STATE PROFILE • Last updated: April 23, 2026
North Carolina Elder Care & Medicaid
North Carolina offers long-term care for seniors through Nursing Home Medicaid, Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Waivers, and a Medically Needy pathway, with strict income and asset limits.
leaderboard
RANKED #22
GRADE C
FEATURED
Medicaid Coverage Guide for North Carolina
Full breakdown of Special Assistance In-Home Program for seniors: waiver programs, nursing home eligibility, income and asset limits, spend-down rules, and how to apply.
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Program
Special Assistance In-Home Program
Income cap
$1,330/mo
Medically-needy
Yes
Elder Care Index Report Card
5-pillar composite scoring vs other states
C
Grade
AFFORDABILITY
STRONG
QUALITY
MODERATE
STAFFING
CRITICAL
ACCESS
CRITICAL
MEDICAID SUPPORT
STRONG
Composite score: 50.3 / 100
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North Carolina At a Glance
Nursing Home Facilities
418
Senior Medicaid Waivers
2
National Rank
#22 / 51
Senior Care Costs in North Carolina
holiday_village
Assisted Living
$4,010/mo
-12.7% vs national avg
local_hospital
Nursing Home
$9,086/mo
-17.7% vs national avg
- 418 nursing homes · 43,796 beds
- Avg CMS rating 2.91★ (81 rated 5★, 87 rated 1★)
- 3.78 nurse hrs/resident/day (0.59 RN)
Source: CMS Nursing Home Compare
psychology
Memory Care
$5,013/mo
-12.7% vs national avg
home_health
Home Health Aide
$24/hr
-11.1% vs national avg
- Median aide wage $14.47/hr
- ~59,880 aides employed statewide
Source: BLS OEWS