Britthaven North Chase in Wilmington, NC

Pros

• The physical therapy people were amazing.

Cons

• The reviewer was not happy with the nursing home.
• They wouldn't recommend it to anyone.
• The nursing home portion was not good.
• The rooms needed repairs.
• She had to get three different beds before one worked.
• The walls needed painting and had many marks.
• The facility was short-staffed.
• The food often sat on her table and no one bothered to open it or help her.
• It sometimes took 30 to 40 minutes to find someone to help her.

Review

Britthaven North Chase in Wilmington, NC is best suited for residents who need short-term rehabilitation with access to strong physical therapy and who have a caregiver network that can supervise daily care. The therapy team stands out as a real asset, capable of meaningful progress during rehab. That strength, however, only matters if daily nursing support and routine assistance meet expectations. In practical terms, the campus works for a rehab-focused plan when family or friends can fill gaps in daily caregiving, but it is not a robust option for someone who requires consistent, reliable help around the clock.

Those evaluating alternatives should note a central caveat: staffing and upkeep. The most telling red flags are short-staffing and difficulty obtaining timely help, coupled with maintenance concerns that impact comfort and dignity. For families who need steady daily meals, prompt assistance with ADLs, and a consistently clean, well-kept environment, other facilities are likely to deliver more predictable outcomes. The bottom line is that this campus may not align with expectations for long-term residency or for anyone who cannot supervise care closely.

On the upside, the physical therapy offering is genuinely commendable. The therapy team's capability can translate into tangible rehab gains, particularly after a hip replacement, which can make a real difference in recovery. Yet this professional excellence does not compensate for the broader care environment when day-to-day needs falter. Rooms that require repairs, walls with marks, and beds that have to be swapped repeatedly signal ongoing maintenance and quality-of-life issues. In a setting where recovery and safety hinge on reliable daily routines, those environmental and operational gaps carry real weight.

The decisive question is whether the rehab advantages justify the risk of inconsistent daily care. The PT strength is meaningful, but delays in meal service, gaps in assistance, and the persistent difficulty in securing help undermine safety and comfort. Families should assess whether a caregiver can compensate for these gaps without exposing their loved one to unnecessary frustration and distress. Practically, this means probing response times, the consistency of bedside help, and the ability of staff to align daily routines with therapy schedules and nourishment needs.

People who should strongly consider alternatives include those who require dependable 24/7 nursing support, those who prize a consistently welcoming and well-maintained environment, and anyone for whom daily meals and basic assistance cannot be reliably arranged by visiting relatives. For long-term residency, a facility with steadier staffing and more consistently kept rooms reduces risk of neglect or neglect-like experiences. Even for rehab, insist on a clear plan for how daily care will be managed alongside therapy - without assurances in these areas, it is prudent to look elsewhere.

Bottom-line guidance: Britthaven North Chase offers a meaningful rehabilitation resource through its therapy team, but the overall care ecology is insufficient for anything beyond a focused rehab window. It is most appropriate for families who can provide consistent oversight and who prioritize PT outcomes over day-to-day caregiving reliability. For virtually all long-term residents or families unable to supervise closely, options with stronger staffing, better maintenance, and reliable daily routines are the wiser choice. When evaluating, schedule a thorough tour, speak with the administrator and therapy lead, verify current staffing levels, and demand a concrete plan for meals, assistance, and room upkeep before deciding.

This part of Wilmington, North Carolina offers convenient access to transportation, with the Wilmington International Airport just 3.3 miles away. There are a variety of dining options nearby, including Taco Bell, Goody Goody Omelet House, and Jax 5th Avenue Deli & Ale House. For those who enjoy international cuisine, Indochine Restaurant and Okami Japanese Steakhouse are also within close proximity. Additionally, there are several coffee shops such as Starbucks and Port City Java for a relaxing break. Outdoor enthusiasts can explore parks like Hugh MacRae Park and Brunswick River Park, while medical needs can be addressed at facilities like New Hanover Medical Group and Coastal Neurosurgical Associates. Pharmacies like Seashore Discount Drugs and Epic Pharmacies are conveniently located for medication needs. Overall, this area offers a vibrant mix of amenities that cater to various interests and needs, making it a desirable option for senior living in Wilmington.

Transportation

• Wilmington International Airport (ILM) (3.3 miles)
• American Airlines (3.3 miles)

Restaurants

• Taco Bell (4.6 miles)
• Goody Goody Omelet House (4.7 miles)
• Jax 5th Avenue Deli & Ale House (4.7 miles)
• Indochine Restaurant (5 miles)
• Okami Japanese Steakhouse (5.6 miles)
• McDonald's (6.1 miles)
• Katy's Grill & Bar (6.3 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (4.9 miles)
• Port City Java (5.4 miles)
• Bespoke Coffee & Dry Goods (6.3 miles)

Parks

• Hugh MacRae Park (6.8 miles)
• Brunswick River Park (8.4 miles)
• Leland Westgate Park (10.4 miles)
• Annsdale Park (12 miles)

Physicians

• New Hanover Medical Group (7.1 miles)
• Wilmington Eye - Medical Center Drive (8.1 miles)
• Wilmington Endocrinology (8.1 miles)
• Tinsley, Ellis, A, Jr, MD (8.1 miles)
• Coastal Neurosurgical Associates (8.2 miles)
• Cape Fear Cancer Specialists (10.3 miles)
• KidzCare Pediatrics (10.9 miles)

Pharmacies

• Seashore Discount Drugs (8 miles)
• Epic Pharmacies (8.4 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (8.7 miles)
• Walgreens (8.8 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (9 miles)
• Walgreens (9.2 miles)
• Walgreens (10.9 miles)

Theaters

• The Pointe 14 at Barclay (9 miles)