Coble Health Care Ctr in Durham, NC

Pros

• The staff at PruittHealth Durham is friendly, helpful, and caring.
• Aaliyah McGill is consistently described as exceptional—warm, professional, and a tremendous asset who makes the process easy and stress-free.
• PruittHealth Durham is a great skilled nursing rehab facility with excellent care and positive outcomes after surgeries.
• The facility is clean, welcoming, and well-managed, with spacious private rooms.
• The admissions process is made effortless by Aaliyah, who communicates clearly, answers questions patiently, and provides compassionate support.
• The team of nurses and administrators is outstanding, always helpful, professional, and kind.
• Rehab services, including outstanding physical therapy and aqua therapy, are highly regarded.
• Families praise the care team for going above and beyond, creating a positive, family-oriented environment.

Cons

• The administration and the DON are unprofessional and unresponsive to concerns.
• Staffing levels are consistently low, and residents frequently wait a long time for basic assistance.
• Communication is poor, and issues are not addressed in a timely or caring manner.
• Long-term care on the floor is inconsistent and sometimes neglectful, with residents left dirty and in their own urine.
• Meals are often unacceptable, with menus not followed and food that is rotten, expired, or poorly prepared.
• The facility is dirty and unsanitary with foul smells, broken fixtures, and visible filth.
• Upper management is hard to reach and complaints are not followed through; billing issues go unanswered.
• Some staff are verbally abusive or fail to respond to call bells, leaving residents without help.
• There are serious safety concerns, including bedsores that worsen and infections due to inadequate turning and care.

Review

This Durham community is best suited for families pursuing short‑term rehabilitation near major medical centers and who can actively supervise care. The most compelling practical draw is location, proximity to Duke University and other hospitals, paired with reports of effective therapy and private rooms on certain units. When the rehab team operates with clear communication and adequate staffing, residents can make real progress, and admissions staff are described as warm and helpful, easing transitions. Yet that positive picture is fragile. Reviews repeatedly flag fluctuations in staffing and leadership responsiveness, with care quality hinging on the particular shift and caregiver on duty. In short, the facility can support rehab goals when governance is stable and staffing is sufficient, but that scenario is not reliably maintained across all days or units.

Those needing steady, long‑term care with predictable daily routines should consider alternatives. The recurring complaints point to under‑staffing, delays in basic assistance, and uneven attention to essential needs, creating real risk for falls, infections, and unaddressed medical issues. Administrative accessibility is frequently described as poor, with families struggling to reach leadership and navigating a complaint process that many view as inefficient. Financial friction compounds the uncertainty, with reports of late bills or disputed charges. For families whose priority is consistent, dignified daily care and transparent governance, exploring other Durham facilities with stronger oversight or pursuing in‑home options may offer safer, more reliable pathways.

On balance, the strongest positive threads lie with individuals who deliver care well: certain therapists on the skilled floor, clinicians who communicate clearly, and admissions staff who smooth transitions. The facility’s appearance and some private rooms can create a welcoming first impression, and when staff align around a resident’s plan, meaningful rehab outcomes are plausible. Yet these strengths are consistently undercut by a wide spectrum of significant problems. Systemic understaffing leads to long waits for help, and hygiene lapses, dirty rooms, and poorly maintained facilities appear in multiple accounts. Food quality is often criticized, with meals inconsistent with dietary orders or with spoilage noted. More troubling are reports of missed doctor appointments, delayed wound care, and episodes that residents and families interpret as neglect or worse. The gulf between the occasional compassionate caregiver and the broader pattern of gaps is wide and persistent.

Decision‑makers should insist on concrete, verifiable commitments before admit. Request a current staffing plan with exact CNA‑to‑resident ratios by shift, and demand access to recent state inspection reports, incident logs, and a clear remediation timeline. Secure a single point of contact for family communication and set explicit expectations for call‑bell response times, care rounds, and medication administration. Consider a short‑term trial or respite stay to observe daily routines before committing longer‑term, and require a formal follow‑up review after a defined period. Assign a designated family liaison to coordinate with therapists, monitor care, and escalate issues promptly when needed.

Families should monitor day‑to‑day indicators that reflect care quality and safety. Track response to call bells and timely assistance with toileting, transfers, and mobility, as persistent delays often signal deeper staffing problems. Verify that wound care and catheter management occur as prescribed, and scrutinize meals for adherence to dietary orders. Regularly inspect cleanliness of rooms, bathrooms, and common areas, and ensure respectful handling of personal belongings. Scrutinize bills for accuracy and ensure clear discharge planning. Finally, assess leadership’s willingness to engage with families, whether meetings are scheduled, notes are written, and concerns are followed by concrete actions rather than promises.

Overall, the facility can provide relief and progress in rehabilitation when conditions align, but the collective reviews signal troubling patterns that outweigh the upside for most long‑term residents. For families prioritizing safety, consistency, and a supportive daily environment, it is prudent to shop widely and compare with other Durham‑area options. Use the admissions process as a diagnostic tool: push for accountability, demand documentation, and insist on a trial period to evaluate whether the care culture aligns with expectations. When in doubt, choose a facility with proven governance, transparent communication, and a track record of reliable, compassionate care. The goal is to protect loved ones from avoidable harm while still achieving meaningful rehabilitation and recovery.

This part of Durham, North Carolina offers a variety of amenities and services that would be beneficial for seniors looking to settle down in the area. With places of worship such as Duke University Chapel and Judea Reform Congregation nearby, seniors can easily find spiritual fulfillment. There are also several physicians and hospitals in close proximity, ensuring easy access to healthcare services. Additionally, the abundance of restaurants, pharmacies, cafes, and parks provide convenience and opportunities for socializing and recreation. For entertainment, there is a theater just a short drive away where seniors can enjoy movies and dining experiences. Overall, this area offers a well-rounded environment for senior living with ample resources to support a comfortable and fulfilling lifestyle.

Places of Worship

• Duke University Chapel (0.6 miles)
• Judea Reform Congregation (2.2 miles)
• Yates Baptist Church (2.5 miles)
• Church of Reconciliation PC USA (6.9 miles)
• New Hope Church (8.3 miles)
• St Matthew's Episcopal Church (9.5 miles)

Physicians

• Avance Care (0.6 miles)
• Garrett S Bressler, MD (1.7 miles)
• North Carolina Orthopaedic Clinic (4.5 miles)
• Duke Primary Care Sage Road Pediatrics (5.6 miles)
• Chapel Hill Pediatrics & Adolescents Pa (5.7 miles)
• Chapel Hill Implant and Oral Surgery Center (6.6 miles)
• Duke Health Center (6.8 miles)

Hospitals

• Duke Hospital of Dentistry & Facial Pain (0.7 miles)
• Durham Regional Hospital (3.2 miles)
• North Carolina Cancer Hospital (9.3 miles)
• UNC Transplant Clinic (9.4 miles)

Restaurants

• Chick-Fil-A (0.7 miles)
• McDonald's (0.9 miles)
• Locopops (1 miles)
• Cracker Barrel (1.2 miles)
• Bojangles' Famous Chicken 'n Biscuits (1.8 miles)
• Picnic (2.2 miles)
• Mothers and Sons Trattoria (2.5 miles)

Pharmacies

• CVS Pharmacy (0.9 miles)
• Walgreens (1.8 miles)
• Walgreens (3.1 miles)
• Walgreens (3.4 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (4.4 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (6.2 miles)
• Walgreens (6.3 miles)

Cafes

• Cocoa Cinnamon (2.6 miles)
• Starbucks (2.8 miles)
• Starbucks (4.6 miles)
• Starbucks (6.7 miles)
• Starbucks (7.1 miles)
• Starbucks (7.3 miles)
• Panera Bread (7.3 miles)

Parks

• Whippoorwill Park (2.9 miles)
• Northgate Park (2.9 miles)
• Cedar Falls Park (5.9 miles)
• Piney Wood Park (6.5 miles)
• Bethesda Park (7.2 miles)
• Homestead Skate Park (7.5 miles)
• Grandale Park (9.3 miles)

Theaters

• AMC DINE-IN Southpoint 17 (7.2 miles)