Newark Living Center

Pros

• The staff are friendly, caring, and warm.
• The facility is very clean.
• Lehigh Acres Rehab has been a staple in the community for many years, providing wonderful care to local residents.
• The center offers short- and long-term stays along with additional services to meet loved ones' needs.
• The food smells delicious and residents look very well cared for.
• The doctors are wonderful and really care about the patients.
• The physical and occupational therapy staff are dedicated and take time with patients.
• The activity department goes above and beyond and provides engaging activities.
• Patients have made significant progress thanks to therapy and skilled nursing care.
• Nurse Wanda is praised for consistently meeting patients' medical needs.
• CNA Bibi is recognized for dedication, empathy, and professionalism.
• The facility is a well-managed rehabilitation center that provides physical therapy and nursing care.

Cons

• The facility was described as an ungodly place, with advice to transfer loved ones out ASAP.
• Front desk staff were unhelpful, refused to direct visitors, and stared when asked if they were a nurse.
• The staff seemed bothered by any family interactions.
• There was neglect: a patient wore the same diaper for over a week, never received showers, and a catheter was not cleaned daily, leading to an infection.
• The nursing director allegedly retaliated against complaints and threatened to call the police.
• The facility was criticized for not charting on time and for lacking proper state oversight, with a call for state inspection.
• It was described as a hellish place where negligence nearly led to death.
• The food was cold or undercooked, and the building is old and feels sad.
• CNAs were not consistently friendly, and overall care by CNAs was criticized.
• Items were reported stolen and residents' clothes swapped, indicating a lack of professionalism.

Review

Lehigh Rehab and Lehigh Health Care and Rehabilitation in Lehigh Acres has long been a focal point for families in the area, earning praise for its long-standing presence and its broad range of services. Across many notes, neighbors describe a facility that can feel like a community fixture: a place that offers short and long-term stays, plus various therapies and supports designed to help residents regain independence after illness, surgery, or injury. The overarching thread is that, for many families, the center is a reliable option that can deliver meaningful progress, especially when the patient and family invest in the rehabilitation process.

When memories are positive, they center on warmth, cleanliness, and capable medical care. Reviewers repeatedly highlight friendly, caring, and warm staff, pointing to the facility's cleanliness as a consistent strength. The medical team - physicians like Dr. Gamez, nurses such as Wanda and Rosa, and other nursing staff - receives particular commendation for their competence and attentiveness. The therapy programs are frequently celebrated as a cornerstone of good outcomes: both physical therapy and occupational therapy are described as thorough, with staff who take time with patients and make a real effort to push recovery forward. Several families note that the therapy team's dedication - paired with the doctors' involvement and the overall multidisciplinary approach - helps residents make meaningful progress and regain independence. In some stories, particular caregivers become memorable pillars, with nurses and CNAs going the extra mile, and even naming specific individuals who stood out for their compassion and professionalism.

Alongside praise for care quality, many reviews emphasize the facility's environment and daily life. Commenters point to clean grounds, well-maintained rooms, and a calm, orderly atmosphere. They also speak highly of the activity program, noting that residents have opportunities to participate in meaningful recreation and that staff across departments - especially the activities team - work to provide engagement and social connection. The sensory cues of a well-run rehab center - regular rounds of therapy, visible teamwork, and a sense that staff genuinely cares about each resident - are echoed by families who feel their loved ones were treated with dignity and respect. In several accounts, the human side of care stands out: caregivers who communicate, who listen to concerns, and who celebrate small victories in a patient's recovery.

Yet the narratives are not uniform in tone or outcome. A distinct thread of concern appears in reviews that describe experiences of neglect, disorganization, or poor communication. Some families report troubling episodes - delays in recognition of urgent medical needs, infections tied to catheter care, and questions that felt dismissed or mishandled. There are accounts of frightening situations that allegedly led to escalation, including claims that a patient experienced dehydration and septic symptoms that were not promptly identified, and allegations of retaliation or intimidation when complaints were raised with administrators or state agencies. One reviewer explicitly described the setting as an "ungodly" place and urged others to transfer loved ones away, signaling deep distrust in the care environment. Others describe friction at the front desk, including frustration with not finding staff who could identify themselves or direct family members appropriately, which left some visitors feeling unseen or undervalued during critical moments.

Another recurring theme centers on the realities of facility operations and logistics. Several experiences recount the sometimes-elusive nature of staff availability - long waits to complete discharge paperwork, difficulty locating the person who could finalize a signature, and even the need to ring a doorbell or present a badge to gain entry. In a few stories, administrative interactions were described as tense or unhelpful, with feedback that prompted residents' families to seek alternative facilities. The contrast between smooth day-to-day operations described by some families and the frustration voiced by others underscores how day-to-day processes can color a family's overall impression, even when clinical care and therapy are solid.

Despite the mix of reviews, several positive testimonials return to a central impression: when care is attentive and aligned with a patient's needs, the outcomes can be meaningful and uplifting. Families frequently thank staff for recognizing medical needs, adjusting medications appropriately, and supporting loved ones through the rehabilitation journey. They highlight caregivers who are compassionate, patient, and responsive - naming individuals who stood out for their empathy, technical skill, and steadfast dedication. The gratitude is often paired with recognition of the facility's capabilities in coordinating multidisciplinary care, which many families view as essential to recovery.

In sum, Lehigh Rehab and Lehigh Health Care and Rehabilitation presents as a facility with a long-standing presence in the community, offering a broad spectrum of services designed to support recovery and long-term care. For many families, the center represents a trusted option that can deliver compassionate care, effective therapy, and a clean, structured environment. But like many skilled nursing facilities, it also faces scrutiny and criticism from those who had less favorable experiences - concerns about neglected symptoms, perceived disrespect, or administrative obstacles that can color the overall impression. For anyone considering care here, the takeaway is to balance the strong indicators of capable rehabilitation and thoughtful caregiving with careful, firsthand evaluation of the facility's responsiveness, safety practices, and day-to-day operations. Visiting, asking pointed questions about staffing, hygiene, medication management, and discharge procedures, and reviewing state inspections can help families determine whether this center aligns with their loved one's specific needs and hopes for recovery.

Located in the heart of Lehigh Acres, Florida, this neighborhood offers convenient access to a variety of essential services for seniors. With multiple physicians' offices, eye centers, and a hospital emergency room within a few miles, residents can rest assured that their healthcare needs will be met. Nearby pharmacies provide easy access to medication and wellness supplies. In addition, there are several dining options ranging from fast-food chains like Taco Bell and Popeyes to sit-down restaurants like Perkins and Culver's. For leisure activities, there are parks nearby where one can enjoy nature or take their furry friends to Barkingham Dog Park. The Southwest Florida International Airport is also within close proximity for easy travel arrangements. Whether it's medical care, dining options, or recreational activities, this part of Lehigh Acres offers convenience and accessibility for seniors looking to settle in the area.

Physicians

• Eye Centers of Florida (1.2 miles)
• South Florida Ear, Nose and Throat: Michael Jaindl, MD (2 miles)
• Kutob, David Dr - Lehigh Hospital Emergency Room (2.1 miles)
• Cataract & Refractive Institute of Florida (2.5 miles)
• Physicians'primary Care of SW Fl Pl (2.5 miles)
• Sager Steven B DO (2.6 miles)
• Keys Cardiology (2.6 miles)

Restaurants

• Taco Bell (1.5 miles)
• Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen (1.5 miles)
• Perkins Restaurant and Bakery (1.5 miles)
• Culver's (1.8 miles)
• Arby's (2.8 miles)
• McDonald's (2.8 miles)
• Country Style Ice Cream (3.1 miles)

Pharmacies

• Walmart Pharmacy (1.8 miles)
• Acres Pharmacy (2.2 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.3 miles)
• Medicine Shoppe (3.3 miles)
• Walgreens (3.3 miles)
• Winn-Dixie (5 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (5.3 miles)

Cafes

• Havana Bakery (4.5 miles)
• Starbucks (7 miles)
• First Watch - Colonial (7.9 miles)
• Starbucks (9.5 miles)
• Starbucks (11.3 miles)

Parks

• Barkingham Dog Park (4.5 miles)
• Buckingham Park (4.5 miles)
• RSW Aircraft Observation Area (8.7 miles)
• Terry Park (9.8 miles)

Hospitals

• LPG Orthopedics - The Sanctuary (7.6 miles)
• Johns Hopkins All Children's Outpatient Care (8.5 miles)

Transportation

• Concourse B (8.4 miles)
• Main Terminal (8.5 miles)
• Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) (8.5 miles)
• Concourse D (8.5 miles)
• Security Checkpoint (8.5 miles)
• Delta Air Lines (8.5 miles)
• American Airlines Ticket Counter RSW (8.5 miles)

Places of Worship

• Blessed Pope John the XXIII Catholic Church (9.3 miles)
• Unitarian Universalist Church of Fort Myers (10.1 miles)