BrightStar of Lake County in Highland, IN

Pros

• Adriene is awesome and tender-hearted toward her patient’s situation.
• Beth is an amazing infusion nurse.
• Bright Star quickly moved in and went to great lengths to ensure infusions on time.
• The respite care from Bright Star of Lake County is outstanding; all aides are knowledgeable, reliable and compassionate.
• Marjorie is engaging with the elderly father and very knowledgeable.
• Takeita Johnson is the best caregiver, engaging Kim in exercises and activities and providing amazing care.
• Jessica delivers care that is quick, efficient, and cheerful.
• Marilyn C. goes above and beyond; she makes care easy and comforting with a smile.
• Nurse Kelly is the best nurse ever.
• Nakiah Whitehead goes above and beyond; provides excellent care.

Cons

• BrightStar of Merrillville is accused of unfair tactics and lying about incentive payments to caregivers.
• The reviewer says BrightStar is a horrible company and should not be used.
• The agency is described as abandoning clients and leaving them without help, especially when there are call-offs.
• BrightStar is criticized for unreliability: staff call off, switch days or caregivers, or don’t show up.
• It’s noted that BrightStar doesn’t provide hours for the work done and has a big turnover.
• A reviewer would not recommend BrightStar for continuous service.

Review

BrightStar of Lake County in Highland is best suited for families who want highly capable, compassionate in-home care that can manage complex medical needs while preserving independence at home. This community shines for loved ones requiring skilled nursing support, infusion and IV therapy, and assistance with activities of daily living, all delivered in a home setting. The strongest case rests on the team approach: attentive nurses and aides who are praised for their knowledge, reliability, and genuine warmth; a robust caregiver-matching process that leads to meaningful, long-standing relationships; and the ability to coordinate medical therapies, such as PICC line care, antibiotics, and post-acute support, with family oversight. For families juggling multiple needs, from mobility and memory challenges to wound care and dietary support, BrightStar Highland offers a pragmatic, hands-on solution that keeps loved ones safe and engaged without forcing a move to a facility.

That said, some families should actively consider alternatives before committing. For households where absolute, unwavering daily staffing with the exact same caregiver every shift is non-negotiable, or where a consistent, highly predictable schedule is essential due to tight care coordination with multiple providers, place extra emphasis on guaranteed caregiver assignments and backup coverage. A few reviewers have flagged administrative friction and scheduling inconsistencies, including concerns about call-offs or changes in staff, and even disputes over billing or incentives in sister branches. While these voices are a minority relative to the overall praise, they signal the importance of clear, written expectations up front, and a detailed contingency plan for holidays, illnesses, and last-minute coverage.

The strongest positives redeem potential drawbacks by creating a dependable, outcomes-focused care experience. Caregivers are repeatedly described as engaging, skilled, and capable of both practical tasks and meaningful interaction. Nurses and aides not only assist with bathing, dressing, and mobility but also participate in therapy routines, assist with medications, monitor vitals, and coordinate with physicians. Families routinely highlight the owner’s involvement and the office team’s responsiveness as a major strength, translating into smoother onboarding, faster adjustments when needs change, and timely communication about progress or concerns. The ability to schedule flexible visits, deliver respite care, and maintain continuity of caregivers in many cases means a loved one can stay in a familiar home environment while receiving hospital-level coordination and attention.

Where the cons surface, BrightStar Highland still offers mitigations that savvy families should insist upon. The central risk, caregiver turnover and irregular scheduling, can be offset by insisting on a primary caregiver with a clear back-up plan, guaranteed scheduling windows, and a published caregiver-coverage policy. Families should require written service plans that specify who will be on duty, what tasks are covered, and how emergencies are handled. The reviewer experiences praising long-tenured aides alongside reports of rapid caregiver changes suggest asking for a two-tier model: a primary caregiver plus a readily available backup who can step in without delay. It is also prudent to request a dedicated care coordinator who oversees shifts, tracks progress, and remains accountable for any gaps in service.

The practical next steps for families evaluating BrightStar Highland are straightforward. Request a meet-and-greet with the owner or a care manager to discuss the specific medical and personal needs, and ask to review a sample care plan and a written schedule for a typical week. Ensure there is a clear policy on back-up coverage, hoteling or substitution during vacations, and how they handle urgent requests after hours. Confirm the scope of infusion and IV therapies offered at home, the credentialing of nurses, and the process for escalating concerns if a caregiver falls behind on anticipated tasks. Finally, compare cost structures, including hourly rates, mileage, and any retainer or contingency fees, and insist on transparent billing with timely reporting so the family can gauge value against outcomes.

In the end, BrightStar Highland stands out for families who value proactive, compassionate care delivered by skilled professionals who tend to become trusted members of the household. The combination of personalized caregiver matching, visible leadership involvement, responsive scheduling, and the capacity to handle complex medical therapies makes it a strong contender for staying at home rather than moving to a facility. For households where unwavering daily consistency with a single caregiver, guaranteed 24/7 continuity, and flawless administrative reliability are non-negotiable, it warrants careful probing and concrete guarantees in writing, or comparison with other providers or residential options. With clear expectations and a solid care plan, BrightStar Highland can convert a challenging caregiving puzzle into a practical, sustainable solution that preserves independence, dignity, and peace of mind.

Places of Worship

• Illiana Islamic Association (0.1 miles)
• St Mary Church (2.4 miles)
• St. Paul's Lutheran School (2.6 miles)
• Woodmar United Methodist Church (2.9 miles)
• St George Greek Orthodox Church NW Indiana (4.2 miles)
• Trinity United Church of Christ Gary (6.7 miles)
• Christ Community Church (6.9 miles)

Restaurants

• Sophia's House of Pancakes (0.2 miles)
• McDonald's (0.5 miles)
• Danny Z's Grub N Pub (0.7 miles)
• Panda Express (1 miles)
• McDonald's (1 miles)
• Les Cafe Pancake House (1.1 miles)
• Buona Beef (1.6 miles)

Pharmacies

• Vyto's Pharmacy in Highland (1 miles)
• Walgreens (1.1 miles)
• Walgreens (1.3 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.8 miles)
• Walgreens (2 miles)
• Walgreens (2.2 miles)
• Quik Scripts (2.4 miles)

Physicians

• Pediatric Health Care Assoc (1 miles)
• University of Chicago Health Specialist (1.5 miles)
• North Point Orthopaedics (2 miles)
• Premier Oncology Hematology Associates (2.3 miles)
• Hoehn Medical Center (3.5 miles)
• Northwest Oral Surgeons (3.5 miles)
• Kids First Pediatrics On 30 (3.8 miles)

Cafes

• Sip Coffee House (1.1 miles)
• Panera Bread (1.5 miles)
• Windmill Brewing (4.2 miles)
• Starbucks (7.1 miles)

Parks

• The Park (1.2 miles)
• Wicker Memorial Park (1.2 miles)
• Briar Creek Park (1.6 miles)
• Beech Park (2 miles)
• Central Park (2.2 miles)
• Riverside Park (2.7 miles)
• Redar Park (3.8 miles)

Hospitals

• Community Hospital (2 miles)
• Franciscan Physicians Hospital (2.2 miles)
• Franciscan Health Emergency Department Munster (2.2 miles)
• Franciscan St Margaret Health (4.4 miles)
• Ingalls Family Care Center (5.6 miles)
• Community Hospital MRI Center (5.9 miles)
• St Catherine Hospital (6.6 miles)

Theaters

• AMC Schererville 12 (3.1 miles)