The Best Memory Care Communities in Mecklenburg County, NC

Mecklenburg County in North Carolina, which includes the city of Charlotte, is the most populous county in the state with 1,076,837 residents. Of this number, 10.9 percent of them are 65 or over, which is about 117,375 seniors —some of whom have dementia or Alzheimer's disease. Approximately 170,000 people have Alzheimer's disease in North Carolina, according to the Alzheimer's Association, and this number is expected to rise to 210,000 by 2025.

To support those residents in Mecklenburg County who require memory care, there are 14 memory care facilities in the area with 13 of them located in Charlotte and one in Matthews, NC. In the state, memory care facilities are officially known as Special Care Units (SCUs) within assisted living residences    (ALRs). 

• Weather in Mecklenburg County, NC, is relatively comfortable throughout the year. Winters tend to be mild, which is good news for seniors who may find cold weather challenging. The area averages only 3 inches of snow each winter, and summers tend to be warm, as the average July high is 89 degrees.
• The cost of living in Mecklenburg County is quite affordable. It's a bit higher than the state average, but not by much. On a cost of living index where the national average is 100 and takes into account costs of housing, food, utilities and other expenses, Mecklenburg County scores a 111, only slightly higher than North Carolina's average of 96.
• The Charlotte-Concord, NC-SC statistical area, which includes Mecklenburg County, tied for first place as the cleanest metropolitan area in the country for 24-hour particle pollution, according to the American Lung Association. 
• Mecklenburg County is home to world-class medical facilities, including those specializing in brain health and dementia care such as Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte, in the event of medical emergencies or illness. 

Memory Care costs in Mecklenburg County start around $5,714 per month on average, while the nationwide average cost of memory care is $5,743 per month.

It’s important to note that memory care rates in Mecklenburg 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.

Mecklenburg 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.