Memory Care in Asheville, North Carolina
Alzheimer's-related deaths have been surging in North Carolina in recent years, with the Alzheimer’s Association reporting that deaths increased by over 160% between 2000 and 2020 and are projected to increase by nearly 17% between 2020 and 2025. In the Asheville area, Alzheimer’s-related deaths are climbing at a similar pace, with the number of cases going up by 43% between 2014 and 2018. In 2014, 114 of the county’s 1,846 deaths were linked to Alzheimer’s. In 2018, Alzheimer’s-related deaths made up 163 of the 2,098 total deaths.
Memory care communities provide comforting, engaging environments for seniors in all stages of dementia. These communities provide 24/7 supervision and care and organize activities to help preserve as much cognitive function as possible, including therapeutic activities, such as cooking and gardening, memory games and arts and crafts. They also feature advanced security solutions to monitor residents and prevent wandering. This guide outlines memory care costs in Asheville and how they compare to other major North Carolina cities, along with local agencies that serve seniors living with Alzheimer's and their families.
The SeniorScore for Asheville, NC
The SeniorScore in Asheville is 76, which is a little higher than the state and national scores of 72, suggesting that the city promotes comfortable senior living. It rates highest in the Recreation & Leisure category with a score of 73. In this city, which is located in age-friendly Buncombe County, nearly a third of the residents are aged 55 and over. There is a broad array of recreational amenities that provide engaging and familiar activities for those with memory-related conditions, including nearly three dozen golf courses, 14 parks and nine movie theaters.
Asheville received a score of 67 in the General Quality of Life and Health & Safety categories. Its mild average temperatures may appeal to older adults who enjoy outdoor living, and its air quality is consistent with the nation as a whole. It has a population density of 1,234 people per square mile, and residents have a very short daily commute, indicating the availability of shops, restaurants, healthcare providers and government offices. There are 327 pharmacies within close range of the city, along with five hospitals and a high number of Medicare-registered healthcare providers. The city loses points for its high violent and property crime rates, and the average life expectancy is nearly a year less than the national average.
Asheville rates lowest in the Finances category with a score of 62. While memory care costs tend to be affordable, the overall cost of living is considerably higher than the state average and may be a consideration for some families. The income tax and sales tax rates are a little high, but property taxes are low, which may benefit seniors who are selling their homes to transition to memory care.
Memory Care Costs in Asheville, NC
In Asheville, memory support services are typically provided in assisted living facilities. Depending on the pricing structure, memory services typically cost 20-30% more than standard care. Because there are no authoritative data sources that provide nationwide cost information, the following costs are based on assisted living fees in Genworth’s 2020 Cost of Care Survey, plus 25% to account for memory-related service fees.
Asheville is among the more affordable cities in the nation for memory care. On average, seniors and families in this city pay $3,438 per month for memory support, which is about 28% lower than the state average of $4,750 and 36% lower than the national monthly average of $5,375. Within Asheville, care costs may be higher or lower, depending on factors, such as a community’s pricing schedule, size, amenities and location.
Asheville is the most affordable major city for memory care in the western region of North Carolina. In Hickory, which is about 80 miles east, care costs surpass the state average at $5,000 per month, and 130 miles east in Charlotte, seniors pay even more with fees of $5,811 per month. In the central region of the state, care costs vary considerably. Seniors in the capital city of Raleigh pay $6,000 per month, making it among the most expensive cities in the region. In Durham, costs are comparable to the national average at $5,063, and in Fayetteville, fees are affordable at $4,375 per month. Both the cheapest and the most expensive cities in North Carolina are located in the easternmost region of the state. Wilmington seniors pay $7,346 per month on average. In Jacksonville, memory support fees are the most competitive at $3,344 per month.
- Asheville: $3,438
- Hickory: $5,000
- Charlotte Area: $5,811
- Raleigh Area: $6,000
- Durham Area: $5,063
- Fayetteville: $4,375
- Wilmington: $7,346
- Jacksonville: $3,344
Top Memory Care Communities in Asheville, North Carolina
Located at 455 Victoria Rd in Asheville, North Carolina, Stonecreek Health and Rehabilitation is a 120 room nursing facility. The neighboring area has a medium-density population, with about 16,000 people residing in the zip code of 28801. It ...
Located at 380 Brevard Rd in Asheville, North Carolina, Aston Park Health Care Center is a 120 room nursing care facility. The encompassing area is densely populated, with approximately 40,000 residents in the 28806 zip code. With an ...
Baptist Retirement Homes of North Carolina is an 80 room senior community. It is located at 213 Richmond Hill Dr in Asheville, North Carolina. The community is in a mostly middle income area, with a median per-household income ...
Located at 500 Beaverdam Rd in Asheville, North Carolina, Golden Living Center - Asheville is a 77 bed senior care community. With an average per-family income of $48,941, the facility is in a largely middle income area. It ...
Emerald Ridge Rehab and Care Center is located at 25 Reynolds Mountain Blvd in Asheville, North Carolina. It is a 100 unit nursing facility. The neighboring area is heavily populated, with around 22,000 poeple living in the zip ...
Located close to the Royal Pines neighborhood, Brookdale Asheville Walden Ridge is a senior housing community in Asheville, North Carolina. The neighboring area is heavily populated, with about 30,000 people residing in the zip code of 28803. With ...
Located at 55 Piney Mountain Dr, Bella Vista is a senior housing community serving Asheville, North Carolina. The surrounding area has an average population density, with roughly 19,000 individuals residing in the 28805 zip code. With a median ...
The Crossings At Reynolds Mountain is a senior community located at 41 Cobblers Way in Asheville, North Carolina. With a median per-family income of $48,941, the facility is in a mostly middle income area. It is heavily populated, ...
Located in the Royal Pines area of the city, Arbor Terrace of Asheville is a senior housing community in Asheville, North Carolina. The community is in a mostly middle class area, with a median per-household income of $51,382. ...
The Oaks at Sweeten Creek is a 100 bed senior housing community located in the Royal Pines neighborhood of Arden, North Carolina. The facility is in a mostly middle class area, with a median family income of $52,233. ...
7 miles away from Asheville, NC
Universal Health Care-Fletcher is situated near by the Royal Pines area of Fletcher, North Carolina. It is a 90 bed nursing care facility. The community is in a primarily middle income area, with an average per-household income of ...
9 miles away from Asheville, NC
Black Mountain Neuro-Medical Treatment Center is a 163 unit senior community. It is located at 932 Old US Highway 70 in Black Mountain, North Carolina. With a median household income of $41,131, the facility is in a mostly ...
11 miles away from Asheville, NC
Legacy of Mills River is a senior care community located at 582 Jeffress Rd in Mills River, North Carolina. The surrounding area is sparsely populated, with roughly 8,000 individuals residing in the 28759 zip code. It is a ...
12 miles away from Asheville, NC
Brookdale Heritage Circle is a senior care facility serving people over 55. It is located at 2500 Heritage Cir in Hendersonville, North Carolina. With roughly 15,000 poeple living in the zip code of 28791, the neighboring area has ...
14 miles away from Asheville, NC
The Laurels of Hendersonville is located at 290 Clear Creek Rd in Hendersonville, North Carolina. It is a 100 unit senior housing facility. With a median per-household income of $36,645, the community is in a largely middle income ...
16 miles away from Asheville, NC
Life Care Center of Hendersonv is located at 400 Thompson St in Hendersonville, North Carolina. It is an 80 bed senior housing facility. With approximately 34,000 poeple living in the zip code of 28792, the encompassing area is ...
17 miles away from Asheville, NC
Spring Arbor of Hendersonville is a senior community located at 1820 Pisgah Dr in Hendersonville, North Carolina. The encompassing area has a medium-density population, with around 15,000 poeple living in the 28791 zip code. With an average per-family ...
17 miles away from Asheville, NC
Spring Arbor of Hendersonville West is a senior housing facility located at 1825 Pisgah Dr in Hendersonville, North Carolina. The facility is in a predominantly middle income area, with an average per-household income of $57,012. With approximately 15,000 ...
17 miles away from Asheville, NC
Madison Health and Rehabilitation is a 100 bed nursing facility located in Mars Hill, North Carolina. The facility is in a predominantly middle income area, with an average per-household income of $39,002. With about 9,000 individuals living in ...
18 miles away from Asheville, NC
Nursing Care at Golden LivingCenter - Hendersonville is a 150 room nursing facility. It is located at 1510 Hebron St in Hendersonville, North Carolina. With an average per-household income of $52,059, the facility is in a mostly middle ...
19 miles away from Asheville, NC
Free Memory Care Resources in Asheville, NC
Land-of-Sky Regional Council The Land-of-Sky Regional Council is the local Area Agency on Aging. This nonprofit agency supports seniors’ safety and quality of life through a combination of services, directly or through local providers. It’s one of the state’s Senior Health Insurance Information Provider locations, meaning that it has trained counselors who can answer questions about Medicare benefits and help seniors and families find health insurance solutions that best fit their needs. It also has a long-term care ombudsman program that investigates reports of abuse in memory care communities and ensures residents’ rights are honored. 339 New Leicester Highway, Suite 140, Asheville, NC 28803 (828) 251-6622 http://landofsky.org/aaa.html |
Alzheimer’s Association Western Carolina Chapter Asheville is home to the Mountain Area office of the Alzheimer’s Association’s Western Carolina chapter. This nonprofit organization provides a variety of services and supports for seniors with Alzheimer’s, including early-stage support groups and social engagement programs and information and referrals for local programs. It also maintains a searchable online database of local providers, helping families find dementia-related resources. 31 College Place, Suite D-103, Asheville, NC 28801 (828) 254-7363 http://www.alz.org/northcarolina |
Veterans Services Office Buncombe County’s Veterans Service Office provides services for eligible veterans and their families in and around Asheville. Its certified officers can help seniors locate and apply for benefits that they’re eligible for, including the VA pension and the Aid and Attendance benefit, which may help cover memory care costs. 40 Coxe Avenue, Asheville, NC 28801 (828) 250-5726 https://www.buncombecounty.org/governing/depts/veterans/default.aspx |
Council on Aging of Buncombe County The Council on Aging of Buncombe County provides assistance and referrals to seniors in Asheville and the surrounding area. The council operates congregate meal sites throughout the region, providing supplemental meals and social opportunities, and it offers health insurance counseling for Medicare-recipients. It also helps qualified Medicare beneficiaries sign up for the Extra Help Program, which can help them cover health insurance-related costs, such as co-pays and deductibles. 46 Sheffield Circle, Asheville, NC 28803 (828) 277-8288 https://www.coabc.org |
MemoryCare MemoryCare is a nonprofit charitable organization that serves seniors with Alzheimer’s and their families through early-stage engagement programs and informational resources. Through its integrated care models, it develops care plans in cooperation with the program participant, their family and their healthcare providers. Referrals are required for services. 100 Far Horizons Lane, Asheville, NC 28803 (828) 771-2219 https://memorycare.org |
Pisgah Legal Services Pisgah Legal Services is a nonprofit law firm that provides Elder Law services. Some issues that the firm can address include elder abuse and financial exploitation, consumer fraud, unfair debt collection and end-of-life planning. Services are provided free of cost for seniors who meet income guidelines. 62 Charlotte Street, Asheville, NC 28801 (828) 253-0406 https://www.pisgahlegal.org/free-legal-assistance/senior-legal-services |
CarePartners PACE The local PACE provides a full spectrum of health and wellness services for qualifying seniors. Some services that the center provides include doctor and nursing services; prescription drug coverage; nutritional counseling and physical, occupational and recreational therapy. Services are covered by Medicare and Medicaid. 286 Overlook Road, Asheville, NC 28803 (828) 213-8442 https://missionhealth.org/services-treatments/adult-care/pace |