Memory Care Facilities in Morehead City, NC

 

According to the Alzheimer's Association, nearly 13 million North Americans are expected to have Alzheimer's by 2050. Older adults are especially at risk, as age is a risk factor and one-third of seniors die while experiencing dementia. This data is concerning for locations such as Morehead City, which has an above-average senior population making up 22% of all residents. In fact, the city experienced a 44.4% increase in Alzheimer's-related deaths from 2016 to 2020, outpacing the rise in all-cause mortality by 37.1 points, according to CDC data. 

Fortunately, quality dementia care can significantly improve outcomes for seniors experiencing Alzheimer's. These specialized communities create a secure, nurturing atmosphere with cognitive therapies, group activities and other supervised wellness programs to promote cognitive functioning. Memory care can also reduce the anxiety and confusion associated with dementia, helping seniors feel safe in daily life.

This guide analyzes memory care services in Morehead City, including a comparison of local care prices. It also details the pros and cons of living in the city and explains financial assistance programs that may help cover dementia care costs.

Memory care communities throughout North Carolina, including those in Morehead City, are monitored and regulated by the Division of Health Service Regulation. This government agency enforces standards of care, staff training requirements and other rules to maintain high-quality dementia care statewide.

 

• Morehead City is home to a variety of medical centers, including the highly-rated Carteret Health Care general hospital. As a member of the Mayo Clinic Care Network, it's been recognized as a leader in stroke and diabetes care. Additionally, Morehead City has about 5.7% more physicians per capita than is typical across North Carolina, which may reduce wait times for health care.
• In Morehead City, violent crime rates are 23.3% higher than the national norm while property crime rates are 87% higher. However, these numbers have been trending downward in recent years, and memory care communities often have advanced security systems to protect residents. These may include cameras, motion sensors, alarms and secure windows and doors.
• Air quality can have a big impact on seniors' health. Fortunately, the American Lung Association says Morehead City tied for first place as the cleanest metropolitan region in the country for ozone. The city also rates highly for water quality with a nearly perfect score of 99 on a 100-point index. This is much higher than the national average of 55, indicating that Morehead City is generally a clean, healthy place for older adults to breathe in the air.
• The cost of living in Morehead City is about 8.3% higher than North Carolina's statewide norm, but the city can still be affordable for many seniors thanks to tax perks. Residents don't pay taxes on Social Security benefits, and the state's standard deduction is relatively large at $12,750 for those who file as single and $25,500 for those filing jointly. Seniors pay a flat tax rate of 4.9% on remaining income, but this may be partially offset by tax exemptions for prescription drugs and relatively low sales taxes statewide.
• The Weather in Morehead City is mostly comfortable, with January low temperatures staying above freezing and July highs remaining lower than 90 degrees Fahrenheit. The city offers frequent sunny days, and many local memory care communities have monitored outdoor spaces allowing residents to safely enjoy nature.

 

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 in Morehead City costs an average of $4,556 per month.

Memory care in Morehead City is about 19% cheaper than the national norm. It's also around $457 less than North Carolina's statewide average, and the city is cheaper than many neighboring areas. For example, dementia care in Morehead City costs about 20% less than in Greenville and 30.6% less than in Wilmington. In-line with the trend, Charlotte is significantly more expensive at $5,500, making Morehead City an affordable destination for memory care.

Memory care typically provides 24/7 monitoring and daily cognitive therapies to support seniors with dementia. This high level of care means it ranks among the most expensive senior living options, averaging $4,556 monthly in Morehead City. Seniors who don't have dementia but need help with daily tasks might consider an assisted living community, which would cost about 19.9% less. In-home care and home health care provide services in seniors' homes, and are more affordable options than memory care, both priced at $3,813. Alternatively, older adults who require ongoing medical support can consider nursing homes. These facilities charge about $7,574 monthly for semi private rooms, 66.2% more expensive than dementia 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.