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

In North Carolina, approximately 170,000 residents have Alzheimer's disease. This figure is expected to increase to 210,000 by the year 2025, as estimated by the Alzheimer's Association.

New Hanover County, North Carolina, is located along the Atlantic coast in the southeastern part of the state. Its population of 227,198 residents includes 39,305 seniors aged 65 or over, approximately 17.3 percent of the county's total population. To support those residents who require memory care, there are three memory care facilities in Hanover County, two located in Wilmington and one in Castle Hayne. Memory care facilities are known as Special Care Units (SCUs) in North Carolina.  

• For seniors and their families who prefer warm weather and mild winters, New Hanover county is an excellent choice. The average high in July is around 90 degrees, and the area averages just an inch of snow in the winter. It scores a 76 out of 100 on Sperling's Comfort Index, where a higher score indicates a more comfortable year-round climate.
• The cost of living in New Hanover County is quite reasonable and about on par with the state average. On a cost of living index, which takes into account housing costs, groceries, transportation and utilities, New Hanover County scores a 105, slightly above the national average of 100 and the state average of 98.
• New Hanover County is home to world-class medical facilities, including those specializing in brain health and dementia care such as New Hanover Regional Medical Center in Wilmington, in the event of medical emergencies or illness.
  
• Seniors in New Hanover County can expect to pay some taxes for some forms of their retirement income. North Carolina does not tax Social Security benefits, but it does tax other types of retirement accounts, including 401ks, pensions and IRAs at the state income tax rate of 5.499 percent.  

Memory Care costs in New Hanover County start around $4,930 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 New Hanover 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.

New Hanover 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.