10 Best Nursing Homes in Charlotte, NC

Many families pay for a Charlotte nursing home using a blend of private and public funding sources. Medicare and Medicaid can be excellent resources when it comes to paying for long-term care or skilled nursing care services. There are also benefits available to help veterans and their families with long-term care costs.

Knowing what financial options may be available can help you stay a step ahead of the costs of long-term care. Explore what different private payment methods and public resources could be available to you or a loved one below.

The North Carolina Division of Health Service Regulation (DHSR) is in charge of licensing and overseeing senior care facilities in the state. This includes nursing homes — or skilled nursing facilities — and adult care homes that provide assisted living and memory care to residents.^[11]

The DHSR conducts regular inspections of senior care facilities to make sure the state’s laws and regulations are being followed. When you’re considering a senior care facility, it’s important to be familiar with local regulations to make sure the proper care and safety standards are being met. We run through some of DHSR’s requirements for different long-term care settings below.

Skilled nursing facility regulations

Nursing home inspections can be conducted by the DHSR at any time without warning to make sure facilities are following North Carolina’s rules and regulations for nursing homes. Inspections are usually performed annually, assuming no complaints or violations are found.

The rules for North Carolina nursing homes cover a range of topics from admission and dietary services to living spaces. We’ve highlighted some of these requirements below, but you can access all DHSR regulations on its website.

• Patients have to be referred to a nursing home by a physician.
• All facilities must have a Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) policy.
• Medications should be administered as indicated in a patient’s medical records.
• Facilities that allow pets must keep animals out of any space where food is prepared.
• Facilities must provide outdoor spaces for activities that are accessible to patients of all abilities.
• All bedrooms must have access to a window and provide one closet or wardrobe per bed.
• Facilities must coordinate an ongoing activity program that supports the individual needs and interests of each patient.
• Patients who can’t perform activities of daily living (ADLs) must receive any assistance that helps them maintain their personal hygiene or restore their ability to complete ADLs.
• Physicians should see a patient at least once every 30 days for the first 90 days and a minimum of every 60 days from day 91 on.
• Menus must meet patients’ dietary needs and be planned at least two weeks in advance, have nutritionally similar substitutions available, and be communicated to patients regularly.
• Private, single bedrooms must have at least 100 square feet of floor area, and semi-private rooms with more than one bed must have at least 80 square feet of floor space per bed.^[09]

Assisted living and memory care regulations

Assisted living and memory care facilities are usually inspected by the DHSR annually, unless follow-up inspections are required because of complaints or violations found during an assessment. These annual inspections are also often unannounced and can last from one to several days.

Assisted living facilities have a different set of regulations than nursing homes do in North Carolina. We break down some key ones to note below, but you can also access all regulations on the DHSR page.

• Facilities must prepare at least three daily meals and offer snacks between meals.
• Designated staff may administer medications, but residents can self-administer if ordered by a physician and specific instructions are printed on the medication label.
• All residents must have a care plan in place that’s based on residents’ initial assessment and updated as needed.
• Residents must receive a pre-admission assessment within 72 hours of moving into a community, as well as an assessment within 30 days of admission and annually thereafter.
• At least 14 hours of weekly group activities must be planned, with a minimum of one monthly outing for all residents.
• Residents must receive an adequate amount of personal care and supervision based on their individual needs and care plan.
• Facilities can’t admit a resident who needs continual skilled nursing support or has care needs that go beyond what a facility can provide.^[10]

Assisted living facilities that care for residents with Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia ultimately have similar regulations in place. The following are some additional rules memory care communities have in place to account for the safety and additional care needs of memory care residents.

• Memory care units must have security monitoring systems in place for any unlocked exit doors.
• Residents must have a care plan developed within 30 days of admission, which is updated quarterly.
• Memory care units within a wing or distinct area of an assisted living facility must be separated by closed doors.
• All memory care residents must receive a pre-admission screening for cognitive impairment and have a confirmed diagnosis of Alzheimer’s or another type of dementia.
• Memory care staff must undergo extra training that includes a six-hour orientation during their first week, 20 hours of memory care-specific training within their first six months, and an annual 12 hours of continued education.^[10]

All senior care facilities, whether a nursing home or adult care home, are required to report any suspected and confirmed incidents of resident abuse or neglect, as well as illnesses and injuries. You can also report any concerns about the care or treatment of a loved one by filing a direct complaint to the NCDHSR or by contacting your local ombudsmen office and Area Agency on Aging.

Another handy resource is your local Department of Social Services, which conducts quarterly visits to all senior care facilities and can provide current information regarding recent facility complaints. You can also search for a senior care facility on the DHSR website, which provides access to inspection reports, any penalties found within the past 36 months, and star ratings based on previous inspections. You can also look up and compare nursing homes near you using the Medicare.gov search tool.

COVID-19 regulations for Charlotte nursing homes

North Carolina rescinded the state’s COVID-19 state of emergency status in August 2022, lifting any remaining mitigation requirements or restrictions. No new regulations or mandates have been enforced since then.^[12] However, COVID-19 continues to evolve with new variants emerging across the state. You’ll want to check with your prospective community for their most current guidelines.

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) continues to monitor COVID-19 cases and outbreaks in congregate living settings like nursing homes, adult care homes, and assisted living facilities. You can track outbreaks in senior care facilities throughout North Carolina on the DHHS website. These reports are updated weekly and give a county-by-county breakdown of outbreaks in different congregate living settings.

The DHHS also posts regularly updated data with information about COVID-19 cases, hospital admissions, and detected variants in North Carolina on the COVID-19 dashboard. Mecklenburg County also has a wealth of local COVID-19 data and where you can find vaccines and testing sites.

Many senior care facilities will likely base their policies on guidance from local officials, but some may have stricter rules in place when it comes to masking or social distancing. We provide an overview of some of the current county suggestions, but you’ll want to check directly with a facility or community on their COVID-19 rules beforehand.

Charlotte is filled with charming senior living options to satisfy a variety of care needs and lifestyles. Oftentimes, senior care is grouped into one general category, but these facilities can differ considerably in the care services provided.

Recognizing the different types of care available in these communities is important to make sure your loved one’s needs can be properly met. Take a look at some of the distinctions between these different care types below.

Skilled nursing facilities

Skilled nursing facilities accommodate people who need rehabilitative care or services like round-the-clock skilled nursing and supervision. A physician’s referral is almost always required to be eligible for this type of care. Skilled nursing is usually only a short-term option for people who need to recover from an illness or injury before returning to their home or senior living community. A Place for Mom doesn’t partner with stand-alone skilled nursing facilities.

However, on-site nursing is available at nearly half of our Charlotte partner assisted living and memory care facilities, and around 5% of these partner communities have an on-site skilled nursing facility.^[01] Additionally, many of our partnered assisted living and memory care facilities have access to services like an on-call doctor; visiting speech, physical, and occupational therapists; and round-the-clock awake staff.

Assisted living facilities

Assisted living facilities with seven or more residents are called adult care homes in North Carolina. Smaller ones with six or fewer residents are called family care homes. These types of senior care facilities are intended to help seniors who struggle to complete activities of daily living (ADLs) on their own. Staff at an assisted living facility generally provide help with personal care, as well as other services like housekeeping, personal laundry, and transportation arrangements.

These communities are better suited for seniors with less complicated care needs who don’t require the continual medical support provided in a skilled nursing home. Many Charlotte assisted living facilities are set in lovely residential-like buildings, with most surrounded by beautifully maintained grounds and courtyard areas.

Several of our in-network assisted living facilities have access to five-star amenities, like on-site fitness centers, beauty salons, and chef-prepared meals. You’ll also find plenty of opportunities to socialize among other residents with engaging activities ranging from cooking clubs and wine tastings to barbecues and picnics.

Memory care

Nearly 60% of our in-network senior care facilities in Charlotte are designed to serve residents with some form of cognitive impairment.^[01] Some communities exclusively accommodate residents with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia, but several assisted living facilities have special care units available for residents with varied types of cognitive impairment. Memory care facilities generally provide access to round-the-clock staff and supervision. These facilities also provide access to enhanced safety features like enclosed courtyards and security systems to prevent residents from wandering.

Memory care facilities offer specialized activity programs that help residents reduce aggressive behaviors, loneliness, and boredom. Sensory-based therapies and reminiscence programs, which are designed to help residents recall positive memories, are available at about half of our in-network memory care facilities in Charlotte.^[01] Residents in memory care also participate in similar activities as those in an assisted living community. These activities promote socialization among other memory care residents and include gardening clubs, stretching classes, and birthday parties.

Health care for seniors in Charlotte

You’re in good hands with Charlotte’s impressive hospitals and medical facilities. Explore some of the area’s reigning health care facilities that specialize in a range of care specialties, from primary care to complex health conditions.

Transportation for seniors in Charlotte

Complimentary transportation is provided at about 77% of our in-network senior care facilities in Charlotte.^[01] Transportation services can be especially beneficial to residents living in assisted living or memory care facilities, where the health services may not always be available on-site.

Access to these services helps seniors get to and from the places they need to go, like medical appointments or even the beauty salon, in some instances. While a car is an ideal way to get around Charlotte’s neighborhoods, the city has its own transportation system for seniors and a convenient public transit system.

Public transit in Charlotte

Charlotte’s primary public transit system is operated by the Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) and is made up of bus and light rail lines. CATS has discounted fares available for seniors age 62+ and disabled individuals with a valid Transit ID or Medicare Card.

The CATS rail lines are the next best thing to a car when trying to get around Charlotte. Its LYNX Blue Line covers nearly 20 miles of the Charlotte metro, with 26 stations that provide safe and convenient access to the area’s favorite locales and diverse neighborhoods. You can also hop aboard the CityLYNX Gold Line Streetcar, which provides fare-free rides from the Historic West End to the buzzing Elizabeth neighborhood.

Many locals also utilize the CATS bus systems, which consist of over 70 routes throughout the Charlotte region.^[04] CATS meets the requirements outlined in the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) on all of its fixed rail and bus routes, with features like lifts and ramps available on all buses and accommodations for riders with service animals.

CATS also offers a paratransit service through CATS Special Transportation Services (STS). These services offer door-to-door transportation to eligible people who can’t access CATS fixed routes because of a disability. Riders with disabilities can also receive one-on-one training to learn how to safely use CATS fixed routes with the CATS Travel Training program.

Mecklenburg County Transportation System (MTS)

The Mecklenburg County Department of Social Services (DSS) has several transportation programs for seniors available through the Mecklenburg County Transportation System (MTS). MTS helps eligible seniors get to and from medical and nonmedical destinations. Some of the MTS programs include the following:

• Veterans services transportation. Qualified veterans can receive free transportation to VA hospitals in North Carolina and Charlotte medical clinics.
• Senior Citizens Nutrition Congregate. This program helps seniors age 60+ access nutritious meals and social activities at Mecklenburg County Senior Citizens Nutrition locations.
• Medicaid transportation. Primarily operated through CATS bus services, this program helps eligible Medicaid recipients travel to and from medical-specific destinations.
• Enhanced mobility of seniors and individuals with disabilities. This service helps seniors age 65+ and disabled individuals access places like medical facilities and grocery stores.^[03]

These services are provided through certified county drivers, contracted transportation vendors, and CATS bus lines. MTS has wheelchair-equipped vehicles to make the programs more accessible.