The 5 Best Home Care Agencies for Seniors in Morganton, NC for 2024

Morganton is a vibrant community in the western region of North Carolina with an estimated 18,000 residents, 20% of whom are seniors. It offers a low cost of living with affordable housing, letting many seniors maintain their preferred standard of living, and warm weather throughout the year appeals to those who enjoy relaxing outdoors. UNC Health Blue Ridge Hospital - Morganton is conveniently located in the city proper, and numerous home care agencies provide support for older adults who need daily help at home. On average, seniors in Morganton pay $4,099 per month for in-home care, which includes nonmedical services. This is several hundred dollars less than the cost of home health care, which includes skilled nursing services. 

Below we've compiled a comprehensive directory of every home care provider in the Morganton area – 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 Genworth 2021 Cost of Care Survey reports that seniors in Morganton pay $4,099 per month for in-home care, making this city a relatively affordable place to obtain this type of care. The local average home care rate is about $300 lower than the North Carolina norm and about $860 below the national average. While care costs in Winston are about $200 less than in Morganton, seniors in Greensboro pay higher monthly rates of $4,195. In Charlotte, home care costs exceed Morganton’s norm by about $570, and care costs in Asheville are even higher at $4,957.

In Morganton, seniors pay $4,099 per month for nonmedical in-home care. This is about $575 higher than the monthly cost of assisted living, which includes housing and meals, along with personal care. Adult day health care costs $1,300 per month, making it a cost-friendly alternative to private care at home. Home health care includes skilled nursing and costs about $300 more than basic in-home care, and seniors who live in nursing homes pay the highest monthly rates of $8,152.

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 to pay 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 nonmedical 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 services 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 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 tax-free portion of your home's equity in cash. 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 have to repay the loan once the last surviving homeowner passes away, moves, or sells the home.