Ivy Hill Health & Retirement in Brevard, NC

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Pros

• The staff and nurses were very good to him and his family.
• The facility was kept very clean.
• The Oaks has a wonderful staff and is very helpful with everything that needs to be done for residents.
• The staff at The Oaks treated their mom and family with compassion, personal attention, and a caring attitude.
• Sandy H went above and beyond to help and support the out-of-town family on countless fronts.
• Dr. Blair Holl answered questions and took input with respect and thoughtful consideration.
• The PTs, OTs, and speech therapists and the team of nurses and aides attended to mom.
• Mom was blessed with a wonderful and caring roommate.
• The staff, especially Nurse Jason, was amazing and learned her preferences to help her feel comfortable and at home.
• The Administrator, Jason Belue, was helpful and kind and greeted visitors warmly.

Cons

• The admissions director never returns calls.
• The administrator is always off when they call.
• The staff is negligent, rude, and unprofessional.
• They dropped her off with no caregiver.
• The facility, staff, and administration are far worse than any Brian Center could ever be.
• The long-term rooms are for two people and very small.
• They are not equipped to handle rehab patients.
• There was no phone in her room.

Review

Ivy Hill Health & Retirement in Brevard is best suited for families seeking a warm, person-centered environment where rehab services sit alongside steady assisted-living support. The strongest fit is for seniors needing structured recovery after a hospital stay, memory-care support, or long-term supervision, with staff who consistently treat residents and families with care. The reviews repeatedly highlight compassionate nurses and aides, clean facilities, and a therapy team that communicates well and keeps progress in focus. Medicaid assistance is a meaningful plus for families navigating long-term care costs. Those who prioritize a hospital-like pace, or a setting with limited emphasis on individualized attention, may want to consider alternatives that align more closely with that preference.

On balance, the community’s core strengths are compelling. A dedicated, compassionate staff builds trust from day one, and the environment tends to feel clean, safe, and home-like. The rehabilitation program is not incidental but front-and-center, with physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy described as skilled and engaging. The culture extends beyond residents to families as well, with staff who learn personal preferences and strive to keep routine and communication consistent, even when families live out of town. For many, this translates into steadier days, meaningful progress in function, and a sense of relief that loved ones are in capable hands.

Yet several recurring cautions temper the glow. Understaffing appears as a real constraint, translating into occasional delays, slow responses, and the perception that requests can be overlooked. Admissions and administrative communication are frequently cited as inconsistent, with some families reporting missed calls or unclear timelines for moving in or starting care. Long-term accommodations are often shared rooms, which can be a drawback for residents who value privacy. Some reviewers note practical gaps, no phone in rooms, limited near-door parking, and variable food experiences, that can affect daily satisfaction. While the rehab program is praised, one critique questions whether the facility can consistently meet every rehab need, particularly when rapid transitions are required.

The rehab-to-long-term balance within Ivy Hill shows nuance. The rehab space itself earns high marks for brightness, strong supervision, and a focus on vitality and independence, with therapists described as top-tier by grateful families. At the same time, other voices flag inconsistencies in staffing levels that can dampen progress for certain patients. For memory care and long-term living, residents often appear calmer and safer, with staff who actively support safety and routine. The overarching message is that outcomes hinge on staffing adequacy and proactive, transparent communication. Prospective families should evaluate not only facility intent but daily capacity, especially around rehab demand and caregiver ratios.

Administrative reliability stands out as a pivotal consideration. Several reviews flag the Admissions Director’s unresponsiveness and the Administrator’s limited availability, which can complicate planning or delay crucial decisions. For families under time pressure, this friction can be a meaningful hurdle. Conversely, other accounts describe administrators and leaders who greet visiting families warmly and attempt to tailor services to individual needs once contact is made. This dichotomy underscores the necessity of proactive outreach: insist on a firm admission timeline, seek clear, written communications, and confirm who will provide ongoing updates. In short, due diligence on admissions processes is essential before committing.

Bottom line: Ivy Hill Health & Retirement offers a compelling, compassionate option for dementia care, rehab-oriented recovery, and steady long-term supervision, particularly where Medicaid support matters. The staff’s warmth and the facility’s clean, patient-centered environment are meaningful strengths that can offset many day-to-day irritants. Potential residents should, however, weigh the possibility of staffing gaps, uneven administrative responsiveness, and privacy considerations in long-term rooms. If the primary need is rapid admissions, single-occupancy privacy, or a consistently proactive admin experience, it makes sense to explore alternatives. A candid visit, meeting the administrator, touring the rehab spaces, and outlining concrete admission timelines, will reveal whether Ivy Hill aligns with the loved one’s care goals and daily living expectations.

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)