Aging in North Carolina

These days more older adults than ever – more than 9 in 10 in a recent survey – want to remain in their homes as long as their health and financial circumstances permit. In the state of North Carolina, 1 in 5 adults are currently in the role of a family caregiver! 

Just a few reminders to offer to your patients who find themselves in a family caregiver position: 

• • Family Caregiver Support Program NCDHHS (North Carolina Department of Health Human Services)
  • Family Caregiver Resources for North Carolina (AARP) 
  • Caregiving Central Pines Regional Council
  • Family Care Givers Piedmont Triad Regional Council, NC 
  • CaringBridge.org 
  • Project C.A.R.E. (Caregiver Alternatives to Running on Empty) 

Population Growth and Projections 

• • In 2024, there were 4,503 centenarians, projected to increase to 16,804 by 2050 (273% change). 
  • By 2031, individuals aged 65 and older are expected to surpass the population under 18 years old. 
  • The total population is projected to grow from 10,984,106 in 2024 to 14,241,032 in 2050 (30% increase). 

Age Demographics 

• • The 60+ population will grow from 2,681,786 in 2024 to 3,865,826 in 2050 (44% increase). 
  • The 85+ age group will see the fastest growth, increasing by 152% from 210,203 in 2024 to 529,204 in 2050. 

Health and Wellness 

• • 81% of individuals aged 65 and older live with one or more chronic diseases. 
  • 34% of adults aged 65 and older report living with a disability. 

Community Engagement 

• • Nearly a quarter of all registered voters in 2023 were 66 and older (23.4%). 
  • Baby Boomers had the highest rate of informal volunteering (59%) from 2019 to 2021. 

Food Insecurity and Malnutrition 

• • In 2020, 7.7% of older adults aged 60 and older were food insecure. 
  • The annual costs of disease-associated malnutrition for adults aged 65 and older in North Carolina is $140,348,592. 

Caregiving 

• • There are 1,280,000 family caregivers providing 1.2 million hours of unpaid care, valued at $16.5 billion. 

Socio-Economic Characteristics 

• • 43% of housing units occupied by individuals aged 65 and older were single-person households. 
  • 27% of adults aged 65 and older lived alone. 
  • One in 10 people aged 65 and older lived below the 100% poverty level. 

Healthcare Workforce Crisis 

• • From 2018 to 2028, North Carolina’s long-term care sector will need to fill more than 186,000 openings in direct care. 

Cost of Long-Term Care (2023) 

• • Home Health Aide: $5,339 per month ($64,068 annually) 
  • Assisted Living Facility: $5,769 per month ($69,228 annually) 
  • Nursing Home Facility Private Room: $9,125 per month ($109,500 annually) 

These insights highlight the growing needs and challenges faced by the aging population in North Carolina. 

​North Carolina Respite Program 

The North Carolina Lifespan Respite Program is an application-based program that reimburses eligible family caregivers caring for individuals of any age for up to $750 in respite care services in a calendar year. Funding is limited, and applications are accepted only when funds are available. 

Applicants must be referred to the program by a local professional organization. The professional organization (referring agency) will complete the online application on behalf of the family caregiver. The final application step is for the caregiver to provide their signature on the Caregiver Certification, either via electronic signature when email is provided or as a hard copy to be sent via mail when no email is provided in the Lifespan Respite Voucher Program application.   

Source: www.ncdhhs.gov, North Carolina Aging Profiles