North Carolina · Resources
The numbers you actually need — North Carolina.
Phone numbers, agencies, free legal help, forms, and the statutes our topic guides cite. The page to bookmark when you don’t want to dig.
If you need help right now
State Medicaid agency
The office that determines eligibility and runs the program
NC Medicaid (Division of Health Benefits, NC DHHS)
Apply through ePASS at epass.nc.gov or your county Department of Social Services. NC Medicaid operates through Standard Plans and Tailored Plans under NC Medicaid Managed Care.
Aging services — your entry point
Single number that routes to your local Area Agency on Aging
NC Division of Aging and Adult Services (NC DHHS)
Coordinates services through 16 regional Area Agencies on Aging across North Carolina.
Adult Protective Services
If you suspect abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation, call this number
Free Medicare counseling (SHIP)
Federally-funded, unbiased — not selling you a plan
SHIIP — Seniors' Health Insurance Information Program
Free, unbiased Medicare counseling through the NC Department of Insurance. Volunteers in every county.
State health department
Regulates nursing homes and licensed facilities
NC Department of Health and Human Services
Regulates nursing facilities (Division of Health Service Regulation), adult care homes, and the state Medicaid program.
Finding a lawyer
Bar referral first, legal aid if income-qualified
North Carolina Lawyer Referral Service
Legal Aid of North Carolina
Statewide free civil legal services for low-income North Carolinians.
Senior Law Project (Legal Aid of NC)
Free legal advice statewide for North Carolinians 60+ on civil matters.
Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy
Serves Mecklenburg and surrounding counties.
Nonprofits worth knowing
State chapters and organizations focused on aging in this state
Alzheimer's Association — Western Carolina & Eastern NC chapters
24/7 helpline, caregiver support, education across NC.
AARP North Carolina
Statewide advocacy and caregiver resources.
NC Caregivers (Project CARE)
NC's statewide Alzheimer's family caregiver support program — counseling, education, respite vouchers.
Friends of Residents in Long Term Care
Statewide nonprofit advocacy for nursing-home and adult-care-home residents.
Other hotlines
Numbers worth saving in your phone
- 1-800-633-4227
Medicare (federal)
1-800-MEDICARE — 24/7 federal Medicare helpline.
- 211
NC 2-1-1
Statewide community resource referrals 24/7.
- 1-919-855-3400
NC Long-Term Care Ombudsman
Advocates for residents of NC nursing homes, adult care homes, and family care homes.
Forms & templates
Official North Carolina document references
NC Health Care Power of Attorney
Statutory form under N.C.G.S. §32A-25.1. Two qualifying witnesses plus notary.
NC Advance Directive for a Natural Death (Living Will)
Statutory form under N.C.G.S. §90-321. Two witnesses plus notary; specific statutory format.
NC Statutory Short Form Power of Attorney
Under N.C. Uniform Power of Attorney Act (N.C.G.S. §32C). Notary required; recording in register of deeds may be needed for real-property transactions.
NC MOST (Medical Orders for Scope of Treatment)
North Carolina's POLST equivalent — physician-signed orders for treatment preferences. Travels with the patient across settings.
Key statutes we cite
North Carolina laws referenced across our topic guides
| Citation | Subject |
|---|---|
| N.C.G.S. §32C | NC Uniform Power of Attorney Act |
| N.C.G.S. §32A-25.1 | Health Care Power of Attorney |
| N.C.G.S. §90-321 | Right to a Natural Death (Living Will) |
| N.C.G.S. §28A | NC Probate Code |
| N.C.G.S. §36C | NC Uniform Trust Code |
| N.C.G.S. §1C-1601 | NC Homestead Exemption (~$35,000) |
| N.C.G.S. §108A-99 et seq. | Adult Protective Services |
| N.C.G.S. §131D | Adult Care Home Licensure |
| N.C.G.S. §131E-256 | Nurse Aide Registry |
More from North Carolina
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