Local Senior Care Resources in Buncombe County
Information & Referral
Financial Assistance
Home Support
Nutrition
Transportation
Caregiver Support
Memory Care
Hospice & Palliative
Legal & Elder Protection
Veterans
Senior Centers
Information & Referral
The central hub for senior services in Buncombe County. Information and referral, care consultation, SHIIP Medicare counseling, Call-A-Ride volunteer transportation, and more. First call for most families navigating aging.
The federally designated Area Agency on Aging for Buncombe, Henderson, Madison, and Transylvania counties. Plans and funds regional aging programs and administers the Long-Term Care Ombudsman program.
Free, confidential statewide helpline connecting callers to local health, human services, and financial assistance programs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
State agency overseeing adult care home and nursing home licensing, the Special Assistance program, and aging policy across North Carolina.
Financial Assistance & Benefits Navigation
Free, unbiased Medicare counseling by trained volunteers — available locally through the Council on Aging. Helps with plan selection, billing disputes, claims appeals, and Low Income Subsidy applications. No pressure, no products sold.
Buncombe County DSS determines Medicaid eligibility and the NC Special Assistance program (~$1,228/month supplement) for low-income adults in licensed adult care homes. Applications taken by appointment at DSS.
Federal program that can nearly eliminate Medicare Part D prescription drug costs for low-income beneficiaries. Apply directly through Social Security or with help from SHIIP counselors.
Tax-free benefit for eligible wartime veterans and surviving spouses needing help with daily activities. Can significantly offset the cost of in-home care, assisted living, or nursing home care. Contact Buncombe County Veterans Services for a free claims evaluation.
Statewide nonprofit providing free prescription drug assistance for uninsured and low-income North Carolinians, including seniors who fall into coverage gaps.
Home Support & Staying Independent
Home-based services can delay or avoid facility placement. Medicare covers short-term skilled home health (nursing, therapy) with a physician order and homebound status. For longer-term in-home assistance, Medicaid and private pay options vary — the Council on Aging at (828) 277-8288 is the best first call.
County programs including Medicaid-funded personal care services, in-home aide services, and Adult Protective Services. DSS can screen for home care benefit eligibility.
Medicare-certified home health services including skilled nursing, physical and occupational therapy, and home health aides — following hospital discharge or with a physician’s referral.
Structured daytime programs providing social engagement, health monitoring, and activities for seniors with cognitive or physical needs — and critical daily respite for working or stressed family caregivers.
Care consultants help families assess needs, explore options, and coordinate services. Can connect to in-home assistance, homemaker services, and community programs for seniors living independently.
Medicaid waiver program providing comprehensive in-home services for adults who qualify for nursing home level of care but wish to remain at home. Apply through DSS. Wait lists may apply.
Nutrition
Home-delivered hot meals and friendly wellness checks for homebound seniors, Monday through Friday. Sliding-scale fees; no one is turned away for inability to pay. Also offers pet food delivery and a social visit program.
Group lunch programs at senior centers countywide. Provides a nutritious midday meal and valuable social connection. Sites in Asheville, Black Mountain, Weaverville, and other communities. Call for current locations and schedule.
Many seniors who qualify for SNAP (food stamps) don’t know it or haven’t applied. Buncombe County DSS can screen for eligibility and assist with enrollment. The Council on Aging can also help with applications.
Transportation
ADA paratransit service for Buncombe County residents with disabilities or who cannot use fixed-route buses. Advance scheduling required; shared-ride service. Eligibility certification required before first trip.
Volunteer driver program providing rides for seniors who can no longer drive — medical appointments, grocery shopping, and essential errands. Available to Buncombe County seniors 60 and older.
Fixed-route bus service serving Asheville and surrounding areas. Seniors 65+ ride free with a Senior ID card. Accessible vehicles; contact Mountain Mobility for route assistance or accessibility accommodations.
Caregiver Support
Funded through the National Family Caregiver Support Program — provides care consultations, education, respite referrals, and supplemental services for family members caring for an older adult at home.
Support groups, care consultations, and education for families dealing with Alzheimer’s and other dementias. The 24/7 helpline connects caregivers with information, crisis support, and local resources at any hour.
Day programs and in-home respite providing meaningful relief for family caregivers — even a few hours weekly can significantly reduce caregiver burnout and delay institutionalization.
Online guides, care planning tools, and community support for family caregivers. AARP’s local Asheville volunteers also provide in-person assistance with benefits enrollment and technology.
Memory Care & Dementia Support
Looking for memory care facilities? For licensed memory care units in Buncombe County assisted living and nursing facilities, see the Facility Directory →
Asheville-based nonprofit providing comprehensive care management, physician consultation, social programs, and education for people living with memory disorders and their families. One of Asheville’s most respected dementia-specific resources.
Free, confidential support any time of day or night for people with dementia, family members, and caregivers. Offers local support group referrals, care consultations, and education on all forms of dementia.
Statewide organization with a robust online library of caregiver tools, educational resources, and care partner support — particularly useful in early-stage dementia when families are learning to navigate the disease.
Hospice & Palliative Care
Medicare & Hospice: Hospice is a Medicare Part A benefit for patients with a prognosis of 6 months or less if the illness runs its natural course. It covers virtually all end-of-life care costs in almost any setting — home, assisted living, or a dedicated facility. Palliative care (comfort-focused care alongside curative treatment) is available at any stage of illness.
Medicare-certified hospice serving Buncombe County in the home, nursing facilities, and assisted living. Includes the Solace Center inpatient hospice facility and community grief support groups open to the public.
Nonprofit hospice and palliative care provider serving Western North Carolina, including Buncombe County. Offers hospice at home and in facilities, pediatric palliative care, and community bereavement programs.
State guidance on choosing a hospice provider, understanding hospice vs. palliative care, and navigating Medicare hospice elections. DHHS can also assist with complaints about hospice providers.
Legal & Elder Protection
Free civil legal aid for income-eligible seniors. Services include simple wills, powers of attorney, healthcare directives, housing disputes, public benefits appeals, and protection from financial exploitation. One of WNC’s most valuable senior resources.
Free, confidential advocacy for residents of nursing homes and assisted living facilities in the four-county region. Investigates complaints, helps resolve conflicts with staff or management, and monitors facility conditions. All contacts are confidential.
Adult Protective Services — Buncombe County DSS
Report suspected elder abuse, neglect, self-neglect, or financial exploitation. Reports are accepted from anyone — you don’t need to be certain to call. APS investigates and can coordinate safety planning and services.
Report scams, fraud, and financial exploitation targeting older adults. The AG’s Consumer Protection Division investigates and can take action against scammers. Free educational materials on common elder fraud schemes.
Veterans Services
Free benefits counseling for veterans and surviving spouses — VA claims, Aid & Attendance pension, disability compensation, and burial benefits. Services are free and confidential. The single best first call for veterans navigating VA systems.
Full-service VA medical center serving eligible veterans in Western North Carolina. Provides primary care, mental health, geriatric care, rehabilitation, and home-based primary care (HBPC) for homebound veterans.
State agency providing benefits navigation, claims assistance, and referrals to the NC State Veterans Home in Black Mountain — which provides skilled nursing care for eligible veterans (see Facility Directory).
Senior Centers
Multiple senior center locations throughout Buncombe County offering fitness classes, arts and crafts, educational programs, technology assistance, and congregate lunch. Contact COABC for a full list of locations, hours, and current programming.
Linwood Crump Shiloh Community Center
City of Asheville community center with senior programming, fitness facilities, and social activities. One of Asheville’s primary senior-serving community spaces on the north side of the city.
Black Mountain Senior Center
Programs, activities, and congregate meals for seniors in the Black Mountain and Swannanoa Valley area.
Weaverville Area Recreation
Senior programming, fitness, and social activities for residents of the Weaverville area in northern Buncombe County.
About this page
This directory is maintained by AshevilleSeniorCareGuide.com as a free community resource. We accept no advertising or payment for inclusion. Information is verified periodically, but programs, phone numbers, and eligibility rules change — always confirm details directly with the organization.
To report an error or suggest a resource: info@ashevilleseniorcareguide.com · Facility Directory · About This Site