Page 19 of Best Memory Care in North Carolina

Overview of Hickory Village

Hickory Village is a 56-bed assisted living and memory care facility at 427 3rd Avenue S.E., Hickory, Catawba County, North Carolina. It provides 24-hour staffing, accepts Medicaid, and holds a 3-star state rating with housekeeping, transportation, restaurant-style dining, library, entertainment, and outdoor common areas.

A substantiated complaint investigation in September 2022 revealed critical resident protection failures. The facility failed to notify primary care provider and obtain mental health referrals for two of seven residents following allegations of resident-to-resident sexual assault involving Residents #6 and #7. The facility failed to immediately notify local social services and law enforcement, creating gaps in required protective response and oversight.

Healthcare coordination and fire safety infrastructure deficiencies characterize Hickory Village’s regulatory history. Over five years, the facility averaged 3.8 deficiencies annually, 27 percent better than North Carolina’s 5.2-deficiency benchmark. March 2024 annual survey documented failure to ensure referral and follow-up for speech therapy evaluation despite physician orders and multiple communications for one resident with difficulty swallowing. May 2025 follow-up construction survey found sprinkler system down due to leak and awaiting repair, creating ongoing fire safety risk.

Fire safety infrastructure failures recur across inspection cycles. September 2018 construction survey identified water gong non-functional in annual sprinkler system inspection, unsecured portable oxygen cylinder creating projectile hazard, gaps around conduit not firestopped, incomplete sprinkler escutcheon plate, non-functioning electrical lighting and exhaust ventilation in multiple areas, and missing individual towel bars for residents. October 2016 construction survey documented fire-resistance-rated wall patched with FRP board at several spots, commercial kitchen hood fire suppression system lacking required inspections and documentation since May 2016, corridor door wedged open, and inadequate exhaust ventilation in laundry. November 2016 follow-up confirmed fire-resistance-rated wall behind washer remained improperly patched.

No fines or license suspensions appear in the record.

Families should ask about corrections following the September 2022 resident-to-resident assault, mental health and physician communication protocols, fire system repairs, and oxygen cylinder storage.

Overview of Trinity Elms

Trinity Elms is a 104-bed nonprofit assisted living, memory care, and rehabilitation center at 3750 Harper Road, Clemmons, Forsyth County, North Carolina, in downtown Clemmons. the facility offers memory care, rehabilitation, and respite care with lifestyle and activities programs. CMS Overall Rating is 3 out of 5 stars. Current occupancy is 85 residents (82 percent).

Nursing hours average 4 hours 6 minutes per resident per day, 17 percent below state average. Nonprofit. Does not accept Medicaid or Medicare.

The regulatory record spans nine years with critical deficiencies in resident safety, medication management, supervision, and facility maintenance. Over six years, Trinity Elms logged 56 deficiencies, averaging 9.3 annually, 79 percent worse than North Carolina’s 5.2-deficiency benchmark. January 2016 construction survey cited thirteen deficiencies in fire systems, oxygen storage, emergency equipment, and fire-rated doors. March 2016 follow-up survey cited five deficiencies in unsecured oxygen cylinders, non-functional emergency lights and exit signs, and compromised fire-rated walls.

December 2017 construction survey cited ten deficiencies in smoke barrier doors, fire alarm wiring, corridor obstructions, oxygen storage, shower hoses, electrical protection, fire-rated doors and walls, and prohibited heater. March 2022 annual survey cited two deficiencies in catheter bags on floor and unsealed foods. January 2023 annual survey cited five deficiencies in staff competency validation, physician notification, missed medications, medication observation, and pharmacist review follow-up. August 2023 construction survey cited five deficiencies in mechanical systems, emergency equipment, fire-rated doors, electrical systems, and exhaust ventilation.

August 2023 complaint investigations substantiated failure to timely report resident abuse to Adult Protective Services and medication error rate of 7.69 percent. January 2024 follow-up survey cited one deficiency in exhaust ventilation. May 2024 follow-up survey found all deficiencies corrected. August 2024 complaint investigation substantiated critical incident: nonverbal severely cognitively impaired resident left unattended in shower resulting in deep partial thickness thermal burns to bilateral thighs and perineum requiring hospitalization; facility failed to notify medical provider timely.

August 2024 annual survey cited five deficiencies in inadequate supervision resulting in six unwitnessed falls with fractured arm and laceration, missing referral and follow-up, missing therapeutic diet menus, medication errors, and failure to observe medication. January 2025 annual survey cited four deficiencies in advance directive documentation, missing oxygen signage, unsecured medications, and inaccurate payroll data. April 2025 complaint investigation substantiated medication error: medication aide administered another resident’s medications to resident; resident hospitalized for precautionary evaluation with no adverse effects. No fines or license suspensions are records.

The facility’s 3-star CMS rating and 79 percent worse-than-average deficiency rate reflect serious operational failures. The August 2024 substantiated thermal burn incident with a nonverbal resident left unattended in shower causing deep partial thickness burns requiring hospitalization represents catastrophic failure.

Before placement, families must verify the August 2024 burn incident corrective actions and current shower supervision protocols.

Memory Care of the Triad is a 42-bed memory care center at 413 North Main Street, Kernersville, Forsyth County, North Carolina, 0.9 miles from downtown. the facility offers memory care services for special care residents. CMS Overall Rating is 4 out of 5 stars. Current occupancy is 42 residents (100 percent).

The facility does not accept Medicaid or Medicare.

The regulatory record spans eight years with serious deficiencies in resident safety, medication management, therapeutic diet compliance, facility maintenance, and fire safety. Over six years, Memory Care logged 55 deficiencies, averaging 9.2 annually, 77 percent worse than North Carolina’s 5.2-deficiency benchmark. A July 15, 2015, annual survey cited one deficiency in missing quarterly assessments for all special care unit residents. A July 21, 2015, construction survey cited eleven deficiencies in fire-resistant walls, egress hazards, floor covers, fire protection equipment, emergency switches, magnetic locking, door closure, oxygen storage, electrical wiring, exhaust fans, and wall penetrations.

A July 13, 2017, construction survey cited eight deficiencies in special locking arrangements, inspection reports, hand grips, ventilation, oxygen storage, fire protection, floor drains, and toilet seats. An August 25, 2017, follow-up construction survey cited five deficiencies in locking arrangements, hand grips, ventilation, oxygen storage, and fire protection. A November 7, 2017, follow-up construction survey cited one deficiency in fire protection in electrical ceiling penetrations. A May 16, 2018, annual survey cited six deficiencies: unlocked hazardous materials storage accessible to residents, unclean facility, missing tuberculosis testing, failure to notify physicians of critical conditions including high blood sugar and suicidal ideation without medication, and medication administration failures with 26 missed antipsychotic doses and 66 other missed doses.

A July 6, 2018, complaint investigation substantiated critical failures: inadequate supervision of three disoriented residents resulting in repeated falls with broken elbow, subdural hematoma, and broken wrist; medication administration errors including crushing non-crushable medications and improper dosing; inaccurate eMAR; and medication aide administering without required exam. An October 4, 2018, follow-up survey cited one deficiency in facility cleanliness. A January 25, 2019, complaint investigation substantiated roach infestation with dead and live roaches in kitchen and pantry, and cited special locking arrangement non-compliance. A July 31, 2019, construction survey cited seven deficiencies in emergency release switches, hand grips, ceiling panels, door latching, door hardware, gas lines, and exhaust fans.

A September 17, 2019, follow-up construction survey cited two deficiencies in hand grips and door latching. An October 7, 2021, annual survey cited five deficiencies in therapeutic diet menus for 11 residents, diet listing accuracy, insulin administration timing, staff training hours, and COVID-19 visitor screening. A July 6, 2023, annual survey cited two deficiencies in therapeutic diet service and eMAR documentation. No fines or license suspensions are records.

The facility’s 4-star CMS rating contradicts a 77 percent worse-than-average deficiency rate. The July 2018 substantiated complaint documenting three residents with repeated falls resulting in broken elbow, subdural hematoma, and broken wrist due to inadequate supervision represents critical patient safety failure. The May 2018 unlocked hazardous materials storage and failure to notify of suicidal threat without available medication constitute critical neglect.

Before placement, families must ask about the July 2018 falls and supervision protocols, medication management, and therapeutic diet menu compliance.

Overview of Scotland House

Scotland House is a 60-bed assisted living and memory care center at 27669 Highway 125, Scotland Neck, Halifax County, North Carolina. the facility offers assisted living, memory care, respite care, and secured living with 24-hour staffing. Amenities include housekeeping, transportation services, restaurant-style dining, library, entertainment room, and outdoor common area. CMS Overall Rating is 2 out of 5 stars.

Current occupancy is 54 residents from a 60-bed capacity (90 percent). The facility accepts Medicaid but not Medicare.

The regulatory record spans two years with deficiency patterns in medication administration, dietary management, supervision, cleanliness, and controlled substance recordkeeping. Over two years, Scotland House logged eight deficiencies, averaging 4 annually, 23 percent better than North Carolina’s 5.2-deficiency benchmark. An April 13, 2022, annual survey cited three deficiencies: failure to maintain accurate listing of residents with physician-ordered therapeutic diets, failure to serve therapeutic diets as ordered for one resident with mechanical soft diet order, and medication administration errors for two residents including blood pressure medication administered more frequently than prescribed and dementia medication not administered for 27 days. A November 15, 2024, annual and follow-up survey cited five deficiencies: failure to maintain cleanliness in special care unit resident room and shared bathroom with cigarette burn holes, stains, dirt, and smoke odor, failure to provide supervision for a resident with smoking behaviors resulting in burn holes in clothing and bathroom floor creating fire risk, failure to ensure health care coordination and follow-up for a resident including failure to coordinate orthopedic referral for broken arm and obtain x-ray for rib injury, failure to administer medications as ordered for two residents including missed Lorazepam doses for one resident and incorrect insulin dosing for another, and failure to maintain accurate controlled substance records with 30 unaccounted Tramadol doses.

Occupancy has remained high at 90 percent as of November 2024. No fines or license suspensions are recorded. Verify dietary menu accuracy and implementation, resident supervision procedures especially for residents with behavioral risks like smoking, controlled substance security and reconciliation protocols, facility cleanliness and maintenance standards, and fire safety procedures.

The facility’s 2-star CMS rating combined with recurring deficiencies across medication administration, dietary compliance, resident supervision, and controlled substance management indicate systemic operational challenges. The 2.5-year gap between the April 2022 and November 2024 inspections shows unresolved issues persisting. The November 2024 deficiencies spanning unsafe unsupervised smoking creating fire risk, missed and incorrect medication doses, unaccounted controlled substances, and failure to coordinate orthopedic care represent serious patient safety concerns.

Families should ask about corrective actions and current systems for medication administration and fire safety implemented following the November 2024 inspection.

Surrounded by the rich nature of Pikeville, NC, The Ridge at Pikeville is an extraordinary senior living community focusing on memory care. Live in comfort and luxury within the carefully designed and vibrant residences of The Ridge at Pikeville. The community boasts a team of competent and highly qualified professionals delivering exceptional care and support for seniors to thrive with dignity and live as they prefer.

With a wide selection of engaging activities and enjoyable programs, residents explore new ideas and rediscover old hobbies for leisure and wellness. Feel good with delightful and healthy meals catering to dietary needs and preferences. The Ridge at Pikeville is a great place for relaxation with its serene communal spaces and inviting community.

Overview of Wellington Oaks

Experience senior living to its fullest with Wellington Oaks located in Greensboro, NC, a distinguished senior living community, renowned for its exceptional care and medical services, particularly for residents with memory care needs. The community is thoughtfully designed to ensure the safety and well-being of its residents, with a dedicated team of professionals available around the clock.

Residents at Wellington Oaks enjoy personalized care plans that include medication management, daily living assistance, and specialized memory care programs, ensuring a holistic approach to health and wellness. The community fosters an engaging and active lifestyle through a rich array of activities and amenities, from group outings and social hours to arts and crafts and live entertainment. Here, seniors can thrive in a fulfilling life, surrounded by supportive care and a warm, welcoming environment.

Peacefully burrowed in Monroe, NC, The Addison of Indian Trail is a warm and welcoming senior living community focused on providing exceptional Assisted Living, Memory Care, and Short Term Care services. Residents enjoy an engaging lifestyle filled with care, friendliness, and comfort with carefully built accommodations. With a compassionate team, personalized care plans, and licensed nursing team available 24/7, residents receive the highest quality care to meet their individual needs.

The community is dedicated to maintaining residents’ independence and creating opportunities for them to thrive with a variety of amenities and programs designed to foster choice and connection. Residents can enjoy a beauty and barber shop, lovely dining areas, stimulating programming and events, a card room, and a courtyard with a shaded walking path. Other amenities include spacious community rooms, guest parking, complimentary Wi-Fi, and a pet-friendly environment. The community ensures comfort and safety with an emergency call response system and individually controlled heat and air.

Overview of Grand Villa Assisted Living at Winston

Live a vibrant life with Grand Villa Assisted Living at Winston, a charming senior living community, based in Winston-Salem, NC, offering assisted living and memory care services. The community ensures residents live a comfortable life with the help of a professional trained team and an on-call registered nurse trained to provide various care and support. Residents are also offered access to physical, occupational, and speech therapies, along with in-house physicians, podiatrists, & psychiatrists for other services that residents may need.

Committed to delivering a nurturing environment that empowers residents to live well, the community offers an array of amenities and services designed to ensure quality living and a healthy lifestyle. A variety of activities and exercise opportunities are provided to help residents stay active and engaged. Three course meals are also provided to ensure residents always eat healthy and on time.