The Pines at Davidson

It was a wonderful place in the sleepy college town of Davidson, North Carolina. My grandmother moved in about 6 years ago after much looking and consideration. The staff was very professional, extremely friendly and detail oriented. My family could not have imagined a better place for her to spend her final years. She made many friends and her days were filled with many activities, speakers and outing into the community. She was treated with respect and dignity in her final days. She most loved the meals and that fact that the staff would bring her a glass of wine each day for her to sip in the company of friends. She has since stepped down from a independent apartment to a nursing facility and I know that she is great hands. I am glad that there are places like this available for all of our loved ones. I would highly recommend The Pines to anyone looking for a well-run facility

Before they were both moved into the more intensive care ward, my grandparents lived in a cottage on the grounds. They were very independent in these cottages and had neighbors of the same metal capacity. They would still go to dinner and events in the main building but everything else was done within their home. When they became more senile, and less able to care for themselves, they were moved in to the main building, under the supervision of nurses 24 hours a day. Having constant supervision and knowing they are not able to wander off is reassuring. However, even with this supervision they are still able to lose items quite easily and often have trouble being coerced into doing activities and eating all meals. As they grow older it is tougher to convince them to do activities they once loved like Bingo. It is a fairly expensive prospect to live in these conditions and sometime our family wishes there was more the staff would do with our grandparents and others living with them. Although, all said my family is very happy with their overall situation as it would be almost impossible to deal with the situation if my grandparents were living at home. There is really no other facility that we would rather move them to and it is nice being able to visit them whenever we would like. Overall I would say that my family is very satisfied with the level of care that my grandparents receive at the home.

The Pines is not cheap. There is a waiting list. Residents commit large sums far in advance of retirement to secure their spots there. The facility is far above average in terms of staff, cleanliness, amenities, etc. (We used to refer to the place as a "stationary cruise ship".) Healthy residents have small areas in which to garden. There are frequent planned activities. There are walking trails. Buses take residents to grocery stores, exercise facilities, concerts, church, etc. There is a bank and postal service housed within the main building. The medical wing is a little less glorious. As most do, it smells pretty bad. It's not pleasantly lit. The level of care, however, is good. The dining service for healthy residents leaves a fair amount to be desired. Canned vegetables are routine. Overcooked, sugary food is common. Choices are presented each meal, however, and dining is seated w/service.