The 10 Best Home Care Agencies for Seniors in Brunswick County, NC for 2024

Brunswick County is North Carolina’s southernmost county, bordered by South Carolina, the Cape Fear River and the Atlantic Ocean. The 2020 Census reveals the county’s population to be 136,693, of which 33.3% are in the 65 and over age group. This is significantly above the U.S. average of 16.9%, suggesting Brunswick County is popular with older citizens. This may be due to its many charming and peaceful towns, numerous beaches and a generally healthy environment that contributes to the average life expectancy being almost 1.5 years above the country’s norm, according to the U.S. News and World Report. The county’s medical facilities include the well-regarded Brunswick Medical Center in Bolivia and Brunswick Community Hospital in Supply.

Seniors better served by registered nurses and therapists at home have several home health care agencies to choose from, while those who need nonmedical assistance with daily living tasks also have plenty of home care agencies at their disposal. The typical fee for home care in Brunswick County is $4,576 according to the 2021 Genworth Cost of Care Survey, which is a little above North Carolina’s average.

Below we’ve compiled a comprehensive directory of every home care provider in Brunswick County – complete with services offered and reviews from families who’ve actually used the service. In addition to our in-depth provider listings, we’ve compiled resources to help seniors and their families to access all the tools they need to age in place safely and gracefully.

The 2021 Genworth Cost of Care Survey estimates Brunswick County’s average cost of home care to be $4,576 per month. This is above the state average of $4,385 but below the national average of $4,957. The survey also reveals Brunswick County’s costs typically exceed those of nearby cities, such as Jacksonville ($4,195), New Bern ($3,813), Fayetteville ($4,004) and Goldsboro ($3,813).

The most affordable senior care option in Brunswick County is adult day care, which has a median fee of $1,289. Home care comes next, with fees in the region of $4,576 for personal care services and light housekeeping. Home health care’s average cost is $4,767, which covers limited medical care for registered therapists and nurses. Assisted living is the most affordable option offering accommodation, costing around $5,254, while nursing homes charge approximately $6,844.

Given the high cost of in-home care, many people use one or more forms of financial assistance to cover the expenses. Below, we explain some of the most common sources of financial help for paying for in-home care. If none of these options are available to you, you can reach out to your Area Agency on Aging or Aging and Disability Resource Center to learn about local resources.

• Long-Term Care Insurance: Long-term care insurance covers expenses related to senior care, including in-home care. Depending on the policy type, beneficiaries may receive a cash payment to use towards long-term care or reimbursement for qualifying long-term care expenses. Note that there are limitations- typically a maximum benefit of $150 per day- and exact coverage terms vary depending on the exact policy, so always check the details.
• Medicare: Medicare does not cover in-home care because it is classified as custodial, or non-medical, care. However, some Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement plans, which offer expanded benefits, may cover in-home custodial care.
• Medicaid: Medicaid coverage of in-home care varies between different states because it is not a federally mandated benefit. Currently, all states cover some in-home care either through their standard Medicaid or a waiver program. The specific coverage rules are set individually by each state.
• Veterans’ Benefits: The Aid and Attendance benefit is a monthly cash payment that beneficiaries can use to pay for senior care, including in-home care services. To qualify for A&A, Veterans must already receive the VA pension and meet several additional requirements, including needing assistance with the activities of daily living. Contact the Department of Veterans Affairs to learn more.
• Reverse Mortgages:Home Equity Conversion Mortgages (HECMs) are federally insured loans that are available to homeowners age 62 and over. Reverse mortgages allow you to access a portion of your home’s equity in cash, tax free. Many seniors use reverse mortgages to finance their care expenses, including in-home care. Note that although there are no monthly payments due on reverse mortgage loans, borrowers do have to repay the loan once the last surviving homeowner passes away, moves, or sells the home.