Worth Considering
2
Facilities graded B or better with zero fines
Best Nursing Homes in Durham, North Carolina
2 of 11 nursing homes in Durham (18%) meet our strict criteria. The North Carolina statewide average is 29%.
2 recommended · 1 caution · 8 avoid · data
City Average
2.4
★
+0.00 vs state
Total Beds
1,292
across 11 facilities
High Risk Facilities
8
6 Grade F
$866,426 in combined fines
Zero Fines
2
/11
passed all inspections
Nurse Availability
0 min
RN time per resident daily
Below CMS recommendation
Why These 2?
The nursing home market in Durham, North Carolina, is adequate, with only 2 out of 11 facilities recommended. Families should be aware that 8 facilities have faced significant fines totaling $851,021, highlighting the importance of thorough research before making a decision.
Exceptional (Grade A, Trust Score 90+)
- 1 Hillcrest Convalescent Center (90) — Hillcrest Convalescent Center stands out with its exceptional CMS 5★ rating and an impressive Trust Score of 90/100. With a Grade A and no fines, this facility provides a reliable and high-quality environment for its 86 residents, ensuring they receive top-notch care from dedicated staff.
Strong (Grade B+, Trust Score 80-89)
- 2 The Forest At Duke Inc (80) — The Forest At Duke Inc is a commendable non-profit facility with a solid Trust Score of 80/100 and a Grade B+. With a CMS 4★ rating and no fines, it focuses on community-oriented care for its 4 residents, fostering a nurturing environment that prioritizes individual needs.
The other 9 Durham facilities didn't qualify — 8 carry Grade D or F ratings and 9 have fines totaling $866K.
Recommended
Hillcrest Convalescent Center stands out with its exceptional CMS 5★ rating and an impressive Trust Score of 90/100. With a Grade A and no fines, this facility provides a reliable and high-quality environment for its 86 residents, ensuring they receive top-notch care from dedicated staff.
The Forest At Duke Inc is a commendable non-profit facility with a solid Trust Score of 80/100 and a Grade B+. With a CMS 4★ rating and no fines, it focuses on community-oriented care for its 4 residents, fostering a nurturing environment that prioritizes individual needs.
Proceed with Caution
These facilities don't meet our recommendation criteria but may still be viable options.
Hidden Gem
Staffing Comparison
Staffing levels are the strongest predictor of care quality
| Metric | Top Facility | Durham Avg | CMS Minimum |
|---|---|---|---|
| RN Hours / Resident / Day | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.75 |
| CMS Star Rating | 5 stars | 2.4 stars | — |
| Deficiencies / Inspection | 0 | 0.0 | — |
Facilities to Avoid
These facilities have significant quality concerns.
What Disqualified the Other 9?
Our criteria: Trust Grade B or better (score 70+) AND zero fines in 3 years
- Grade F facilities
- 6 Grade F — critical inspection failures
- Facilities with fines
- 9 Have fines totaling $866,426
- Low-scoring facilities
- 2 Scored below B — Trust Scores under 70
- Caution group
- 1 Had good grades but fines disqualified them
Questions Durham Families Should Ask
Based on what we found in local inspection data
-
1
"What is your current CMS star rating and Trust Score?"
Durham's city average is 2.4 stars
-
2
"Have you received any fines in the past 3 years?"
9 of 11 Durham facilities have fines
-
3
"How many RN hours per resident do you provide daily?"
CMS recommends 45 min; Durham avg is 0 min
-
4
"What were your most recent inspection findings?"
Durham facilities average 0.0 deficiencies per inspection
Explore Nearby Cities
Houston has strong options, but nearby cities add even more choices
Houston at a Glance
Good News
- 12 facilities meet our strict criteria—20% of the market
- 3 exceptional A-grade facilities with 5-star CMS ratings
- 24 facilities with zero fines in the past 3 years
Be Aware
- 30 facilities carry Grade F—nearly half the market
- $3.2M+ in total fines across 37 facilities
- Worst facility has $448,216 in fines alone
Key Numbers
- Average Trust Score: 48.6 (dragged down by 30 F-grades)
- 82% for-profit, 13% non-profit, 5% government
- 9.4 average deficiencies per facility
Frequently Asked Questions
How many nursing homes in Durham, NC are recommended?
2 of 11 nursing homes in Durham (18%) meet our strict criteria of excellent inspection results and a clean record with no fines.
What makes a nursing home in Durham "recommended"?
A facility earns our recommendation when it achieves a Trust Grade of B or better (score of 70+) AND has zero fines in the past three years. This combination indicates consistent quality care and regulatory compliance.
How should I evaluate nursing homes in Durham?
Look beyond star ratings. Check for recent fines, abuse citations, staffing levels (especially RN hours), and inspection deficiencies. Visit in person during different times of day to observe care quality firsthand.