Helping Your Loved One Get the Nursing Home Care
They Deserve While Legally Protecting Your Family’s Assets

The two best online resources about North Carolina Elder Law for seniors and their families provided through the State of North Carolina are:

• North Carolina Division of Aging - check out the topic index for the A-Z on aging
• Planning Your Estate - a Joint Publication of North Carolina State University and the Elder Law Section of NC Bar Association - great information and particularly good on Medicaid topics.

In addition, you should visit the Senior Citizens Handbook presented by the North Carolina Bar Association, as a concise and helpful resource to seniors. This book is also available through the North Carolina Bar Association (Dennis Toman is a former editor of the Handbook so don't just take our word for it, take a look at the Handbook!) The other "must have" resource is the North Carolina Medicaid Manual from the Division of Medical Assistance.

Many of the links below are to specific pages on these two sites, and as well as to others helpful resources on the Web.

Table of Contents - Web Sites for NC Elder Law Topics

Area Agencies on Aging
Elder Care Topics
Finance
Insurance - Medicare, long term care, health insurance, etc.
Laws, Statutes and Legislative Activity
Legal - durable powers of attorney, medical directives, nursing home residents rights and more
Medicaid
Nursing Home, Assisted Living, Other Care Facilities
Organizations: college and university, government, other
Research & Statistics

Please be sure to tell us of any suggested links, or links that have expired. Thanks!

Area Agencies on Aging

Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) are offices established through the Older Americans Act that serve to facilitate and support the development of programs to address the needs of older adults in a defined geographic region and support investment in their talents and interests. In North Carolina, AAAs are located within regional Councils of Government. These AAAs have functions in five basic areas:

• advocacy
• planning
• program and resource development
• information brokerage
• funds administration and quality assurance

Each of North Carolina's 100 counties is served by a local AAA. To locate your local AAA, click on your county on this map.
Source: North Carolina Division of Aging

Elder Care

Need aging services? Search the North Carolina Aging Services Directory for services by county. A great tool.
Source: North Carolina Division of Aging

Alzheimer's Disease needing hospitalization what to expect
Source: North Carolina Division of Aging

North Carolina Division on Aging Download Area including a Caregiver's handbook, and information about NC's Alzheimer's disease projections and baby boomer statistics.
Source: North Carolina Division on Aging

North Carolina Trade and Professional Associations - listing of various groups involved in the Aging Network throughout North Carolina
Source: North Carolina Division on Aging

Finance

Locating and Replacing Records & Assets Although not North Carolina specific, this article from ElderWeb.com tells how to find and replace lost records, such as locating birth, death, and marriage certificates, military records, old tax returns, or Social Security payment information. These records may be needed by children for their parent to apply for benefits like Medicare or Medicaid, or just to organize and manage financial affairs. Families may also need to find lost property and assets when the owner cannot remember, or is unable to communicate, what assets are available and where they are.
Source: ElderWeb.com

Making Prescription Drugs More Affordable for Older Adults concludes that "there is no magic pill to treat this health care ill."
Source: North Carolina Division of Aging

North Carolina Tax Forms
Source: North Carolina Department of Revenue

North Carolina Unclaimed Property find abandoned and unclaimed property for yourself or a family member.
Source: North Carolina State Treasurer

North Carolina Vital Records how to order birth, death, and marriage certificates, including frequently asked questions
Source: North Carolina Department of Public Health

Insurance

Getting Off to a Good Start With Medicare: What You Need to Do As You Near Your 65th Birthday
Source: North Carolina State University

Health Care/Insurance Decisions - guidance for deciding what types of health or long term care insurance to purchase, such as "what percentage of the elderly population requires institutional care at any time in their lives?"
Source: North Carolina State University

Health Insurance Fundamentals - description of Medicaid, Medicare and private health insurance, with listings of additional resources.
Source:North Carolina State University

Long Term Care Insurance - things to know about LTC insurance
Source: North Carolina Division of Aging

North Carolina Senior's Health Insurance Program (SHIIP) assists with questions about Medicare, private Medicare supplement insurance, and private long term care insurance. Go to the home page of the Department of Insurance, then click on consumer, then SHIIP. (The reason you can't go straight to the page you want is because that site uses frames that do not give separate page references.) You may also want to look at the consumer brochures while you are there.
Source: North Carolina Department of Insurance

Laws, Statutes and Legislative Activity

North Carolina Aging Legislation Links to legislative and policy issues on matters relating to aging
Source: North Carolina Division on Aging

North Carolina Legislation - home page of North Carolina General Assembly
Source: North Carolina General Assembly

North Carolina Statutes
Source: North Carolina General Assembly

Legal

Adult Protective Services Register Statistics and other information about the program for protecting the disabled and elderly
Source: North Carolina Division of Social Services

EstatelanningLinks.com A nationally recognized, comprehensive and well organized listing of Estate Planning, Elder Law, Tax and related resources available on the Internet. Maintained by Attorney Dennis Toman, Greensboro, NC.

Guardianship or Power of Attorney which one do you need in North Carolina?
Source: Wake Forest University School of Law Legal Clinic for the Elderly

Healthcare Power of Attorney explanation and form
Source: North Carolina State University Cooperative Extension Service

Healthcare Power of Attorney - 25 suggested topics to discuss with your Healthcare Agent and where to keep your health care power of attorney and living will.
Source: Wake Forest School of Law Legal Clinic for the Elderly

Law Links links to North Carolina legal information
Source: FindLaw

Living Will explanation and form
Source: North Carolina State University Cooperative Extension Service

Living Wills what they are and how they work
Source: North Carolina Bar Association

North Carolina Bar Association - see the public information section for helpful online pamphlets on a variety of topics and be sure to visit the excellent Senior Citizens Handbook
Source: North Carolina Bar Association

Occupational Boards find out how North Carolina professionals are licensed and other information
Source: North Carolina Secretary of State

Power of Attorney in North Carolina compared to other basic legal arrangements: joint ownership of personal property, trusts, and guardianship.
Source: North Carolina State University Cooperative Extension Service

Residents Rights in Adult Day Care and Nursing Homes condensed versions of statutory rights
Source: North Carolina Division of Aging

Wake Forest University Legal Clinic for the Elderly basic legal information for seniors
Source: Wake Forest University School of Law

Wills in North Carolina explanation for consumers
Source: North Carolina State University Cooperative Extension Service

Wills read this about making your will
Source: North Carolina Bar Association

Medicaid

Medicaid - the national program for health and long term care costs for the elderly who have spent down their assets. The program is administered by the states, and eligibility and benefits vary widely.

Medicaid Eligibility for Nursing Home Services in North Carolina - the best and most understandable article for understanding Medicaid eligibility for nursing home costs in North Carolina, by Professor Carol A. Schwab J.D., LL.M.
Source: North Carolina State University Cooperative Extension Service

Medicaid for Adults in North Carolina - Manual place online in April 2000 by the NC Dept of Health and Human Services.

Increasing Personal Responsibility for Long Term Care Through Long Term Care Insurance summary of a report from 1996 prepared by Division of Aging
Source: University of North Carolina

Long Term Care Expenditures for Older Adults (PDF File)
Source: North Carolina Division of Facility Services

Medicaid Lien Recovery article about comparing North Carolina's recovery efforts with the federal requirements and with other states.
Source: North Carolina Division of Aging and Division of Medical Assistance

North Carolina Long Term Care Reform paper on opportunities and challenges related to publicly funded long-term care programs and a summary of design concepts being developed and tested by the DHHS
Source: North Carolina Division of Aging

North Carolina Medicaid for the Elderly - brief overview
Source: North Carolina Division of Aging

North Carolina Medicaid in Depth
Source: North Carolina Division of Medical Assistance

North Carolina Programs for SSI Beneficiaries (PDF File) Basic program information
Source: Social Security Administration

Tracking the Cost of Assisted Living results of the first cost reports in North Carolina for assisted living providers.
Source: Duke University

Nursing Home, Assisted Living, Other Care Facilities

Nursing Home Compare from the Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA). Find out information about every Medicare and Medicaid nursing home in the country. This database contains summary information about nursing homes during their last State inspection. This database also contains information that was reported by the nursing homes prior to the last State inspection including nursing home and resident characteristics.

Adult Day Care and Adult Day Health Care Programs names and addresses of program sites
Source: North Carolina Division of Social Services

Aging Publications and reports prepared by the NC division of Aging
Source: North Carolina Division of Aging

Continuing Care Retirement Communities brief explanation and comparison to other care facilities
Source: North Carolina Division of Aging

Discharge and Transfer from Nursing Homes Nursing home residents have rights under federal and state laws that protect them from being transferred or discharged against their will. Important for any family advocate to read.
Source: Wake Forest University Legal Clinic for the Elderly

Families Involved in Caregiving - short articles designed to offer suggestions for families involved in caregiving
Source: North Carolina Division of Aging

Family Resources An extensive list of online publications on financial and legal issues
Source: University of North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service

Health News Releases Includes notices of health facilities which have had licenses suspended or other action
Source: North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services

Hospice FAQ 20 frequently asked questions about hospice
Source: Hospice for the Carolinas

North Carolina Aging Services helpful links and information about various services in the aging network throughout North Carolina
Source: North Carolina Division of Aging

North Carolina Area Agencies on Aging comprehensive list of names and addresses by county (with reference maps) and links to those with web sites
Source: North Carolina Division of Aging

North Carolina Directory of Regulated Facilities links to PDF files with names and addresses of various types of health facilities
Source: North Carolina Division of Facility Services

North Carolina Elder Housing Locator Service brief descriptions of types of housing, with ability to search by region, county, or city
Source: University of North Carolina

Nursing Home Inspections Stepped Up Governor announces increased inspection activity (February 11, 1999)
Source: North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services

Nursing Home Ombudsman state and community advocates for residents in nursing homes and adult care facilities
Source: North Carolina Division of Aging

Nursing Homes brief information and with a link to every nursing home in the country
Source: North Carolina Division of Aging

Planning Ahead for Elder Care A four-part series about preparing for the failing health of a family member, either suddenly and without warning, or gradually over a period of time
Source: University of North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service

Southeast Retirement Lifestyle and Senior Living Resource Magazine
Source: Southeast Retirement Lifestyle

Organizations: College and University

Center for Aging Research and Educational Services serving social work practitioners and decision makers who work with older and disabled adults and their families
Source: University of North Carolina

Claude D. Pepper Older Americans Independence Center research targeted to increase the independence of older adults and to communicate the findings from that research to research scientists, health care providers, and older adults
Source: Duke University

Duke Center for Demographic Studies - statistical analysis into long term care of the elderly population.
Source: Duke University

Duke University Center for Study of Aging and Human Development studying the complex health problems of a longer-lived population, and developing programs to enable the elderly to receive care and maintain their independence.
Source: Duke University

East Carolina University Center on Aging research, education, and public service for older adults and their providers in eastern North Carolina.
Source: East Carolina University

Encore Center for Lifelong Enrichment providing lifelong enrichment opportunities for people over 50 through education, intellectual stimulation and community involvement.

Source: North Carolina State University

J Paul Sticht Center on Aging at Wake Forest University is only program of its kind in the world that offers acute care for the elderly, geriatric rehabilitation, geriatric psychiatry, and transitional (subacute) care – all under one roof.
Source: Wake Forest University

North Carolina Assistive Technology Project "tools" that individuals with disabilities use for living, learning, working and playing; such as wheelchairs, augmentative communication devices, prostheses, computers, visual aids, adapted toys and sports equipment.
Source: North Carolina Assistive Technology Project

North Carolina Center for Creative Retirement promoting lifelong learning, leadership, and community service opportunities for retirement-aged adults.

Source: University of North Carolina - Asheville

University of North Carolina Institute on Aging research, educational programs, minority aging, and research.
Source: University of North Carolina

Organizations: Government

A Brief Guide to Helping Older Adults - a short "walk" through the various services provided by the NC DHHS and its agencies
Source: North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services

North Carolina Attorney General
Source: North Carolina Attorney General

North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services umbrella department for various divisions working with programs for aging adults and persons with disabilities.
Source: North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services

North Carolina Department of Insurance Regulates insurance industry, provides consumer information, handles complaints
Source: North Carolina Department of Insurance

North Carolina Department of Public Health
Source: North Carolina Department of Public Health

North Carolina Division of Aging manages aging programs.
Source: North Carolina Division of Aging

North Carolina Division of Facility Services inspects and regulates nursing homes and other health facilities.
Source: North Carolina Division of Facility Services

North Carolina Division of Medical Assistance manages the Medicaid program (a division of DHHS).
Source: North Carolina Division of Medical Assistance

North Carolina Division of Social Services, North Carolina has a federally mandated, state supervised, county administered, social services System. Each of the 100 counties of North Carolina operates with a unique organizational structure which includes personnel policies. DSS is a division of DHHS. Contains a Directory of County DSS offices, and answer to how older or disabled adults apply for benefits.
Source: North Carolina Division of Social Services

Organizations: Other

Alzheimer's Association Local Chapters

Hospice for the Carolinas Hospice provider organization.
Source: Hospice for the Carolinas

North Carolina Association of Non-Profit Homes for the Aged Long term care providers association
Source: North Carolina Association of Non-Profit Homes for the Aged

North Carolina Health Care Facilities Association Long term care providers association
Source: North Carolina Health Facilities Association

Research & Statistics

Alzheimer's Disease in North Carolina statistics by county

Source: North Carolina Division of Aging

Comparing State Requirements for Alzheimers Units in Assisted Living Facilities (PDF File)
Source: North Carolina Division of Facility Services

Future of Aging in North Carolina Statistics about the Boomers
Source: University of North Carolina

National Trends in Long Term Care, How Does North Carolina Stack Up?
Source: North Carolina Division of Aging

North Carolina 1996 State Performance Report Statistical information from the National Long Term Care Ombudsman Reporting System
Source: U.S. Administration on Aging

North Carolina Boomers at Mid Life Articles from the 1998 forums about the baby boomer generation in NC as they age
Source: North Carolina Division on Aging

North Carolina Division on Aging Download Area including a Caregiver's handbook, and information about NC's Alzheimer's projections and baby boomer statistics
Source: North Carolina Division on Aging

North Carolina Health Care Economic Census (PDF File) Economic data for the healthcare industry
Source: U.S. Census Bureau

North Carolina Office of State Planning, Demographic Look-up county and state population projections, available by age, race (white/other) and sex, are used for long range planning.

North Carolina State Aging Services Plan
Source: North Carolina Division of Aging

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