Emerald Health Care of Ashe in Jefferson, NC

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Pros

• Margate's physical and occupational therapy was incredible, with staff who were encouraging, supportive, and knowledgeable.
• The nursing staff provided good care, and Tammy offered especially attentive care.
• The Margate team is amazing, always willing to listen and make the necessary adjustments, creating a warm family atmosphere.
• The staff and leadership are wonderful.
• Margate cared for the great aunts with excellent care, housekeeping kept rooms spotless, and nursing and clinical staff kept them comfortable; the staff felt like family.
• The staff helped a mother regain strength to go home.
• The rehab and therapy teams were thoughtful, caring, and dedicated to helping patients regain mobility.
• The facility is very clean, quiet, and beautiful, with accommodating front office staff.
• The staff communicates well and keeps families informed about a patient’s condition and medications.
• The rehab team, including PT/OT, supported a stroke survivor’s recovery and encouraged daily progress.

Cons

• One reviewer claimed that Margate staff stole the grandfather’s possessions and did not inform the family of his death.
• A reviewer described after knee surgery there were long waits for bathroom assistance and inadequate attention to hygiene.
• They stated pain medication was not provided promptly and the patient was kept lying flat in bed for days.
• The reviewer criticized the meals as cold and nasty, even comparing them to dog pounds.
• Some reviewers wished they could give zero stars to the facility.
• Another reviewer noted the room lacked a telephone for communication.

Review

Emerald Health Care of Ashe in Jefferson is best suited for seniors who need structured, outcome-oriented rehabilitation after surgery, a stroke, or a period of mobility decline, and who prize a warm, family-style care culture. The community tends to attract families seeking aggressive physical and occupational therapy that translates into real functional gains and an earlier return home. For residents who value consistent communication from leadership and a cohesive team approach among therapists, nurses, and aides, this facility often delivers meaningful progress in a supportive environment.

Those who may want to consider alternatives are primarily families prioritizing flawless day-to-day execution and ironclad security. The reviews point to potential gaps that cannot be ignored: incidents involving theft or loss of personal items, mixed experiences with response times to call lights, and some reports of hygiene lapses or delays in pain management. Additionally, there are concerns about room amenities and meals in rare cases. For families seeking a consistently seamless long-term care experience, or those who require a hospital-to-home transition with minimizing risk in every detail, exploring other options or demanding specific safeguards would be prudent.

The strongest selling points are the rehab-centric strengths. The physical and occupational therapy programs appear to drive real mobility improvements, with residents walking sooner and rebuilding strength that supports independent activity. The care team’s willingness to listen and adjust care plans contributes to a genuine sense of being treated like family, which in turn fosters trust and smoother transitions back to daily life. Clean, well-maintained spaces and a visible leadership presence further reinforce the impression of a well-managed, resident-focused operation.

On the downside, the most serious red flags revolve around security and consistency. Theft allegations and the fear of losing personal belongings, coupled with mixed feedback on daily responsiveness, create a tension between rehabilitation optimism and ongoing safety concerns. Hygiene and comfort issues, such as meals served with inconsistent quality or temperature, and occasional gaps in timely medication or assistance, underscore that recovery experiences can diverge sharply from the best-case rehab narratives. These are not minor irritants but factors that can affect peace of mind for families and the overall recovery trajectory.

In balancing pros and cons, the rehab advantages and the personable, family-like culture often offset many challenges for those whose central goal is functional recovery and re-engagement with daily activities. The facility’s ability to deliver tangible improvements in mobility and strength remains its strongest justification, provided safeguards are in place to address security and day-to-day reliability. Prospective residents should verify clear incident reporting processes, robust belongings security, and a concrete plan to elevate meal quality and routine nursing responsiveness. These assurances can tilt the scale decisively toward choosing this community.

Bottom line: Emerald Health Care of Ashe offers a practical, recovery-driven option for seniors who want hands-on therapy, visible staff engagement, and a supportive atmosphere that can restore independence. The opportunity to regain function and enjoy a respectful, family-oriented environment makes it a compelling choice for post-acute needs. However, serious concerns about personal-item security and inconsistent daily operations mean that anyone considering this community should conduct thorough due diligence: request a detailed tour focused on rehab workflows, ask for direct contact with the rehab team, review incident and security policies, and probe current residents about meal service and routine responsiveness. When safeguards are in place and expectations are clearly aligned, the positives can far outweigh the risks, delivering a sound path to recovery and renewed confidence.

Places of Worship

• Big Laurel Christian Union (11.8 miles)
• Southern Baptist Convention (12 miles)
• Southern Baptist Convention (13.6 miles)
• Sonshine & Reign Ministries (15 miles)
• Southern Baptist Convention (15.5 miles)
• Cox's Chapel Grange, No. 954 (16.2 miles)
• Southern Baptist Convention (17 miles)

Physicians

• Whitetop Community Health (15.4 miles)
• Our Sparta Blue Ridge Medical Group (19.9 miles)
• Blue Ridge Cardiology (19.9 miles)
• Mountain Youth Academy (21.2 miles)
• New River Family Medicine (21.7 miles)

Cafes

• Brown's Cafe (17.8 miles)
• Sparky's Coffeehouse (19.4 miles)
• Backwoods Bean Coffee Shop (19.4 miles)
• New Zealand Cafe (19.7 miles)

Restaurants

• Suba's (18.9 miles)
• The Pines of Sparta (19.1 miles)
• El paso restaurante (19.2 miles)
• Horizon Bistro (19.4 miles)
• Muddy Creek Cafe (19.5 miles)
• Pines Restaurant of Sparta (19.5 miles)
• Main Street Pizzeria & Taphouse (19.5 miles)

Hospitals

• Johnson County Hospital (19.1 miles)
• Alleghany Memorial Hospital (19.9 miles)

Pharmacies

• Boone Drugs (19.2 miles)
• Epic Pharmacies (19.5 miles)
• Halsey Drug Company (19.5 miles)
• Good Neighbor Pharmacy (19.5 miles)
• Walgreens (19.6 miles)
• Walgreens (20 miles)
• Woody's Pharmacy (22 miles)

Parks

• Crouse Park (19.6 miles)
• Town of Mountain City Recreation Building (19.8 miles)
• Ralph Stout Park (19.9 miles)
• Damascus Town Park (23.7 miles)

Theaters

• Heritage Hall (19.7 miles)

Transportation

• U-Haul Neighborhood Dealer (19.9 miles)
• Sportsman's Choice Taxidermy (24.1 miles)