Winston-Salem Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center in Winston Salem, NC

Pros

• The facility has wonderful residents and wonderful administrative staff, and the activities department keeps residents engaged.
• The facility is very clean and the staff are amazing, professional, and caring, with the Central Supply team being wonderful.
• DeeAnna Kerns is a compassionate, patient staff member who goes above and beyond for families and residents.
• Ashley H. is kind and welcoming, and the rehab team is top-notch and very professional.
• The Activity Director Juanita Coles is outstanding and deeply cares for the residents.
• Lisa, the admissions director, provides helpful assistance and makes the process smoother.
• The renovated lobby reflects a warm, caring environment, and Lily the administrator is quick to respond and deeply cares for residents and staff.
• The facility has improved significantly over the years, with renovations and improved care reflecting ongoing commitment.

Cons

• One reviewer states residents get only weekly showers and must bathe themselves in a bin, showing poor hygiene.
• They claim residents are left sitting in urine with no timely assistance, and staff show favoritism.
• A CNA is accused of threatening to hurt a dementia patient.
• The facility is described as dirty, smelling of urine, with missing linens and meals forgotten or served late.
• There are reports of bed bugs, mold, a bat in the building, and conflicts among kitchen staff.
• Families allege deaths and a lack of communication, including delays in oxygen and pain medication and failure to notify loved ones.
• The administration and director of nursing are criticized as lazy, unresponsive, and involved in covering up issues.
• Some reviewers claim the five-star reviews are staged and that the facility changes names to dodge bad press.

Review

This community is best suited for families prioritizing rehabilitation and mobility recovery, with an emphasis on a modern, newly refreshed environment and an accessible rehab team. When short-term improvement and structured therapy are the primary goal, Willow Valley's rehabilitation program has shown tangible gains - patients walking with assistance, progressing with PT and OT, and engaging with a care team that some families describe as competent and dedicated. The facility's refreshed common areas and a communication-forward administration create a sense of freshness and professional intent that can ease the transition for someone focused on regaining function. For families that value visible progress in rehab and responsive admissions staff who can help navigate the process, this site offers a credible path to rebuilding independence.

Those considering alternatives should heed warnings about day-to-day care quality and safety concerns. If the priority is consistent, compassionate, around-the-clock nursing attention, or if a home-like environment with rigorous hygiene standards is nonnegotiable, other facilities may be more reliable choices. Multiple accounts raise red flags about delayed assistance, call-bell neglect, inconsistent medication administration, and episodes suggesting insufficient oversight. Cleanliness and odors - frequently cited negatives - signal that daily living conditions can vary significantly by shift and wing. Families should weigh the risk of relying on particular staff members versus a consistently high-performing care team elsewhere, especially for residents who require continuous monitoring or have complex medical needs.

On the pro side, the facility has earned praise for its rehab leadership and the way certain staff members engage with residents and families. The rehab director and the therapy team receive frequent commendations for professionalism, availability, and outcomes, with anecdotes of patients regaining mobility and returning home stronger. Several residents and families point to administrative accessibility, smooth admissions processes, and the work of compassionate helpers in activities and social work as meaningful gains. The combination of a refreshed setting and a strong therapy culture can translate into real-world improvements when the resident is actively participating in therapy and when coordination with families remains strong.

The weight of the cons, however, cannot be dismissed. Widespread concerns include understaffing, inconsistent nurse and aide responsiveness, and reports of residents left unattended or not promptly assisted. Serious safety concerns appear in a subset of reviews, ranging from neglectful care on some shifts to complaints about medication timing and accountability. Instances of poor hygiene, odors, and even bed-bug rumors in some circles underscore a fragility in daily operations that undermines trust. There are also accounts of communication gaps - necessary updates not relayed promptly, or abrupt handoffs that leave families feeling out of the loop. These patterns - if real and persistent - pose real risk for those with higher care needs or those in recovery from surgery.

These pros can offset the cons only to a degree, and that balance is highly contingent on individual staff on any given day. For a resident whose primary objective is robust rehab outcomes and who can actively participate in daily therapy, the gains can still be meaningful, particularly when the therapy team is cohesive and when administrative decisions move quickly to address concerns. Yet the same strengths are vulnerable to turnover and inconsistent coverage, which means results may vary week to week. The renovated environment and the presence of committed people (notably in administration and rehab) can create a foundation for improvement, but persistent safety and cleanliness issues threaten long-term confidence, especially for families planning a longer stay.

For families weighing options, the prudent path is to schedule thorough visits with a laser focus on current staffing patterns, call-for-assistance responsiveness, and the specific floor where a loved one would reside. Ask for recent state inspection notes, speak directly with the rehab team about expected timelines, and request to meet the primary charge nurse and ADON to gauge daily operations. Insist on transparent medication protocols and a clear plan for infection control and housekeeping. If care needs are predominantly long-term, or if high reliability in daily caregiving is nonnegotiable, consider alternatives that demonstrate steadier staffing, tighter hygiene controls, and more consistent outcomes. The decision should rest on a careful alignment of rehab potential, daily care reliability, and the willingness of leadership to address long-standing gaps.

This part of Winston Salem, North Carolina offers a convenient and diverse range of amenities for seniors looking to settle down in the area. With multiple pharmacies located within a few miles, accessing medication and healthcare services is easily accessible. Additionally, there are quality hospitals and physicians nearby for any medical needs. The abundance of restaurants and cafes provide plenty of dining options for those looking to enjoy a meal out or grab a cup of coffee with friends. Parks in the vicinity offer opportunities for outdoor recreation and relaxation. Places of worship are also available for those seeking spiritual fulfillment. The presence of theaters provides entertainment options for seniors looking to enjoy movies or live shows. Overall, this area offers a well-rounded living experience with easy access to essential services and recreational activities.

Pharmacies

• CVS Revco D.S. (0.3 miles)
• Walgreens (0.4 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3.1 miles)
• South Park Family Pharmacy (3.8 miles)
• Walgreens (5.4 miles)
• Express Scripts Holding Co. (5.7 miles)
• Walgreens (6.9 miles)

Hospitals

• WFBH Ardmore Tower (0.4 miles)
• Wake Forest Univ Bapt Med Center (0.9 miles)
• Bethany Cardiology (17.3 miles)

Restaurants

• West End Opera House (0.7 miles)
• Gatsby's Pub (0.7 miles)
• Bobby Boy Bakeshop (0.8 miles)
• Mozelle's Fresh Southern Bistro (0.9 miles)
• P.F. Chang's China Bistro (1.4 miles)
• Wise Man Brewing (1.6 miles)
• Sonic Drive-In (1.8 miles)

Parks

• Miller Park (0.8 miles)
• Salem Lake Trail (4.4 miles)
• Union Cross Park (8.4 miles)

Physicians

• O'connor John J Cpo (1 miles)
• Urology Partners (2.8 miles)
• Center For Clinical Research (2.8 miles)
• Brookview Hills Internal Medicine (2.9 miles)
• Cumadin Clinic (2.9 miles)
• Nephrology Associates (2.9 miles)
• Wake Forest Baptist Health - Internal Medicine - Highland Oaks (3 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (1.5 miles)
• Krankies Coffee (1.8 miles)
• Starbucks (2.9 miles)
• Starbucks (4.1 miles)
• Panera Bread (17.7 miles)
• Starbucks (21.2 miles)
• Starbucks (21.6 miles)

Places of Worship

• St John's Lutheran School (1.8 miles)
• Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church (15 miles)
• Lindley Park Baptist Church (23.8 miles)
• Christ United Methodist Church (23.9 miles)

Theaters

• AMC Hanes 12 (3.9 miles)
• Regal Palladium & IMAX (18 miles)
• AMC CLASSIC Greensboro 18 (22.2 miles)