Page 3 of Best Memory Care in North Carolina

Why trust this guide? Our editorial team analyzed 323 memory care providers in NC using NC Dept. of Health & Human Services (NCDHHS) data, inspection records, complaints, amenities, and facility-level details. How we rank memory care in NC
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We analyzed These are the providers in North Carolina our team has analyzed — not a count of every memory care provider in North Carolina. Home health and home care providers may be included if they specialize in memory care services.
323 providers
Other senior care options in North Carolina:

Compare Memory Care around North Carolina

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-ranked to lowest-ranked based on our 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. IL (Independent Living): Community living with dining, activities, and transportation for active seniors who need little personal care.
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.
A 0–100 score of a facility's regulatory inspection record, shown as a letter and compared with other facilities of the same kind in the same state. This is a proprietary Assisted Living Magazine grade. It is not a government rating. A dash means we have no inspection data for that facility.
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.
Wilkesboro Assisted Living Center
MC
AL
NH
SNF
North Wilkesboro
102
Facility 102
NC AVG 76
Rank #49 / 252
No
61
Facility 61
NC AVG 35
Rank #33 / 300
70.6%
Facility 70.6%
NC AVG 67.2%
Rank #79 / 152
104.00/200
Facility 104.00/200
NC AVG 91
Rank #12 / 217
A+10
0%
Facility 0%
NC AVG 64.9%
Rank #24 / 224
-
Heartfields at Cary
MC
AL
Cary
97
Facility 97
NC AVG 76
Rank #57 / 252
Yes
60
Facility 60
NC AVG 35
Rank #37 / 300
79.4%
Facility 79.4%
NC AVG 67.2%
Rank #63 / 152
97.50/200
Facility 97.50/200
NC AVG 91
Rank #118 / 217
B-18
67%
Facility 67%
NC AVG 64.9%
Rank #88 / 224
Studio / 2 Bed
Brookdale Asheville Walden Ridge
MC
Asheville
38
Facility 38
NC AVG 76
Rank #218 / 252
Yes
50
Facility 50
NC AVG 35
Rank #79 / 300
92.1%
Facility 92.1%
NC AVG 67.2%
Rank #30 / 152
103.50/200
Facility 103.50/200
NC AVG 91
Rank #14 / 217
A-13
54%
Facility 54%
NC AVG 64.9%
Rank #88 / 224
1 Bed
Cadence Mooresville by Cogir
MC
AL
Mooresville
96
Facility 96
NC AVG 76
Rank #58 / 252
Yes
15
Facility 15
NC AVG 35
Rank #233 / 300
100.0%
Facility 100.0%
NC AVG 67.2%
Rank #1 / 152
94.50/200
Facility 94.50/200
NC AVG 91
Rank #147 / 217
A17
53%
Facility 53%
NC AVG 64.9%
Rank #45 / 224
Studio / Suite
Cadence at Wake Forest by Cogir
MC
AL
Wake Forest
96
Facility 96
NC AVG 76
Rank #58 / 252
Yes
43
Facility 43
NC AVG 35
Rank #112 / 300
27.1%
Facility 27.1%
NC AVG 67.2%
Rank #141 / 152
103.50/200
Facility 103.50/200
NC AVG 91
Rank #14 / 217
C+12
58%
Facility 58%
NC AVG 64.9%
Rank #36 / 224
Studio / 1 Bed
Brookdale Monroe Square
MC
Monroe (Council Oaks)
65
Facility 65
NC AVG 76
Rank #146 / 252
Yes
26
Facility 26
NC AVG 35
Rank #186 / 300
-
101.50/200
Facility 101.50/200
NC AVG 91
Rank #63 / 217
A-9
56%
Facility 56%
NC AVG 64.9%
Rank #88 / 224
Studio / 2 Bed
Navion of New Bern
MC
AL
New Bern
60
Facility 60
NC AVG 76
Rank #161 / 252
Yes
51
Facility 51
NC AVG 35
Rank #73 / 300
100.0%
Facility 100.0%
NC AVG 67.2%
Rank #1 / 152
99.25/200
Facility 99.25/200
NC AVG 91
Rank #101 / 217
B-19
68%
Facility 68%
NC AVG 64.9%
Rank #64 / 224
Suite
Home Place of New Bern
MC
AL
New Bern (Quail Ridge)
60
Facility 60
NC AVG 76
Rank #161 / 252
Yes
57
Facility 57
NC AVG 35
Rank #55 / 300
100.0%
Facility 100.0%
NC AVG 67.2%
Rank #1 / 152
100.00/200
Facility 100.00/200
NC AVG 91
Rank #86 / 217
A12
50%
Facility 50%
NC AVG 64.9%
Rank #88 / 224
Suite / 2 Bed
Kerner Ridge
MC
AL
Kernersville
66
Facility 66
NC AVG 76
Rank #138 / 252
No
28
Facility 28
NC AVG 35
Rank #179 / 300
100.0%
Facility 100.0%
NC AVG 67.2%
Rank #1 / 152
100.50/200
Facility 100.50/200
NC AVG 91
Rank #81 / 217
B+12
67%
Facility 67%
NC AVG 64.9%
Rank #88 / 224
Studio
The Arboretum at Woodland Terrace
MC
AL
IL
Cary
84
Facility 84
NC AVG 76
Rank #94 / 252
Yes
55
Facility 55
NC AVG 35
Rank #61 / 300
39.3%
Facility 39.3%
NC AVG 67.2%
Rank #120 / 152
95.75/200
Facility 95.75/200
NC AVG 91
Rank #134 / 217
-9
89%
Facility 89%
NC AVG 64.9%
Rank #45 / 224
Studio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed

Rank badges are statewide and care-type specific: each memory care community is ranked against every other NC memory care community we track that reports that metric, not just the 323 on this page. See how we rank facilities

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Wilkesboro Assisted Living Center

206 Old Brickyard Road North Wilkesboro, Nc 28659, North Wilkesboro, NC 28659
Overview of Wilkesboro Assisted Living Center

Wilkesboro Assisted Living Center is on Old Brickyard Road in North Wilkesboro, North Carolina. Four levels of care operate here: skilled nursing, assisted living, memory care, and rehabilitation. For families weighing a move, that breadth is the practical draw. A resident whose needs deepen does not automatically need a new address.

The community holds 102 beds. Right now 72 of them are filled, putting occupancy at 71%. Rooms come in private and semi-private configurations. It is a large shared setting, and size shows up in the common areas rather than in the bedrooms.

Therapy happens on-site in a dedicated rehab gym, which spares residents the trip out for post-surgical or post-hospital recovery work. Staffing runs 24 hours. Two named programs, nutritional care and wound and skin care, round out the picture. Both suggest a resident population with real medical complexity, not just custodial needs.

On-site residents can enjoy the services of a beauty and barbershop. There’s also a large activity room and a courtyard to sit in. Visiting is open 24 hours, though the entrance doors lock from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm.

The surrounding area scores 61 on Walk Score: moderately walkable. A visiting daughter can handle a few errands on foot without moving her car.

State inspection themes here have clustered around fire-safety systems, emergency preparedness, and housekeeping and upkeep. Those are building and operations categories.

Wilkesboro Assisted Living Center is a mid-sized North Carolina community built around rehabilitation and skilled nursing, with enough room in the census to accept new residents and enough range in its care levels to keep them.

Contact Wilkesboro Assisted Living Center

Overview of Kerner Ridge

Offering assisted living and memory care in one setting, Kerner Ridge serves seniors in Kernersville, North Carolina. The community is part of the Navion Senior Solutions network. It is about 1. 5 miles from the city center. Novant Health Kernersville Medical Center is roughly 3. 5 miles away, giving residents fairly close access to hospital care.

Kerner Ridge is a single-story community that has been operating for 26 years. It provides studio housing across 66 beds. The community is now fully occupied, which points to steady local demand.

The surrounding area has a Walk Score of 28. This means the neighborhood is somewhat walkable. Some nearby errands may be reached on foot, while most outings will need a drive.

Daily life includes access to a recreational room and transportation services. Residents also benefit from in-house maintenance support. Wellness activities and social programming support residents’ engagement. Seasonal menus are served daily.

North Carolina inspections have most often focused on medication records and medication administration practices. An earlier facility survey also noted maintenance and fire-safety-system items. Families who tour may want to ask how these areas are handled today.

Because Kerner Ridge offers assisted living and memory care under one roof, it may fit changing care needs. Families may find it practical when they want one setting that can adjust over time.

Contact Kerner Ridge

Overview of Navion of New Bern

Operating at full capacity with all 60 beds occupied, Navion of New Bern is an assisted living community located on South Glenburnie Road in New Bern, North Carolina. It also features a variety of pet-friendly one- and two-bedroom suites.

24-hour access to personalized care is provided, along with emergency response systems. Moreover, regular housekeeping, laundry, in-house maintenance, and transportation services are available to support residents’ daily living. Social activities and dining are also offered.

Additionally, the surrounding neighborhood has a Walk Score of 51, making it moderately walkable. Some daily errands and nearby services can be reached on foot, providing residents with a balance of convenience and neighborhood accessibility while making visits easier for family members.

Throughout its decade-long state inspection history, recurring concerns involving medication administration and infection control were identified. However, corrective actions were implemented and later verified by state authorities as successfully addressing the cited compliance issues.

Contact Navion of New Bern

Overview of Home Place of New Bern

Offering compassionate care to the community of New Bern, NC, Home Place of New Bern is a classic senior living community that features a range of senior living options, including assisted living and memory care. The community offers a wide range of floor plans, including studios, companion suites, and one-bedroom apartments, complemented with an array of care services, including recreational and occupational therapy, various rehab therapies, and personal fitness training.

Recognized as Best Assisted Living and Best Memory Care by U.S. News and World Report, Home Place of New Bern proves its capability in providing exceptional senior living experience supported with excellent care and services. Here, residents find comfort and convenience through amenities, such as family-style dining, spacious activity center, an array of social and recreational events, a full-service barber and beauty salon. At Home Place of New Bern, residents live life on their own terms with outstanding support and assistance by a compassionate team.

Contact Home Place of New Bern

Overview of The Arboretum at Woodland Terrace

The Arboretum at Woodland Terrace, Cary, North Carolina, is a nurturing and person-centered memory care community for individuals with Alzheimer’s or dementia. The mission is to provide a warm, caring environment prioritizing residents’ independence, dignity, and individuality. The community values a compassionate approach to care, ensuring the well-being of each resident. The dedicated professional staff enjoys spending quality time with residents, fostering an atmosphere of comfort and happiness, and providing residents and their families peace of mind for future planning.

The Arboretum at Woodland Terrace offers a range of memory care amenities designed to enhance the overall well-being of residents. Personal care services, three daily meals plus snacks, laundry services, and weekly housekeeping contribute to a comfortable lifestyle. The community provides medication management, standard cable, utilities, and telephone services. Scheduled transportation, the Art of Living Well® programs, and 24-hour nurse availability enrich residents’ experiences. Planned social and educational events, day trips, gardening programs, and the Music & Memory program create a vibrant and engaging living environment, fostering community and fulfillment. Aquatics programs are also available to support residents leading active and enjoyable lives.

Contact The Arboretum at Woodland Terrace

Overview of Heartfields at Cary

Heartfields at Cary envisions memory care that goes beyond mere accommodation – it’s about fostering love, connection, and meaningful engagement. The community is situated in Cary, NC, and boasts elegant living and communal spaces with just the right touch of warmth. The vision is to create an environment where residents love their surroundings, the people they’re with, and the activities they engage in. Heartfields at Cary aims to be a place where families reconnect, fostering a sense of community and shared experiences.

In addition to its vibrant living spaces, Heartfields at Cary is committed to providing top-notch Memory Care through Five Star’s award-winning Bridge to Rediscovery Alzheimer’s and dementia care program. The community prioritizes familiarity, safety, and comfort, offering individualized attention with recreational and occupational therapy. Residents can enjoy restaurant-style dining, a spacious activity center, various social and recreational events, and even access a full-service barber and beauty salon. The Memory Care apartments at Heartfields at Cary are designed to be safe, secure, and comfortable, with a range of options, including studio and companion apartments.

Contact Heartfields at Cary

Overview of Brookdale Asheville Walden Ridge

Nestled in the picturesque town of Asheville, NC, Brookdale Asheville Walden Ridge is a warm and welcoming senior living community that offers compassionate memory care for seniors. The community provides a serene and secure environment tailored to meet the unique needs of residents living with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. With programs designed to stimulate the mind and nourish the soul, residents can enjoy activities like yoga, gardening, pet therapy, and poetry nights. The community’s warm and peaceful atmosphere ensures that seniors have access to both quality care and the local town’s amenities.

By offering personalized care plans and consistent care assignments, the community ensures that each senior receives the support they need. Amenities include dementia-friendly dining options and a variety of engaging programs aimed at fostering a sense of purpose and belonging. The dedicated and specially trained dementia care team is available around the clock to provide gentle guidance and encouragement, creating an environment where seniors can thrive.

Contact Brookdale Asheville Walden Ridge

Preston House

4910 Harris Woods Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28269
Overview of Preston House

Preston House is a memory care community in Charlotte, North Carolina, set in a suburban pocket of Mecklenburg County about 7.8 miles from the city center. The single-story building holds 40 beds, which puts it in moderate territory for size: large enough to sustain daily programming and shared spaces, small enough that staff tend to know residents individually. Residents live in private rooms, an arrangement many families prefer when a loved one is easily overstimulated or unsettled by a roommate. The community has been operating for 29 years, a long track record in a field where turnover is common.

Care is built specifically around memory impairment, with a team trained in memory care supporting residents through the day. The building reflects that focus in practical ways, including handicapped-accessible bathrooms and a wireless emergency response system that brings staff quickly when someone needs help. A full-time social director oversees the activity calendar, and residents have access to fitness and recreation programming as well as transportation services for outings and appointments. Atrium Health University City sits roughly four miles away, which matters when medical needs come up.

State inspections by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services have most often pointed to building systems and physical-plant upkeep, including fire safety equipment, ventilation, plumbing, and wander-alert devices, rather than concerns with hands-on resident care. Follow-up review confirmed that flagged items were corrected. Families touring the community may want to ask how maintenance and safety checks are handled on an ongoing basis.

The neighborhood scores 53 out of 100 for walkability, meaning some errands can be handled on foot while most trips involve a short drive. For visiting family, the suburban setting and single-story layout make regular, low-effort visits practical.

Contact Preston House

Overview of Cadence at Wake Forest by Cogir

Breathe in the fresh air of Heritage Trade Drive, Wake Forest, NC, with the trusted senior living community of Cadence at Wake Forest that provides assisted living and memory care. Enjoy your golden years within the beautiful and spacious residences of Cadence at Wake Forest in variations of one-bedroom apartments, and private and shared studios. An experienced and highly skilled team lends necessary care and support for residents to enjoy a maintenance-free lifestyle.

The community doubles its efforts to ensure residents experience unparalleled comfort and convenience, providing them with the utmost attention for their every need. Leisure and wellness is not a problem with a combination of enjoyable and nurturing activities conducted for seniors to maintain a happy and active lifestyle. Good dining completes the finest experience with healthy restaurant-style meals catering to seniors’ dietary needs and preferences. Cadence at Wake Forest is ideal for seniors seeking a haven to spend a peaceful yet well-engaged retirement with its bright and airy campus.

Contact Cadence at Wake Forest by Cogir

Overview of Brookdale Smithfield

Enjoy a life of independence while still receiving the care you need at Brookdale Smithfield, an excellent senior living community based in Smithfield, NC, offering assisted living and memory care. The community offers pet-friendly apartments featuring large windows with plenty of natural light, along with a compassionate team available 24/7 to provide assistance in emergencies. To ensure residents dealing with cognitive challenges receive the proper care and support they need, the community provides a gentle daily structure of six planned programs, complemented with consistent care assignments.

Residents at Brookdale Smithfield find fun and entertainment with a jam-packed calendar of activities, such as joining a walking club, fun exercise classes, or stimulating brain games, aroma therapy, and daily music programs for memory care residents. A culinary team ensures residents get the nourishment they need with tasty and nutritious meals, tailored to residents’ dietary needs and preferences. Amenities include a library, a game room, community kitchen, and beautiful walking paths and courtyard, where they can enjoy nature alone or with friends.

Contact Brookdale Smithfield

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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Memory Care in North Carolina at a glance

Avg Walk Score: 35/ 100The average Walk Score across facilities in North Carolina. 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: 76The average licensed bed capacity across facilities in North Carolina. Individual facilities can vary widely from this average.
National Average: 90
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Frequently Asked Questions about Memory Care in North Carolina

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.

Does North Carolina Medicaid cover memory care?

North Carolina Medicaid does not directly pay room-and-board for memory care, 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 memory care?

Memory care is a specialized form of assisted living for residents living with Alzheimer's disease or other forms of dementia, with secured environments, dementia-trained staff, and routines built to reduce confusion and wandering.

How many memory care communities are listed on this page?

This page features 323 memory care communities in North Carolina. Use the filters and comparison tools above to compare ratings, amenities, and pricing.

How do I choose the right memory care community in North Carolina?

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 North Carolina, 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 memory care communities in North Carolina?

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.