Page 7 of Best Memory Care in North Carolina

Why trust this guide? Our editorial team analyzed 322 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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Last updated
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.
322 providers
Other senior care options in North Carolina:
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: 70The average licensed bed capacity across facilities in North Carolina. Individual facilities can vary widely from this average.
National Average: 90

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. 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. IL (Independent Living): Community living with dining, activities, and transportation for active seniors who need little personal care. HC (Home Care): Professional care delivered in the person's own home, from companionship to skilled nursing.
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.
Better Business Bureau grade for the operating company. Reflects complaint handling and business practices, not clinical care quality.
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.
LiveWell at Birchwood Lake Estates
MC
AL
HC
NH
Chapel Hill
6
Facility 6
NC AVG 70
Rank #316 / 368
No-
83.3%
Facility 83.3%
NC AVG 69.5%
Rank #74 / 213
A+
101.50/200
Facility 101.50/200
NC AVG 92.2
Rank #103 / 321
8
88%
Facility 88%
NC AVG 91.8%
Rank #57 / 333
Private Rooms / Semi-Private Rooms
Fayetteville Manor
MC
Fayetteville (Tartan Place Apartments)
60
Facility 60
NC AVG 70
Rank #214 / 368
Yes
29
Facility 29
NC AVG 35
Rank #302 / 508
88.3%
Facility 88.3%
NC AVG 69.5%
Rank #60 / 213
-
102.50/200
Facility 102.50/200
NC AVG 92.2
Rank #73 / 321
10
90%
Facility 90%
NC AVG 91.8%
Rank #84 / 333
-
TerraBella Cramer Mountain
MC
AL
Cramerton
128
Facility 128
NC AVG 70
Rank #19 / 368
Yes
19
Facility 19
NC AVG 35
Rank #362 / 508
39.1%
Facility 39.1%
NC AVG 69.5%
Rank #179 / 213
-
101.50/200
Facility 101.50/200
NC AVG 92.2
Rank #103 / 321
9
89%
Facility 89%
NC AVG 91.8%
Rank #71 / 333
-
Waltonwood Cotswold
MC
AL
Charlotte (Sherwood Forest)
125
Facility 125
NC AVG 70
Rank #22 / 368
Yes
18
Facility 18
NC AVG 35
Rank #372 / 508
--
107.00/200
Facility 107.00/200
NC AVG 92.2
Rank #2 / 321
5
100%
Facility 100%
NC AVG 91.8%
Rank #138 / 333
Studio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed
TerraBella Salisbury
MC
AL
RC
Salisbury (Lockeland)
128
Facility 128
NC AVG 70
Rank #19 / 368
Yes
8
Facility 8
NC AVG 35
Rank #448 / 508
23.4%
Facility 23.4%
NC AVG 69.5%
Rank #206 / 213
A+
97.00/200
Facility 97.00/200
NC AVG 92.2
Rank #189 / 321
12
100%
Facility 100%
NC AVG 91.8%
Rank #138 / 333
-
Twelve Oaks
MC
AL
RC
Mount Airy
112
Facility 112
NC AVG 70
Rank #50 / 368
No
74
Facility 74
NC AVG 35
Rank #13 / 508
25.9%
Facility 25.9%
NC AVG 69.5%
Rank #203 / 213
-
90.75/200
Facility 90.75/200
NC AVG 92.2
Rank #259 / 321
12
92%
Facility 92%
NC AVG 91.8%
Rank #97 / 333
-
Open Arms Retirement Center
MC
AL
RC
Raeford
90
Facility 90
NC AVG 70
Rank #102 / 368
No
63
Facility 63
NC AVG 35
Rank #44 / 508
55.6%
Facility 55.6%
NC AVG 69.5%
Rank #151 / 213
-
89.25/200
Facility 89.25/200
NC AVG 92.2
Rank #266 / 321
15
100%
Facility 100%
NC AVG 91.8%
Rank #138 / 333
-
TerraBella Knightdale
MC
AL
Knightdale
96
Facility 96
NC AVG 70
Rank #76 / 368
No
40
Facility 40
NC AVG 35
Rank #211 / 508
59.4%
Facility 59.4%
NC AVG 69.5%
Rank #142 / 213
-
96.50/200
Facility 96.50/200
NC AVG 92.2
Rank #196 / 321
18
100%
Facility 100%
NC AVG 91.8%
Rank #138 / 333
-
Waltonwood Lake Boone
MC
AL
IL
Raleigh
68
Facility 68
NC AVG 70
Rank #178 / 368
Yes
61
Facility 61
NC AVG 35
Rank #59 / 508
60.3%
Facility 60.3%
NC AVG 69.5%
Rank #139 / 213
-
94.50/200
Facility 94.50/200
NC AVG 92.2
Rank #224 / 321
5
100%
Facility 100%
NC AVG 91.8%
Rank #138 / 333
-
Chatham Ridge
MC
AL
Chapel Hill
91
Facility 91
NC AVG 70
Rank #101 / 368
Yes
33
Facility 33
NC AVG 35
Rank #264 / 508
-A-
98.50/200
Facility 98.50/200
NC AVG 92.2
Rank #168 / 321
10
100%
Facility 100%
NC AVG 91.8%
Rank #138 / 333
Studio / Suite

Rank badges are statewide: each community is ranked against every NC community we track that reports that metric, not just the 322 on this page. See how we rank facilities

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Overview of LiveWell at Birchwood Lake Estates

Nestled within the vibrant landscape of Durham, North Carolina, LiveWell at Birchwood Lake Estates is an esteemed assisted living community. Standing proudly, this assisted living community presents an alternative vision of assisted living within the charming confines of Chapel Hill. Each dwelling within this community is meticulously crafted to exude warmth and hospitality, ensuring an environment that extends its embrace to friends and family alike.

Whether seniors are engaged in a stroll outdoors or savoring a delectable meal, the ethos of LiveWell encourages your presence, inviting you to share in their moments of joy and togetherness. Experience a different kind of assisted living community that redefines the essence of welcome and inclusivity at LiveWell at Birchwood Lake Estates.

Contact LiveWell at Birchwood Lake Estates

Overview of Fayetteville Manor

Located on Treetop Drive in the Tartan Place Apartments neighborhood of Fayetteville, North Carolina, Fayetteville Manor is a memory care community about 6 miles from downtown Fayetteville. The single-story community has 60 beds, with an occupancy rate of 88%, reflecting its established presence among local senior living options.

Care is designed for residents living with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. Residents receive 24-hour nursing support, daily housekeeping, and laundry services, so families do not have to manage those responsibilities themselves. Meals are prepared with residents’ nutritional needs in mind. Daily life includes recreational activities and programs created specifically for memory care. This can help provide residents with a familiar routine in a smaller, more structured setting.

The community also provides transportation services, fitness and recreation programs, and welcomes pets. This can make the transition easier for residents who are moving from a home where a companion animal was part of everyday life. Torrey Locklear owns and leads the community.

State inspections have focused on building maintenance, safety systems, staff training, and medication administration practices. The community has taken corrective action to address findings identified during previous inspections. Inspection history reflects a mix of findings over time rather than one consistent pattern.

The neighborhood has a Walk Score of 29 out of 100, so most errands and outings require a car. It’s common for memory care communities where outings are typically supported by staff. Families touring Fayetteville Manor should ask how staffing is coordinated daily within the memory care program.

Contact Fayetteville Manor

TerraBella Cramer Mountain

500 Cramer Mountain Rd, Cramerton, NC 28032
Overview of TerraBella Cramer Mountain

Terra Bella Cramer Mountain is a trusted senior living community nestled in the serene neighborhood of Cramerton, NC, providing assisted living and memory care. The community features elegant floor plans ranging from suites to one-bedroom apartments. Proving its top-notch quality, the community was recognized as one of the Top Assisted Living Communities in 2020 by Best of Gaston County.

The community features a variety of signature programs for the betterment of its residents. With a variety of activities and programs scheduled over the month such as live entertainment and local outings, residents experience fun and relaxation. Moreover, meals are prepared based on the seniors’ dietary needs and cravings. Terra Bella Cramer Mountain provides residents with amenities to enhance their well-being including a jacuzzi spa, an arts and crafts studio, a multifunction game room, a library, a covered outdoor patio, a private courtyard and community garden, and serene walking paths.

Contact TerraBella Cramer Mountain

Overview of Waltonwood Cotswold

Waltonwood Cotswold is an exquisite assisted senior living community nestled in the charming city of Charlotte. The commitment to exceptional service and care is unparalleled, ensuring that each resident receives the utmost attention and support. With a range of services that include assisted living and memory care senior living, the community caters to the unique needs of every individual. The culinary team creates delectable meals that are both satisfying and memorable. From gourmet dishes to diverse dining options, every bite is a celebration of flavor and quality.

Located in the southeastern suburbs of Charlotte, Waltonwood Cotswold provides easy access to a wealth of conveniences. Residents can immerse themselves in the vibrant local community, with nearby restaurants, golf courses, healthcare centers, places of worship, and convenient expressway connections. The active community offers endless possibilities for exploration and engagement. With its captivating charm and inviting atmosphere, the community sets the stage for an enriching and fulfilling lifestyle. Experience the warmth and hospitality that permeate every aspect of the community, ensuring a truly exceptional assisted senior living and memory care senior living experience.

Contact Waltonwood Cotswold

TerraBella Salisbury

1915 Mooresville Rd, Salisbury, NC 28147
Overview of TerraBella Salisbury

TerraBella Salisbury is a vibrant senior living community in Salisbury, North Carolina, offering assisted living and memory care. The community provides 24/7 care and a maintenance-free lifestyle to its active residents, while its award-winning SHINE Memory Care Program offers evidence-based memory care to residents living with Alzheimer’s and dementia. Featuring cozy suites and one-bedroom apartments with emergency call systems, individual climate control settings, and kitchenettes, residents are guaranteed a comfortable residence.

The community does its absolute best to ensure that residents have everything they need. From a jam-packed active social calendar and long-term health and wellness programs to concierge and housekeeping services, residents have everything they need to live a worry-free and convenient retirement. Residents also enjoy access to various amenities, including restaurant-style dining with tableside service, short-term respite care, a private courtyard & community garden, a professional beauty salon & barber shop, a jacuzzi spa, and a multifunction game room.

Contact TerraBella Salisbury

Twelve Oaks

1297 Galax Trail Mount Airy, Nc 27030, Mount Airy, NC 27030
Overview of Twelve Oaks

Twelve Oaks sits at 1297 Galax Trail in Mount Airy, North Carolina. It offers assisted living, memory care, and respite care under one roof. The neighborhood scores a 74 on Walk Score, which puts it firmly in very walkable territory. Most errands can be handled on foot from here.

The community is licensed for 112 beds. Only 29 of those are filled right now, an occupancy rate of 26 percent. That is a lot of empty space in a building designed as a larger shared setting with common areas and group programming. What it means in practice is a quieter hallway and fewer residents competing for a staff member’s time.

Twelve Oaks pairs memory care with a secured perimeter and an emergency alert system, which is the infrastructure that matters when a resident with dementia starts to wander. Staffing covers all 24 hours of the day. Respite care rounds out the offering for families who need a short-term placement rather than a permanent one.

The community accepts Medicaid. That single fact reshapes the math for a lot of North Carolina families who cannot carry private-pay rates indefinitely. North Carolina’s Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Health Service Regulation, runs unannounced surveys of adult care homes across the state. At Twelve Oaks, inspection themes have centered on medication management.

So the picture here is a large, underfilled building in a walkable stretch of Mount Airy, with dementia care, around-the-clock staffing, and a Medicaid pathway all in place.

Contact Twelve Oaks

Open Arms Retirement Center

612 Health Drive Raeford, Nc 28376, Raeford, NC 28376
Overview of Open Arms Retirement Center

Open Arms Retirement Center sits at 612 Health Drive in Raeford, North Carolina. The community is licensed for 90 beds and provides assisted living, memory care, and respite care. Its neighborhood scores 63 for walkability, which places it in moderate territory. Some errands work on foot from here. Most others will call for a car.

Fifty of the 90 beds are currently occupied, putting the community at 56 percent capacity. For families working against a hospital discharge date, that available room is the practical detail. It means a bed can likely be secured without a long wait.

Licensed nurses and certified nursing assistants handle resident care, and staffing coverage runs 24 hours. Rehabilitation services are offered on site, which keeps therapy appointments from becoming a separate logistical problem. The memory care option matters for a specific reason: a resident whose cognitive needs grow may be able to stay put rather than move to a new building and a new set of faces.

State inspections here have focused on medication management, care planning and documentation, and housekeeping and upkeep. Those three areas govern how reliably daily care actually gets delivered.

The community fits older adults in and around Raeford who need hands-on daily support, particularly families who want assisted living and memory care available under a single roof.

Contact Open Arms Retirement Center

TerraBella Knightdale

2408 Hodge Road Knightdale, Nc 27545, Knightdale, NC 27545
Overview of TerraBella Knightdale

TerraBella Knightdale offers assisted living and memory care in Knightdale, North Carolina. Assisted living includes help with daily tasks such as dressing, bathing, and medication while a resident keeps a private apartment. Memory care provides a secured setting with supervision.

Having both care levels in one community may suit a resident whose needs grow over time, because care can continue without moving to a different community. TerraBella Knightdale has 96 beds. Assisted living starts at $4,085 per month, while memory care starts at $6,695; the higher rate reflects the secured setting and supervision required at that level.

Meals are prepared by a chef, and outdoor spaces give residents somewhere to spend time outside. Salon and barber services provide grooming on site. Transportation services can help with trips when a resident cannot arrange every ride independently, and a Military Veterans Program is available.

The area has a Walk Score of 40 out of 100 and is largely dependent on cars, so most errands require a car or a ride. A resident who no longer drives would need transportation for those errands. Overall, the community may be a good fit for someone who needs assisted living or memory care now and may need a higher level of support later.

Contact TerraBella Knightdale

Waltonwood Lake Boone

3560 Horton Street Raleigh, Nc 27607, Raleigh, NC 27607
Overview of Waltonwood Lake Boone

Waltonwood Lake Boone sits on Horton Street in Raleigh, about 3.2 miles out from the city center. Three levels of care operate here: independent living, assisted living, and memory care. A resident whose needs grow can move up a level without packing up and starting over somewhere new. For a lot of families, that single fact does most of the work.

The neighborhood earns a Walk Score of 61. Moderately walkable. Some errands are doable on foot, and there is a reasonable mix of things nearby. Drivers coming in from elsewhere in the Triangle will find it straightforward to reach.

the community is 68 beds, and 41 of them are filled. Occupancy at 60 percent tells you two things worth knowing. There is room right now, which is not always true of Raleigh communities. And a lighter census often means staff are stretched less thin across the floor.

Pets are welcome. That is not a small thing when someone is being asked to leave a house behind. Tours run every day of the week, 9:00am to 5:00pm, weekends included, so no one has to burn a vacation day to see the place. North Carolina inspectors have looked at medication management and at staffing and staff credentials here.

What Waltonwood Lake Boone offers is three care levels in one building, current availability, and a Raleigh address that keeps family visits short.

Contact Waltonwood Lake Boone

Chatham Ridge

114 Polks Village Ln, Chapel Hill, NC 27516
Overview of Chatham Ridge

Located in the enticing neighborhood of Chapel Hill, NC, the Catham Ridge is an inviting senior living community that offers assisted living and memory care services. A wide range of spacious and comfortable accommodations, including private studios and shared suites are available. Having a highly skilled and empathetic team, this community offers a cutting-edge memory care program named Pathways to Discover that is thoughtfully designed for those with cognitive conditions like Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. This community also renders an emergency response system and 24/7 personalized care services.

Having above-and-beyond amenities and other services, residents can enjoy weekly housekeeping and laundry services, in-house maintenance services, and free transportation to all professional services. Experience delicious dining with delightful meals and snacks every day. Engage in diverse social activities and community events. Equipped with the right tools and people, seniors can acquire a wondrous living experience.

Contact Chatham Ridge

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.
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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 322 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.