13509 Highlandview Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44135
For more information about senior living options: (844) 490-3973
A mosaic of experiences emerges from these accounts, painting a picture of Highland Springs that is at once hopeful for some and deeply troubling for others. Across the reviews, families and patients describe a facility that can feel like two different places depending on who you encounter and when you arrive. Some call it a place with dedicated therapists and moments of genuine care; others condemn it as chaotic, impersonal, and unsafe, with stories of miscommunication, privacy breaches, and a care culture that seems more focused on paperwork and throughput than on individual healing. Taken together, the comments reveal a system grappling with inconsistency, where the quality of care seems to hinge on specific staff members, shifts, and the particular unit a patient lands in.
One of the most searing accounts comes from a family member whose son was admitted at 18. The reviewer describes a "HORRIBLE experience from start to finish," with staff who were uncaring and inattentive to patients' needs. They recount how a nurse joked about not giving medications and how contact with the unit could be difficult or blocked, even for a parent trying to check in on an 18-year-old. The culmination of this distress was a release experience in which the family was given another patient's medical diagnosis paper, including that person's address and phone number - an alarming breach of privacy that the reviewer labeled a HIPAA violation. The tone here is one of frustration and fear for patient safety, underscoring how a single lapse in privacy and respect can undermine trust in the entire facility.
Another thread comes from a different family member who describes a mom's stay where the patient's basic needs were not being met. The reviewer says their mother wasn't given medications that help her eat, had trouble sleeping, and even lost a sleep-support device that helped keep her safe. The critique extends beyond clinical care to cultural and administrative fractures - claims of unresponsiveness to calls, unprofessionalism, and an overall impression that the facility is more about processing patients than listening to their needs. There is also a sense of disillusionment with the responses to reviews themselves, described as copy-and-paste "we care" templates that feel disingenuous to families who are navigating real pain and urgent questions about their loved ones' welfare.
A separate voice condemns the place as impersonal and procedural, with the reviewer feeling like "a part on an assembly line" rather than a patient with a human story. They fault the intake process as boilerplate and lacking genuine interest in the patient's reality, and they question the facility's motives, suggesting money is prioritized over healing. Another critic laments the quality of evaluations, calling the evaluator's approach "boilerplate questions" with no real engagement. Together, these reviews sketch a pattern: when staff engagement is low and communication gaps are wide, patients and families perceive the experience as cold, transactional, and often discouraging for anyone suffering from severe depression or other mental health crises.
The forum is also a stage for sharper social-media-fueled disputes and warnings about risks beyond the clinical wall. One reviewer brands Highland Springs as the "worst place ever" and warns potential patients not to rely on the facility's outward appearance or glossy photographs. In a dramatic twist, another entry claims a class-action lawsuit is in the works while recounting claims of a recently removed or blocked Facebook page, followed by updates that suggest the page had not actually disappeared. These elements reflect a broader fear among readers: that the institution may be evasive or punitive when concerns surface, rather than transparent and accountable.
Interwoven with the criticisms are moments of unexpected positivity. A discharge note praises staff as "lovely and nice," with particular appreciation for pet therapy, a sense of camaraderie among fellow patients, and surprisingly decent meals. There is also a detailed testimony about the inpatient program being "therapy-heavy" and structured around DBT/CBT groups, with some staff described as kind, compassionate, and skilled. In the outpatient realm, another reviewer highlights a robust DBT-based PHP program, with engaged groups and weekly visits from a psych NP. Yet even within these hopeful notes, there are warnings: the same pathways that can feel life-saving may also carry caveats about pink-slip procedures and the possibility that safety planning and documentation can surface in unexpected places.
The reviews also draw a line between inpatient and outpatient experiences, underscoring a sense of fragmentation. Inpatient life is depicted as demanding - patients may have to bring their own medications for pharmacy approval, and staff shortages can leave therapists and other essential personnel stretched thin. Some observers acknowledge that, when staffing is adequate, the program can deliver powerful, life-changing therapy - two structured DBT/CBT groups daily, access to outdoor time, a well-stocked library, and the sense that some clinicians genuinely care. But the same reviewer warns that some days feel like a "prison-like" environment where rules and security measures overshadow patient autonomy. Outpatient care appears to be praised for its specificity and human touch, yet it is delivered with cautions about the system's quirks and the reality that transitions back into higher levels of care can feel like starting over.
Taken as a whole, the collection of reviews paints a facility that is not uniformly good or bad, but rather uneven and dependent on individual experiences, units, and the interpersonal dynamics of care teams. The strongest threads of praise point to dedicated therapists and programs that emphasize evidence-based approaches, safety, and patient engagement. The most damaging threads highlight gaps in communication, inconsistent privacy protections, understaffing, and a sense that some staff see patients more as numbers or problem sets than as people with complicated lives and urgent needs. For families and patients weighing whether Highland Springs is the right place to seek help, the messages come with a clear call to ask pointed questions: about med lists and pharmacy processes, about how privacy is protected, about who will be present for treatment planning, and about what support exists for family members who need regular updates and connections to care teams.
If you or a loved one is considering care at Highland Springs, these experiences suggest a few practical steps to help navigate the system. Seek explicit confirmation of how medications are managed and what the process is for bringing in prescriptions; request to speak with a treating clinician about a concrete care plan and an estimation of how often therapy will occur; insist on clear, timely updates for family members and a transparent explanation when there is a delay in communication. Most importantly, ask about privacy protections and who has access to medical information, to help prevent any further concerns about HIPAA or misdirected personal data. These reviews collectively underscore that, while there are undeniably effective, compassionate clinicians at Highland Springs, there is also a critical need for consistent staffing, robust communication, and demonstrable respect for patients' dignity and rights.
Winter Spring Health Services is an assisted living community located in Cleveland, OH. Our facility offers a warm and inviting environment, with fully furnished accommodations for residents. We have a beautiful garden and outdoor space where residents can relax and enjoy the fresh air.
Our dedicated staff provides housekeeping services to ensure that our community always remains clean and tidy. We also offer move-in coordination assistance, making the transition into our community as smooth as possible for new residents.
At Winter Spring Health Services, we prioritize the well-being of our residents. Our caring staff is available to assist with activities of daily living such as bathing, dressing, and transfers. We understand the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle, which is why we offer personalized diabetes diets and medication management.
We take pride in providing nutritious meals to our residents, taking into consideration any special dietary restrictions they may have. Our dining options are designed to promote health and wellness.
To keep our residents engaged and entertained, we offer scheduled daily activities. These activities allow our residents to socialize with their peers while enjoying their favorite hobbies or discovering new interests.
Our location in Cleveland offers convenience with numerous amenities nearby. Residents can easily access cafes, parks, pharmacies, physicians' offices, restaurants, transportation options, places of worship, and hospitals.
At Winter Spring Health Services, we strive to create a supportive and thriving community for our residents. As a board and care home focused on providing high-quality care services, we are committed to ensuring that each resident feels comfortable, safe, and happy in their new home.
Winter Spring Health Services is located at 13509 Highlandview Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44135 in Cuyahoga County, Ohio
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