If someone you love needs long-term care, it can feel scary and confusing. Rules change. Costs rise. Families worry about losing a home or savings. The good news? With the right plan, you can protect what you’ve built and still get the care you need. This post explains what changed in 2025, what it means in North Carolina, and how you can be the hero of your family’s story by working with an elder law attorney.

For many North Carolina families, the home is more than just a roof over their heads. It’s the place where generations have gathered for holidays, where children took their first steps, and where stories have been passed down over the years. It’s no wonder that one of the greatest fears families express when facing long-term care decisions is losing that home to nursing home costs. In my work with families across the state, this is a concern I hear often; and it’s a valid one. Without proper planning, the family home may be at risk. But with the right legal strategies in place, it doesn’t have to be.