Assisted Living in North Carolina

Assisted living in North Carolina is defined as a special combination of housing, supportive services, personalized assistance, and healthcare designed to respond to the individual needs of those who need help with activities of daily living and instrumental activities of daily living. Supportive services are available 24 hours per day, to meet scheduled and unscheduled needs in a way that promotes maximum dignity and independence for each resident.

• See also: More About Assisted Living

There are two types of assisted living in North Carolina: Multi-Unit Assisted Housing With Services (MAHS) and Adult Care Homes, as well as two types of available reimbursement of assisted living expenses.

Multi-unit Assisted Housing with Services (MAHS) top

• Unlicensed facilities—often referred to as “independent retirement housing”.
• Services arranged by housing management.
• Cannot provide 24-hour supervision.
• Registration required through the Division of Health Service Regulation (DHSR).
• Disclosure statement required as part of rental contract.

Adult Care Homes top

• Licensed by the state statutory authority G.S. 131D-2.
• County monitoring.
• NC Original Licensure Law in 1945 for residential care.
• Newer assisted living homes are no longer using the “one-size-fits-all” approach to providing care.

Reimbursement top

• State/County Special Assistance.
• Medicaid Personal Care Services (PCS).