Forest Springs Retirement Residence

Pros

• Brian and his team go above and beyond for continued quality of care to residents.
• Forest Trace is a beautiful senior living facility with a host of indoor and outdoor activities.
• Erick is an excellent tour guide.
• The Executive Director, Brian, and his team are the best.
• Tony the Med Tech has shown great care and compassion.
• The food, activities, and care are provided with continued quality.
• The apartments are spacious and the landscaping is well kept.
• Rick Drew is extremely knowledgeable, kind, and caring.
• Denise Higgins is professional, kind, and always available.
• Stephen Fornataro provides helpful support through the transition into the community.

Cons

• The staff are hard to find and do not help residents with the services they are supposed to provide, and they merely collect rent.
• Bed bugs have been an issue, and management chooses to ignore it.
• The administrative staff has turned over several times in a few short years, indicating instability.
• The true caregivers don't stay because of the administration, leading to ongoing understaffing.
• Residents are described as nothing more than cash cows for the facility.
• Staff are rude and unprofessional.
• The building is run-down with elevators constantly out of order, and the business office is unresponsive.
• Management is accused of gaslighting residents and shirking responsibility.

Review

Forest Trace Senior Living presents itself in the eyes of its residents as a place of beauty, activity, and genuine care for some, while for others it stands out as a warning about management, staffing, and safety. The reviews capture a broad spectrum: radiant praise for certain staff members and the community's amenities, tempered by stark accusations of negligence, turnover, and unresponsive administration. Taken together, they sketch a complex portrait of a facility that clearly means different things to different people, depending on who is caring for whom and what day-to-day experiences unfold.

On the glowing side, several residents and their families speak warmly about the environment, the people, and the opportunities Forest Trace provides. One resident, Judy, notes that Brian and his team consistently go above and beyond, contributing to a sense of ongoing quality of care. Erick emerges repeatedly as a standout, first as an excellent tour guide and later as a professional presence whose care and attention make a lasting impression. The praise extends to Tony the Med Tech, whose compassion is highlighted by a resident who has lived there for over a year, together with remarks about the food, activities, and the overall quality of care. Across multiple notes, the facility is described as beautiful, well-maintained, and capable of supporting an active lifestyle with indoor and outdoor programs that residents genuinely enjoy.

Other positive voices focus on the personal connections that can shape a resident's experience. A few reviewers mention specific staff members - sales and executive leadership - by name, praising Denise Higgins in sales for her professionalism and availability, and Stephen Fornataro, the executive director, for guiding a smooth transition. The front desk team, including Indie, Jewel, Maureen, and Jackie, along with Vicki in Activities, are thanked for their patience and responsiveness. In these accounts, residents and their families feel seen, supported, and treated with dignity, reinforcing a sense that Forest Trace can be an ideal home when the staff aligns with the residents' needs.

However, the same facility is the subject of multiple alarming and detailed criticisms from other residents and family members. A recurring theme among these reviews is the perception of neglect and insufficient staffing. One reviewer warns prospective families to "keep looking," alleging that staff are hard to locate, do not assist with the services promised, and that the facility seems to operate more as a cash machine than a place of care. Allegations include dramatic administrative turnover, a single aide covering two floors in assisted living, and serious concerns about bed bugs that reportedly go unaddressed despite repeated complaints. The tone is urgent and unequivocal: the truth is that residents may suffer because the admin team isn't meeting basic needs.

Other accounts paint a grimmer picture of day-to-day operations and communication. A reviewer describes a lack of contact from management after a family member was hospitalized, followed by rapid repairs to a bathroom and then several rehab episodes, leaving the family feeling left out of the loop. There are also poignant stories about language barriers, perceived sarcasm or indifference from nursing staff, and frustration when basic tasks like helping a resident contact family or arranging essential services appear to be secondary to other concerns. One reviewer paints a stark image of loved ones being treated as "insurance liabilities" and asks pointed questions about why simple needs - like ensuring a resident can answer a phone or retrieve personal items - are not being met. The impression conveyed is that communication gaps and perceived disorganization can undermine trust, especially during vulnerable times like rehab or transitions.

A subset of reviews targets management practices and tone. Several readers express frustration with what they see as gaslighting responses to negative feedback, leaving them doubtful about transparency and accountability. There are calls to scrutinize the facility more closely, with some reviewers urging state inspection or regulatory review, and others explicitly warning families to seek alternatives if possible. The frustration isn't limited to administrative culture; some residents describe rude or unprofessional behavior among staff, with specific mentions of a repeatedly unreturned phone call and an overall sense that resident care takes a back seat to other priorities. The combination of inaccessible offices, missed communications, and perceived misalignment between care quality and billing concerns forms a recurring motif for these critics.

Amidst the discord, there are still pockets of robust affirmation. One lengthy review focuses on the memory care setting, acknowledging that while staff members are generally kind, activities and programs advertised for that level of care are not always offered consistently. In contrast, another narrative extols the overall environment, describing the property as beautiful, well kept, and welcoming. The sentiment ranges from "I was amazed with the place" and "everything is beautiful in its own way" to a more grounded appreciation for specific staff members who consistently deliver, such as those involved in sales, administration, and activities. The diversity of experiences suggests that Forest Trace can feel like a dream for some residents and a source of significant frustration for others, depending on engagements with particular people and departments.

In the most comprehensive affirmations, family members who have moved loved ones into Forest Trace share deeply positive reflections. They emphasize not only the quality of the accommodations - spacious apartments, full kitchens, and well-maintained grounds - but also the supportive network of caregivers who respond quickly and with care. A family member recounts explicit gratitude toward Denise Higgins and the leadership team for guiding a successful transition, while naming the entire front desk and activities staff for their ongoing patience and ready assistance. The tone here is celebratory and confident: Forest Trace can be a place where a family feels relieved and grateful for the decision to move a loved one into its care, particularly when the staff demonstrates professionalism, warmth, and reliability.

Finally, the Pacifica Senior Living Forest Trace entries add another layer to the tapestry. Reviewers describe love for the size, amenities, and well-appointed apartments. One account highlights a sister's move from New York and credits Rick Drew, the leasing agent, with exceptional knowledge and kindness who has gone beyond in assisting with issues as they arise. The setting is described as a beautiful lakeside environment with mature trees, walking paths, and a covered patio that invites outdoor enjoyment throughout the year. In this thread, the positive experiences center on thorough, respectful engagement from staff, a welcoming atmosphere, and confidence in the person-centered approach that families value when choosing a senior living community.

Taken together, the reviews present Forest Trace and its Pacifica-linked operations as a facility of contrasts - a place where the quality of care, staff dedication, and community life can be outstanding, while administrative consistency, communication, and safety concerns can, for some, undermine that same experience. Prospective residents and their families are encouraged to consider both the heartening stories of compassionate care and the cautionary accounts that call for careful verification of staffing levels, maintenance responsiveness, and management practices. The individuals who share these experiences emphasize what matters most: clear, reliable communication; a stable and caring staff; and a living environment that honors both independence and the essential needs of aging residents.

This part of North Lauderdale, Florida, offers convenient access to a variety of amenities and services. With multiple pharmacies such as Walgreens and CVS nearby, residents can easily access their medication needs. There are also several dining options ranging from casual fast food chains like McDonald's to sit-down restaurants like Cooper's Hawk Winery & Restaurant. For medical care, there are hospitals like University Hospital And Medical Center and clinics like UM/Sylvester Clinics At Plantation in close proximity, along with various physicians' offices specializing in dermatology, endovascular care, and more. The area also features several parks for outdoor recreation and relaxation, as well as cafes like Starbucks for socializing or enjoying a cup of coffee. Transportation is easily accessible through Cypress Creek Station for those looking to explore the surrounding area. Additionally, there are places of worship like Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church and entertainment options such as AMC DINE-IN Coral Ridge 1 theater for cultural experiences. Overall, this neighborhood provides a well-rounded environment suitable for senior living with a range of amenities within a short distance.

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (0.8 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.9 miles)
• Walgreens (2.1 miles)
• Walgreens (2.4 miles)
• Walgreens (2.8 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.8 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.9 miles)

Restaurants

• Jesse's Xtreme Sports Bar (1.8 miles)
• Big Bear Brewing Co. (2.6 miles)
• McDonald's (3.4 miles)
• Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen (3.9 miles)
• Circus Bar (3.9 miles)
• Cooper's Hawk Winery & Restaurant (5 miles)
• McDonald's (6 miles)

Hospitals

• University Hospital And Medical Center (1.9 miles)
• UM/Sylvester Clinics At Plantation (8.2 miles)

Physicians

• Skin Institute (2.4 miles)
• Dermatology Consultants of South Florida (3.4 miles)
• Florida Endovascular A (5.1 miles)
• Care Resource (6 miles)
• Pom MRI and Imaging Center (6.1 miles)
• Eye Centers Of South Florida (6.2 miles)
• Midland Medical Center (7.2 miles)

Parks

• Firefighters Park (2.4 miles)
• Terramar Park (4.2 miles)
• Royal Palm Park (4.9 miles)
• Central Broward Regional Park (6.1 miles)
• Deicke Park (7.1 miles)
• Pine Trails Park (7.2 miles)
• Holiday Park (8.4 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (4.7 miles)
• Starbucks (6.5 miles)
• Starbucks (7.7 miles)
• Starbucks (8.1 miles)
• Starbucks (8.1 miles)

Transportation

• Cypress Creek Station (5 miles)

Places of Worship

• Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church (7.3 miles)

Theaters

• AMC DINE-IN Coral Ridge 1 (7.9 miles)