The Kempton At Brightmore in Wilmington, NC

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  • Interior

    A decorated staircase with garlands in a reception area.
  • Outdoors

    A beautiful garden fountain surrounded by colorful autumn foliage under a clear blue sky.
  • Building

    A large blue building with a classic architectural style, resembling a hotel or residential complex, surrounded by landscaping.
  • Trees

    An outdoor walkway featuring a bocce court and landscaped gardens in a residential area.
  • Dining

    A formal dining room with elegant furniture and modern artwork on the walls.
  • Lighting

    A cozy reading room with rows of blue chairs and bookshelves filled with books.
  • Chandelier

    A spacious and elegant restaurant dining room with neatly arranged tables and chairs, featuring a chandelier and carpeted flooring.
  • Wall Art

    A stylish billiard room featuring a pool table, wooden floors, modern lighting, and decorative wall art.

The Kempton At Brightmore in Wilmington, NC

2298 41st St., Wilmington, NC 28403

For more information about senior living options: (844) 490-3973

3.6 from 19 reviews
5 stars
9
4 stars
3
3 stars
2
2 stars
0
1 stars
5

Assisted Living

The Kempton At Brightmore Costs & Pricing

The Kempton At Brightmore offers competitive pricing for its assisted living accommodations when compared to both New Hanover County and the broader North Carolina region. Monthly costs for a studio apartment at The Kempton are set at $3,260, significantly lower than the county average of $4,105 and the state average of $4,020. Similarly, for one-bedroom units, residents pay $3,806, which is again a more affordable option compared to New Hanover's average of $4,064 and North Carolina's average of $4,055. This pricing structure positions The Kempton At Brightmore as an attractive choice for individuals seeking quality senior living that balances comfort and affordability in a supportive community setting.

Floor plansThe Kempton At BrightmoreNew Hanover CountyNorth Carolina
Studio$3,260$4,105$4,020
1 Bedroom$3,806$4,064$4,055

Overall Review of The Kempton At Brightmore

Pros

  • pro The Kempton is a beautiful and welcoming community with professional and helpful staff.
  • pro Residents' families report that their loved ones are very happy living at The Kempton.
  • pro The facility offers good food, engaging activities, and a variety of monthly events that residents enjoy.
  • pro The staff are friendly, thoughtful, and attentive in assisting residents' needs.
  • pro The front desk and dining room staff are kind and efficient.
  • pro The rooms are very clean and up to date.
  • pro Residents enjoy salon services, live music, and outings.
  • pro The care provided is personalized and top-notch, with staff communicating well and staying attentive to residents' well-being.

Cons

  • pro They report a roach infestation in multiple areas that appears out of control.
  • pro They describe the facility as smelling overpowering due to cleaners.
  • pro They felt the administrator was uncaring, rigid, and inflexible, with 24-hour, 30-minute checks.
  • pro They say The Kempton provides very little assistance and feels like independent living rather than supportive care.
  • pro They accuse the administration of charging extra for incontinence care and constant monitoring, with insufficient actual care.
  • pro They would not recommend The Kempton to others and would move their loved one elsewhere.
  • pro They find the environment sterile, old, and unwelcoming and would not place a loved one there.

Review

The Kempton At Brightmore in Wilmington, NC is best suited for seniors who want an active, socially engaged living environment with reliable dining and caring frontline staff, and who do not require heavy daily assistance. It works well for those who value frequent activities, good meals, clean spaces, and responsive aides when support is modest. For residents who need substantial mobility help, incontinence management, persistent supervision, or memory-care oversight, alternatives are a wiser, lower-risk match.

On the upside, the community earns strong marks for practical daily living needs. Review highlights repeatedly praise the quality of the food, the cleanliness of the building, and the competence of med techs who navigate medications and health monitoring. Families consistently commend the activity calendar - live music, outings, social venues - and describe a friendly, approachable facility director and front desk staff. The overall impression is that the Kempton can deliver a livable, engaging environment where residents can stay socially connected and well-nourished when their care needs stay moderate.

Yet those positives sit alongside notable drawbacks that should shape any decision. Several reviewers flagged a roach problem, describing visits where pests appeared in multiple areas and calling for urgent remediation. That level of pest exposure raises legitimate safety and dignity concerns, and it challenges the sense of a consistently well-kept home. Additionally, a pattern emerges of administration and care practices that feel rigid or under-responsive to escalating needs, with families reporting a reliance on 24?hour checks that can feel intrusive or misaligned with physician or family recommendations. Billing decisions - specifically surcharges tied to incontinence or monitoring - further complicate the picture, making cost transparency and predictability a real risk.

The key pros - quality meals, cleanliness, engaged activities, and genuinely caring front-line staff - do offset some concerns when the resident's needs fit the community's strengths. The med techs and aides appear capable and empathetic, and the social framework often helps residents remain engaged and socially integrated, which can slow declines in mood and cognition for those who still function well with modest assistance. When a resident's needs remain aligned with the level of care The Kempton provides, the combination of good dining and robust programming creates real, practical value and a sense of daily normalcy.

However, the balance shifts markedly for families facing mobility limitations, cognitive changes, or a desire for predictable, comprehensive support. The program's assistant capabilities tend to be described as "light" rather than intensive, which means higher-need residents may experience gaps in supervision, assistance with activities of daily living, or timely response to subtle changes in well-being. The serious pest issue, together with administrative rigidity and sometimes opaque pricing, undermines trust and ongoing satisfaction, especially for families paying premium rates for a full-service experience. In short, the strengths anchor a true independent-living-like environment, but the gaps make riskier a choice for those requiring proactive, high-touch care.

For families evaluating options, concrete due diligence is essential. Ask for the latest pest-control plan and recent maintenance records, and request a detailed tour that probes how staff respond to new or worsening care needs, not just routine days. Review the care philosophy, testing whether a plan exists to escalate support when mobility or cognition declines, and verify resident-to-staff ratios during peak hours. Scrutinize every line of the contract: ask for itemized charging related to incontinence, monitoring, or "enhanced supervision," and demand examples of how care plans are updated and communicated to families. Seek references from current residents or families with similar care needs and request direct conversations with the administrator about how individualized plans are managed.

Bottom line: The Kempton At Brightmore delivers dependable everyday quality - tasty meals, clean surroundings, consistent front-line care, and a lively schedule - for relatively independent seniors who don't require heavy hands-on assistance. When needs rise, or when oversight is essential for mobility or memory challenges, alternatives are strongly preferred. Families should approach with clear questions about pest management, flexible care options, and transparent pricing, and should responsively compare with communities that offer more robust, tightly coordinated support for higher-care residents. The decision should hinge on whether the resident's care needs align with a vibrant independent-living?style program, or demand a more comprehensive, risk-managed assisted-living environment.

Features

Types of Care

  • Assisted Living Assisted LivingAssisted living facilities provide crucial support and care for seniors who may need help with daily tasks such as medication management, bathing, and meal preparation. These communities offer a safe and comfortable environment where seniors can maintain their independence while receiving the assistance they need to thrive in their golden years.

Amenities

  • Activities on-site Activities on-siteActivities on-site are important for seniors because they provide opportunities for socialization, mental stimulation, physical activity, and overall well-being. Engaging in activities can help seniors stay active, maintain their independence, and improve their quality of life.
  • Devotional services off-site Devotional services off-siteDevotional services off-site are important for seniors as they provide spiritual nourishment, social engagement, and a sense of community outside of the senior living facility. This can enhance overall well-being and help combat feelings of isolation and loneliness often experienced by older adults.
  • Indoor common areas Indoor common areasIndoor common areas are crucial for seniors as they provide a space for socialization, recreation, and community engagement, promoting overall well-being and reducing feelings of isolation and loneliness.
  • Respite or short term stays offered Respite or short term stays offeredRespite or short term stays provide seniors with a temporary solution when their regular caregiver is unavailable, offering them the opportunity to receive additional care and support during times of need, while also giving caregivers a chance to rest and recharge.
  • Swimming pool / hot tub Swimming pool / hot tubSwimming pools and hot tubs are important for seniors as they provide a safe and enjoyable way to stay active, improve mobility, reduce joint pain, and promote relaxation. Regular use of these amenities can contribute to overall well-being and quality of life for older adults living in senior communities.

Transportation

  • Wilmington International (5 miles away) Wilmington International (5 miles away)

Care Services

  • Ambulatory care Ambulatory care"Ambulatory care services provide essential medical support and treatment to seniors without requiring hospitalization, allowing them to maintain their independence and quality of life while managing chronic conditions or receiving routine medical care."
  • Diabetic care Diabetic careDiabetic care is crucial for seniors as they are more susceptible to developing diabetes due to aging and other health conditions. Proper management of diabetes can help prevent complications such as heart disease, vision loss, and nerve damage, improving the overall quality of life for seniors in senior living communities.

Dining

  • Meals provided Meals provided"Meals provided" are crucial for seniors in assisted living communities as it ensures they have access to nutritious, balanced meals without the stress of meal planning and preparation. This can help promote overall health and well-being for seniors who may have limited mobility or cognitive abilities.

Activities

  • Activities on-site Activities on-siteActivities on-site are important for seniors because they provide opportunities for socialization, mental stimulation, physical activity, and overall well-being. Engaging in activities can help seniors stay active, maintain their independence, and improve their quality of life.
  • Devotional activities offsite Devotional activities offsiteDevotional activities offsite are important for seniors because they provide social engagement, spiritual growth, and a sense of community outside of their living environment. This can improve overall well-being, mental health, and combat feelings of isolation or loneliness.

Description

The Kempton at Brightmore in Wilmington, NC is an assisted living community that offers a range of amenities and care services to cater to the needs of its residents. With a focus on providing a comfortable and convenient living environment, the community features indoor common areas where residents can socialize and engage in various activities.

For those seeking spiritual fulfillment, devotional services off-site are available to cater to their religious needs. Additionally, residents have the option of respite or short-term stays if they require temporary care or assistance.

One of the highlights of The Kempton at Brightmore is its swimming pool and hot tub, offering residents a relaxing and enjoyable way to stay active and unwind. This amenity promotes overall well-being through exercise and hydrotherapy.

In terms of care services, The Kempton at Brightmore provides specialized diabetic care for individuals requiring assistance with managing their diabetes. Trained professionals are available to ensure that residents' specific medical needs are addressed effectively.

Outside the community, there are several cafes, parks, pharmacies, physicians' offices, restaurants, transportation options, and theaters conveniently located nearby. This allows residents easy access to various amenities and services within close proximity.

Overall, The Kempton at Brightmore offers a comprehensive assisted living experience with an array of amenities and care services tailored to meet each individual's unique needs while also ensuring easy access to essential shops, dining options, healthcare providers, and entertainment venues.

Nearby Places of Interest

Parks

  • Hugh MacRae Park (0.7 miles)
  • Brunswick River Park (5 miles)
  • Leland Westgate Park (6.7 miles)
  • Annsdale Park (7.4 miles)
  • Oak Island Park (23.6 miles)

Restaurants

  • Henry's Restaurant (0.9 miles)
  • Walk-On's Sports Bistreaux - Wilmington Restaurant (0.9 miles)
  • Double Happiness Restaurant (1 miles)
  • Katy's Grill & Bar (1.1 miles)
  • McDonald's (1.3 miles)
  • Burger King (1.7 miles)
  • Okami Japanese Steakhouse (1.8 miles)

Physicians

  • Coastal Neurosurgical Associates (1.1 miles)
  • Wilmington Endocrinology (1.3 miles)
  • Tinsley, Ellis, A, Jr, MD (1.3 miles)
  • New Hanover Medical Group (1.8 miles)
  • Wilmington Eye - Medical Center Drive (2 miles)
  • New Hanover Medical Group (3.9 miles)
  • Cape Fear Eye Institute OD PA (4.3 miles)

Pharmacies

  • CVS Pharmacy (1.9 miles)
  • Walgreens (2 miles)
  • Seashore Discount Drugs (2.5 miles)
  • Walmart Pharmacy (3.9 miles)
  • Walgreens (5.3 miles)
  • Epic Pharmacies (6 miles)
  • CVS Pharmacy (6.2 miles)

Theaters

  • The Pointe 14 at Barclay (1.9 miles)
  • Surf Cinemas (19.7 miles)

Cafes

  • Starbucks (2.7 miles)
  • Port City Java (2.8 miles)
  • Bespoke Coffee & Dry Goods (3.7 miles)
  • Cafe Koa (20.7 miles)

Transportation

  • Wilmington International Airport (ILM) (4.5 miles)
  • American Airlines (4.5 miles)

Hospitals

  • Brunswick Novant Medical Center (19.2 miles)

Places of Worship

  • Sacred Heart Catholic Church (19.2 miles)
  • Ocean View United Methodist Church (22.8 miles)

Frequently Asked Questions

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