Best Memory Care in North Carolina

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.

Overview of The Landings of Lake Gaston

The Landings of Lake Gaston is a 60-bed assisted living and memory care center at 206 North Mosby Avenue, Littleton, Halifax County, North Carolina, located in downtown Littleton. 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 4 out of 5 stars.

The facility accepts Medicaid but not Medicare.

The regulatory record includes one recent inspection with substantiated deficiencies in medication administration and financial management. An October 12, 2023, annual survey and complaint investigation initiated by the Halifax County Department of Social Services cited four deficiencies: failure to ensure implementation of physician orders for notifying the primary care provider of fingerstick blood sugars outside of parameters for one resident, failure to administer Lantus insulin as ordered including administering when fingerstick blood sugar was below 130 and holding when it should have been given, failure to administer clobetasol ointment as ordered administering it twice daily every day instead of the prescribed twice daily 2 days on and 2 days off, and failure to issue a refund of 3774.19 dollars within 14 days to one discharged resident. The deficiency rate of 4 annually is 23 percent better than North Carolina’s 5.2-deficiency benchmark. No fines or license suspensions are recorded.

The facility’s 4-star CMS rating contrasts with substantiated medication administration errors identified in the October 2023 inspection. Insulin dosing errors involving administration below safety thresholds and improper topical medication application represent patient safety concerns. The failure to timely return resident funds signals financial management oversight. Verify procedures for insulin administration and blood sugar monitoring, medication administration safeguards and staff training, and financial management and refund procedures.

With limited recent inspection history available, families should ask directly about corrective actions and current systems implemented following the October 2023 inspection.

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.

Overview of Wellington House

Wellington House is a 48-bed assisted living and memory care center at 850 Majestic Court, Gastonia, Gaston County, North Carolina, 2.0 miles from downtown. 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 39 residents from a 48-bed capacity (81 percent). The facility accepts Medicaid but not Medicare.

The regulatory record spans ten years of severe persistent deficiencies in resident safety, facility maintenance, fire safety, medication management, and infection control, punctuated by critical substantiated incidents of resident abuse and sexual assault. Over seven years, Wellington House logged 66 deficiencies, averaging 9.4 annually, 81 percent worse than North Carolina’s 5.2-deficiency benchmark. A September 24, 2015, construction survey cited twenty-one deficiencies spanning fire safety, sanitation, electrical systems, and ventilation. A November 24, 2015, annual survey cited four deficiencies in cleanliness, laboratory follow-up, and dietary management.

A December 10, 2015, follow-up survey cited thirteen deficiencies in maintenance, sanitation, and fire safety. An August 23, 2017, relicensure survey cited four deficiencies in fire detection and ventilation. A December 11, 2017, annual survey cited one deficiency in cardiology referral follow-up. A June 6, 2019, follow-up and complaint investigation substantiated alleged sexual assaults involving residents, citing two critical deficiencies: failure to respond immediately to alleged sexual assault by not sending resident to hospital until next day, and failure to immediately notify law enforcement.

A July 26, 2019, complaint investigation cited five deficiencies in emergency release switches, corridor obstruction, exposed electrical wiring, exit signage, and fire suppression documentation. An August 13, 2019, complaint follow-up construction survey cited five deficiencies in emergency release switches and staff training on evacuation. A September 30, 2019, follow-up construction survey cited one deficiency in staff training on magnetic locking system. An August 14, 2020, complaint investigation and COVID-19 survey cited five deficiencies in laboratory implementation, infection control with positive and negative residents sharing rooms, medication errors, inaccurate eMAR documentation, and failure to ensure freedom from neglect.

A February 4, 2022, complaint investigation cited one deficiency: failure to dress five residents in Special Care Unit timely, compromising dignity. A September 4, 2023, complaint investigation substantiated failure to provide supervision for resident with dementia who eloped and was found 4.2 miles away requiring hospitalization for low blood pressure and dehydration. A March 20, 2025, complaint investigation substantiated critical deficiencies: failure to protect residents from physical abuse by staff including hitting resident with shower head and hairbrush and throwing ice, and failure to complete Health Care Personnel Registry reports within 24 hours. Staff E and Staff F were suspended and later terminated.

Occupancy has remained high at 39-48 residents. No fines or license suspensions are recorded.

The facility’s 2-star CMS rating, deficiency rate 81 percent worse than state average, and pattern of substantiated critical incidents spanning sexual assault, physical abuse, resident elopement, and systemic neglect represent unacceptable risk. The June 2019 substantiated sexual assaults of residents and the March 2025 substantiated physical abuse by multiple staff members hitting residents with objects and throwing ice represent the most serious breaches of care and protection. The September 2023 elopement of resident with dementia resulting in hospitalization demonstrates failure in supervision. Persistent deficiencies in fire safety, emergency systems, medication management, infection control, and staff training spanning a decade indicate systemic failure to implement sustainable improvements.

Families should ask about the June 2019 sexual assault incidents, the March 2025 physical abuse incidents, the September 2023 elopement incident, and resident-to-resident abuse prevention.

Overview of Country Time Inn

Country Time Inn is a 59-bed nursing home at 602 Brevard Road, Kings Mountain, Gaston County, North Carolina. The facility provides 24-hour skilled nursing care, secured living, and Special Care Unit services; accepts Medicaid; and offers respite care. An overall 3-star state rating places it 40th of 138 North Carolina homes.

Medication management and healthcare follow-up represent the facility’s central regulatory challenge. The March 5, 2025 annual inspection found five deficiencies: failure to notify the primary care provider when a sampled resident’s blood sugar readings fell below 80 or exceeded 450; failure to implement insulin lispro orders for elevated blood sugars in two residents; failure to clarify and administer a sertraline order for depression; and failure to update Special Care Unit resident profiles quarterly for two residents. The inspection examined six sampled residents, reviewed nine finger stick blood sugar readings, audited ten insulin lispro units, and checked three medication administration instances. These deficiencies echo January 2019 findings: the facility had failed to schedule orthopedic follow-up after a resident fall and failed to reschedule a missed cardiac rehabilitation appointment.

Over six years, across six inspections, Country Time Inn averaged 3.3 deficiencies per year, 37 percent better than North Carolina’s 5.2-deficiency annual average.

Physical plant and construction compliance deficiencies cluster in earlier years. March 2016 brought seven: inadequate ventilation causing odors, scratched interior doors, unmaintained HVAC grilles with grease accumulation, moldy shower tile, malfunctioning exit doors, fire protection equipment fouled with particulate, and absent fire detection in the Special Care Unit and dining closet. February 2018 cited three: missing emergency release switch at a magnetically locked exit, non-functional emergency lighting in the Special Care Unit courtyard, and a water heater leak. November 2015 found two: worn walls, doors, carpets, and floors throughout the facility; stained and damaged resident chairs.

December 2023’s construction survey identified one: new generator installation completed without required state documentation. The facility operates restaurant-style dining, entertainment and library rooms, outdoor common areas, transportation, housekeeping, and 24-hour staffing. No fines or license suspensions appear in the record.

Families should ask about corrective actions taken following the March 2025 medication management findings and current protocols for blood sugar notification and medication order clarification.

Overview of Southfork

Southfork is a 78-bed nursing home at 1345 Jonestown Road, Winston-Salem, Forsyth County, North Carolina. The facility provides 24-hour skilled nursing and secured living services; accepts Medicaid and respite care. A 3-star state rating places it tied for 40th of 138 North Carolina homes. Current occupancy is 60 percent (47 of 78 beds) which is below the state average of 76.4 percent.

Systemic failures in staffing, housekeeping, medication management, and resident care define Southfork’s regulatory record. The August 1, 2025 annual inspection found seven deficiencies that consolidate longstanding operational gaps. Aided residents in the Assisted Living unit experienced staffing shortages in 7 of 9 sampled shifts, with documented gaps ranging from 1 to 11.5 hours per shift; inadequate staffing led to delayed call bell responses and insufficient assistance for three sampled residents, violating their right to dignity and respect. Kitchen housekeeping was substandard: brown and black grease buildup contaminated floors; ice for resident consumption was stored uncovered.

Water was not served with meals to 31 of 37 assisted living residents, which is a violation of nutrition standards. Medication management failed for two residents: one did not receive ordered sertraline (six scheduled doses were not given), and documentation of insulin aspart administration proved inaccurate for another resident, with doses recorded as given but held.

Physical plant and fire safety deficiencies cluster across seven years, reflecting systemic maintenance failures. July 2023’s eleven citations encompassed automatic door closers removed from smoke barrier walls, emergency release switch covers screwed shut, absent fire and building inspection documentation, a bathroom converted to storage with 30 cardboard boxes, non-functional wanderer alarms, unsafe exterior premises (water damage, trip hazards), deteriorated furnishings and peeling ceilings, improper oxygen bottle storage, missing quarterly fire rehearsal records, compromised fire-resistant ceiling assemblies with bent sprinkler deflectors and electrical hazards, and absent exhaust ventilation. September 2017 and November 2019 surveys documented overlapping violations: improper corridor door latching, obstructed egress, dust and odor accumulation, inadequate grab bars in resident bathrooms, failed emergency lighting, missing fire extinguisher documentation, and gaps in fire-resistant construction. July 2015 identified eight deficiencies including code non-compliance on special locking arrangements with staff unaware of emergency override procedures; missing sanitation and fire safety reports; poor housekeeping with spider webs in 12 percent of bedroom closets; uncovered oxygen cylinders; improperly maintained fire doors; and non-functional exhaust in designated areas.

November 2023 and June 2024 follow-up surveys identified bent sprinkler deflectors impairing fire suppression capability. December 2022 and October 2019 annual inspections documented failure to implement physician orders (blood pressure, weight, and laboratory monitoring) and failure to serve mandated milk quantities to Special Care Unit residents.

Over seven years and across ten inspections, Southfork averaged 7.9 deficiencies annually, 52 percent above North Carolina’s 5.2-deficiency benchmark. The facility operates restaurant-style dining, entertainment and library rooms, outdoor common areas, transportation, housekeeping, and 24-hour staffing. No fines or license suspensions appear in the record.

Families should verify corrective actions taken following the August 2025 medication documentation, staffing hours, kitchen sanitation, and resident dignity deficiencies.