Best Nursing Homes in Wake County, NC

Why trust this guide? Our editorial team analyzed 3 nursing homes in Wake County, NC using CMS data, inspection records, complaints, amenities, and facility-level details. How we rank nursing homes in NC
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We analyzed These are the facilities in Wake County, NC our team has analyzed — not a count of every nursing home provider in Wake County, NC.
3 homes
Other senior care options in Wake County:
Avg Overall CMS Rating: 5.0/ 5The average Overall CMS Rating for all CMS-certified nursing homes in Wake County, NC. Ratings combine health inspections, staffing, and quality measures, with inspections weighted most. Individual facilities can vary widely from this average.
National Average: 3.2/ 5
Avg Staffing Rating: 3.5/ 5The average Staffing Rating across all CMS-certified nursing homes in Wake County, NC. Reflects nursing staff hours per resident per day (including RNs), adjusted for residents' care needs. Individual facilities can vary widely from this average.
National Average: 3.4/ 5
Avg Health Insp. Rating: 5.0/ 5The average Health Inspection Rating across all CMS-certified nursing homes in Wake County, NC. Based on each facility's recent inspections and complaint investigations, weighing the number, scope, and severity of deficiencies. Individual facilities can vary widely from this average.
National Average: 3.0/ 5

Compare Nursing Homes around Wake County

Info below is compiled from CMS reports & 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.

The facility name. Click to view the full profile page on Assisted Living Magazine, including photos, services, and contact info.
CMS (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, the federal agency that regulates nursing homes) Overall 5-star rating — a composite of Health Inspection, Staffing, and Quality Measures scores. 5 stars = top 10% nationally. 1 star = bottom 10%. The single most important number to start with when comparing facilities.
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. RC (Respite Care): Short-term temporary care that gives family caregivers a break. HOS (Hospice Care): Comfort-focused care for those with a terminal illness, prioritizing quality of life over treatment.
Neighborhood or city area where the facility is located. Proximity to family, hospitals, and green space matters for both quality of life and ease of visitation. Consider drive time and transit access when evaluating location.
Licensed bed capacity. Larger facilities (300+ beds) often have more specialized programs but can feel institutional. Smaller homes (under 150 beds) tend to deliver more personalized care. Compare with Avg Res/Day to understand how full the facility typically runs.
Percentage of licensed beds filled on an average day. Color indicates financial health: green (90%+) = operationally strong, typically profitable. Amber (80–89%) = stable but leaving revenue on the table. Orange (70–79%) = financial strain likely, may struggle with fixed costs. Red (<70%) = significant distress, closure or ownership change risk increases sharply.
This facility's occupancy rate compared to the statewide average for similar facilities. A positive number means above-average demand. Facilities running 5%+ above the state average are typically the most sought-after in their market — a strong proxy for reputation.
CMS-adjusted total nurse hours per resident per day (RN + LPN + CNA combined). The national average is approximately 3.5 hrs. Higher is better — more direct care time per resident. Below 3.0 is a red flag. CMS weights RN hours more heavily because RNs handle complex clinical decisions that CNAs cannot.
CMS Health Inspection star rating (1–5 stars), based on the 3 most recent annual state surveys plus any complaint investigations. This is the hardest rating to manipulate — it reflects real surveyor findings on-site. 5 stars = fewest deficiencies found. 1 star = most. It carries the heaviest weight in the Overall CMS rating.
CMS Staffing star rating (1–5 stars), based on daily nurse staffing hours submitted to CMS via verified payroll data. Compares RN, LPN, and CNA coverage relative to resident acuity level. 5 stars = well above expected staffing. Weekend staffing is evaluated separately, as that's where many facilities quietly reduce coverage.
CMS Quality Measures star rating (1–5 stars), based on 15 clinical outcome metrics including fall rates, pressure ulcers, antipsychotic drug use, and hospital readmissions. Captures actual resident health outcomes, not just compliance. High QM combined with low Health Inspection scores can indicate a facility with strong care but weak documentation practices.
Registered Nurse hours per resident/day compared to the statewide average. RNs are the highest-skilled nursing staff — they assess residents, manage medications, and respond to emergencies. A value of +50% means RN coverage is 50% above the state norm. Negative values are a concern for residents with complex or acute medical needs.
Total nursing staff hours (RN + LPN + CNA combined) per resident/day vs. the statewide average. A broader measure than RN vs State — it captures the entire care team. A facility can have high total staffing but low RN hours, meaning more aides and fewer nurses. Read both columns together for the full picture.
Total dollar amount of federal monetary fines (civil money penalties) issued by CMS in the past 3 years. Fines are only levied for serious violations — typically actual harm to residents, repeated uncorrected deficiencies, or systemic non-compliance. Even a single fine is noteworthy. Multiple fines strongly suggest a pattern, not isolated incidents.
Total health deficiency citations from the most recent standard inspection cycle. Minor citations (scope A–C) are common and often administrative in nature. Higher counts aren't always disqualifying, but should be read alongside Severe Citations to understand actual harm levels. Under 10 is strong for a large facility; 30+ warrants a closer look.
Average deficiency citations per CMS inspection (survey) in the reporting window — total citations divided by the number of inspections. Lower is better; compare alongside total Citations and Severe Citations for context.
Citations at CMS scope/severity level G or higher — G–I means actual harm occurred; J–L means residents were placed in immediate jeopardy. (D–F is potential for harm only). Examples include unaddressed falls, medication errors causing injury, neglect, or abuse.
Average number of residents in the building on any given day, derived from annual census data. Reflects true operating scale — a 400-bed facility running 200 residents/day operates very differently from one at 390. Higher resident counts generally mean more funded staffing hours.
Better Business Bureau rating (A+ to F). Reflects complaint history, business transparency, and how family disputes were resolved. A+ means no significant unresolved complaints. A blank (—) means the facility isn't BBB-accredited, which is common for healthcare providers and not necessarily a negative signal.
Walk Score® (0–100). Measures walkability of the surrounding area. 90–100 = Walker's Paradise. 70–89 = Very Walkable. 50–69 = Somewhat Walkable. Below 50 = Car-Dependent. Higher scores benefit family visitors, resident outings, and staff commuting.
The licensed owner or operator of record filed with CMS — the individual or organization legally accountable for the facility. Searching the operator name across other facilities can reveal chain or multi-site ownership, which matters: chain-operated homes tend to have more variable quality outcomes than independently run facilities.
What the home actually collects for resident care, after contractual allowances, bad debt and discounts — not gross billings. Taken from the latest complete annual cost report, so it is comparable across homes reporting the same period. Revenue alone doesn't indicate care quality, but it funds staffing and capital reinvestment. Pair with Payroll %. Figures are from each facility's most recent complete fiscal year — hover a value for the exact year; a * marks homes that report an older period than most facilities.
Staff salaries plus wage-related benefits from the latest complete annual cost report. Contract and agency labour is counted separately, under other operating costs, so a home leaning on agency staff can show a low figure here. Payroll is the cost most directly tied to care quality — compare with Payroll % for full context. Figures are from each facility's most recent complete fiscal year — hover a value for the exact year; a * marks homes that report an older period than most facilities.
Payroll as a share of NET PATIENT REVENUE (not gross revenue). Both figures come from the same cost-report year. A higher figure means more of each revenue dollar goes to staff pay. Read with the Staffing star rating to judge whether spend translates into coverage — and note that homes whose patient revenue covers only part of their operation can read implausibly high. The North Carolina average is: 58.6% Figures are from each facility's most recent complete fiscal year — hover a value for the exact year; a * marks homes that report an older period than most facilities.
CMS Certification Number: the unique federal identifier for this skilled nursing provider.
Hillside Nursing & Rehab
NH
AL
SNF
Wake Forest
130
Facility 130
NC AVG 72
Rank #23 / 387
88.3%
Facility 88.3%
NC AVG 70.6
Rank #67 / 232
+25%
3.71
Facility 3.71
NC AVG 3.98
Rank #61 / 83
+3%-7%
$0
Facility $0
NC AVG $74.6k
Rank #1 / 89
1
Facility 1
NC AVG 20.9
Rank #1 / 85
1.0
Facility 1.0
NC AVG 5.0
Rank #1 / 85
-115-
19
Facility 19
NC AVG 36
Rank #384 / 536
Mary Margaret Clifton
$13.7MFiscal year ending 09/2023
Facility $13.7MFiscal year ending 09/2023
NC AVG $15.7M
Rank #33 / 84
$7.8MFiscal year ending 09/2023
Facility $7.8MFiscal year ending 09/2023
NC AVG $8.2M
Rank #30 / 84
56.6%Fiscal year ending 09/2023
Facility 56.6%Fiscal year ending 09/2023
NC AVG 58.6%
Rank #22 / 84
345417
BellaRose Nursing and Rehab
NH
HOS
RC
SNF
Garner
100
Facility 100
NC AVG 72
Rank #77 / 387
92.2%
Facility 92.2%
NC AVG 70.6
Rank #48 / 232
+31%
4.55
Facility 4.55
NC AVG 3.98
Rank #34 / 83
-28%+14%
$0
Facility $0
NC AVG $74.6k
Rank #1 / 89
2
Facility 2
NC AVG 20.9
Rank #8 / 85
2.0
Facility 2.0
NC AVG 5.0
Rank #14 / 85
-92-
4
Facility 4
NC AVG 36
Rank #506 / 536
William Burroughs
$13.4MFiscal year ending 09/2023
Facility $13.4MFiscal year ending 09/2023
NC AVG $15.7M
Rank #35 / 84
$7.8MFiscal year ending 09/2023
Facility $7.8MFiscal year ending 09/2023
NC AVG $8.2M
Rank #29 / 84
58.2%Fiscal year ending 09/2023
Facility 58.2%Fiscal year ending 09/2023
NC AVG 58.6%
Rank #17 / 84
345574

Rank badges are statewide: each community is ranked against every NC community we track that reports that metric, not just the 3 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 BellaRose Nursing and Rehab

BellaRose Nursing and Rehab is a warm and welcoming community in Garner, NC, offering excellent rehabilitation and long-term care services. Compassionate and highly skilled caregivers are always available to serve residents’ unique needs and assist them with their daily living activities for their convenience. Access to physical, speech, and occupational therapy services is regular to ensure residents’ treatment plans are always regularly updated and progress is seen quickly.

With fun and exciting activities available regularly, residents are encouraged to stay active and engaged in their community. The convenience of housekeeping and laundry services is complemented by the comfort of spa and salon services, allowing residents to maintain their wellness without worries. Here at BellaRose Nursing and Rehab, they provide everything residents need to enjoy their life in comfort or recover quickly, including quality care, enriching experiences, and thoughtful conveniences.

Contact BellaRose Nursing and Rehab

Overview of Hock Family Pavilion

Hock Family Pavilion is an intimate community in Durham, NC, dedicated to those needing compassionate hospice care. They have 12 private accommodations where residents can easily and comfortably receive the physical, emotional, and spiritual support they need to go through their end-of-life journey pain-free and peacefully. Their team of nurses, social workers, chaplains, nursing assistants, volunteers, and counselors work together to provide residents with well-rounded care tailored to improve their comfort and well-being.

With 24/7 skilled nursing care, residents and their families can enjoy their peace of mind knowing that someone is always available to provide comfort to their loved ones. For further comfort, their community is also ready to accommodate residents’ mobility needs with their accessibility services. Here at Hock Family Pavilion, residents and their loved ones can get through this difficult journey with all the care and support they need.

Contact Hock Family Pavilion

Ranking Methodology

How we rank these nursing homes

Every nursing home above is evaluated across five weighted categories using CMS data including Care Compare, Payroll-Based Journal, and Medicare Cost Reports.

  • CMS data
  • 5 weighted categories
  • Updated quarterly
Full methodology

Weighting overview

  • 35%
    Care Quality
  • 20%
    Staffing
  • 20%
    Regulatory
  • 20%
    Operational
  • 5%
    Environment
01

Care Quality 35%

The largest single share of every ranking. CMS star ratings and quality measures that reflect actual care delivered to residents.

  • Includes
  • Overall Rating
  • Health Inspection
  • QM Rating
  • Long-Stay QM
  • Short-Stay QM
02

Staffing Adequacy 20%

The strongest predictor of resident outcomes. Volume and stability of nursing care, drawn from CMS Payroll-Based Journal.

  • Includes
  • Nurse Hrs/Res/Day
  • RN vs State
  • Total Nurse Staff Hrs vs State
  • RN Turnover
03

Regulatory & Safety Record 20%

Inspection patterns that star ratings can mask. We weight per-inspection rates more heavily than raw counts.

  • Includes
  • Citations
  • Citations/Inspection
  • Severe Citations
  • Fines
  • Accreditations
04

Operational & Financial Stability 20%

Stable operations and sound finances are leading indicators of consistent care over time.

  • Includes
  • Occupancy vs State
  • Avg Length of Stay
  • Revenue
  • Payroll %
  • Years in Operation
  • Admin Tenure
05

Environment & Accessibility 5%

Context that matters to families but doesn't directly measure clinical care. Weighted lower for nursing homes than for assisted or independent living.

  • Includes
  • Walk Score
  • BBB Rating
No paid rankings Facilities cannot pay to influence placement.
How we're paid: If we help you find a home and you move in, that home 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 Nursing Homes in Wake County, NC

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 nursing home care?

Yes — North Carolina Medicaid covers nursing home care for residents who meet income, asset, and medical-need eligibility requirements. Most CMS-certified nursing homes accept Medicaid as a primary payer once long-term-care eligibility is established.

What is nursing home care?

Nursing homes (also called skilled nursing facilities) provide 24/7 medical care from licensed nurses, rehabilitation services, and long-term custodial care for residents with significant health or functional needs.

How many nursing homes are listed on this page?

This page features 3 nursing homes in Wake County, NC. Use the filters and comparison tools above to compare ratings, amenities, and pricing.

How do I choose the right nursing home 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 nursing homes 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.