The 5 Best Memory Care Facilities in Catawba County, NC for 2024

Catawba County, North Carolina, is home to 157,974 people, 17.3 percent of whom are 65 or over, which is about 27,329 seniors — some of whom have Alzheimer's disease or other forms of dementia. In North Carolina, there are an estimated 170,000 individuals living with Alzheimer's disease, according to the Alzheimer's Association. In 2025, it's estimated this number will have risen to 210,000, an increase of about 23.5 percent. 

For those residents of Catawba County who require memory care, there are two memory care facilities, both of which are located in Hickory. Memory care facilities are officially known as Special Care Units (SCUs) in Catawba County, as in the rest of North Carolina.

• The cost of living in Catawba County is very low, making it an affordable place to live for seniors and their families. On Sperling's cost of living index, which takes into account factors such as housing, groceries and utility costs among other expenses, Catawba County ranks at 89, below North Carolina's average of 96 and the national average of 100.
• Taxes in North Carolina are relatively affordable compared to other states. Property taxes are low and sales tax is about average at 4.75 percent. Seniors collecting retirement income can expect to pay an income tax of 5.499 percent on IRAs, 401ks and pension funds. Social Security, however, is tax exempt.
• Catawba County is part of the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton Metropolitan Statistical Area, and this region was recently recognized by the American Lung Association as having clean, breathable air. Hickory-Lenoir NC is tied for first place for the cleanest metropolitan area in the country for ozone levels, and it's ranked 46 out of 201 metro areas for 24-hour particle pollution.
• Catawba County is home to world-class medical facilities, including Catawba Valley Medical Center in Hickory, in the event of medical emergencies or illness. 

Memory Care costs in Catawba County start around $5,625 per month on average, while the nationwide average cost of memory care is $5,694 per month.

It’s important to note that memory care rates in Catawba County and the surrounding suburbs can vary widely based on factors such as location, the level of care needed, apartment size and the types of amenities offered at each community.

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

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

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

For more information about different ways to finance memory care, visit our Memory Care in North Carolina page.

Catawba County-area memory care communities must adhere to the comprehensive set of state laws and regulations that all memory care communities in North Carolina are required to follow. Visit our Memory Care in North Carolina page for more information about these laws.