning more about their community. You can find a comprehensive list of questions about memory care here. Asking questions will help you to gain clarity on their pricing, as each location will be different. In memory care, the biggest differentiator is the level of training of their staff; those who are Certified Dementia Care practitioners have received extensive knowledge in the area of dementia care and can provide an understanding and caring environment for their residents.
It’s best to fully understand pricing models and ask in-depth questions so you won’t encounter unexpected costs or hidden fees. While searching for memory care, you’ll find that there are two different pricing models communities generally use. Each of them varies with what is included in the pricing and what services/amenities costs extra.
1. The “All-Inclusive” Model
The “all-inclusive” pricing model is preferred for its predictability and simplicity for month-to-month costs. If any unexpected medical issues arise, you won’t be required to pay more, and the increased memory care services will be covered by your current fee. Since the meaning of “all inclusive” varies between communities, you should ask for the full list of what is included in the monthly fee to hinder any unexpected costs. Where some communities may offer a service like transportation to appointments as part of the price, others may include it as an additional fee on top of the flat monthly fee. While the cheaper option may seem more appealing, it’s best to read the fine print.
Example: Mr. Walter is comparing two communities for his father with dementia and both use the “all-inclusive” pricing model. Community A is $5,000 per month, and the fee includes rent, home furnishings, 3 meals per day plus snacks, utilities (water, electric, gas, cable), laundry services, housekeeping services, transportation to appointments, assistance with bathing, dressing, eating, continence, and mobility from a certified professional. Community B is $4,000 per month, and the fee includes: rent, home furnishings, and 3 meals per day. Since Community B doesn’t include all of the options that Community A does, those additional services must be paid for and added on top of the $4,000 base price.
2. The “Levels of Care” Model
Also known as “Tiered Pricing”, this model is beneficial for those who want their bill to be consistent with their current care needs. This can be a riskier option, since needs may unexpectedly change and cause the individual to require a higher level of care, making the fee more expensive than originally expected. Their ‘level’ or ‘tier’ is assigned and regularly re-assessed for changes. Individuals who need little to no care/assistance would be placed into the lowest level of care, which is also the least expensive. On the opposite side, those who require a significant amount of care would be placed into a higher level of care, with costs that are more expensive. In addition, if an unexpected need comes up, they will be charged “a la carte” for additional services that are not included.
Example: Mrs. Jones joins the community and only requires medication management. She is assessed at a Tier 1 level of care, and her fee will be $2,500 per month. In 5 months, Mrs. Jones has unexpected health issues and now requires assistance with dressing, eating, and mobility. Due to the increase in assistance, she is re-assessed to Tier 4 level and her monthly fee will rise to $8,000 per month.
The Charlotte Assisted Living & Memory Care is the Charlotte area’s premier retirement community. Located in Pineville, adjacent to Atrium Health Pineville, the Charlotte offers all-inclusive pricing. This is because we want our memory care staff to focus on providing care, not calculating it. Each individual who works in our secure and safe memory care unit is required to be a Certified Dementia Practitioner. To learn more about Memory Care at The Charlotte, click here. To speak with one of our Lifestyle Advisors or to schedule an appointment call (704) 834-9175.
*Pricing is based on information availability and is subject to change. The lowest number available is base pricing from communities who follow a Levels of Care pricing model. Additional fees will be added to ensure that care needs are met.
