Hawthorne Inn

Pros

• The staff are wonderful and the management is described as the very best.
• The facility smells wonderful and is very clean.
• Residents receive personal attention and care and are treated like family.
• The activities are amazing and involve residents' families.
• The team members are incredible, and the facility is clean, well managed, and supportive of residents.
• The facility is beautifully decorated, especially for the holidays.
• The staff go above and beyond in their care.
• The environment is clean and well maintained, not like a typical nursing home.
• Ms. Deja is an excellent activities coordinator with many engaging activities.
• Terri is friendly and caring, helping families by explaining things and guiding them through the process.

Cons

• The staff are rude.
• They hire staff who appear to have no experience or patience with elderly people.
• The place is nasty and always dirty.
• They do not take care of the patients at all.
• They don't care about the residents at all.
• There has been mishandling of residents by staff.
• An employee refused to assist a resident who was trying to escape.
• A manager privately told someone not to place their loved ones there.

Review

The collection of impressions about this memory care community presents a wide range of experiences, from glowing endorsements to pointed warnings. On the positive side, many families express deep gratitude for the way their loved ones are treated. They describe a fabulous facility with wonderful staff, a fresh and clean environment, and management that they regard as superb. The ambiance is frequently described as pleasant, with the facility smelling clean and inviting, and with a sense that residents are cared for with warmth and personal attention. Several reviewers emphasize that their loved ones thrive there and that the staff treat families as part of a larger, supportive circle.

A recurring theme among the favorable reviews is the sense of family and personal connection. Families repeatedly say that the staff and management "treat you like family," and they highlight the level of attention given to each resident. The positive narratives extend beyond basic care to include holiday decorations, beautiful common spaces, and layouts that foster social interaction. The activities are singled out as particularly strong - described as engaging, meaningful, and often designed to include families in the experience. In these accounts, staff members are praised for going above and beyond, with remarks about excellent nursing, housekeeping, maintenance, and dining interaction - everything contributing to an atmosphere that feels well-managed and supportive.

In several reviews focused on a specific Winter Haven location, the sentiment is similarly favorable. Families say their relatives are comfortable and well cared for, noting that the facility, while not necessarily the most luxurious, is clean and well-run. A notable point is the flexibility shown to families: for example, arranging adjoining rooms to accommodate space needs without hesitation. The staff across departments are described as incredible, with consistent, positive interactions from inquiry to ongoing care. The impression is that the team works cohesively to support residents and their families, reinforcing a sense of reliability and trust in the care environment.

Individual staff members also stand out in the positive narratives. Deja, identified as the activities coordinator, receives explicit praise for bringing creativity and energy to the residents' daily life. Terri is highlighted for her friendliness and caring nature, particularly in helping families during transitions. One reviewer recounts a process where a manager took time to speak privately and share essential information, which some readers interpret as a thoughtful and transparent approach while others view it with caution. Overall, these threads show that staff leadership and program coordination can significantly shape the caregiving experience, with several accounts suggesting that the facility's best asset is its people.

Yet, the collection is not without its sharp contrasts. A substantial portion of the feedback contains strong warnings about leaving loved ones in this care setting. Some reviewers describe the staff as rude and lacking patience, alleging that younger workers with limited experience are put in charge of elderly residents. Comments such as a dirty environment, neglectful care, and general dissatisfaction with how residents are treated appear in multiple posts. The negative perspectives also include accusations that the facility does not meet residents' needs, that care is not consistent, and that the overall atmosphere can feel uncaring or unmanaged at times. These accounts emphasize the importance of evaluating individual needs against the demonstrated strengths of the staff when considering placement.

There are a few specific anecdotal incidents that stand out for readers as examples of the concerns raised. One report mentions mishandling of residents during furniture delivery, and another describes a situation where a staff member reportedly refused to assist a resident who was trying to escape, specifying that it was not her hall to handle. Such stories contribute to a broader caution about safety and responsiveness, highlighting the variability that can exist within any large care operation. The same thread mentions that one staff member made a private, direct remark to a family member - an event that some might see as honest communication, while others may interpret as discomforting or unprofessional. Taken together, these anecdotes illustrate the tension between a capable, compassionate core and episodes that raise questions about training, consistency, and safety protocols.

In sum, this memory care community appears to offer a powerful blend of heartfelt care, personal attention, and family-friendly programming that many families find genuinely comforting. The positive testimonials speak to a culture of warmth, cleanliness, and proactive engagement with residents and their loved ones. On the other hand, there are persistent criticisms that call for closer scrutiny of staff training, consistency in care, and safety practices. For anyone considering placement, the message is clear: the environment can be deeply supportive and enriching, but it is essential to visit in person, meet multiple staff members, observe care routines, ask pointed questions about turnover, training, and safety, and assess whether the specific location and team align with the expectations and needs of their loved one.

This particular area of Winter Haven, Florida offers a convenient and bustling community with easy access to various amenities and services. Within close proximity, you will find several cafes, pharmacies, restaurants, hospitals, places of worship, physicians' offices, and even a theater for entertainment. The presence of multiple pharmacies and medical facilities indicates a focus on healthcare accessibility. Additionally, the nearby Lake Eva Park provides opportunities for outdoor recreation. The diverse range of dining options caters to different culinary preferences. Overall, this area presents a well-rounded environment suitable for senior living with its mix of essential services and leisure activities within a short distance.

Cafes

• Starbucks (0.1 miles)
• Baking Donuts Plus (3.6 miles)

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (0.1 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.6 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2 miles)
• Walgreens (2.7 miles)
• Kay Pharmacy (2.7 miles)
• Walmart Pharmacy (2.8 miles)
• Winter Haven Hospital (3.3 miles)

Restaurants

• LEGO City (0.1 miles)
• Golden Corral (0.1 miles)
• The Burger Kitchen (0.1 miles)
• Azteca (0.3 miles)
• Taco Bell (0.3 miles)
• Ruby Tuesday (0.3 miles)
• Hibachi Express (0.4 miles)

Hospitals

• Winter Haven Hospital Cath Lab (1.6 miles)
• Day Surgery Center (1.9 miles)
• Regency Medical Center (2.4 miles)
• Winter Haven Hospital Occupational Health (3.1 miles)
• Nierman Stephen Winter Haven Hospital Winter Haven (3.2 miles)
• Winter Haven Ambulatory Surgical Center (3.2 miles)
• Mpn Medical Center Dundee (3.6 miles)

Places of Worship

• Winter Haven Worship Center (1.8 miles)
• Beymer Memorial United Methodist Church (3.6 miles)
• First Missionary Baptist Church (4 miles)
• The Rock of Winter Haven (5.3 miles)

Physicians

• Physcians Services (1.9 miles)
• Doctor Today Tlc (2.1 miles)
• Eye Specialists of Mid Florida, P.A. (2.2 miles)
• Lakeside Dermatology (2.3 miles)
• Good Health Physicians (2.4 miles)
• Jay Care Medical Center (2.6 miles)
• Bond Clinic - Main Campus (2.6 miles)

Theaters

• Regal Eagle Ridge Mall (5.3 miles)

Transportation

• Bartow Municipal Airport-KBOW (6.3 miles)

Parks

• Lake Eva Park (8.4 miles)