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The 10 Best Assisted Living Facilities in Hickory, NC for 2024

Known for its unique festivals and cultural events throughout the year, Hickory provides an exciting backdrop for retirement living. Its affordability and clean air make it a favorable option for seniors who enjoy taking advantage of outdoor amenities, and high access to health care and public transportation promotes convenience and safety. The city has a relatively large senior community, with those aged 65 and over making up over 16% of its 43,000 residents.

Hickory is among the most cost-effective places in the nation for assisted living services, with facilities in this region charging $3,523 per month for residential care. This is hundreds of dollars below the state norm of $4,010, and it’s about $1,000 below the national average of $4,500. This type of care is for seniors who don’t have medical needs but need help with daily activities, such as dressing, meal preparation and housekeeping. Assisted living facilities provide individualized care plans based on residents’ needs and organize recreational programs to promote engagement and lifelong learning.

Through this guide, seniors can learn more about assisted living in Hickory, including options they may have for paying for services and organizations that help them navigate the system. 

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Assisted Living Facilities in Hickory, North Carolina

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What to Consider About Assisted Living in Hickory

Hickory, North Carolina, is home to the Hickory Aviation Museum, which preserves and displays artifacts from the Golden Age of aviation. In addition to history, seniors can explore the arts, shop, dine and choose from five Assisted Living Facilities (ALFs) within city limits, and 21 in the surrounding area. ALFs within the state of North Carolina provide medication management, personal care services and 24-hour supervision to seniors in a group residential setting. The facilities are referred to by the state as Adult Care Homes and are licensed by the NC Division of Health Service Regulation (NCDHHS).

Benefits and Drawbacks of Assisted Living in Hickory

  • Greenway Public Transportation provides transportation services in Hickory and the surrounding region, including three flex routes and demand-response paratransit services. Seniors aged 65 and over and individuals with Medicare cards are eligible for discounted single-ride fares, which may be more economical for some than using paid transportation services through assisted living facilities.
  • The American Lung Association gives Catawba County the highest rating possible for 24-hour particle pollution and a passing grade for annual particle pollution, and the city ties for first place for cleanest metropolitan areas in the nation for ozone pollution. The city’s clean air may support the health of older adults, particularly those with respiratory or cardiovascular conditions.  
  • Seniors in Hickory don’t pay state income taxes on Social Security benefits, but other types of retirement income are fully taxed. The state provides income tax exemptions for veterans, as well as financial assistance programs for qualified individuals seeking assisted living, making local care financially feasible for many seniors.
  • Two hospitals are located in Hickory proper, including Frye Regional Medical Center and Catawba Valley Medical Center, and there are several more in nearby communities, such as Valdese and Lincolnton. There are about 237 doctors per capita, which is higher than the national norm of 210, which may reduce wait times to see primary and specialty care providers.
  • Hickory’s overall cost of living is 12 points below the national average and about 3 points below North Carolina’s norm on a 100-point cost of living index, indicating that it’s a generally affordable place to live. This may enable older adults to afford local living expenses on a fixed income.
  • Property crime is relatively prevalent in Hickory with the city rating 68.3 on a crime index versus the national score of 35.4, but the violent crime rate is only a couple of points higher than the national average at 25.4. To ensure residents’ safety, assisted living facilities have measures such as surveillance cameras and alarm systems in place, and they provide escorted transportation into the community.

Paying for Assisted Living in Hickory

Assisted living facilities in Hickory charge $3,523 per month for services.

The Cost of Assisted Living in Nearby Cities

In Hickory, assisted living residents pay $3,523 per month for care, which is well below state and national respective norms of $4,010 and $4,500. While seniors may find more economical care in Fayetteville, where agencies charge $3,000 per month for services, rates in most other North Carolina cities exceed Hickory’s norm. Rates in Greensboro are about $300 higher than in Hickory, and seniors in Charlotte pay $4,400 for services. In Asheville, facilities charge $4,998.

Hickory

$3,523

North Carolina

$4,010

United States

$4,500

Asheville

$4,998

Charlotte

$4,400

Greensboro

$3,800

Fayetteville

$3,000

The Cost of Other Types of Senior Care

Assisted living is among the most budget-friendly long-term care options in Hickory, with seniors paying $3,523 per month for care. Adult day health care is more affordable at $1,300 but doesn’t include housing expenses, which may make it costlier for many seniors. In-home care and home health care are costlier at $4,099 and $4,385, respectively, and nursing home rates are even higher, with base rates exceeding the norm for assisted living by about $4,600.

In-Home Care

$4,099

Home Health Care

$4,385

Adult Day Health Care

$1,300

Assisted Living Facility

$3,523

Nursing Home Facility (semiprivate room)

$8,125

Financial Assistance for Assisted Living in Hickory

North Carolina Medicaid is available for qualified low-income seniors and can assist in covering the costs of assisted living facilities. In addition to this program, the State-County Special Assistance program may be available to eligible seniors who do not have Medicaid.

Learn more about these programs, plus who’s eligible, on our Assisted Living in North Carolina page.

Financial Assistance in North Carolina

More Ways to Pay for Assisted Living

While many families use their own funds or personal assets to pay for assisted living, there are plenty of additional options to cover these costs. Some additional ways to finance assisted living costs include:

  • Veterans Benefits
  • Life Insurance Policy
  • Long-Term Care Insurance
  • Reverse Mortgage

For more information about different ways to finance assisted living, visit our Assisted Living in North Carolina page.

Free Assisted Living Resources in Hickory

Hickory and the surrounding area are home to numerous government agencies and non-profit organizations offering help for seniors searching for or currently residing in an assisted living community. These organizations can also provide assistance in a number of other eldercare services such as geriatric care management, elder law advice, estate planning, finding home care and health and wellness programs.

To see a list of free assisted living resources in Hickory, please visit our Assisted Living in North Carolina page.

ResourceContactService
Catawba County Council on Aging(828) 328-2269The Catawba County Council on Aging provides a range of services for older adults in the Hickory region, including AARP tax assistance, information and referrals for community-based resources and legal services. This independent nonprofit organization also provides computer training and publishes a bimonthly newsletter to help residents track community events.
Senior Law Project(877) 579-7562Senior Law Project provides free legal help to North Carolina residents aged 60 and over. Seniors can contact this program’s toll-free contact number to speak with a legal professional regarding issues such as public and veterans’ benefits, denied health insurance claims or assisted living contracts.
Catawba County Veteran Services Office(828) 465-8255The Catawba County Veteran Services office provides assistance to veterans in Hickory, helping those who are eligible to obtain discharge upgrades, track down service-related documents and file applications for state and federal benefits. At this location, seniors can get help applying for Aid and Attendance and veterans’ and survivors pension.
Seniors Morning Out(828) 695-5600Seniors Morning Out is a county-funded initiative that provides social and recreational opportunities, congregate meals, live entertainment and educational classes for those aged 60 and over. This program is available Monday to Thursday at two locations in Hickory, and participating is free, although donations are appreciated.
Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program(828) 485-4213The long-term care ombudsman program provides advocacy for older adults in Hickory and can help assisted living residents navigate issues such as inadequate or excessive services, involuntary discharges and bills for unexpected fees. The ombudsman can also assist with comparing local assisted living facilities and finding ways to fund services.

Assisted Living Laws and Regulations in Hickory

Hickory-area assisted living communities must adhere to the comprehensive set of state laws and regulations that all assisted living communities in North Carolina are required to follow. Visit our Assisted Living in North Carolina page for more information about these laws.

Assisted Living Laws and Regulations in North Carolina

Reviews of Communities Nearby

Assisted Living

Suzette

I am a friend or relative of a current/past resident

Review of Trinity Village

My husband was at Trinity Village. The grounds were pretty. There needs to be more maintenance, especially in the private rooms such as, just painting and cleaning and so forth. The staff was...

Read more

Assisted Living

Leslie

I visited this facility

Review of Brookdale Hickory Northeast

Everybody at Brookdale Hickory Northeast seemed to care. The facility was very clean. The reason we didn't pick this one was that it's farther away from where my friend was living at the time, and...

Read more

Assisted Living

Edward

I visited this facility

Review of Brookdale Falling Creek

We've already put a deposit on my mother's room at Brookdale Falling Creek. We chose it because we thought the facility was the nicest of all that we visited. The best thing was her room. The...

Read more

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The material on this site is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for legal, financial, professional, or medical advice or diagnosis or treatment. By using our website, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

Caring.com

Caring.com is a leading online destination for caregivers seeking information and support as they care for aging parents, spouses, and other loved ones. We offer thousands of original articles, helpful tools, advice from more than 50 leading experts, a community of caregivers, and a comprehensive directory of caregiving services.

 

The material on this site is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for legal, financial, professional, or medical advice or diagnosis or treatment. By using our website, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

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