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Home > Retirement |
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As the number of older residents increases, the county and its various towns develop more activities directed toward suiting the needs and interests of the senior set. With the variety of sports, hobbies, volunteer opportunities and entertainment available, most retirees stay as busy as they want to be. Housing requirements can change quickly during the retirement years. Townhouse and condominium developments are perfect for retirees who also decide to retire from house and lawn maintenance. All real estate companies can guide you toward more simplified living arrangements in beautiful locations. See the Crystal Coast Real Estate chapter for more about the housing alternatives available. Housing exclusively for
older citizens on the Crystal Coast is available in a variety of
settings, from federally subsidized accommodations for the elderly and
disabled on fixed incomes to exclusive retirement complexes where you
buy the unit and pay a monthly maintenance fee that includes taxes,
meals, laundry and around-the-clock security service. In addition, there
are nursing homes, rest homes and family-care centers for those who need
extra attention. If you need information about any or all of the
nursing-care facilities in the Crystal Coast area, call the Department
of Social Services at (252) 728-3181. If you are shopping for a
nursing-care facility, be sure to make several visits to the places you
are considering so you can make the very best choice.
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Retirees
love the Crystal Coast. It doesn't snow all winter, it's not excessively
hot all summer, golf and gardening are great nearly year round, the
fishing is fantastic, and the people are charming. Adding to the
attraction are the relatively inexpensive property costs, compared with
other popular retirement areas. Because of the large bang for the
retirement buck, the Crystal Coast enjoys a fast-growing population of
highly educated, well-traveled and active retired citizens.
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Services and OrganizationsArea Agency on Aging (AAA) Eastern Carolina
Council Based in New Bern but serving the elderly throughout
eastern North Carolina, this agency helps adults 55 years or older
maintain and improve their quality of life by addressing their needs
and concerns. Programs include adult day care, care management,
disaster preparedness and assistance, a family caregiver support
program, information and referral, in-home aid, transportation and
more. New programs are always in development; call for more
information. See our
New Bern Retirement chapter for more information about this
agency. Help-At-Home Senior Care Providing in-home care 24 hours a day, seven days a
week, Help-At-Home allows seniors throughout eastern North Carolina
who need just a little bit of "help at home" to stay in their homes
and enjoy their independence. This service matches caregivers to
senior clients and provides services such as meal planning and
preparation, light housekeeping, medication reminders, bill-paying
assistance, bathing-safety monitoring, errand running and local
transportation. Leon Mann Jr.
Enrichment Center for Senior Services The Leon Mann Jr. Senior Enrichment
Center, operated by the Carteret County Senior Services Department,
is a multi-purpose center for seniors age 50 and older. It is open
weekdays from 8 AM until 5 PM and sponsors a senior dance on Friday
evenings from 7:30 until 11 PM. The center is fully
disabled-accessible, bright and well-designed, and includes large
meeting rooms, classrooms, a library, a billiards room and a fully
equipped fitness room. Classes, workshops, seminars and
entertainment events include lively lessons in line dancing, yoga,
computer skills, bridge and the arts. The facility is also used for
a variety of visiting community services, including legal aid,
financial counseling, pharmacy assistance and blood-pressure checks.
Transportation to and from the center and hot lunches are available
for seniors age 60 and older. A representative from the New Bern
Social Security office is available at the center the first
Wednesday from 8:30 AM until 2:30 PM. No appointment is necessary. Meals On Wheels Meals-On-Wheels programs provide home
delivery of hot meals, usually one a day, five days a week. The
program is designed to help the elderly, shut-ins, those
recuperating from surgery and disabled persons. Some systems require
full payment for meals, some seek contributions and others operate
entirely on donations. Contributions come from area churches and
people within the community. Senior Pharmacy Program The Senior Pharmacy Program assists
eligible seniors, ages 60 and older in Craven, Jones, Pamlico and
Carteret counties, with costs for prescription medications. An
outreach of Catholic Charity, it helps pay for prescriptions that
treat chronic diseases such as cancer, high blood pressure, heart
disease, diabetes, glaucoma, acid reflux, arthritis and clinical
depression. Post-hospitalization medications may be covered on a
limited basis. Sites for the monthly distribution of vouchers, to be
used toward the prescription costs, are generally at area senior
centers. Call ahead for an appointment. The program's mailing
address is P.O. Box 826, New Bern, NC 28563. Senior Games Carteret County has a year-round
Senior Games program designed to keep residents age 55 and older
healthy, active and involved. Local games are held each May, and a
year-round program leads up to the annual state Senior Games held in
Raleigh in September. Competitions include tennis, golf, swimming,
biking, table tennis, horseshoes, croquet, track, billiards, bowling
and more. Get the picture? It's active. Games also include Silver
Arts competitions in painting, sculpture, writing, heritage crafts,
and instrumental and vocal music. Local winners compete in the state
Senior Games during the fall and can advance to the nationals. The
Senior Games committee sponsors workshops to prepare prospective
athletes or artists. Registration is required to participate. |
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Housing
Options
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Family-Care CentersFamily-care centers provide a
homelike atmosphere for those who need some care but can basically
live independently. Residents must be ambulatory and perform some
light-housekeeping duties. They usually have kitchen privileges.
Residents generally live in semi-private bedrooms with a shared
bath, have meals together and use the living room or other
facilities jointly with other residents. There is a resident
supervisor who does the heavy housework and cooking and, in general,
looks after the residents. Transportation for medical attention,
worship and shopping is provided. Medicine is under lock and key and
is dispensed by the supervisor according to doctors' directions. Crystal Coast Family Care Home In a quiet, rural setting off N.C.
Highway 101, Crystal Coast Family Care Home offers private rooms
with shared baths and common-use living areas for 12 residents. Each
of the two homes in the facility has a live-in supervisor to prepare
meals, dispense medicines or give any needed attention 24 hours a
day. Meals are served family-style. Planned activities include
cookouts, transportation, worship and shopping. The Crystal Coast
Family Care Center for ambulatory and semi-ambulatory residents has
been operating since 1991. |
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Veterans' GroupsBecause of the proximity of several military bases and military hospitals, Carteret County is home to many veterans. The more than 9,000 veterans living on the Crystal Coast make up nearly one-fifth of the permanent population. There are numerous veterans' organizations in the area, and all welcome new members. The Veterans' Service Office at 613 Cedar Street in Beaufort, (252) 728-8440, offers problem-solving services to veterans. The Carteret County Veterans Council, (252) 393-6178, is the coordinating body for member veterans' organizations of Carteret County. The council sponsors the Morehead City Veterans Day Parade and Carteret County Memorial Day Ceremony and promotes exhibits and issues relevant to veterans. The Morehead City VA Outpatient Clinic, (252) 240-2349, operated by the Durham VA Medical Center, is located at 5420 U.S. Highway 70 West. The clinic, which is open Monday through Friday, provides primary care, mental health, immunizations, dental and blood-drawing services by appointment to VA–enrolled patients in Carteret, Craven, Jones and Pamlico counties. Walk-in and emergency services are not available. Other veterans' organizations in the
area include Military Order of the Purple Heart Chapter 639,
(252) 808-3766; |