Mecklenburg County Adult Services and Just1Call

In Charlotte, much of the practical help for older adults is administered by Mecklenburg County rather than City Hall. The county’s Child, Family and Adult Services department provides adult social services, while Just1Call serves as a single point to search providers, request referrals, and learn about intake steps.

The county lists In-Home Aide services for adults age 60 and older and adults with disabilities age 18 and up who cannot perform certain tasks without assistance; help may include personal care, home management, and respite. Other offerings include adult day care for people with physical or cognitive impairments, community social work, congregate nutrition, and non-emergency transportation for eligible residents. Each route has its own requirements and assessment.

Call Just1Call at (704) 432-1111 or toll-free (877) 899-0323, or search its portal by keyword, county, and ZIP code. A call is not immediate approval: explain the need, confirm the address, and ask which assessment, form, or local provider applies. The resource portal says staff can assist in more than 140 languages.

The Centralina Area Agency on Aging serves Mecklenburg and eight nearby counties. Its partners coordinate meals, transportation, caregiver support, minor home repairs, preventive health, and legal assistance, but not every service exists in every county. For someone recently discharged from a hospital, an exhausted caregiver, or a family unsure about income rules, options counseling can be the most useful first step.

For essential trips within the county, the nonprofit Shepherd’s Center of Charlotte accepts requests from people age 55 and older. Volunteer rides are free, require five business days’ notice, and are not guaranteed until a driver is confirmed; riders must transfer in and out without help, and wheelchairs cannot be accommodated. Those details help families decide whether the service fits the person’s mobility.

Official program information