Ivy Hill Health & Retirement

Pros

• The staff and nurses were very good to him and his family.
• The facility was kept very clean.
• The Oaks treated their mom and family with compassion, personal attention, and a caring attitude that was greatly appreciated during a challenging time.
• Sandy H went above and beyond to help and support their out-of-town family on countless fronts.
• Dr Blair Holl answered questions and took input with both respect and thoughtful consideration.
• The PTs, OTs, and speech therapists and team of nurses, and many of the aides, attended to mom during her stay.
• A huge thanks to the staff for their efforts.
• The Staff (especially Nurse Jason) was amazing and learned preferences and helped her feel comfortable and at home.
• The Administrator, Jason Belue, was helpful and kind and greeted visitors warmly every time.
• The Oaks of Brevard has provided excellent care and has a dedicated, helpful, and kind staff.
• The PT dept is wonderful.
• Very clean facility that provides love and care for patients during a very difficult time.
• The workers and staff were very nice and respectful and went out of their way to care for loved ones.

Cons

• The Admissions Director never returns calls.
• The Administrator is always unavailable when families call.
• The reviewer questions how anyone gets admitted.
• The reviewer suspects that the 4- and 5-star reviews are bogus.
• The facility is not equipped to handle rehab patients.
• The stay was horrible.
• They are so short-staffed that they cannot provide timely attention to patients.
• Several daily requests were not answered.
• They dropped her off with no caregiver.
• There was no phone in her room.
• They advised moving her out as soon as possible and suggested looking elsewhere.
• Parking near the door is occupied by staff, forcing visitors to park farther away.
• The reviewer would not recommend sending loved ones there for rehab.
• A grandmother had not been bathed for about five days.
• They made zero effort to assist with a painful ingrown toenail.
• The food was not satisfactory.

Review

The Oaks of Brevard has become a focal point for families navigating the difficult terrain of rehab, dementia, falls, and other health challenges. Across many accounts, the facility is painted as a place where cleanliness, warmth, and attentive care are visible day in and day out. Families repeatedly describe sunny, well-maintained halls and a sense that the staff treat residents like family. The overarching impression is that The Oaks aims to be a safe, compassionate home during some of life's toughest moments, and that impression is reinforced by numerous personal anecdotes of kindness, thoughtful caregiving, and practical support.

In one deeply personal moment, a family member recalls a father who spent only a short time at the facility before passing away peacefully in the middle of the night. A nurse named Shirley is singled out for the care that helped bring closure to a painful time - the family was contacted promptly, and the word "peace" was used to describe their father's final moments. This small, specific act of compassionate communication stands out as a defining moment for that family and serves as a testament to the kind of bedside attentiveness many families associate with The Oaks.

Other memories focus on the extraordinary efforts of individual staff members who went beyond the call of duty. Sandy H is repeatedly praised for going "above and beyond" to support out-of-town relatives on countless fronts, while Dr. Blair Holl is commended for listening to questions, incorporating family input, and providing respectful, thoughtful responses. The therapy team - physical therapists, occupational therapists, and speech therapists - receives consistent recognition for their professionalism and skill, with many families noting that the rehab experience was of high quality and that staff remained attentive to both clinical and personal needs. The sense of a cohesive, caring team - nurses, aides, and therapists working together - emerges as a recurring theme, often accompanied by expressions of gratitude for the care their loved ones received.

Multiple accounts emphasize the leadership and daily atmosphere that shape the patient and family experience. One family highlights the administrator's cordial welcome and approachable presence, describing Jason Belue as kind and consistently greeting visitors. The ability of leadership to set a tone of warmth and reliability appears to matter deeply to families who are navigating the logistics of admission and ongoing care. In some stories, the facility is praised for practical support beyond medical treatment, such as help with Medicaid qualifications, which can be a critical relief for families facing financial stress and complex eligibility processes.

The Oaks is also portrayed as a place where families notice improvements in mood and behavior for loved ones with dementia or high needs. A medical professional with decades of geriatrics experience recounts choosing The Oaks after evaluating several options within a wide radius and finding it to be the best environment for her mother-in-law. The resident's happiness, calmness, and perceived safety are highlighted as standout benefits, with the reviewer calling the environment "absolute wonderful" for their family. Other personal testimonials describe patients enjoying cleaner surroundings, a feeling of being cared for, and a sense that their loved ones are in a supportive, secure setting.

Beyond individual triumphs, several reviewers celebrate the community aspect of The Oaks: a facility that is "like family" and a workplace that many regard as positive and supportive. Several families note that the staff's warmth and dedication extend to family members themselves, with caregivers who recognize the stress that loved ones endure and those who offer reassurance, regular updates, and a steady presence. For some, this has made a difficult transition more bearable and even meaningful, turning a challenging time into a period of gratitude for the care received.

Yet, the landscape painted by these reviews is not uniformly glowing. A number of concerns surface alongside the praise, reflecting the reality that skilled nursing facilities operate under complex pressures. Some reviewers report communication gaps, noting specific instances where admissions questions or calls were not answered promptly. One reviewer describes a disconnect with the Admissions Director who allegedly never returns calls and an administrator who isn't always available when contacted. Such feedback underscores the practical realities families face when navigating admissions and ongoing care, and it highlights the importance of reliable communication in building trust during stressful periods.

Staffing and resource challenges also emerge in the critiques. Several reviewers acknowledge being impressed by the care they received but are candid about understaffing and the heavy demands placed on caregivers. Complaints range from the quality of meals to the pace at which requests are fulfilled, with some families feeling that the care team is stretched thin or that certain needs were not addressed promptly. One review explicitly states that the facility is not well equipped to handle rehab needs, describing a weeklong experience where timely attention to concerns was lacking, despite efforts by a physician to escalate the issue. Parking logistics and the need for better visitor accommodations also appear as practical frustrations in some comments.

Concerns about day-to-day operations aren't limited to staffing. A few reviewers mention specific facilities issues, such as a lack of in-room phones or frustrations with the pattern of doctor visits and handoffs. One family notes that their grandmother did not receive a bath for several days during a roughly five-day stay, while another points to an unhelpful response after a medical appointment was arranged without adequate caregiver backup. These points remind readers that while the care philosophy and staff kindness can shine, operational gaps can color the overall experience for residents and their families.

In sum, The Oaks of Brevard emerges in these reflections as a place of real warmth and capable clinical care, where many families feel their loved ones are treated with dignity, respect, and genuine compassion. The stories celebrate the staff's dedication, the high quality of rehabilitation services when available, and the pragmatic assistance that helps families navigate Medicaid and admissions. At the same time, the reviews acknowledge the pressures of staffing shortages, occasional communication delays, and logistical hiccups that can complicate even the best intentions. Taken together, they sketch a nuanced portrait of a facility that many families find to be a source of comfort and relief during serious health challenges, while also underscoring the ongoing work needed to ensure consistent, reliable communication and care for every resident.

This part of Brevard, North Carolina offers a variety of amenities and services that would be convenient for seniors looking to settle in the area. There are several dining options nearby, including Arby's, Zaxby's, and Wendy's, as well as cafes like Starbucks and Cup & Saucer for a quick bite or coffee date with friends. For those who attend religious services regularly, there are multiple places of worship such as Grace Baptist Church and New French Broad Baptist Church within a short driving distance. Additionally, there are pharmacies like Metcalf Pharmacy and Brevard Drug Company nearby for easy access to medications. In case of medical emergencies or routine care, Transylvania Health System is conveniently located just 2.3 miles away. Overall, this neighborhood provides a mix of conveniences for senior living while also being close to natural attractions like parks and forests for outdoor enjoyment.

Restaurants

• Arby's (1.1 miles)
• Zaxby's (1.3 miles)
• Wendy's (1.4 miles)
• New China Restaurant (1.9 miles)
• Pescado's Burritos (2.1 miles)
• Dugan's Pub (2.1 miles)
• El Ranchero (2.2 miles)

Places of Worship

• Iglesia Oasis De Esperanza Church Of God (1.1 miles)
• Grace Baptist Church (1.7 miles)
• New French Broad Baptist Church (2.5 miles)
• New Hope Baptist Church (5.8 miles)
• Southern Baptist Convention (8.1 miles)
• Mt Moriah Calvert Baptist Church (8.9 miles)
• East Fork Baptist Church (10.2 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (1.3 miles)
• Bill's Boiler House (2.1 miles)
• Cup & Saucer (2.3 miles)
• Jordan Street Cafe (2.4 miles)
• Pisgah Coffee Roasters (4.7 miles)
• Underground Baking Co. (15 miles)
• Starbucks (16.1 miles)

Physicians

• Brevard Orthopaedics (1.4 miles)
• Frances Warde Family Health (2 miles)
• Carolina Pediatric Therapy (2.1 miles)
• Allergy Partners of Western North Carolina (2.3 miles)
• Blue Mountain Medicine (2.5 miles)
• Pineiro Family Practice (2.7 miles)
• Pardee Family Medicine Associates (7.9 miles)

Pharmacies

• Metcalf Pharmacy (1.5 miles)
• Gordon Family Pharmacy (2.8 miles)
• Brevard Drug Company (2.8 miles)
• Ingles Market (12.4 miles)
• Economy Drugs (14.5 miles)
• Walgreens (14.7 miles)
• Walgreens (14.8 miles)

Hospitals

• Transylvania Health System (2.3 miles)
• Pardee Hospital - ICU (14.5 miles)
• Team Member Pharmacy (14.5 miles)

Parks

• Triple Falls (7.1 miles)
• Dupont State Forest (7.2 miles)
• Westfeldt River Park (14.8 miles)
• Park at Flat Rock (15.9 miles)
• East Flat Rock Park (16.6 miles)

Transportation

• Asheville Regional Airport (AVL) (15.5 miles)