I. What You Should Know About Home Care in Rocky Mount, NC
Rocky Mount is situated in the eastern region of North Carolina and has 54,000 residents. It’s among the best retirement destinations in the state for its general affordability, access to health care and warm weather. On a 100-point cost-of-living index based on national figures, Rocky Mount rates 75.8, indicating that living expenses here are about 25% below the nationwide median. Housing prices are among the lowest in the state, which may make it financially feasible for older adults to remain in their homes throughout retirement.
Nash General Hospital, a 280-bed facility with a range of primary and specialty services, provides high-standard care for Rocky Mount residents, and there are numerous in-home care and home health care providers who support older adults who need daily assistance. The city’s weather is generally warm with year-round high temperatures ranging from 51-90 degrees, providing plenty of opportunities to enjoy relaxing outside, and the city only gets about 2 inches of snow annually. These benefits and amenities for older residents, who make up nearly 19% of the population, are among the factors that make Rocky Mount an outstanding option for those seeking home care services.
II. What You Should Expect to Pay for Home Care in Rocky Mount, NC
According to the Genworth 2021 Cost of Care Survey, home care services in Rocky Mount cost $4,290 per month. In some locations, home health care costs more due to the specialized services it includes and higher staff screening and training requirements. In Rocky Mount, home care and home health care services have the same monthly cost.
To calculate monthly rates, the survey assumes 44 hours of weekly care at $22.50 per hour. Seniors who meet income qualifications may be able to obtain subsidized care services for a lower hourly rate. On the other hand, if you need services during evenings and weekends, you may pay more per month for services.
The Cost of Home Care & Home Health Care in Nearby Cities
Home care agencies in Rocky Mount charge $4,290 per month for home care and home health care. This is about $100 less than the North Carolina average of $4,385. Nationally, seniors pay $4,957 for home care, while home health care is more expensive at $5,148 per month.
Compared to nearby cities, Rocky Mount’s monthly home care rates are about midrange. In Goldsboro, seniors pay $3,813 per month, and in Greenville, rates average $4,004. Raleigh’s home-based care costs exceed Rocky Mount’s average at $4,957 per month.
The Cost of Home Care Compared to Other Senior Living Options
Seniors in Rocky Mount pay $4,290 for in-home care, making this among the city’s more affordable long-term care options. If you want to remain in your home but save money on care expenses, you might consider adult day care, which provides personal care, meals and recreational activities in a community environment for $939 per month. Assisted living is a little costlier than home care at $4,470 but includes housing, meals and personal care. Nursing home care includes skilled nursing services in an institutional setting and is the priciest option at $7,969 per month for a shared room.
III. How to Find Home Care in Rocky Mount, NC
Finding a home care provider for yourself or a loved one can be a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be. Below, we explain the process of how to find a home care provider in 5 simple steps. Use the infographic below to help guide your search for in-home care in Rocky Mount, NC.
IV. Home Care Resources for Seniors in Rocky Mount, NC
Nash County Senior Services
What You Should Know
Nash County Senior Services is an initiative of the Recreation & Senior Services Department. It promotes the comfort and safety of seniors who live alone by providing information and referrals, overseeing recreational activities and identifying ways to pay for medical and long-term care services. Through this office, you can connect with the statewide Medicare assistance program, which can help you understand your health insurance coverage. You can also learn about programs that provide transportation, nutrition services and caregiver support.
Who Is Eligible?
To be eligible for these services, you must reside within Nash County and be at least 60 years old.
How to Get Started
You can obtain services through the county by calling the main office at (252) 459-7681. Specialists are available on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Area Agency on Aging
What You Should Know
The Area Agency on Aging provides free and low-cost services to those aged 60 and over, helping you access the information and support you need to remain in your home. This may include durable medical equipment loans, weatherization services, emergency bill pay assistance and home repairs. It operates a senior center in Rocky Mount which you can visit to participate in age-friendly social and recreational programs, obtain wellness services and enjoy congregate meals. The agency has information specialists who provide referrals for community-based services to supplement what you get through private-pay home care, and it has legal and financial advisors who can help you obtain public benefits and identify your options for paying for care at home. The agency also provides home-delivered meals and nonemergency medical transportation.
Who Is Eligible?
Services through the AAA are available to all residents within the service region, including those in Rocky Mount, aged 60 and over. Some programs may have additional eligibility guidelines based on your age, income and functional abilities.
How to Get Started
To learn more about available services and to obtain assistance, you can contact the AAA by calling (252) 234-5952.
Meals on Wheels of Rocky Mount
What You Should Know
Meals on Wheels of Rocky Mount provides home-delivered meals to older adults who are unable to obtain meals themselves because of age or functional impairments from illness or injury. Meals are delivered by trained volunteers who make contact with you to provide welfare checks and help reduce isolation and loneliness.
Who Is Eligible?
Meals on Wheels services are available to homebound seniors at risk of food insecurity.
How to Get Started
To learn more about eligibility requirements for home-delivered meals, menus and accommodations for special diets, as well as to arrange services, you can call Meals on Wheel of Rocky Mount at (252) 446-4336. You can also contact the office by mailing your inquiry to Meals on Wheels, PO Box 7611, Rocky Mount, NC 27804, or send a message through the website’s contact page.
Property Tax Exemptions
What You Should Know
Rocky Mount seniors have access to several tax exemption programs, including the Circuit Breaker exemption, the Senior Citizen/Disabled Person exemption and the Disabled Veteran exemption. Through these programs, you may be able to reduce what you owe in property taxes on your residence, which may lower your housing expenses and enable you to age in place. The Circuit Breaker exemption is income-based and limits taxes to a percentage of your income rather than your home’s assessed value. The Senior Citizen/Disabled Person exemption excludes one-half or $25,000, whichever is greater, of your home’s assessed value from property taxes. The Disabled Veteran exemption excludes $45,000 of your home’s value.
Who Is Eligible?
Eligibility requirements differ by program. The Circuit Breaker and Senior Citizen/Disabled Person exemptions are available to those aged 65 and over. The Disabled Veteran exemption is available to honorably discharged veterans or their unmarried surviving spouses.
How to Get Started
To get more information about eligibility for these property tax exemptions, you can call the City of Rocky Mount Tax Office at (252) 972-1250 or the Nash County Tax Department at (252) 459-1222. To apply, you must fill out and submit an application to the County tax office.
NC 211
What You Should Know
NC 211 is a free information and referral program that can help you locate low-cost assistance in Rocky Mount to supplement paid home care services. This service is confidential, and it’s available 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. By calling this number, you can speak to a specialist who helps you review your needs and then refers you to community-based resources. Some examples of services you can obtain through 211 include home-delivered meals, long-term care options counseling, volunteer-based transportation and friendly phone calls.
Who Is Eligible?
Anyone in North Carolina can get assistance through 211 regardless of their age, income or functional abilities.
How to Get Started
To speak with an information specialist, you can dial 2-1-1 or (888) 892-1162. You can also visit the program’s website to begin browsing community resources.