The 5 Best Memory Care Facilities in Burlington, NC for 2024

 

Burlington is home to over 59,000 people, 17.8% of whom are aged 65 or older. This demographic is at an increased risk for developing Alzheimer's disease, especially as they continue to age; the country-wide number of people with an Alzheimer's diagnosis is projected to nearly double to around 12.7 million by 2050. Though the number of people with Alzheimer's continues to grow, rates are declining in Burlington, potentially due to local dementia care services. In 2016, Alzheimer's accounted for 7.62% of all deaths in the city. In 2020, that percentage dropped to 6.62%.

Over time, Alzheimer's symptoms worsen and some people may need specialized memory care to stay safe. This care is often provided in a secure residential setting where residents can access evidence-based therapies and receive assistance as needed. 

This guide discusses the benefits and drawbacks of memory care in Burlington, as well as regulations, associated costs and available financial assistance and other resources.

Adult care homes in North Carolina, which include memory care facilities, are regulated by the NC Division of Health Service Regulation. This agency outlines facility rules and regulations and oversees compliance with regular inspections. It also provides information about inspection results, violations and penalties and provides a collection of facility listings that the public can use to find suitable care. 

 

• Burlington has a mild climate, with summer months averaging between 70 and 85 degrees and winter months seeing temperatures between 35 and 55 degrees. The area averages 212 sunny days per year compared to the national average of 205, and it sees an average of 3 inches of snow. This offers seniors plenty of days to enjoy quality time in the sunshine.
• On an index with 100 as the national average, the cost of living in Burlington is just 79.4, potentially making it an affordable place to call home. This also reflects in the cost of memory care, which is lower than the national average. 
• In Burlington, the local air quality rates 49/100, which is below the national average of 58/100. This can be concerning for seniors who are at a higher risk of respiratory illness. However, air purification systems are frequently employed in memory care communities to protect residents, and on days when the air quality is lower, seniors can enjoy indoor activities.
• There are just 128 physicians per 100,000 people in Burlington, well below the national average of 210. However, the city is home to Alamance Regional Medical Center, which is highly rated in numerous procedures. It's also just an hour away from Duke Neurology of Raleigh, where seniors can get high-quality dementia care, and around 40 minutes from Duke Geriatrics North Durham.
• Crime rates in Burlington are above national norms. On a scale of 1 to 100, violent crime ranks 37 while property crime ranks 56.5. In comparison, the national averages are 22.7 and 35.4, respectively. While these numbers are higher than normal, most memory care communities employ high-quality security systems to protect residents, which can act as a deterrent for criminals.
• In Burlington, the income tax rate is 5.5%, which is slightly higher than the national average of 4.6%. However, sales tax rates are slightly lower than the national average of 7.3%, averaging 6.8% in the city. Local seniors can also benefit from paying zero taxes on Social Security benefits.

 

Note: Residential memory care is usually offered in assisted living facilities, and in general, memory care rates tend to be 20-30% higher than assisted living rates. No national database currently tracks memory care costs in the United States, so we've estimated the monthly memory care costs listed below by adding 25% to the rates listed in Genworth's 2021 Cost of Care Survey.

Memory care prices average $4,156 per month in Burlington.

Memory care costs in Burlington average $4,156 per month, offering a savings of nearly $900 compared to the state average and nearly $1,500 compared to the national norm. Local costs are also quite low compared to surrounding areas, though some parts of North Carolina offer even more affordable care. In Asheville and Charlotte, costs are higher at $6,248 and $5,500 per month, respectively. Care in Greensboro averages around $600 more than in Burlington, but in Fayetteville, seniors can save about $400 monthly.

Memory care can be an affordable option for seniors with Alzheimer's, averaging $4,156. Those who wish to remain in their homes with support can choose in-home or home health care, both averaging $4,576 per month. Seniors seeking around-the-clock support who don't yet require memory care may choose assisted living to save around $800 per month. If needs exceed what can be provided in memory care, nursing homes offer 24/7 care, averaging nearly $3,500 more per month for a semiprivate room. Seniors needing daytime care can save around $2,800 per month in adult day health care.

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.