Durham Nursing and Rehabilitation in Durham, NC

Pros

• The administrator appears to genuinely care.
• The staff are truly Godsends to the families they serve.
• The reviewers feel a sense of community there and see residents thriving medically, socially, and spiritually.
• The facility is described as a place of healing and supportive care.
• Durham Nursing & Rehabilitation is an excellent place for short-term rehab.
• There are wonderful nurses, CNAs, and a wonderful therapy staff.

Cons

• The new DON is awful and talks to people in disrespectful ways, with no sympathy for workers.
• Roaches are everywhere, even in the beds with residents.
• The ceilings leak, trash cans sit in the halls, and the overall environment is dirty and poorly maintained.
• CNAs feel unappreciated and that their opinions do not matter; staff are interchangeable.
• The place is the worst, with roaches on residents, filthy bathrooms, and lights that don’t work.
• Residents look unclean and the facility smells terrible.
• Staffing is consistently understaffed and care is often neglected.
• The facility is dirty, the rooms are old, and residents are neglected despite some staff being capable.
• Phone lines are never answered, making critical communications hard or impossible.
• There is an infestation (ants) in patient areas, and staff fail to resolve it.
• A patient’s death is attributed to neglect and poor care related to catheter use and infection.
• Families are not properly informed about serious issues (e.g., outbreaks), such as COVID-19.

Review

Durham Nursing and Rehabilitation is best suited for families seeking short-term rehabilitation with a tangible sense of community, and for residents who respond well when a core team of attentive nurses, aides, and therapists provides consistent, personalized care. The strongest positives stem from leadership changes and a visible push to strengthen frontline staffing, including recently added nursing personnel. For families prioritizing recovery, clear progress, and social engagement within a supportive milieu, this facility can deliver meaningful gains. It is less appropriate for those requiring ongoing, high-acuity long-term care, or for younger residents with complex brain injuries who demand highly specialized oversight and a consistently structured environment.

Within the facility, certain staff members emerge as true anchors of care. Families repeatedly point to individuals who build trust and offer dependable guidance, nurses, aides, and the physical therapy team who connect with residents and their loved ones. When these caregivers are present, residents experience improved medical stability, enhanced mobility, and opportunities for social interaction that can reframe recovery as a collaborative, hopeful process. The short-term rehab program, in particular, receives consistent praise for competence and the ability to help residents regain function and independence.

But the picture is seriously undermined by pervasive operational flaws that recur in multiple reviews. Roaches in patient areas, filthy bathrooms, leaking ceilings, and general grime create an atmosphere of neglect that erodes trust and safety. The facility also contends with chronic understaffing and inconsistent coverage, leaving CNAs and other frontline workers overburdened and underappreciated. Communication gaps amplify risk: phones often go unanswered, messages aren’t reliably relayed, and families feel left in the dark about critical care decisions. These conditions are not incidental annoyances; they are persistent barriers to reliable, dignified care.

The pros and cons interact in a way that shapes the likelihood of successful stays. When a motivated administrator aligns with a robust therapy team, the center can deliver real, time-limited improvements and a sense of community that families value. The presence of a dedicated therapy roster and staff who engage residents in meaningful activities can offset some discomfort and demonstrate genuine care. Yet the weight of cleanliness issues, safety concerns, and inconsistent staffing often outweighs these positives, especially for longer stays or for residents who require constant supervision and rapid responsiveness from leadership.

For families weighing options, objective steps matter. Schedule comprehensive site visits that include frank conversations with the administrator and director of nursing, plus a tour of resident rooms, bathrooms, and public spaces. Request recent staffing schedules, housekeeping and maintenance logs, and a candid plan for addressing infestations or facility maintenance, so expectations are aligned with reality. If the decision centers on long-term care, compare with other campuses known for stronger cleanliness records and more reliable, proactive management. For rehab-focused stays, confirm stable therapy coverage and realistic therapy-to-patient ratios, and insist on clear communication protocols so families are updated promptly on progress and setbacks.

In the final assessment, Durham Nursing and Rehabilitation can be a solid choice for the right patient and family, primarily those pursuing short-term recovery in a setting that can feel like a close-knit community with capable therapists and a caring front-line team. However, strong caveats apply: unresolved cleanliness and maintenance problems, staffing variability, and inconsistent administrative responsiveness significantly dilute the overall quality and safety. If reliability, pristine environments, and steady, transparent communication are non-negotiable, pursuing alternatives is prudent. For families prepared to demand proactive oversight, frequent updates, and a concrete, aggressively managed care plan, the residence can still offer meaningful recovery moments amid challenging conditions.

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)