Durham Nursing and Rehabilitation

Pros

• The administrator seems like she really cares.
• The staff that the family has come to know are truly godsends to the family.
• He has a sense of community here and is thriving medically, socially, and spiritually.
• The therapy staff is wonderful.
• Durham Nursing and Rehabilitation is an excellent place to receive short term rehab.
• The attendant was very helpful.
• Durham Nursing and Rehabilitation is a place of healing and supportive care.

Cons

• The new DON is awful and talks to people in any kind of way, showing no sympathy or concern for the workers.
• Roaches are everywhere, including in the beds with residents.
• Trash cans sit in the halls when it rains and ceilings leak everywhere.
• Roaches roam the building and crawl on residents' faces and bodies who cannot shake them off.
• The bathrooms used by residents are disgusting, with some lights not working.
• The environment smells terrible and the residents look unclean and neglected.
• CNAs are not appreciated; staff are looked down upon and their opinions do not matter.
• The center is dirty, the rooms are old, and patients are neglected.
• The facility is understaffed and the management is horribly unorganized.
• The nursing stations never answer the phone.
• A dresser in a patient's room was infested with ants.
• There was a major COVID-19 outbreak and families were not informed promptly.

Review

Durham Nursing & Rehabilitation presents itself as a place of mixed experiences, where genuine care from some staff stands in tension with troubling conditions and frustrating administrative gaps reported by several visitors and family members. In recent observations, there has been a push to bring more nursing staff on board, and an administrator who many say seems to care about residents. A federal sense of momentum is described by those who believe the influx of new team members is beginning to yield small, hopeful changes. Yet the tone among many reviewers remains cautious, with a clear undercurrent of concern about safety, cleanliness, and consistency.

Within the same frame, a number of voices point to particular staff members who have become beloved figures for families and residents. Tasha, Jaime, Jackie, Joyce, and the physical therapy team are repeatedly named as exemplars of compassion and dedication. One reviewer associates a father's positive trajectory under treatment at Duke with the center's staff, suggesting that the people who show up daily are the heart of why families feel a sense of community and well-being there. For these families, the care provided by these individuals stands out as a beacon, reinforcing the belief that, when well-supported, the staff can deliver meaningful, even healing, engagement that touches patients medically, socially, and spiritually. In that sense, the facility is described as a place of healing, where the relationships residents form with certain caregivers can become central to the experience of the facility.

There are also accounts that focus on the social and rehabilitative side of the center in a more positive light. One reviewer recounts choosing Durham Nursing & Rehab for recovery after a breast reduction and finding a welcoming atmosphere in which playing card games with a few residents felt like returning to a familiar, home-like space. The sentiment here is less about institutional polish and more about human connection and a sense of belonging among residents, a feeling that they are among "homemies" rather than in an impersonal facility. On the other hand, another comment highlights the short-term rehab potential of the same facility, underscoring that when the focus is on rehabilitation and professional conduct, some visitors experience professionalism and helpful support that can make recovery smoother.

Not all assessments align with this more favorable picture. A particularly stark review contrasts sharply with the more celebratory tone. The writer describes a troubling environment with roaches present "everywhere," including areas near residents, and reports that some parts of the building - like a bed area - were contaminated with pests. They accuse a new director of nursing of treating staff and residents with dismissiveness, noting a lack of sympathy or concern for workers and residents alike. Leaks in the ceiling, trash in the halls during rain, and an overall sense of neglect populate this testimonial, which frames the facility as a place where basic cleanliness and maintenance are severely lacking and where communication with leadership appears resistant or ineffective.

Other reviews drill deeper into concerns about basic hygiene and safety. The facility is described as dirty and poorly maintained, with bathrooms in disrepair, malfunctioning lights, and residents appearing unclean. The sense that staff do not matter to some, particularly CNAs who may feel undervalued, weaves into a broader critique of understaffing and inconsistent scheduling. When decisions are made at the administrative level, reviewers sense that resident needs are deprioritized in favor of operational constraints, leaving caregivers overwhelmed and residents at risk. The refrain is not simply about individual missteps but about a pattern that makes many families reluctant to entrust loved ones to the facility's care.

A related thread paints an even more alarming picture: belongings disappearing, clothes going missing despite embroidery marks, and a general feeling that the environment is not safeguarding patient dignity. There are also reports of more alarming problems - a persistent problem with ants found in living spaces, and a sense that supervisors may not respond promptly to concerns. One reviewer, speaking with particular intensity, pleads for others to consider alternatives, highlighting that waiting too long to address these issues could have dire consequences for vulnerable residents. The overarching message is clear: even if some staff members show genuine care, the structural problems undermine trust.

The most emotionally charged accounts revolve around personal outcomes and family heartbreak. A few reviewers recount that their loved ones deteriorated under the facility's watch, including a father who had dementia and who apparently faced neglect or insufficient responsiveness from the nursing staff. Complaints include delays in baths and personal care, issues with catheter management that led to infections, and, in at least one case, the death of a patient attributed by the writer to the quality of care. These narratives are offered with painful clarity, emphasizing not merely dissatisfaction but a sense of missed opportunities for comfort, safety, and humane attention during critical moments.

Communication difficulties and accessibility further color the experience. Several accounts note that nursing stations rarely answer the phone, limiting direct lines of communication with physicians and pharmacists. This barrier becomes especially troubling when critical medication information needs prompt attention, underscoring a systemic gap between front-line care and the families trying to stay informed. Against this backdrop of frustration, at least one reviewer concedes that there are dedicated staff members and moments of professional behavior, but it is overshadowed by a recurring theme: inconsistent staffing levels and a perception that the facility often meets only the bare minimum on paper rather than in daily practice.

Taken together, the reviews reveal a care environment characterized by a split reality. On one side, there are glimmers of hope - staff members who are described as loving, attentive, and deeply committed to the well-being and dignity of residents. The community feel, especially among those who connect with residents through social activities or effective rehabilitation services, illustrates how meaningful human touch and consistent bedside presence can be. On the other side, there are pervasive concerns about cleanliness, pest infestations, maintenance gaps, and systemic communication failures that repeatedly threaten resident safety and staff morale. The disparity suggests a facility currently navigating a complex balance between potential care that lifts up families and patients, and serious, sometimes life-altering, problems that demand urgent attention and sustained accountability.

If you or a loved one are considering Durham Nursing & Rehabilitation, these accounts suggest a careful, vigilant approach. Visit frequently, speak directly with multiple staff members across shifts, inspect living spaces for cleanliness and maintenance, and ask direct questions about staffing levels, infection control, and how leadership handles family communications and critical medications. While some residents and families describe moments of genuine care and meaningful connection, others warn that without comprehensive improvements in governance, oversight, and daily operations, safety and quality of life for residents could remain at risk.

This part of Durham, North Carolina is a bustling and convenient area with a variety of amenities within close proximity. There are several physicians' offices, hospitals, pharmacies, and places of worship nearby, making it easy for seniors to access healthcare services and spiritual support. In addition, there are plenty of dining options ranging from fast food chains like Chick-Fil-A and McDonald's to more upscale choices like Cracker Barrel and Picnic. For those who enjoy a leisurely cup of coffee or tea, there are multiple Starbucks locations as well as cozy cafes like Cocoa Cinnamon. If outdoor recreation is preferred, there are several parks in the area including Whippoorwill Park and Cedar Falls Park. Overall, this neighborhood offers a mix of convenience and entertainment options for seniors looking to settle down in Durham.

Physicians

• Avance Care (0.3 miles)
• Garrett S Bressler, MD (1.5 miles)
• North Carolina Orthopaedic Clinic (4.8 miles)
• Duke Primary Care Sage Road Pediatrics (5.8 miles)
• Chapel Hill Pediatrics & Adolescents Pa (5.8 miles)
• Chapel Hill Implant and Oral Surgery Center (6.7 miles)
• Duke Health Center (7.2 miles)

Restaurants

• Chick-Fil-A (0.4 miles)
• McDonald's (0.6 miles)
• Cracker Barrel (0.9 miles)
• Locopops (1.1 miles)
• Bojangles' Famous Chicken 'n Biscuits (1.6 miles)
• Picnic (1.9 miles)
• Bralie's Sports Bar (2.3 miles)

Pharmacies

• CVS Pharmacy (0.6 miles)
• Walgreens (1.8 miles)
• Walgreens (3.1 miles)
• Walgreens (3.3 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (4.8 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (6.4 miles)
• Walgreens (6.6 miles)

Hospitals

• Duke Hospital of Dentistry & Facial Pain (0.9 miles)
• Durham Regional Hospital (3.1 miles)
• North Carolina Cancer Hospital (9.5 miles)
• UNC Transplant Clinic (9.6 miles)

Places of Worship

• Duke University Chapel (0.9 miles)
• Judea Reform Congregation (2.5 miles)
• Yates Baptist Church (2.8 miles)
• Church of Reconciliation PC USA (7.1 miles)
• New Hope Church (8.6 miles)
• St Matthew's Episcopal Church (9.3 miles)

Cafes

• Cocoa Cinnamon (2.7 miles)
• Starbucks (3.1 miles)
• Starbucks (4.8 miles)
• Starbucks (6.9 miles)
• Starbucks (7.1 miles)
• Starbucks (7.6 miles)
• Panera Bread (7.6 miles)

Parks

• Whippoorwill Park (2.7 miles)
• Northgate Park (3 miles)
• Cedar Falls Park (6.1 miles)
• Piney Wood Park (6.8 miles)
• Bethesda Park (7.4 miles)
• Homestead Skate Park (7.6 miles)
• Grandale Park (9.6 miles)

Theaters

• AMC DINE-IN Southpoint 17 (7.5 miles)