Heartlands Senior Living at Ellicott City

Pros

• Residents describe Heartlands as a nice place with a good mix of managed and self-managed care and a varied calendar of events.
• The staff and community are supportive and friendly.
• Heartlands is a beautiful place with extensive services and attractive exterior landscaping.
• Residents note the longevity of staff as a testament to management.
• Independent living cottages are valued for independence, including having a dog and their own washer/dryer.
• Wellness center nurses and staff are described as going above and beyond to care for residents.
• The campus is spacious, beautiful, and green, with hospitality noted by families.
• Families appreciate transparent communication and regular updates about residents.
• The staff are warm, friendly, and attentive to residents' needs.
• The facility offers convenient access to shopping and amenities, with walking trails and ample parking.
• There is a robust calendar of activities, including field trips and weekly shopping trips.
• Families feel reassured that their loved ones are safe and well-cared-for.

Cons

• The facility is poorly maintained; the food is only average.
• Neither of the two elevators is consistently functional; both are rarely working.
• Cleaning staff do not actually clean, they stop to chat, and trash is not removed.
• Management is unresponsive to residents' serious health-threatening issues.
• There was a hate incident (swastikas on doors) and administration did not handle it promptly, leaving the reviewer horrified.

Review

Heartlands presents itself as a sizable, multi-faceted senior living community that blends independent living cottages with assisted options, all set within a campus that emphasizes activity, connection, and a sense of home. Across many voices, the place is described as having a lively calendar of events, frequent outings, and a welcoming, family-like atmosphere. Reviewers repeatedly note field trips, regular shopping excursions to Walmart, and convenient access to medical appointments within ten miles, making the campus feel practical as well as social. The overarching sentiment is that, for those who want a place with choices and a strong sense of community, Heartlands offers a compelling package.

A strong thread running through the favorable perspectives is the warmth and commitment of the staff. Residents and family members consistently praise the people who work there, from front-desk staff to wellness center nurses and caregiving teams. Messages abound about staff being friendly, respectful, and genuinely attentive to residents' needs, with many emphasizing that the longevity of the staff signals a stable, caring environment. The wellness center, in particular, earns high marks for going "above and beyond," and several reviewers appreciate the open channels of communication - weekly newsletters, family updates, and the way staff keep families informed during medical or health events. The presence of a Resident Council with resident-run committees is also highlighted as a meaningful mechanism for involving residents in decisions and changes.

The positive experiences extend to the living arrangements themselves. Independent living cottages are repeatedly celebrated for offering real autonomy - being able to have a dog, having in-unit washers and dryers, and enjoying a sense of neighborhood within the larger campus. Many residents connect their happiness to the mix of managed and self-managed care, which allows for a personalized approach to daily life. The environment is described as welcoming and organized, with praise for the landscaping, walking trails, and general campus aesthetics. Family members often speak with affection about their loved ones' adjusted routines, noting how comfortable and secure their relatives feel in this setting. The ability to stay close to family and maintain a degree of independence is frequently cited as a major benefit.

Personal anecdotes underscore the emotional value of Heartlands for families. Several testimonials recount moving parents into independent living or Enhanced Independent Living and finding the transition to be thoughtful and supportive, especially during the upheavals associated with the pandemic. Descriptions of staff listening, providing reassurance, and maintaining connections with families during COVID-19 speak to a culture that prioritizes safety and transparency. In particular, individual staff members - like Lisa Hines - and the overall culture of care are recalled with gratitude by relatives who appreciate the compassion and steadiness shown during challenging times. There are even stories of extended family members feeling a sense of pride and relief knowing their loved ones are in a place that treats them with dignity and respect.

However, not every note is unalloyed optimism. A number of reviewers point to maintenance and operational gaps that can undermine the otherwise strong positives. Specific criticisms include poorly maintained facilities, with recurring mentions that not all elevators are working at the same time and that cleaning staff may not perform tasks consistently, sometimes appearing to focus on conversation rather than thorough cleaning. One reviewer described a pattern of trash not being taken out, signaling lapses in routine housekeeping and upkeep. Another thread involves concerns about how issues are handled by management, including a highly publicized complaint involving anti-Semitic vandalism (swastikas on doors) and a perception that responses from the administration and corporate leadership were slow or insufficient. That account notes a sense of frustration with how long it took to address serious, health-related concerns and the feeling that corporate channels did not always provide timely resolution. Still, some reviewers report that Five Star Corporate representatives did reach out to assist, indicating that there is at least some level of engagement from the owner's side when problems are raised.

Despite those criticisms, the overall sentiment remains that Heartlands delivers a strong residential experience for many residents and their families. The blend of independent living flexibility, together with a supportive staff and a broad array of activities, allows for a sense of community that many find hard to replicate. Families repeatedly express gratitude for the care their loved ones receive, for the sense of safety and routine that the facility provides, and for the genuine kindness shown by caregivers and administrators alike. Even amid adversity, residents and relatives describe Heartlands as a place where people are looked after with care, where neighbors become a kind of extended family, and where the opportunity to participate in governance and activities helps residents feel connected and valued.

In sum, Heartlands emerges as a community with substantial strengths: a diverse range of living options, a robust program of events and outings, a location that makes everyday errands and medical visits convenient, and a staff culture that many residents and families admire for its warmth and responsiveness. At the same time, there are tangible areas for improvement - primarily around maintenance, housekeeping consistency, and the responsiveness of higher-level administration to crises. For those seeking a place that blends independence with strong social ties and attentive care, Heartlands offers a compelling, if imperfect, home where many residents choose to stay and build a long life among friends and caregivers who feel like family.

This part of Ellicott City, Maryland offers a range of amenities and services that cater to senior living needs. There are multiple pharmacies in close proximity for convenient access to medications. In terms of healthcare, there are reputable physicians and hospitals nearby, ensuring quality medical care is easily accessible. For leisure activities, there are cafes and restaurants within a short distance, allowing for socializing and dining out. Additionally, there are several parks in the area for outdoor recreation and relaxation. Overall, this neighborhood provides a well-rounded environment suitable for seniors looking to reside in a vibrant community with essential amenities nearby.

Pharmacies

• Walmart Pharmacy (0.5 miles)
• Rite Aid (0.8 miles)
• Walgreens (2.2 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.3 miles)
• Walgreens (3.9 miles)
• Walgreens (4.9 miles)
• Rite Aid (5 miles)

Physicians

• NeuroCare Center (0.7 miles)
• Saint Agnes Medical Group: Maryland Cardiovascular Specialists - Catonsville (3.2 miles)
• Advanced Radiology (3.4 miles)
• Parnes May & Associate - Wendy Hurwitz MD (3.6 miles)
• American Radiology Services (4.2 miles)
• Dr. Klebanow & Associates (4.2 miles)
• Omni Eye Specialists (4.9 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (1.1 miles)
• Tous Les Jours (1.1 miles)
• Starbucks (5.4 miles)
• Café Nordstrom (5.5 miles)
• Starbucks (5.6 miles)
• Starbucks (6.5 miles)
• Starbucks (8 miles)

Restaurants

• Chosun Hwaro (1.3 miles)
• Phoenix Upper Main (1.9 miles)
• Manor Hill Tavern (2 miles)
• The Trolley Stop (2.2 miles)
• Honey Pig Gooldaegee Korean Grill (2.2 miles)
• The Original Woodstock Snowball Stand (3.8 miles)
• Chick-Fil-A (3.9 miles)

Parks

• Patapsco Valley State Park (1.7 miles)
• David Force Park (2.2 miles)
• Centennial Park (3.2 miles)
• Centennial Park (4 miles)
• Blandair Regional Park (5.6 miles)
• Northwest Regional Park (7.1 miles)
• Lake Elkhorn Park (7.5 miles)

Hospitals

• Sheppard Pratt Health System (2.7 miles)
• Bon Secours Health System (4.9 miles)
• Spring Grove Hospital Center (5.6 miles)
• Howard County General Hospital (6.3 miles)
• Howard County General Hospital, Johns Hopkins Medicine (6.3 miles)

Places of Worship

• Bridgeway Community Church (4.2 miles)
• St Augustine's Church (7.9 miles)

Theaters

• AMC Columbia 14 (5.6 miles)