Cary, North Carolina, is considered part of the Research Triangle region, a community centered near several prominent universities. A fairly safe community, Cary has a small-town charm that the elderly, about 1 in 8 of the 168,000 residents, enjoy. From spending time in downtown Cary and exploring the local shops and cafes to strolling the paved walking trails at Fred G. Bond Metro Park, there are plenty of things that seniors in assisted living can see and do.
Cary's climate is temperate, with warm summers and winters with little snow. While the late summer highs can be hot and humid, warmer weather may feel good for aging joints. Although the cost of living in Cary is higher than the national average, it's still lower than the larger cities nearby, such as Raleigh. For those on a budget, having a little extra each month may help. Healthcare in Cary is excellent, with hospitals ranked highly by the U.S. News and World Report.
Assisted living averages in Cary for a private one-bedroom apartment run $5,750 according to the Genworth Cost of Care 2018 Survey. This is considerably higher than the state average of $3,693. To compare, Durham, also part of the Research Triangle area, averages just $3,150 for the same accommodations.
If you're considering transitioning into assisted living, we've compiled 10 of the best facilities in the Cary area.
Sunrise of Cary
1206 Chatham Street
Cary, NC 27513
(919) 439-4583
Conveniently located less than five miles from WakeMed Cary Hospital, Sunrise of Cary, offers assisted living and memory care. Kitchenettes are included with all of the studios, companion, one and two-bedroom suites. Residents receive daily trash removal and weekly housekeeping so they can concentrate on living their best life. Monthly wellness visits from a licensed nurse and up to three nutritious meals a day keep everyone healthy. With ongoing group excursions and daily physical, creative, educational and recreational activities, seniors at this assisted living community have plentiful opportunities to discover rewarding hobbies and socialize with like-minded companions.
Brookdale MacArthur Park
111 MacArthur Drive
Cary, NC 27513
(919) 335-6202
Brookdale MacArthur Park is located on a quiet, tree-lined street near Bond Lake in Cary. Wi-Fi access is available throughout the pet-friendly community, and residents are permitted to bring their own furnishings and decor from home. For fresh air, seniors can stroll through the landscaped grounds or visit the courtyard, garden and all-season sunroom. There are many indoor common areas, including a library and game room. Seniors can prepare meals in the community kitchen, grab a quick bite in the bistro or host parties in the private dining room.
HeartFields at Cary
1050 Crescent Green Drive
Cary, NC 27518
(919) 852-5757
At HeartFields at Cary, seniors can lead an active lifestyle while receiving the care they need. Located in the city's Triangle area, residents have access to a number of shops, restaurants and cultural attractions. Caring staff members are available to provide assistance with activities of daily living, transportation and medication reminders, and the facility is home to the largest rehabilitation center of any assisted living facility in Wake County. HeartFields' Lifestyle360 program offers a holistic approach to senior living that targets five separate dimensions of wellness. Residents can participate in their choice of diverse activities, including exercise classes, movie nights, pet therapy and speaker series, as well as local outings, shopping trips and volunteer opportunities.
Woodland Terrace
300 Kildaire Woods Drive
Cary, NC 27511
(919) 651-4848
Woodland Terrace is located in Cary, a suburb of Raleigh. We included this community because visitors speak highly of its large, well-manicured grounds. The 22-acre property features several courtyards, a lake and walking trails. With an on-site fitness center and pool, residents have plenty of opportunities to get active. Other amenities include a library, salon and country kitchen. Each studio and one-bedroom apartment has a private bathroom and in-unit kitchenette, and some floor plans have screened porches. Utilities, standard cable and weekly housekeeping are included. An emergency call system and regular wellness checks help keep seniors safe.
Avendelle on Maynard
1104 SE Maynard Road
Cary, NC 27511
(919) 650-1676
Located in Cary, a suburb of Raleigh, Avendelle on Maynard provides assisted living care in a homelike setting. The residence is home to up to six seniors, each with their own private bedroom and bathroom. To keep residents safe, each room is equipped with motion sensor technology. Residents share several common areas for living, activities and dining. With a fenced-in backyard, the secure facility lets seniors spend time outdoors in a secure environment. There is also a screened porch where seniors can relax with visitors and other residents.
Glenaire
4000 Glenaire Circle
Cary, NC 27511
(919) 460-8095
Glenaire is a Presbyterian-sponsored retirement community helping seniors keep their vitality. The lovely campus is surrounded by natural beauty, and residents can soak up North Carolina's brilliant sunshine while taking a stroll on the walking paths and through the gardens. Campus security and a 24-hour emergency response system gives residents peace of mind. With appliance maintenance, landscaping and weekly housekeeping assistance, seniors have more time to paint, play card games, swim in the pool or socialize with others in the community.
Waltonwood Cary Parkway
750 SE Cary Parkway
Cary, NC 27511
(919) 651-3964
Waltonwood Cary Parkway is a senior living community providing around-the-clock care in a safe, secure environment. Pet-friendly one and two-bedroom accommodations are available that feature kitchenettes and emergency call systems. In addition to receiving assistance with activities of daily living, residents have access to physical and occupational therapy. A suite of convenient amenities, including a library, spa, swimming pool, computer room and beauty/barbershop, are included in the monthly fee. With its diverse daily activities and group excursions, Waltonwood Cary Parkway makes it easy for seniors to maintain an active lifestyle. We included Waltonwood Cary Parkway in this list because of its extensive amenities and robust activities calendar.
Chatham Commons
809 W. Chatham Street
Cary, NC 27511
(919) 469-9309
Located just a few blocks away from downtown Cary, Chatham Commons provides a comfortable, home-like environment for its assisted living residents. Each resident room has cable TV and individual climate control, and residents are allowed to bring their own furniture and decor. Thanks to the full-service housekeeping, residents have plenty of time to enjoy the private spa, beauty salon and other on-site amenities. Transportation is provided to medical appointments and other destinations, but on-call physician services are also available.
Livewell - Cary
208 Midenhall Way
Cary, NC 27513
(919) 929-6444
LiveWell - Cary is a small assisted living facility serving up to eight seniors aged 55 or older. Thanks to the intimate environment, there's an opportunity for residents and staff to get to know one another. Off-the-beaten-path activities include drum circles, nature walks and on-site flexibility and fitness class. Things really heat up in cooking class, and off-site entertainment and sports activities provide fun and a change of scenery. Computer training, games and movies are some of the ways residents socialize and connect with one another.
Sunrise at North Hills
615 Spring Forest Rd.
Raleigh, NC 27609
(919) 439-4622
Sunrise at North Hills is located in a bustling community only minutes from downtown Raleigh, and the facility plans regular outings so seniors can enjoy the area's vibrant dining and shopping opportunities. Resident-sponsored clubs and daily scheduled activities provide many ways for seniors to explore their interests and stay active and engaged. The facility offers on-site movies, discussion groups, weekly social events and a wide array of exercise classes. Sunrise at North Hills serves three restaurant-style meals each day with a choice of entrees, and all the food is cooked from scratch. Seniors can choose a studio, one- or two-bedroom apartment or a companion suite, and several floor plans are available.