Winston-Salem Senior AdvisorBy Winston-Salem Senior Advisor Care Team · October 1, 2026
Stokes, Davie and Yadkin counties each have a larger share of residents over 65 than Forsyth, but only a handful of licensed adult care homes and two or three nursing homes apiece. Families there lean on home care, CAP/DA, meal programs and, in Davie, PACE, and often look to King, Clemmons or Winston-Salem when a move is needed.
Older counties, smaller supply
The five counties around Winston-Salem are not alike. Forsyth is the population center, with most of the region's hospitals, adult care homes and home care agencies. Its smaller neighbors are older. Census estimates for July 1, 2025 put the share of residents 65 and over at 24.6% in Stokes, 24.2% in Davie and 22.4% in Yadkin, against 19.0% in Forsyth.
| County | Share 65+ | Residents 85+ | Adult & family care homes | Licensed beds | Beds per 100 residents 85+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forsyth | 19.0% | 8,312 | 39 | 1,998 | 24 |
| Davidson | 20.8% | 3,897 | 8 | 442 | 11 |
| Davie | 24.2% | 1,385 | 4 | 175 | 13 |
| Stokes | 24.6% | 1,202 | 6 | 256 | 21 |
| Yadkin | 22.4% | 992 | 3 | 169 | 17 |
Population: U.S. Census Bureau, Vintage 2025 county population estimates by age (July 1, 2025). Homes and beds: N.C. DHSR adult care rosters, star ratings and 36-month penalty list, pulled November 6, 2026.
Beds per hundred residents aged 85 and over is a rough gauge, not a rule, but it shows how much less licensed assisted living capacity sits close to home in some counties.
What each county has
Stokes County's licensed care is concentrated in King, with several adult care homes, two of them with dementia units, and two nursing homes; Walnut Cove has an adult care home and a nursing home, and Westfield a small adult care home. Community Hospital of Stokes in Danbury is the county's hospital.
Davie County has three adult care homes and a family care home in Mocksville, one of them a dementia-only home, plus nursing homes in Mocksville, Advance and Bermuda Run. Davie Medical Center in Bermuda Run is its hospital.
Yadkin County's adult care homes and both nursing homes are in Yadkinville, and the county has no general hospital, so residents travel to Elkin or Winston-Salem.
Stretching time at home
With fewer licensed homes nearby, many families in these counties work hard to keep a parent home. The tools are the same everywhere but matter more here: a licensed home care agency for a few hours a day, meal programs run through each county's aging services provider, a personal emergency button, and, for Medicaid members who need nursing home level of care, CAP/DA aide hours and respite. Ask the county department of social services about in-home aide services and Special Assistance In-Home.
Davie County has one more option: PACE. Carolina SeniorCare in Lexington (336-746-3500) covers Davie and Davidson and provides medical care, a day center, home care and transportation through one team. Stokes is listed for the future PACE of the Triad West; Yadkin has no PACE program.
When to look toward Winston-Salem
When a parent needs a dementia unit, a nursing home with strong staffing or simply more choice, families in these counties often look to King, Clemmons, Kernersville or Winston-Salem. Distance from the relative who visits most should drive the choice. A home thirty minutes away that the family can reach twice a week is usually better than a nearer one that cannot meet the care needs.
Our county pages for Stokes, Davie and Yadkin list every licensed facility with the straight-line distance from the county seat to the nearest hospitals and to downtown Winston-Salem.
Transportation and distance
In the smaller counties, getting to appointments can matter as much as the care itself. Each county runs a public transportation service that can take older adults to medical appointments, often with a few days' notice, and NC Medicaid covers non-emergency medical transportation for its members; in Yadkin County, the human services agency handles Medicaid transportation requests. PACE includes transportation for its enrollees in Davie County.
When choosing a care home for a parent who sees specialists in Winston-Salem, ask how the home handles appointments: whether it provides transportation, charges for it or expects family to drive. A home that is close to family but far from the doctors can still work, as long as the plan for getting there is clear.
Free help in the smaller counties
The Piedmont Triad Regional Council Area Agency on Aging in Kernersville, (336) 904-0300, covers all five counties and offers free options counseling and the regional long-term care ombudsman. Adult Protective Services runs through each county: Davie 336-753-6250, Stokes 336-593-2861 (after hours 800-672-2851) and Yadkin 336-849-7910.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a hospital in Yadkin County?
No general hospital is licensed in Yadkin County. Residents use Hugh Chatham in Elkin or the Winston-Salem hospitals.
Does PACE serve Stokes or Yadkin County?
Not yet in Stokes, where PACE of the Triad West is listed as coming soon, and not at all in Yadkin. Davie County is served by Carolina SeniorCare.
Where are dementia units near Stokes County?
King has two adult care homes with special care units, and Walnut Cove has one; see the memory care directory.
Who helps families in Davie County apply for Medicaid?
The Davie County Department of Social Services in Mocksville, 336-753-6250.
Are there home care agencies in the smaller counties?
Yes, though fewer. Many agencies based in Winston-Salem, Lexington and Thomasville serve Davie, Stokes and Yadkin clients as well; ask about travel charges and minimum shifts.
