NC Voter Guide 2024: Everything you need to know about North Carolina's second primary election on May 14, 2024. Who's running, how, where, when you can vote.

Early voting for NC primary runoff; Election Day is May 14

Decision 2024

It's that time of year when your child will be taking end-of-grade tests or EOGs. What are EOGs and how can you help them be better prepared?

End-of-grade tests: Everything you need to know about these annual exams

Student testing 

All assets associated with the tag: home care

Home care Coverage

Take care of what is probably your biggest investment by keeping your home clean and well-maintained with this monthly home maintenance checklist.

April is time to get ready for outdoor living

Your monthly home maintenance checklist: How to keep your home, yard in great condition

More than 16,000 North Carolina families, whose children have disabilities, are still waiting for the state to cover the cost of their care. Tuesday, the state announced it's fighting a judge's order that would require them to address that.

Families of children with disabilities frustrated with state for fighting judge's order 

State's decision to battle judge's order draws ire from parents of children with disabilities

Whether you need help with housekeeping, medical care, or any of your other day-to-day needs, there may come a time that it is no longer safe for you to live by yourself.

Options for care when you can no longer live alone

Old grandmother and adult granddaughter hugging at home and look

Direct care workers for the elderly and disabled could soon make more money in North Carolina.

HOUR BY HOUR, IT WILL BE A WARM ONE RUNNING INTO THE 80s AND HOLDING UNTIL THE EVENING. THEN WE WILL SEE A REPEAT OF THIS TOMORROW. CHANCES ARE SHOWERS AND STORMS GO UP LATER IN THE WEEK WITH A COLD FRONT. I WILL SHOW YOU WHEN THAT ARRIVES, COMING UP. >>> DIRECT CARE WORKERS FOR THE ELDERLY AND DISABLED COULD SOON MAKE MORE MONEY IN NORTH CAROLINA. STATEHOUSE LAWMAKERS HELD HEARINGS FOR PROPOSALS TO ADD MORE MONEY TO MEDICAID TO INCREASE WORKERS PAY. LAURA LESLIE IS JOINING US WITH TODAY'S DEVELOPMENTS. HI, LAURA. >> HI, RENE. THE HOUSE COMMITTEE PASSED TWO BILLS TO INCREASE THE STAFF FROM GROUP HOMES, NURSING HOMES, AND EVEN HOME HEALTH CARE AIDES. THESE ARE THE WORKERS WHO FEED, BATHE, TOILET AND GIVE MEDICATION TO ELDERLY AND DISABLED PEOPLE IN HOME SETTINGS. IT IS BRUTAL WORK. THE ONLY MAKE $10.50 PER HOUR. THERE IS A SEVERE SHORTAGE OF CERTIFIED NURSES AND HEALTH AIDES BEFORE THE PANDEMIC. IT COULD'VE MADE THE SHORTAGES WORSE. OTHER JOB SECTORS LIKE RETAIL AND FAST FOOD ARE MAKING IT HARDER FOR THESE FACILITIES TO COMPETE WITH WORKERS. ONE OF THE BILL SPONSORS SAYS TURNOVER RATES ARE AT 56% FOR THESE WORKERS. IT'S THE HIGHEST IT HAS EVER BEEN. AS MANY AS ONE THIRD OF THE JOBS NEEDED ARE VACANT. >> MANY HEALTHCARE COMPANIES WHO DEPEND ON MEDICAID AS THE SOLE SOURCE OF REVENUE DO NOT HAVE THE FINANCIAL FLEXIBILITY TO INCREASE THEIR WAGES, AND ARE NOT ABLE TO KEEP UP. >> TAKING TOGETHER THE TWO BILLS FROM THIS MORNING WOULD ADD MILLIONS TO INCREASE REIMBURSEMENT RATES. THOSE BILLS PASSED THE HOUSE COMMITTEE BIPARTISAN UNANIMOUSLY, BUT IT IS NOT CLEAR AT THIS POINT WHETHER THE SENATE WILL AGREE TO A SPENDING

Nursing homes struggling to find enough workers to care for residents

Bills to raise pay for nursing home staff, home health aides advance in House

Introducing supports for dementia care often involves trial and error, as well as flexibility as needs change over time.

Introducing Supports for Dementia Care at Home

The garden

Seventy percent of people living beyond 65 will need some help for the last eight years of life. Are you prepared if you fall in that category?

What We Want to Believe About Our Needs as We Age Versus The Facts

Costs of Aging

After suffering several strokes, including a recent one in 2018, Michael Cooke needed the help of a home care aide. With over two decades of experience, Tiffany Wheeler not only provided care to Cooke, but companionship too. 

Senior adult gets help and forms a friendship with his home care aide

Action Health : Spotlight : Senior Care

As home care grows in popularity, home care workers are stepping up to the plate to meet increased demands and responsibilities, even amidst the current pandemic. 

Health, home care workers are heroes during COVID-19 times

Action Health : Spotlight : COVID Home Care

From increased independence to customizable care plans, here are seven reasons to consider home care. 

7 reasons to consider home care

The pandemic has introduced many problems we could not have anticipated or planned for. Keep cultivating the steady mind needed to respond wisely to whatever arises.

Cultivating Steadiness in Unsteady Times

What steadies the mind

Getting the care needed over time from one provider that offers a continuum of services allows for ease of management, delivers better care and results in better outcomes.

Why continuity of care is essential for optimal health results

Hillcrest : Spotlight : Continuity of Care

While assisted living is a favorable option for many older adults, home care services are a viable alternative depending on the age-related needs of the patient.

Home care - a viable alternative to assisted living

Hillcrest : Spotlight : Home Care

In a University of Minnesota study, patients who had seen a geriatrics team were a quarter less likely to become disabled, half as likely to develop depression, and 40% less likely to require home health services. Does this mean you should change who you see for primary care?

Should you see a geriatrician? An Interview with Bryan Godfrey, MSW, UNC Geriatrics

Bryan Godfrey at UNC Geriatric Specialty Clinic

There are 1690 home care agencies in the state of NC. There are 106 in Wake County alone. How does one find the best fit for their family?
