Best Assisted Living in Wake County, NC

Why trust this guide? Our editorial team analyzed 8 assisted living communities in Wake County, NC using NC Dept. of Health & Human Services (NCDHHS) data, inspection records, complaints, amenities, and facility-level details. How we rank assisted living in NC
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Last updated
We analyzed These are the facilities in Wake County, NC our team has analyzed — not a count of every assisted living provider in Wake County, NC.
8 homes
Other senior care options in Wake County:
Avg Walk Score: 28/ 100The average Walk Score across facilities in Wake County, NC. A third-party neighborhood walkability score (0–100) measuring convenience and context, not healthcare quality. Individual facilities can vary widely from this average.
National Average: 50/ 100
Avg No. of Beds: 46The average licensed bed capacity across facilities in Wake County, NC. Individual facilities can vary widely from this average.
National Average: 90

Compare Assisted Living around Wake County

Info below is compiled from the NC Dept. of Health & Human Services (NCDHHS), senior community websites & trusted data sources such as Walk Score & BBB.

Communities are listed from highest to lowest based on our ranking methodology.

Care Types in This Table AL (Assisted Living): Housing with help for daily activities like bathing, dressing, and medication, without 24-hour skilled nursing. NH (Nursing Home): 24/7 skilled nursing care for residents with complex, ongoing medical needs. SNF (Skilled Nursing Facility): Round-the-clock nursing care, often for recovery after surgery, injury, or illness. MC (Memory Care): Secured, specialized care for people living with Alzheimer's or dementia. RC (Respite Care): Short-term temporary care that gives family caregivers a break. RESC (Residential Care): Personal care and daily-living support in a smaller, more intimate residential setting. HOS (Hospice Care): Comfort-focused care for those with a terminal illness, prioritizing quality of life over treatment.
City and state of the facility. Used for mapping and state-average comparisons.
Licensed bed capacity (maximum allowed). Not the same as how many beds are currently filled.
Indicates whether residents are allowed to have pets in the facility.
Third-party neighborhood walkability score (0–100). Convenience/context metric, not a healthcare quality measure.
Reported or derived occupancy for the facility—typically how fully licensed capacity is utilized. Compare across peers in the same market.
NC DHSR Star Rating (0–4 stars). Issued by North Carolina's Division of Health Service Regulation based on annual facility inspections. Stars reflect overall compliance with state health and safety rules - 4 stars requires scores of 100+ on two consecutive annual inspections. Ratings can change between inspections if new violations or licensure actions occur.
DHSR Quality Score (/200). Each annual inspection starts at a base of 100 points. Facilities earn demerit points for violations and citations, and merit points for correcting issues, maintaining resident/family councils, sprinkler systems, and other quality programs. The "/200" display reflects the two most recent annual inspections combined - giving a longer-term view of compliance trends rather than a single snapshot.
Count of regulatory inspections in the reporting window. Higher volume can reflect more oversight visits, complaint-driven surveys, or routine licensure cycles.
Share of inspections that resulted in deficiencies, expressed as a percentage of total inspections in the window.
Housing or bed configuration options (e.g. studio, shared), often from facility-reported amenities and licensing details.
Hillside Nursing & Rehab
AL
NH
SNF
Wake Forest
130
Facility 130
NC AVG 72
Rank #23 / 387
No
19
Facility 19
NC AVG 36
Rank #384 / 536
88.3% --3
33%
Facility 33%
NC AVG 76.2%
Rank #12 / 333
Private Rooms
Avendelle at Shepherds Vineyard
AL
Apex (Shepherds Vineyard)
6
Facility 6
NC AVG 72
Rank #335 / 387
No
36
Facility 36
NC AVG 36
Rank #254 / 536
-
102.50/200
Facility 102.50/200
NC AVG 92.2
Rank #73 / 321
5
40%
Facility 40%
NC AVG 76.2%
Rank #15 / 333
Private / Shared Rooms
Miss Bell’s at Garner
AL
Garner
6
Facility 6
NC AVG 72
Rank #335 / 387
No
4
Facility 4
NC AVG 36
Rank #506 / 536
66.7%
90.00/200
Facility 90.00/200
NC AVG 92.2
Rank #261 / 321
10
60%
Facility 60%
NC AVG 76.2%
Rank #43 / 333
Private / Semi-Private Rooms
Calyx Living of Fuquay-Varina
AL
MC
Fuquay-Varina
84
Facility 84
NC AVG 72
Rank #135 / 387
No
24
Facility 24
NC AVG 36
Rank #349 / 536
-
103.50/200
Facility 103.50/200
NC AVG 92.2
Rank #31 / 321
6
83%
Facility 83%
NC AVG 76.2%
Rank #218 / 333
Studio / 1 Bed
Senior Fluent
AL
MC
RESC
Zebulon (Shepards Point)
6
Facility 6
NC AVG 72
Rank #335 / 387
No
7
Facility 7
NC AVG 36
Rank #476 / 536
-
105.50/200
Facility 105.50/200
NC AVG 92.2
Rank #5 / 321
4
25%
Facility 25%
NC AVG 76.2%
Rank #8 / 333
Private / Semi-Private Suites
Holly Springs Senior Living
AL
HOS
MC
RC
Holly Springs (Holly Heights)
6
Facility 6
NC AVG 72
Rank #335 / 387
No
51
Facility 51
NC AVG 36
Rank #138 / 536
-
102.50/200
Facility 102.50/200
NC AVG 92.2
Rank #73 / 321
1
0%
Facility 0%
NC AVG 76.2%
Rank #1 / 333
Private Rooms
Foundation Senior Living
AL
Garner
126
Facility 126
NC AVG 72
Rank #27 / 387
No
45
Facility 45
NC AVG 36
Rank #191 / 536
-
93.50/200
Facility 93.50/200
NC AVG 92.2
Rank #233 / 321
27
89%
Facility 89%
NC AVG 76.2%
Rank #282 / 333
-
Hearts of Gold Family Care LLC
AL
Knightdale
6
Facility 6
NC AVG 72
Rank #335 / 387
No
36
Facility 36
NC AVG 36
Rank #254 / 536
-
0.00/200
Facility 0.00/200
NC AVG 92.2
Rank #305 / 321
11
82%
Facility 82%
NC AVG 76.2%
Rank #202 / 333
Private / Shared Rooms

Rank badges are statewide: each community is ranked against every NC community we track that reports that metric, not just the 8 analyzed for Wake County.

Overview of Hillside Nursing & Rehab

Enjoy an improved quality of life with Hillside Nursing & Rehab, a compassionate community in Wake Forest, NC, offering assisted living, rehabilitation, and skilled nursing services. Residents here are given a warm and comforting environment where they can receive round-the-clock care, supervision, and assistance with their daily living activities. Those living with chronic illnesses and require long-term care have access to comprehensive nursing care and physician services from Hillside’s Medical Directors.

With access to physical, occupational, and speech therapy services, residents recovering from an injury or hospitalization can enjoy a quick and smooth healing journey in the community. They also feature a vibrant activity program designed to keep residents moving and actively engaged in their community. Proper nutrition is always observed by their registered dietitian who carefully curates residents’ meal plans. At Hillside Nursing & Rehab, residents are given diverse opportunities to enjoy life even as they face serious illness or recover from an injury.

Contact Hillside Nursing & Rehab

Overview of Avendelle at Shepherds Vineyard

Avendelle at Shepherds Vineyard is a cozy care home in Apex, NC, that offers assisted living and memory care. The community continuously promotes a nurturing environment with its cozy living spaces, ensuring older adults’ comfort and healing. Concierge services, an emergency alert system, and a beauty shop are available for residents’ convenience. With its commitment to improving residents’ quality of life, one-on-one attention is provided around the clock.

Leisure activities, wellness programs, and social events accompany residents during their stay, promoting an active lifestyle. Spacious dining area and well-lit communal spaces also provide residents with more avenues to interact with their surroundings. With its serene setting in the thriving neighborhood of Apex, the community guarantees accessibility and convenience. This care home is an ideal option for older adults in North Carolina, as showcased by its high-quality services.

Contact Avendelle at Shepherds Vineyard

Miss Bell’s at Garner

181 Kaspurr Dr, Garner, NC 27529
Overview of Miss Bell’s at Garner

Create meaningful moments at Miss Bell’s at Garner, a blissful community in Garner, NC, offering assisted living and memory care. Those with cognitive conditions can keep their peace of mind with a kind and highly skilled team attending to their needs around the clock. A caregiver is assigned to every three residents, alongside purposely built and secure accommodations, ensuring residents are comfortable and safe.

Residents have fun and learn new things with a thoughtfully curated calendar of stimulating programs and enriching activities. Delicious and healthy meals are also served, ensuring residents have a delightful dining experience that caters to their dietary needs and preferences. The community’s dedicated services and well-maintained amenities allow residents to make the most of their best years.

Contact Miss Bell’s at Garner

Overview of Calyx Living of Fuquay-Varina

Known for its relaxing and beautiful home-like campus, Calyx Living of Fuquay-Varina is an excellent community in Fuquay-Varina, NC that offers quality assisted living and memory care services. Their compassionate and reliable team is always ready to give residents the care and support they need without limiting their independence. Residents here find comfort in having 24/7 assistance with their personal care needs and daily living routine, complemented with a personal pendant alert system for quick emergency response.

Thoughtful amenities like a bistro, art studio, and exercise studio are also available to enhance residents’ living experience. With a wide range of exciting activities to enjoy, residents are motivated to maintain an active lifestyle. Meal times are always delectable and nourishing with fresh, chef-prepared meals served daily. At Calyx Living of Fuquay-Varina, you’ll have access to whatever you need to maintain a vibrant and fulfilling lifestyle.

Contact Calyx Living of Fuquay-Varina

Senior Fluent

3004 Bunnfield Dr, Zebulon, NC 27597
Overview of Senior Fluent

Senior Fluent operates a 6-bed memory care and assisted living community at 3004 Bunnfield Drive in the Shepards Point neighborhood of Zebulon, Wake County, North Carolina. The single-story licensed facility houses residents in private and semi-private suites with 24-hour nursing services and maintains a 1:3 staff-to-resident ratio.

Daily meal service includes three fresh, home-cooked meals prepared to individual dietary preferences. Housekeeping, recreation, social activities, transportation coordination, visiting physician services, and on-site hairdressing support constitute the facility’s full service menu. An outdoor garden and programmed activities titled “Our Homes” serve the memory care population. Residents may access North Carolina Special Assistance and the Community Alternatives Program for eligible Medicaid coverage. Monthly pricing begins at $7,500.

Across four inspections over two years, the facility documented 2 deficiencies; a rate of 1 per year, 96% below North Carolina’s average of 23. Only one of the four inspections resulted in cited deficiencies.

The March 27, 2024 inspection identified fire safety issues: a missing fire-rated attic cover and insufficient egress from an enclosed outdoor area. Senior Fluent responded promptly by installing the required attic cover and adding a second emergency exit. Earlier inspection cycles generated no reportable findings. No complaints were investigated, no fines assessed, and no enforcement actions initiated.

The facility’s overall inspection deficiency rate of 25% represents a 65-percentage-point improvement above North Carolina’s 90% average.

Positioned 1.3 miles from downtown Zebulon in a car-dependent neighborhood (Walk Score 7), the community integrates security monitoring, wheelchair access, fire suppression systems, and emergency alert infrastructure throughout its physical plant.

Senior Fluent serves older adults with cognitive impairment, dementia, or Alzheimer’s disease requiring secured residential memory care with round-the-clock nursing, meal preparation, and structured activities in a small, specialized-care setting.

Contact Senior Fluent

Overview of Holly Springs Senior Living

Holly Springs Senior Living is an outstanding senior care community in Holly Springs, NC, that offers a wide range of care options, including memory care, assisted living, hospice care, and respite care. Dedicated to older adults’ peace of mind, the community strives to promote a home-like environment with its well-thought-out living spaces. Home-cooked meals, recreational activities, and a fire safety system are provided to enrich residents’ living experiences. With personalized care plans, the community strives to meet residents’ healthcare needs.

Fun social events, light exercises, and engaging programs provide residents with more opportunities to interact with their peers and try out new things. A family-style dining area, naturally lit communal spaces, and a spacious outdoor area also accompany residents during their stay. With serene parks and the UNC Rex Hospital nearby, residents have convenient access to their leisure and healthcare needs. As one of North Carolina’s finest senior living communities, this care home provides the highest quality of care for older adults to thrive in retirement.

Contact Holly Springs Senior Living

Overview of Foundation Senior Living

Located in Aversboro Road Garner, NC, Foundation Senior Living offers an unparalleled living experience with its luxurious yet affordable services. The versatile living arrangements it offers allow residents to choose between private studios and companion rooms with both ensured to provide comfort and personalized care. Through the highly skilled and caring members of its team, Foundation Senior Living prioritizes the health and safety of its residents by providing comprehensive care services including medication administration, customized dietary management, and proactive fall assessment and prevention measures.

The community features top-notch amenities and services that enrich the quality of life of the residents, ranging from delicious and healthy meals, laundry and housekeeping, salon services, wellness programs, transportation options, and many more. At Foundation Senior Living, seniors can enjoy a wonderful retirement.

Contact Foundation Senior Living

Hearts of Gold Family Care LLC

1004 Edenburghs Keep Dr, Knightdale, NC 27545
Overview of Hearts of Gold Family Care

Age without worries at Hearts of Gold Family Care, a distinct community in Knightdale, NC, offering assisted living. Here, residents enjoy a worry-free lifestyle with a compassionate and highly trained team providing exceptional care tailored to their daily living activities around the clock. Light housekeeping of its specially designed and secure accommodations is also taken care of, ensuring residents feel at ease during their stay.

Dedicated to residents’ happiness and wellness, a fun-filled calendar of activities is conducted based on their interests and capabilities. There’s no need to worry about meals, with delightful and healthy dining options served to satisfy residents’ dietary needs and preferences. Medication administration is also provided for convenience. The community is a good option for those needing assistance to live comfortably in retirement, especially with its exceptional services and well-maintained amenities.

Contact Hearts of Gold Family Care LLC

Weighting overview

  • 35%
    Resident Experience
  • 25%
    Regulatory
  • 15%
    Visual Media
  • 10%
    Website
  • 10%
    Stability
  • 5%
    Environment
01

Resident & Family Experience 35%

The single largest share of every ranking. Aggregated review sentiment and volume from major platforms — the closest signal to real resident experience.

  • Includes
  • Review Sentiment
  • Review Volume
02

Regulatory & Safety Record 25%

State inspection records, citations, and complaint visits. We weight per-inspection rates more heavily than raw counts.

  • Includes
  • State Inspections
  • Citations/Inspection
  • % Inspections w/ Citations
  • Complaint Visits
  • Accreditations
  • BBB Rating
03

Visual Media & Transparency 15%

Communities that publish high-quality visuals give families a real preview. No photos or tours = a negative transparency signal.

  • Includes
  • Video Tours
  • Virtual Walkthroughs
  • Photo Quantity
  • Photo Quality
04

Website & Operator Transparency 10%

Site quality and whether the operator publishes basic accountability information — staff names, contact details, ownership.

  • Includes
  • Website Content
  • Mobile Usability
  • Staff Info Available
  • Owner Info Available
05

Community Stability 10%

Operational signals indicating whether a community is well-run and meeting demand.

  • Includes
  • Occupancy Rate
  • Bed Options
06

Environment & Pricing 5%

Walkability and pricing transparency. Walk Score is weighted higher for Independent Living than for Memory Care, where most residents do not leave unaccompanied.

  • Includes
  • Walk Score
  • Pricing Transparency
No paid rankings Communities cannot pay to influence placement.
How we're paid: If we help you find a community and you move in, that community may pay us a referral fee. This never affects where they rank or what you pay. Learn more
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Frequently Asked Questions about Assisted Living in Wake County, NC

What's the difference between assisted living and memory care in North Carolina?

Assisted living in North Carolina supports residents with daily activities (bathing, dressing, medication management) while preserving independence. Memory care is a specialized form of assisted living for residents living with Alzheimer's or dementia, and adds 24/7 secured environments, dementia-trained staff, and structured routines designed to reduce confusion and wandering.

What's the difference between assisted living and a nursing home in North Carolina?

Assisted living in North Carolina is a residential model focused on housing, hospitality, and help with daily activities. Nursing homes (skilled nursing facilities) provide 24/7 medical care from licensed nurses for residents with significant health needs, and are regulated more strictly under both state and federal CMS rules.

Does North Carolina Medicaid cover assisted living?

North Carolina Medicaid does not directly pay room-and-board for assisted living, but most states (including North Carolina) offer Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waivers that can offset the cost of care services delivered inside a licensed community. Eligibility, waitlists, and covered services vary — check directly with the state Medicaid agency.

What is assisted living?

Assisted living combines private or semi-private apartments with help on activities of daily living (meals, bathing, dressing, medication management) and a social calendar — for residents who need some support but do not need 24/7 medical care.

How many assisted living facilities are listed on this page?

This page features 8 assisted living facilities in Wake County, NC. Use the filters and comparison tools above to compare ratings, amenities, and pricing.

How do I choose the right assisted living facility in Wake County, NC?

Start by matching the level of care offered to the resident's current and anticipated needs, then compare licensing status, staff-to-resident ratios, recent inspection results, and pricing. Tour at least two or three communities in Wake County, NC, talk to current residents and families, and confirm what is included in the base rate versus billed as add-on services.

What should I look for when visiting assisted living facilities in Wake County, NC?

Pay attention to staff interactions with residents, cleanliness and odor, food quality at meal times, the activity calendar, and how questions about pricing and care plans are answered. Ask to see the most recent state inspection report, the move-out / level-of-care-change policy, and a sample monthly bill that lists every fee.