Compare memory-care costs in Raleigh, Durham and Cary
A useful comparison begins with a written quote for the room and care being considered. This worksheet helps you organize the numbers you receive.
Ask what the quote includes
Ask each community to explain the same categories. A charge may be included, billed separately, or not applicable. Record the answer rather than assuming that two starting prices cover the same services.
- Room and base charge: Which room does the figure apply to? What services are included?
- Care charges: How are these calculated, reviewed, and changed?
- Other monthly charges: Ask about medication support, supplies, transportation, and any other separately billed services.
- One-time amounts: Identify deposits, move-in fees, and the conditions for refunds.
Two published starting prices, with important limits
These operator-published memory-care rates illustrate how to begin a comparison. They are dated snapshots for private apartments, not current individual quotes, available rooms, or an average for the Triangle.
| Community | Monthly base rate | Source date |
|---|---|---|
| Brookdale Cary | From $14,880 | September 20, 2026 · Operator source |
| Brookdale Durham | From $11,710 | September 21, 2026 · Operator source |
Both pages describe most care, dining and housekeeping as included, but their pricing terms allow additional care costs and fees. New-resident and availability restrictions apply; shared rooms may have different rates. Ask exactly which services the written quote includes.
Worked example: keep an incomplete quote incomplete
Using Brookdale Cary’s September 20 snapshot, enter $14,880 as the base monthly charge in the worksheet below. Leave care, other charges and one-time fees blank until the operator confirms them. The worksheet then shows a $14,880 incomplete subtotal; it does not establish the amount your family would pay. Enter zero only when a written quote confirms there is no separate charge.
Brookdale Durham’s listed base rate is $3,170 lower. That difference compares only the advertised starting figures. Different care charges, room terms or one-time fees could change the total; it does not compare care quality or suitability.
Build a quote worksheet
Enter figures from a community’s written quote. Amounts remain on this page and are not saved or sent to us. Blank fields are unknown; the subtotal adds only what you enter.
Monthly subtotal — incomplete quote
—Monthly subtotal + entered one-time fees
—An arithmetic worksheet, not a price estimate or affordability assessment. Billing schedules, deposits, refunds, and future increases need separate confirmation.
Keep the uncertainties visible
An incomplete quote should stay incomplete. Ask for any missing amounts, how long the quote is valid, what happens when needs change, and the notice given for increases. Confirm billing timing before treating a subtotal as a first-month bill.
Individual prices and vacancies have not been confirmed. The worksheet calculates only the amounts you enter; the published examples above do not fill in missing charges.
Before making a commitment
Review the agreement and financial arrangements with the people advising your family. Ask the operator about accepted payment arrangements; do not assume coverage or eligibility from a directory listing.