Page 44 of Best Senior Communities in North Carolina

Overview of Calyx Living of Durham

Calyx Living of Durham is an 84-bed assisted living community at 4214 Guess Road, Durham, Durham County, North Carolina. It provides assisted living and memory care services, offers respite care, and carries a 3-star state rating tied for 40th of 138 North Carolina facilities. Current occupancy is 39 percent (33 of 84 beds), well below the state average of 76.4 percent. The facility is not currently Medicare or Medicaid certified.

The facility offers lifestyle and activity programming, beauty and wellness services, and resident engagement.

Medication administration, dietary compliance, and dementia care safety gaps characterize Calyx Living’s regulatory record. Over two years and two inspections, the facility averaged 3.5 deficiencies annually, 33 percent better than North Carolina’s 5.2-deficiency benchmark. The July 22, 2025 follow-up and annual survey identified five deficiencies reflecting systemic care coordination failures. All five exit doors accessible to one resident with dementia lacked functioning audible alarms or staff response protocols during daytime hours, creating safety risks for a population at high elopement risk.

Food safety violations included unlabeled, undated, and uncovered items stored in walk-in cooler and freezer, exposing food to contamination. One resident ordered a regular diet with bite-size meats and gravy did not receive the prescribed meal. Two residents did not receive ordered medications: one failed to receive amlodipine tablets (1 administered of 7 expected) and citalopram tablets (1 administered of 7 expected) for blood pressure and depression management; the second did not receive medications for depression and anxiety. The facility lacked a physician’s order documenting a resident’s authorization to self-administer a topical nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication.

The February 21, 2023 annual inspection found two deficiencies signaling earlier therapeutic diet and medication deficits. One resident with a physician-ordered no-concentrated-sweets diet had no therapeutic menu in place. Two of five sampled residents did not receive ordered medications: an inhaler for respiratory management and a topical medication for gum inflammation. No complaint investigations appear in the record.

No fines or license suspensions have been imposed.

Family should ask about staff competency and medication administration auditing protocols before placement, particularly regarding dementia care protocols and exit door alarm functionality.

Overview of Tabor Commons

Tabor Commons is an 80-bed assisted living and respite care facility at 703 Elizabeth Street, Tabor City, Columbus County, North Carolina. It provides 24-hour staffing, accepts Medicaid, and focuses on providing a home-like environment.

Physical plant and fire safety deficiencies characterize Tabor Commons’ regulatory record, with recurring infrastructure maintenance failures across inspection cycles. Over seven years, the facility averaged 7.6 deficiencies annually, 46 percent above North Carolina’s 5.2-deficiency benchmark. February 2024 construction survey identified 11 critical deficiencies reflecting systemic facility maintenance and safety protocol gaps. The facility lacked current sanitation and fire and building safety inspection reports maintained in the home.

Remodeling including new fire alarm control panel installation occurred without submitting plans to DHSR/Construction. Exit doors lacked required sounding devices; exterior door alarm did not sound when opened. Walls and ceilings showed bubbled peeling paint and cracked separating finishes; furnishings showed damage including cracked glass in back door. Unsecured oxygen bottles were present in resident rooms.

Fire doors failed to close and latch properly; fire extinguishers and hood suppression system inspections were overdue. Fire-resistant-rated ceilings had unsealed cable and conduit penetrations and holes allowing potential fire and smoke spread. Electrical equipment showed missing outlet covers, non-functioning outlets, and exterior outlets without protective covers. Exit signs failed to illuminate on emergency backup test.

Emergency fire alarm system heat detectors were not secure to bases. Multiple exhaust fans were non-operational in guest toilets, women’s toilet, room bath, and housekeeping areas.

Medication administration and medication aide competency failures appear across clinical inspections. October 2016 annual survey documented one resident receiving 24 missed doses of Lantus insulin out of 57 opportunities despite physician orders, and failure to ensure infection prevention during medication administration. February 2017 follow-up found unclear sliding scale insulin orders for one resident without documented Primary Care Provider contact, and failure to administer ordered diabetes medication, vitamin D supplement, and blood pressure medication for two residents. January 2015 annual survey documented medication administration error for one resident (7% error rate with inhaler administration) and one medication aide staff member performing medication aide duties without meeting state training and competency requirements.

Food service and facility cleanliness deficiencies span multiple cycles. February 2023 annual survey found residents not provided non-disposable place settings (forks, knives, spoons, cups) at meal service. February 2020 annual survey identified unlabeled and undated opened food packages, a cracked container lid, and improper meat thawing without cold running water. October 2016 identified two of four common showers containing black substance resembling mold, and tuberculosis testing compliance gaps for one of three staff upon hire and one of five residents upon admission.

Fire safety infrastructure failures recur across 2015 and 2018 construction surveys. November 2015 construction survey cited 16 deficiencies. February 2018 construction survey documented 15 deficiencies. No fines or license suspensions appear in the record.

No complaint investigations documented.

Families should verify fire alarm system functionality, sanitation reports, oxygen cylinder storage, medication aide training, medication administration, and food service protocols.

Overview of The Gardens of Rose Hill

The Gardens of Rose Hill is a 45-bed assisted living and secured living community at 571 S. Sycamore Street, Rose Hill, Duplin County, North Carolina. It accepts Medicaid, offers rehabilitation services and respite care with 24-hour staffing, and holds a 3-star state rating tied for 40th of 138 North Carolina facilities. The community provides restaurant-style dining, library, entertainment room, outdoor common areas, housekeeping, transportation, and structured daily activities.

Physical plant maintenance and medication management deficiencies define The Gardens of Rose Hill’s regulatory history. Over eight years and ten inspections, the facility averaged 5.3 deficiencies annually, 2 percent above North Carolina’s 5.2-deficiency benchmark. The most recent August 7, 2025 follow-up survey found one deficiency: five heat pumps remain non-operational with corridor temperatures at 78 to 79 degrees Fahrenheit, approaching egress limits. This deficiency had not been corrected from May 2025.

Building systems failures span electrical, fire safety, and HVAC infrastructure. May 2025 construction survey identified five deficiencies uncorrected from prior years: electrical outlets in wet locations lacked ground fault interrupters and proper in-use covers; fire safety components including rusted sprinkler escutcheons and a non-operational fire alarm air compressor; a non-functional left hot water heater in the 200 hall mechanical room; five non-operational heat pumps; and a non-functional soiled utility room exhaust fan. August 2023 documented additional building maintenance gaps including missing tiles and stained grout in the SPA shower, unprotected GFCI outlets throughout laundry areas and behind water heaters, improper ice machine drain configuration, and non-functional spa and housekeeping closet exhaust fans. April 2019 cited 11 major deficiencies: unsecured cleaning agents in janitor closets, deteriorating exterior fascia, ceiling stains and mildew, broken concrete benches, missing fire rehearsal documentation, compromised fire-rated ceiling penetrations in attic smoke barrier walls and mechanical rooms, propped fire doors, malfunctioning GFCI receptacles, items stored to ceiling height restricting sprinkler clearances, and non-operational exhaust ventilation.

June 2015 revealed that an NFPA 13 wet sprinkler system had been non-operational since January 2014, requiring continuous fire watch; fire-rated walls and ceilings throughout the facility contained unsealed penetrations; cross-corridor doors failed to latch; kitchen range hood fire suppression was not inspected monthly; and ice machine drain lacked proper air gap.

Medication administration and health professional support gaps appear consistently. August 2024 found one resident without required quarterly licensed health professional evaluations; three of five sampled residents did not receive ordered medications and vital sign checks were not documented. June 2022 documented medication aide failures to observe residents taking medications and errors with topical pain medications. January 2020 annual and complaint investigation found one resident did not receive six ordered medications and a steroid cream was left unattended in another resident’s room; the kitchen failed contamination protection standards with rusty shelves, undated items, and grease accumulation.

No substantiated complaint investigations appear in the record. No fines or license suspensions have been imposed.

Families should ask about corrections implemented following the August 2025 HVAC deficiency, the sprinkler system maintenance deficiency from June 2015, and medication administration monitoring protocols.

Rose Care Home is a vibrant assisted living community in Cary, NC, that offers personal care plans. The community strives to accommodate older adults with its home-like environment. Recreational activities and household services are also offered, ensuring residents have a maintenance-free lifestyle. With its dedication to residents’ welfare, the community crafts care plans tailored to their unique needs.

Fun recreational activities, light exercises, and plenty of interest groups accompany older adults, promoting an active lifestyle. With spacious outdoors, naturally-lit hallways, and cozy gathering spaces, residents have more places to spend their free time. Situated in the quiet neighborhood of Cary, the community promises a stress-free retirement. This assisted living community is ideal for older adults in North Carolina, especially with its friendly setting.

Overview of Bluebird Homecare – Charlotte

Spend your retirement surrounded by the comfort and familiarity of your residence while receiving compassionate services from Bluebird Homecare – Charlotte, an excellent home care provider in Charlotte, NC. They are dedicated to providing long-term, short-term, or respite solutions to meet residents’ unique and individualized needs. Their professionally trained team is available to oversee residents’ personalized care plans and provide them with comprehensive assistance with their daily living activities for a comfortable living experience.

From personal care to housekeeping, Bluebird Homecare – Charlotte handles even mundane tasks to free residents from tedious chores and let them focus on their well-being. They also handle the meal preparation to make sure residents always eat healthy and delicious meals on time. Bluebird Homecare – Charlotte not only helps residents with their care needs but also ensures residents feel comfortable, connected, and heard as they go on with their day-to-day lives.

Overview of Hospice of Wilson

Live out your final years in comfort and peace with Hospice of Wilson, a warm and inviting community in Wilson, NC, offering compassionate hospice care. They aim to make residents’ final stages of life as comfortable as possible through person-centered care and comprehensive support for their holistic needs. Their excellent team of care professionals is always available to bring residents comfort and oversee their personalized care plans to make sure they receive all the care they need without worry.

Understanding the impacts that end-of-life care can bring to residents and their families, their team also ensures they are given full emotional and spiritual support throughout their journey. They also go the extra mile of forging close relationships with them to fully understand their goals, wishes, and preferences. At Hospice of Wilson, they go above and beyond in caring for residents and their families to ensure they get through difficult times with ease.

Peacefully age in the comfort of your home with compassionate support from Peaceful Living Home Care, an excellent home care provider in Wake Forest, NC, offering excellent in-home care services. They help residents with their daily living activities, personal care, and medication management to ensure they can age in their homes safely and comfortably. To ensure residents’ living environment is always organized and clean, their team happily helps them with their daily living needs.

Dedicated to helping residents avoid feelings of loneliness and isolation, their caregivers ensure they engage in various activities, share fun conversations, and do the things they enjoy. By helping with the meal preparation, they ensure residents always enjoy healthy and delicious meals. With Peaceful Living Home Care, you can receive all the comfort you need to stay in the comforting and familiar environment of your home.

Overview of Brookstone Terrace

Located on Clinard Road in the Meadowbrook neighborhood of Clemmons, North Carolina, Brookstone Terrace is an assisted living and memory care community that has served older adults for nine years. The community is currently home to 40 residents and has convenient access to Davie Medical Center for healthcare needs.

Residents benefit from transportation services, although the surrounding neighborhood has a walkability score of 28, meaning most errands and outings require a vehicle. The quieter residential setting may appeal to those who prefer a less busy environment.

Care includes 24-hour staffing with registered nurse oversight, an on-site physician, and rehabilitation services for residents recovering from illness or managing chronic conditions. Daily life is supported by a beauty shop, organized activities, and dietitian-approved meals served through the community’s dining program.