Grace Ridge Retirement Community

Grace Ridge Retirement Community sits on a 52-acre campus in Morganton, North Carolina, with scenic views of the Catawba River Valley and the nearby mountains, and people living there find a friendly group of seniors enjoying different levels of care all in one place, since the community offers independent living, assisted living, skilled nursing, and memory care, so folks don't have to move somewhere else as their needs change, with the campus including 121 independent living apartments, 27 cottages, and plenty of common areas, along with spaces like the Mountain View Café, Table Rock Lounge for Friday happy hour, rooftop venue, gardens, and a Greenway for walking and being outside, which can make a big difference for people who like being outdoors or joining activities such as painting, singing, theater, volunteering, and other social events. There's staff available 24 hours a day to help out in emergencies or assistance with moving from bed to wheelchair or other needs, whether it's in an assisted living apartment or one of the memory care units set up for people living with Alzheimer's or dementia, where staff give medication help and organize safe, personalized care. Grace Ridge's nursing staff also provide short-term care after hospital stays and long-term support for ongoing health problems, and meals are provided to take away worries about shopping or cooking, with the beauty salon and the independent living clinic added during the 2021 North Renovation making things a little easier too. The campus is owned and managed by UNC Health Blue Ridge, and Grace Ridge partners with Burke Hospice and Palliative Care and ADAPT to bring the Memory Café program to residents dealing with memory loss. As a not-for-profit Life Plan Community, or CCRC, Grace Ridge focuses on the needs of seniors by supporting the physical, spiritual, and emotional side of retirement living, with programs for wellness and fitness, a dedicated memory care unit, and resources for family guidance and long-term care insurance. The community's won some local awards, including for appearance and resident engagement, plus recognition from groups like the Morrison Healthcare Account and has earned repeat accreditation since 2006 from the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities. Grace Ridge operates daily from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM, and based on recent reviews, residents and families rate the community at 4.6 out of 5, suggesting most people have had good experiences with the care and amenities provided.