Universal Healthcare of N. Raleigh

Pros

• There have been noticeable improvements in therapy and patient care, and the resident is quite happy there.
• The staff have very good manners and the facility is very clean.
• The patient is happy there and doesn't complain, often getting what he needs.
• Staff greet visitors with big smiles, and the resident is very happy.
• The floors are spotless, trash is emptied, and residents are dressed neatly and are actively moving about.
• Taylor, the social worker, has been very helpful.
• Roxanne was patient and supportive in helping my sister with swallowing issues.
• The therapy team is compassionate, knowledgeable, and upbeat.
• The building is beautiful, and Wendy and her staff have created a peaceful, homey environment.
• The care team is caring, dedicated, and takes pride in their calling; the rehab program is great.
• The receptionist and nurses are friendly and helpful.
• The rehab staff are top-notch and highly professional.

Cons

• The facility is described as a disgrace to work at and to have a loved one placed there.
• The staff are rude and nonchalant toward residents.
• The facility is chronically understaffed, with too many patients per aide.
• Belongings and personal items are frequently lost or stolen from residents.
• Residents are not fed on time and call bells go unanswered for long periods.
• There have been reports of abuse and mistreatment, sometimes caught on video, with calls for staff to be fired and the facility shut down.
• The facility reeked of unpleasant odors and rooms were dirty when not prompted.
• Management and administration are seen as ineffective or uncaring.
• Some reviews warn families not to send their loved ones there, with statements that the place should be shut down.

Review

Universal Healthcare of North Raleigh is best suited for families seeking a rehab-forward environment where recovery hinges on aggressive therapy participation and convenient proximity to loved ones. The community tends to reward residents who engage in physical and occupational therapy, and it can work well for those who want a location close to home so daily visits stay feasible. It is less optimal for seniors who require near-constant supervision, highly reliable staffing, and impeccably consistent care across all shifts. When care needs escalate or safety becomes a paramount concern, this setting can feel unsettled due to turnover and mixed experiences in responsiveness. In short, it serves as a solid choice for active rehabilitation under vigilant family oversight, but not as a fail-safe option for high-dependency custodial care.

Alternatives should be considered by families prioritizing steadier leadership, consistently timely care, and strong housekeeping and safety protocols. Several reviewers describe long wait times for call bells, frequent staff turnover, and occasional lapses in daily hygiene, nutrition, and medication management. If a sense of reliable, predictable operation is non-negotiable, or if family members cannot visit regularly to monitor care, other communities with lower turnover and more transparent leadership may deliver greater peace of mind. Those evaluating long-term residence for residents with advanced dementia, high fall risk, or complex medical needs will want to compare facilities known for steadier staffing and fortified safety cultures.

The strongest pros here are evident in therapy-focused outcomes and the general atmosphere when staff are at their best. The therapy team is repeatedly described as dedicated, compassionate, and skilled, helping residents regain function and build confidence. Cleanliness and a pleasant, home-like environment emerge in several positive visits, with residents dressed neatly and often socializing in communal spaces. When administration and frontline staff align, families note prompt problem-solving, effective communication, and genuine kindness from clinicians and aides. These elements can translate into meaningful progress for rehabilitation and a sense of security for family members who can remain engaged in the care plan.

Yet the main cons cannot be overlooked and can severely dilute the positives. Critical concerns center on inconsistent staffing coverage, delayed responses to call bells, and reported neglectful moments - ranging from bed sores to unfinished daily care, and even troubling accusations of improper medication handling or belongings going missing. Several reviews describe high nurse-to-patient ratios, shift-by-shift turnover, and a perception that leadership is not reliably present or responsive. The frequency and severity of these issues, including some highly publicized allegations, create a risk calculus that families must weigh when deciding whether to entrust daily oversight to this community.

To move from hesitation to informed decision, prospective families should verify several practical factors before choosing. Request the most current leadership roster and staffing models, including nurse and aide hours per resident, and observe shift changes if possible. Inquire about recent quality improvements, incident response procedures, and how the facility handles lost belongings and medication administration. Schedule conversations with frontline staff, the administrator, and current residents or families who can speak to daily experiences. Review the dining experiences, therapy schedules, and the process for family updates, especially during transitions between rehab and long-term care. A candid assessment of communication pathways and how problems are escalated will reveal whether the positives can realistically outweigh the risks.

Bottom line: Universal Healthcare of North Raleigh can deliver tangible rehabilitation benefits when the environment is well-staffed, leadership is engaged, and families stay actively involved. For residents who are motivated to participate in therapy, who require proximity to family for regular oversight, and who can tolerate some variability in day-to-day operations, the facility offers real value. However, for those prioritizing unwavering day-to-day reliability, minimal risk of neglect, and consistent medication and care management, alternatives with steadier staffing and stronger, more transparent governance deserve serious consideration. The decision should hinge on a clear plan for ongoing family involvement, concrete questions about staffing stability, and a cautionary appraisal of how this community has managed past incidents and turnover.

This area of Raleigh, North Carolina offers a variety of amenities and services that would be beneficial for seniors looking to live in a convenient and comfortable location. With multiple parks nearby such as Horseshoe Farm Park and Durant Nature Park, residents can enjoy outdoor activities and leisurely walks. There are also several dining options including McDonald's, San Jose Mexican Restaurant, and Nantucket Grill for convenient meal choices. In terms of healthcare, there are reputable physicians like Capital Family Medicine and Wake Skin Cancer Center within close proximity, as well as pharmacies such as Walgreens and Walmart Pharmacy for medication needs. Additionally, Duke Raleigh Hospital and WakeMed Health & Hospitals are easily accessible for any medical emergencies. Overall, this part of Raleigh provides a blend of recreational opportunities, dining options, healthcare facilities, and transportation services that cater to the needs of senior residents.

Parks

• Horseshoe Farm Park (1.2 miles)
• Durant Nature Park (1.6 miles)
• Buffaloe Road Athletic Park (3.7 miles)
• Marsh Creek Park (4.8 miles)
• Eastgate Park (5.2 miles)
• Williams Park (6.3 miles)
• E. Carroll Joyner Park (7.6 miles)

Restaurants

• McDonald's (2 miles)
• San Jose Mexican Restaurant (2 miles)
• Nantucket Grill (2.2 miles)
• Chipotle Mexican Grill (2.2 miles)
• Bojangles' Famous Chicken 'n Biscuits (2.3 miles)
• McDonald's (2.8 miles)
• Goodberry's Frozen Custard (3.2 miles)

Cafes

• Panera Bread (2.1 miles)
• Starbucks (2.8 miles)
• Panera Bread (5.1 miles)
• Starbucks (6.4 miles)
• Back Alley Coffee Roasters (6.4 miles)
• Starbucks (8.6 miles)
• Starbucks (9.1 miles)

Transportation

• Enterprise Rent-A-Car (2.8 miles)

Physicians

• Capital Family Medicine: Richard J Forsyth (3.7 miles)
• Orthopaedic Specialists of North Carolina Pa (4 miles)
• Wake Skin Cancer Cente (4.4 miles)
• Burton Family Medicine (4.4 miles)
• Wake Specialty Physicians Women's Center (4.4 miles)
• Family First Primary Care (4.5 miles)
• Duke Primary Care Heritage Pediatrics (4.6 miles)

Places of Worship

• Gethsemane Lutheran Church (4.2 miles)
• Beacon Baptist Church (5.8 miles)
• St Catherine of Siena Catholic Church (6.1 miles)

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (4.6 miles)
• Walmart Pharmacy (4.7 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (5.4 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (5.4 miles)
• Target Pharmacy (5.8 miles)
• Walgreens (6 miles)
• Walgreens (6 miles)

Hospitals

• Duke Raleigh Hospital (5.6 miles)
• WakeMed Heart Center (7.6 miles)
• WakeMed Health & Hospitals (7.6 miles)

Theaters

• Alamo Drafthouse Raleigh (8.2 miles)
• Cinemark Raleigh NC (9.1 miles)