I. What You Should Know About Home Care in Winston-Salem, NC
Located in age-friendly Forsyth County, Winston-Salem is a welcoming community noted for its thriving arts and culture scene, locally owned restaurants and shops and rich history. This fast-growing city has about 250,000 residents, and while it’s commonly considered a college town, it has a large senior community that’s nearly 15% of the population. The U.S. Census expects its senior population to grow in the coming years as retirees relocate to the region and local seniors take advantage of health-promoting amenities and services.
Winston-Salem is one of the most affordable places to live in North Carolina, with an overall cost of living about 9% below the state median and 20% below the national median. Housing costs are especially affordable, and the county has several programs to help seniors reduce their property tax burden. These factors may help make home care possible for older adults who want to remain in their homes throughout retirement. The state also has retiree-friendly tax laws that benefit local seniors and transplants. It’s also home to some of the most respected medical facilities in the nation, including Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist, Novant Health Forsyth Medical Center and Novant Health Medical Park Hospital.
II. What You Should Expect to Pay for Home Care in Winston-Salem, NC
The 2021 Genworth Cost of Care Survey reports that, on average, Winston-Salem seniors pay $3,909 per month for home care, making it a relatively affordable place to obtain services. This rate assumes 44 hours of care per week, which breaks down to 8.8 hours of care per weekday, at an hourly rate of $20.50. What you pay for care may be higher or lower depending on the type of services you need and whether you need assistance on evenings and weekends.
The Cost of Home Care & Home Health Care in Nearby Cities
Winston-Salem residents pay approximately $3,909 per month for in-home care, which includes companionship, housekeeping and personal care. Home health care, which provides more extensive services such as therapy and medical monitoring, has the same monthly rate. Statewide, seniors pay $4,385; nationally, rates are considerably higher at $4,957 for home care and $5,148 for home health care. In nearby Greensboro, care costs are a little higher at $4,195; in Burlington, seniors pay $4,576. Durham residents pay about $850 more per month than Winston-Salem residents, at $4,767.
The Cost of Home Care Compared to Other Senior Living Options
Winston-Salem seniors pay $3,909 per month for home care and home health care, making this a cost-effective option for long-term care. Those who live at home and attend adult day health care pay $1,354 for monthly services and assisted living residents pay approximately $4,923 per month. Nursing home care is the costliest option at more than double home care’s cost, with those in shared rooms paying $8,197 per month.
III. How to Find Home Care in Winston-Salem, 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 Winston-Salem, NC.
IV. Home Care Resources for Seniors in Winston-Salem, NC
Piedmont Triad Regional Council Area Agency on Aging
What You Should Know
The local Area Agency on Aging provides a range of direct services to help you remain in your home, along with referral services to connect you with community-based services. You can arrange in-home care through the Division of Aging and Adult Services through this agency, which has a comprehensive provider directory you can access. The organization also provides home-delivered and congregate meals and transportation services to help you reduce your reliance on private-pay services, and it has a Family Caregiver Support Program to help informal caregivers.
Who Is Eligible?
To qualify, you must be at least 60 years old. Certain programs may have additional eligibility criteria related to income or functional needs.
How to Get Started
You can contact the Area Agency on Aging’s main line at (336) 904-0300 on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. or through the online contact form.
Senior Services
What You Should Know
Senior Services is a nonprofit organization that serves older adults in the Winston-Salem region, helping them maintain as much independence as possible and remain in their homes. Its robust home care program provides free or low-cost personal care to qualified individuals on weekdays for one to two hours per day. Through the Living-at-Home Program, qualified individuals obtain assistance with daily living activities. Homebound individuals with memory-related conditions enjoy social and recreational activities at the agency’s adult day center. The agency also provides home-delivered and congregate meals, as well as transportation services for attending medical appointments and completing errands.
Who Is Eligible?
Senior Services programs are open to those aged 60 and over in the Winston-Salem region. To obtain some services, such as assistance through the Living-at-Home Program, you qualify for Medicaid or meet other requirements related to age, income or functional abilities.
How to Get Started
Call the main office at (336) 725-0907 to learn more about these programs and how to apply for services.
The Shepherd’s Center of Greater Winston-Salem
What You Should Know
The Shepherd’s Center of Greater Winston-Salem is a faith-based nonprofit organization with various services and programs to meet the needs of older adults in the community. It offers door-to-door, volunteer-based transportation services to help you get to medical appointments, grocery stores and government offices, as well as a friendly visitor program to reduce the risk of isolation. Its Faith in Action Care Program includes minor home repairs and modifications to keep your house safe as your care needs and functional abilities change. There is also a respite program for informal caregivers. It also provides SHIIP Medicare counseling to help you understand your health insurance and find ways to pay for in-home care.
Who Is Eligible?
Most services through this nonprofit organization are open to those aged 60 and over, though you must be at least 65 years old to get health insurance options counseling.
How to Get Started
For more information on these and other services, by calling the main office at (336) 748-0217 or visit it at 1700 Ebert Street. The office is open on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Property Tax Relief
What You Should Know
Forsyth County provides three tax relief programs targeted at seniors, including the Elderly/Disabled Exclusion, the Disabled Veteran’s Exclusion and the Circuit Breaker. Through these programs, you can reduce what you pay in property taxes, enabling you to remain in place and avoid transitioning to a residential facility. Depending on the program you’re eligible for, you may be able to reduce your property tax burden by several thousands of dollars annually.
Who Is Eligible?
To qualify for these relief programs, you must be at least 65 years old or completely disabled. Additionally, you must have an annual income of no more than $31,500.
How to Get Started
To learn more about the property tax relief program, call the assessor’s office at (336) 703-2300. You can also fill out the application for property tax relief AV-9.
NC 211
What You Should Know
NC 211 is a free information and referral service that can connect with the programs and services you need to safely and comfortably remain at home. Its trained specialists can help you assess your needs and find community-based solutions that may reduce what you pay for private home care services. Through this service, you can find free and low-cost transportation services, home-delivered and congregate meals, emergency financial assistance and social and recreational programs. All referral services are free and confidential.
Who Is Eligible?
Everyone in the Winston-Salem region is eligible to access information and referral services through 211, regardless of age, ability or income.
How to Get Started
You have several options for obtaining services through this free program. You can call the organization by dialing 211 or (888) 892-1162. You can also fill out an online contact form or use the Search Tool to find services.