Great Falls Highgate Senior Living

Pros

• Highgate is described as wonderful, with kind, understanding staff who genuinely care about residents.
• The staff are consistently praised as five-star, friendly, and professional, dedicated to residents' well-being.
• The community feels like one big family, offering a home-like environment and personal, attentive care.
• Leadership is present and supportive, with low turnover and strong involvement across the community.
• Enrichment activities and life enhancement services are exceptional, featuring diverse programs and caring coordinators.
• The food is praised for quality, nutrition, and taste, creating a restaurant-like dining experience.
• Families find Highgate easy to work with and welcoming during events, fostering trust and peace of mind.
• The facility is clean, beautifully decorated, and well-maintained, with staff in housekeeping and maintenance keeping things comfortable.

Cons

• One must have patience when dealing with his dad.

Review

Highgate Senior Living feels like a sanctuary during one of the toughest seasons in a family's life. Across the many voices sharing their experiences, a single thread runs clear: the people who care for the residents treat every moment as an opportunity to show kindness, patience, and genuine concern. Families repeatedly point to the moment they first meet the staff - especially Melissa at the front desk and Timmie, who helps make guardianship transitions smooth - as a powerful sense of reassurance. Words like "wonderful," "loved," and "cared for" come up again and again, and there is a consistent conviction that the grandpas and grandmas who call Highgate home are in capable, compassionate hands.

The sense of community is evident beyond the walls of the building as well. The facility hosted a staff/caregiver/resident event featuring a mobile axe throwing trailer from Broke Axe Throwing, and the reaction was uniformly positive. The participation was lively, the event was easy to coordinate, and the experience underscored a living philosophy at Highgate: life here is not only about safety and routine, but also about joyful, shared experiences that bring residents, families, and staff together in memorable ways.

Across the spectrum of roles at Highgate - administrative, maintenance, and support - the praise is consistently high. Review after review emphasizes that the entire team is "amazing" and that the services provided are five-star across the board. There is a particular nod to the behind-the-scenes effort that makes every moment special, especially in memory care, where thoughtful routines, careful attention, and a wealth of small touches help maintain dignity and a sense of belonging. The sense that Highgate puts its clients and customers first shines through in stories of hospitality that feel both sincere and deeply professional.

Several families frame their praise around the reliability and warmth of the staff, especially for their loved ones who require ongoing care. One family sums up their experience with a lighthearted but heartfelt refrain: three reasons why their dad thrived at Highgate are "the staff, the staff, the staff." The care and attention their father has received are described as incredible, with kindness, enjoyment, and attentiveness permeating daily interactions. The size of the community is praised as well - large enough to offer social opportunities and a broad slate of activities, yet intimate enough to feel personal and homey. And the quality of the meals is consistently highlighted, with several families noting that their loved ones look forward to meals and that the dining experience feels restaurant-worthy in its warmth and nutrition.

There are many specific memories that illustrate why Highgate feels like home. One family member notes an evening caregiver, James, who takes great care of their dad, and another family member mentions the genuinely warm welcome from front desk staff like Timmie and Melissa. The resident's experience is frequently described as the product of many individuals' ongoing care - whether it's a caregiver's gentle touch, a nurse's attentiveness, or a maintenance team member's practical help. The anecdotes about John the pianist and Russ's playful humor remind us that there is personality and humanity in the everyday moments, and that the environment is designed to feel welcoming and safe in equal measure. The staff who clean rooms, who perform housekeeping, and who coordinate enrichment activities are all recognized for their steady, affectionate presence.

Leadership and continuity stand out as equally important pillars. Families speak about the director, Karen, who is described as being present throughout the community daily, knowing residents and families personally, and guiding operations with a steady hand. The high turnover that burdens many elder-care settings is notably absent at Highgate, and this stability is seen as a key factor in building trust with families. Even before a move happens, Mary's kindness and thoroughness set a tone of care - she would check in even when there wasn't an opening, a gesture that made families feel valued and seen. The sense that every person at the helm shares a mission to provide loving, compassionate care is a recurring refrain.

What makes the Highgate family feel so expansive and so deeply personal is the breadth and depth of dedicated staff across every domain. Lead Care Providers Sabrina, Jenna, Bambi, Layla, Leigh, Rose, and Timothy are singled out for their extraordinary engagement with residents, attentiveness to changing needs, and sincere compassion. Leigh's voice is praised as a gift during social moments like Happy Hour and Karaoke, highlighting how personality and warmth enrich daily living. Care Providers across the roster - Alexis, Kelly, Tina, Angelique, Caitlyn, Rose, Sharon, Christina, Tera, James, Briana, John, Catherine, LilyAnne, Pyriel, Hannah, Sienna, Jordyn, Gabriella, Christine - are described as going above and beyond to ensure every resident remains comfortable, dignified, and cared for. The maintenance team, led by Russ and John (who even brings the piano to life during visits), keeps living spaces safe, entertaining, and well-equipped. Housekeeping staff Carla and Joan ensure the building feels fresh and inviting, with seasonal decor and a sense of Montana history woven into the surroundings.

The list of dedicated professionals continues to reinforce the sense that Highgate operates as a holistic ecosystem of care. The Healthcare Director Wendy is commended for coordinating assessments and taking the time to learn about each resident's health, while Nursing staff, particularly Matt, are described as energetic, kind, and insightful, with a knack for balancing medical needs with compassion. The Medication Assistants, including Michelle and Dallas, with Julie and Dominique, are noted for kindness and helpfulness in managing medications and daily routines. Elaine, the Life Enhancement Coordinator, imagines and organizes programs that meet varied interests, with her team - Life Enhancement Specialists Michelle, Dawn, and Rhiannon - engaged and joyful in activities that bring residents together. The Kitchen Crew, including Chef Chris, Sous Chef Erik, and Cooking Staff Aedan, Keith, and Riley, create meals that feel like home, with a sense of hospitality that extends to every mealtime. Brandy in Spa and Vickie in Salon are also highlighted for their ability to pamper and connect with residents in meaningful ways.

Overall, the voices converge on a single, confident conclusion: Highgate Senior Living is a place where residents are treated like family, where families can breathe easier knowing their loved ones are loved, and where staff across every role - administration, care, maintenance, nutrition, enrichment, and beyond - are united by a mission to honor dignity, provide joy, and deliver dependable, heartfelt service. The tone is consistently one of gratitude and trust, with families expressing not only relief but heartfelt appreciation for the people who show up day after day to enrich the lives of their loved ones. In every story, Highgate embodies a living commitment to "feels like one big family," a commitment families say they can feel in every interaction, every meal, and every moment of everyday life.

This part of Great Falls, Montana, is a convenient and bustling area with a range of amenities for senior living. With multiple healthcare options such as the Benefis Sletten Cancer Institute, Benefis Medical Group, and Great Falls Clinic in close proximity, residents can easily access top-notch medical care. Nearby pharmacies like Plaza United Pharmacy and Walgreens make it convenient to fill prescriptions. The area also offers various dining options ranging from casual eateries like Noodle Express to upscale establishments like Jakers Bar and Grill. For recreation, seniors can enjoy parks like Rainbow Falls and Sunnyside Park for leisurely strolls or picnics. Transportation services provided by Groves Taxidermy and Firearms ensure easy mobility around the neighborhood. Overall, this part of Great Falls provides a well-rounded environment for senior living with essential services within reach.

Physicians

• Benefis Sletten Cancer Institute (0.1 miles)
• Benefis Medical Group (0.1 miles)
• Great Falls Clinic (0.2 miles)
• Great Falls Clinic Immediate Care (0.2 miles)
• Benefis Pediatrics (0.2 miles)
• Dale Schaefer, MD (0.2 miles)
• Roberto Amado-Cattaneo (0.2 miles)

Pharmacies

• Plaza United Pharmacy (0.2 miles)
• Clinic United Pharmacy (0.2 miles)
• Spectrum Home Solutions (0.5 miles)
• Walgreens (0.6 miles)
• Albertsons Pharmacy (0.7 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (0.8 miles)
• Snyder Drug (1.4 miles)

Hospitals

• Benefis Healthcare Foundation (0.2 miles)
• Great Falls Clinic Surgery Center (0.3 miles)
• Benefis Health System (0.3 miles)
• Benefis West Campus (1.5 miles)
• Great Falls Orthopedic Associates (1.6 miles)
• Benefis Healthcare (2.1 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (0.2 miles)
• Starbucks (0.6 miles)
• Morning Light Coffee Roasters (1.1 miles)
• Starbucks (1.6 miles)
• True Brew Espresso (1.9 miles)
• Morning Light Coffee Roasters (2 miles)
• Brian's Top Notch Cafe (2 miles)

Places of Worship

• Peace Lutheran Church (0.4 miles)
• Faith Lutheran Church (0.5 miles)
• First Church of the Nazarene (1.3 miles)
• Currents Youth & Young Adults (1.3 miles)
• Holy Spirit Catholic Parish (1.4 miles)
• Freedom And Liberty Christian Ministry (1.5 miles)
• Fairview Baptist Church (1.5 miles)

Restaurants

• Playground Lounge and Casino (0.5 miles)
• Noodle Express (0.5 miles)
• Charlie's Restaurant (0.7 miles)
• Sonic Drive-In (0.7 miles)
• Taco Treat (0.8 miles)
• McDonald's (1 miles)
• Jakers Bar and Grill (1.2 miles)

Parks

• Rainbow Falls (0.6 miles)
• Sunnyside Park (1.2 miles)
• Pinski Park (1.4 miles)
• Everlasting Memories (1.5 miles)
• Heren Park (1.7 miles)
• Carter Park (2.2 miles)

Transportation

• Groves Taxidermy and Firearms (1.7 miles)
• Waylon's Wildlife Taxidermy (1.8 miles)