UP at 14009 Thompson in Mint Hill, NC

Pros

• The trails are beautifully maintained and clearly marked.
• The preserve is clean and well cared for.
• The indoor space is wonderful, with a waterfall and animal exhibits.
• Staff are wonderful and kind.
• Visitors are encouraged to explore both indoors and outdoors.
• The hiking trails are wonderful and dog-friendly.
• The grounds are well kept and the interior is spotless.
• The center and trail setup are fabulous.
• The trails are easy.
• The preserve is close to home and offers a nice leisurely hike.
• The hike is excellent and low-stress.
• The nature preserve is beautiful, with great walks and a wonderful learning space for children in the visitor center.
• The trails are family-friendly and enjoyable for kids.

Cons

• The lack of wildlife and a forest that was too dense to see anything left some visitors disappointed.
• Off-leash, even aggressive, dogs frightened visitors after a puppy was attacked and people were scared to walk.
• There wasn’t much inside, offering perhaps only an hour of entertainment for the kids.
• A first-time visitor felt confused about what the place is and was a bit nervous upon arrival.
• Some guests felt they couldn’t explore fully because indoor activities or weather limited what they could do.

Review

UP at Mint Hill Villages is best suited for families seeking a memory-care setting that feels like a real home rather than a hospital, where care for Alzheimer's or related dementias is delivered in a deliberately intimate, house-style environment. The community centers its operation around six resident-focused brick homes set around shared spaces, with patios and generous common rooms that foster a peaceful, homelike rhythm. In practice, this model translates to staff who know residents by name, routines that resemble a daily household, and a climate of calm rather than clinical bustle. The standout draw is cost: for families weighing the ongoing expense of memory care, the price is notably lower than many institutional competitors, reducing a core barrier to securing stable housing for a loved one.

Alternatives deserve deliberate consideration for families whose needs extend beyond what a small, six-resident layout can deliver. If medical oversight must be depth-charged, on-site clinicians, frequent skilled-nursing coverage, or hospital-grade readiness, the option may be too light-touch. Similarly, if a resident benefits from a campus with sprawling amenities, multiple activity venues, or highly structured daily programming that scales with larger groups, bigger centers may offer more variety. Even within the memory-care category, some families discover that the intimate home setting is precisely what they want, while others feel the need for broader capacity. The key is to map care requirements to the footprint and service model up front.

From the family perspective captured in the positive testimonies, the strongest pro is the atmosphere itself: a genuine, homelike feel that translates into care that many describe as an undeniable “unbelievable difference” compared with institutional norms. The six-brick-home plan supports effortless social connection, predictable routines, and opportunities for residents to maintain independence within safety boundaries. Staff are described as patient and kind, with a capacity to guide activities and engage families. That warmth can offset the limited, small-scale nature of the community. When a resident thrives on consistent relationships and a calm, predictable setting, the upside of intimacy outweighs the potential downsides of a smaller footprint.

Another clear pro is the practical emphasis on living well rather than simply existing within care thresholds. Families highlight the dedicated great rooms, patios, and the overall residential feel, elements that reduce the impersonality common in larger facilities. The cost advantage remains a tangible benefit, allowing families to allocate resources to personalized care, transportation, or enrichment activities. The tone of these accounts is consistently positive: staff attention, ease of visiting, and a pace that respects residents’ preferences. This combination makes UP at Mint Hill Village feel not like a facility, but like a home that happens to offer memory-care services, which is exactly the kind of alignment many families seek.

Still, the decision requires careful due diligence. Prospective buyers should verify the care model’s capacity to meet evolving needs, especially for residents with advancing dementia symptoms or medical complications. Important questions include: what are the on-site nursing hours, how are medications managed, what is the staff-to-resident ratio at different shifts, and how quickly can a resident access emergency care if needed? Are there structured memory-care programs, reminiscence activities, or therapy options tailored to cognitive challenges? It is also wise to discuss family involvement, visiting rules, and the flexibility of care plans. The testimonials note that the atmosphere is transformative; turning that into a practical, repeatable experience requires clarity on operational details and a transparent pricing structure.

In sum, UP at Mint Hill Villages stands out for families who value a warm, intimate, home-like memory-care environment at a more sustainable cost. It is a compelling choice for those whose loved one thrives on predictable routines, personal attention, and a sense of belonging within a small residential setting. For seniors who require more extensive on-site medical capabilities, or for families who prioritize campus-wide activity menus and high-volume programming, alternatives should be examined. The decision should hinge on the resident’s care trajectory, the family’s budget, and the importance placed on homelike daily life versus breadth of services. With thoughtful due diligence and careful planning, this community can deliver a nurturing, low-stress home for memory care that many families will value for years.

Pharmacies

• CVS Pharmacy (0.8 miles)
• Walgreens (1 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3 miles)
• Walgreens (3.1 miles)
• Walgreens (3.5 miles)
• Walgreens (3.8 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (4.4 miles)

Places of Worship

• Idlewild Baptist Church (1.2 miles)
• Carmel Baptist Church (5.2 miles)
• Providence Presbyterian Church (7.5 miles)
• St Gabriels Catholic Church (8.2 miles)
• Calvary Church (9.1 miles)
• Sharon Baptist Church (10.2 miles)
• St John's Baptist Church (10.2 miles)

Restaurants

• Metro Diner (2.5 miles)
• McDonald's (2.6 miles)
• Showmars (2.7 miles)
• Mac's Speed Shop (3.5 miles)
• Chick-Fil-A (3.8 miles)
• McDonald's (4.4 miles)
• Chick-Fil-A (5.2 miles)

Cafes

• Panera Bread (2.5 miles)
• The Collective Cafe (2.6 miles)
• Starbucks (8.2 miles)
• Panera Bread (8.3 miles)
• Starbucks (9.3 miles)
• Villanis Bakery (9.9 miles)
• Starbucks (10.6 miles)

Physicians

• Center For Wellness (3.1 miles)
• Lake Park Family Practice (4.1 miles)
• Sun Valley Family Physicians (6.6 miles)
• Arboretum Pediatrics (6.9 miles)
• Cotswold Medical Clinic (7.9 miles)
• Perry Orthopedics & Sports Medicine (9.1 miles)
• Paviol Dermatology (9.2 miles)

Theaters

• Regal Stonecrest at Piper Glen 4DX, IMAX & RPX (10.1 miles)

Transportation

• Sugar Creek Station (10.5 miles)
• LYNX University City Boulevard Station (11.5 miles)

Parks

• Blakney Park (10.9 miles)
• First Ward Park (11.4 miles)
• Sedgefield Neighborhood Park (11.5 miles)
• Little Sugar Creek Greenway (11.5 miles)
• Fourth Ward Park (11.7 miles)