Glendale House

Pros

• The staff are kind, professional, and empathetic, providing outstanding care.
• The care team communicates with families regularly and keeps them up to date.
• Samantha and Cynthia are wonderful social workers who are knowledgeable, patient, and responsive.
• Highland Pines is well-maintained, clean, and organized, creating a welcoming environment.
• The nursing and medical care provided is expert and contributes to positive progress for residents.
• Administrators and front desk staff are caring, helpful, and professional.
• Residents report feeling content and supported, with many not wanting to leave.
• The admissions and business office staff (Lavika and Brooklyn) are excellent and professional.
• The staff assist with Medicaid navigation and coordinating home care effectively.
• Dennis is described as kind, helpful, and welcoming to patients and guests.
• The Director of Nursing and the caregiving team make residents feel at home throughout their stay.
• Overall, Highland Pines is praised for outstanding care and high standards that exceed expectations.

Cons

• The facility is described as extremely dirty with a urine odor and ceilings that leak, creating a fall risk from water accumulation.
• Black mold was observed on the ceiling, and one reviewer said the place should be shut down until repairs are made.
• Supplies are limited and beds do not work, indicating inadequate care.
• The staff is understaffed with long call-light waits and insufficient attention to residents.
• Residents were described as dirty, smelly, and roaming the halls, showing poor care.
• Families reported lockdowns and being blocked from contacting their loved ones.
• Tours depicted the facility as inhumane, unsafe, and dirty, suggesting it should be closed.
• Abuse was claimed to be allowed at the facility.

Review

Over multiple accounts, Highland Pines Rehabilitation Center emerges as a place of strong, heartfelt care delivered by a team that many families describe as professional, empathetic, and genuinely devoted to their loved ones. Reviewers repeatedly highlight the kindness and accessibility of the staff, from the front desk to the administrator, social workers, and nursing teams. Messages are often delivered promptly, and families express real peace of mind knowing that their loved ones are being tended to with attention to both medical needs and emotional comfort. The sentiment runs strongest around the social work team - Samantha and Cynthia are singled out repeatedly for their responsiveness, knowledge, and supportive approach to coordinating care, home needs, and discharge planning.

Numerous personal stories underscore the positive impact of this care. One caregiver notes that their husband Tom received expert nursing and medical attention since admission, with clear, ongoing communication that helped them stay informed about progress. Tom's family members describe improvements in mobility and overall well-being, and they repeatedly credit the staff with ensuring that messages reach their loved ones daily. The facility is portrayed as a place that not only treats medical conditions but also supports families in navigating transitions, such as Medicaid assistance and planning for home care after discharge. Others recount similar themes of gratitude for the social workers and therapists who made the rehabilitation experience smoother, more hopeful, and more personally tailored.

The facility's environment and culture are described as well-maintained and welcoming in many reviews. The center is depicted as clean, organized, and carefully managed, with therapy and activities integrated into a comprehensive approach to recovery and well-being. Family members emphasize the importance of transparent communication, noting that staff keep them informed and involved. Positive remarks about the nursing leadership and the quality of nurses - described as compassionate and dedicated - underscore a core strength of Highland Pines: a cohesive team that strives to provide individualized attention within a professional framework. For some residents, this atmosphere translates into a sense of belonging and stability that supports their rehabilitation goals.

However, a number of reviews raise serious concerns about safety, cleanliness, and staffing. Several reviewers describe ongoing issues with the physical plant, including water leaks, ceiling moisture, and mold, which contribute to a sense of danger and discomfort. Negative observations include a persistent urine odor, overbearing smells in some areas, and complaints about inadequate supplies and assistance. Some reviewers allege that certain bedsores have not healed and that overall care for residents with significant needs has fallen short, particularly in moments of staff shortage. There are also disturbing reports of abuse and neglect, including accusations of lockdown, residents not being allowed to contact family, and a perceived lack of responsiveness from administration to urgent concerns. In one particularly strong critique, a visitor recounts discovering severe cleanliness and safety failures that would justify serious scrutiny.

Other accounts describe a more mixed or improving reality, suggesting variability by time, unit, or staff availability. A few residents and visitors acknowledge the staff's best efforts, noting that in their experiences the place had become cleaner over time and that certain front-office personnel - like Lavika in admissions and Brooklyn at the receptionist desk - were consistently professional and helpful. Some individuals who spent months at Highland Pines describe a transition from challenges to a more positive daily experience, with standout staff members continuing to make a difference even as systemic issues persisted. This mix of praise and concern paints a picture of a facility with potential for high-quality care, tempered by real and ongoing safety and upkeep challenges that warrant attention.

In sum, Highland Pines Rehabilitation Center appears to deliver exceptional, compassionate care and reliable family communication for many residents and their families. The strongest endorsements focus on the empathy and competence of individual staff members, especially the social workers and nursing leadership, and on the center's commitment to helping families navigate complex care needs and transitions. Yet, the reviews also reveal significant and tangible concerns about facility conditions, staffing adequacy, and safety practices that some families found intolerable. The overall takeaway is a landscape of excellent personal attention and professional dedication in many cases, contrasted by persistent operational and environmental problems that require decisive action to ensure consistently safe, clean, and supportive care for all residents.

This part of Clearwater, Florida offers convenient access to various amenities and services that cater to the needs of seniors. With multiple pharmacies within close proximity, easily accessible healthcare facilities including pediatric and dermatology clinics, as well as hospitals like Morton Plant Hospital nearby, residents can rest assured knowing that their healthcare needs are well taken care of. Additionally, there are a variety of dining options ranging from Mexican cuisine to ice cream parlors, providing opportunities for socialization and enjoyment. For recreation and relaxation, residents can visit the nearby parks such as Eagle Lake Park or Sand Key Park. The area also offers options for entertainment with theaters like Regal Largo Mall and AMC Woodlands Square 20 within a reasonable distance. Overall, this part of Clearwater provides a convenient and diverse environment for senior living.

Pharmacies

• CVS Pharmacy (0.5 miles)
• Walgreens (1 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.4 miles)
• Walgreens (2.6 miles)
• Winn-Dixie (2.8 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3 miles)
• Walgreens (3.1 miles)

Physicians

• Florida Department of Health, Pinellas County Health Department, Clearwater Center (1.6 miles)
• Dunedin Pediatrics (1.7 miles)
• Virginia Street Dermatology (2 miles)
• Academic Alliance in Dermatology (2.4 miles)
• Clearwater Pediatric Care (2.4 miles)
• Bay Dermatology & Cosmetic Surgery (4.5 miles)
• The Heart Institute at Largo (4.9 miles)

Restaurants

• The Living Room on Main (2.1 miles)
• Casa Tina Mexican & Vegetarian Cuisine (2.1 miles)
• Blur Nightclub (2.2 miles)
• Strachan's Ice Cream & Desserts (2.2 miles)
• Dunedin Brewery (2.3 miles)
• Bon Appetit Restaurant (2.3 miles)
• Hog Island Fish Camp (2.3 miles)

Hospitals

• Morton Plant Hospital (2.7 miles)
• Morgan Heart Hospital (2.7 miles)
• Mease Countryside Hospital (5.7 miles)
• Mease Countryside Hospital-Medical Arts Building (5.7 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (2.7 miles)
• Starbucks (3.3 miles)
• Belleair Coffee Company (5.1 miles)

Parks

• McMullen Booth Tennis Center Clearwater FL (3.1 miles)
• Eagle Lake Park (3.5 miles)
• Sand Key Park (3.6 miles)
• Kapok Park (3.9 miles)
• Stirling Park (4.1 miles)
• Dog Run (4.1 miles)
• Cooper Bayou Park (5.1 miles)

Theaters

• Regal Largo Mall (6.2 miles)
• AMC Woodlands Square 20 (6.6 miles)

Transportation

• St Pete-Clearwater International Airport (PIE) (7.4 miles)