West Lake Assisted Living in Desoto, TX

Pros

• The residents are fortunate to have such a dedicated and invested Activity Director, V'toria Isabell.
• Cory Landrith's timeless service and dedication goes above and beyond his job description.
• The Lakewest staff and residents are warm and welcoming, making every visit enjoyable.
• V'toria is incredibly easy to communicate with and very kind.
• Bridgette is a ray of sunshine, always smiling and solution-focused.
• Billy the maintenance man and the administrator are great people who care about the residents.
• The receptionist and in-house staff provide excellent service.
• The staff are patient and make the residents feel at home.
• Mrs Judy provides fantastic meals and thoughtful kitchen care.
• The owner, Kandra, goes out of her way to help and clearly cares about residents and their families.
• The rooms are clean and pretty, and the home is well maintained.

Cons

• They were crooked and still collecting Section 8 vouchers after the reviewer had moved out.
• They are heartless and cold, consistently rude and ugly to residents.
• The facility is a roach- and bed-bug-infested dump and is described as a scam death trap.
• The staff are thieves who stole residents' belongings.
• The owner curses out staff and residents, showing unprofessional conduct.
• The staff are lazy, untrained, or don't care, requiring constant reminders to perform basic care.
• Medications are missed or not given on time, and meals have run out.
• The place is not sanitary, with bed bugs, strong odors, and dirty carpets.
• Communication is poor, with calls left unanswered and no one at the desk.

Review

West Lake Assisted Living in Desoto, TX is best suited for families seeking a warm, home-like environment where social engagement and daily activity are central. The community shines for residents who thrive on structured programming, easy access to friendly staff, and a sense of belonging within a small-house atmosphere. That orientation makes it attractive to seniors who want companionship, regular meals, and ongoing enrichment without the formality of a hospital-like setting. It is less ideal for those who require steady, on-site medical nursing, intensive memory-care supervision, or a highly regimented, facility-wide standard of care.

Alternatives deserve consideration for several reasons. For families prioritizing robust medical oversight, constant nurse presence, or dementia-focused security and protocols, larger communities with dedicated memory-care wings may offer more consistent clinical support. For those who cannot tolerate reports of infestations, sanitation inconsistencies, or erratic communication from leadership, exploring other options with stronger infection-control histories and transparent, responsive management is prudent. In short, West Lake appeals to those who value warmth and activity over the assurance of a highly medicalized care model.

The strongest positives center on people and programming. An exceptionally active Life Enrichment Team, led by Victoria, creates a lively calendar of events that residents actively participate in and enjoy. This contributes to a culture that residents describe as caring and engaging, where visitors consistently note smiles, warmth, and a genuine sense of community. The kitchen and nutrition team also receive praise for timely, appetite-friendly meals, often highlighted by appreciative family members and guests. Maintenance and front-office staff are repeatedly lauded for responsiveness, reliability, and friendly, personal service. Taken together, these elements generate a strongly positive daily living experience when care needs are mainly social and supportive.

Yet the facility's drawbacks are hard to ignore. A recurring thread centers on sanitation and pest-control concerns, including bed bugs and roaches that several families say have persisted over time. Complaints about odors and inconsistent housekeeping, especially in common areas and hallways, appear alongside stories of missed medications and lapses in medical coordination. Staffing stability is another issue; turnover and uneven follow-through on phone calls or returns messages have left some families feeling uncertain about accountability. On occasion, residents and families report friction with administration, and some reviews describe a management style that undermines trust rather than building it. These are meaningful objections that dilute the overall experience for residents with higher medical or safety needs.

Key pros offset cons to a degree for many, but not for all. The vibrant social scene and obvious staff investment counterbalance many basic care advantages found in more medicalized settings. Families who prize bright food service, cheerful reception, and a feeling of being "at home" will likely overlook or tolerate some operational shortcomings. Conversely, those whose loved ones require precise medication administration, proactive health monitoring, or rapid, consistent problem-resolution will likely experience recurring frustration. The gap between enthusiastic resident-facing interactions and back-end reliability can be wide, and that gap matters when well-being depends on timely medical and safety responses.

The decision for West Lake hinges on the level of care required. For residents who can participate in activities, tolerate a more relaxed pace of medical oversight, and value a close-knit, friendly staff, West Lake offers undeniable warmth and community spirit. For families evaluating alternatives, focus on on-site nursing capacity, infection-control history, and management responsiveness. Prospective residents should demand current pest-control records, a clear plan for eliminating infestations, and concrete SLAs for medication administration and emergency communication. If those assurances cannot be provided, the safer choice may be a larger, more regulated option with a track record of consistent clinical care and transparent leadership.

This part of Desoto, Texas offers a variety of amenities and services that cater to seniors looking for convenience and accessibility. With several pharmacies such as Walgreens and CVS within a short driving distance, accessing necessary medications and healthcare supplies is convenient. Additionally, there are reputable healthcare providers nearby including My Eyelab, CareNow, and Methodist Charlton Medical Center. For dining options, there are familiar chains like McDonald's, Cracker Barrel, and In-N-Out Burger as well as local favorites like Pollo Regio. Places of worship such as Greater Mount Hebron Baptist Church and Rockett Christian Church provide opportunities for spiritual fulfillment. Parks like Kiest Park and Kidd Springs Park offer outdoor recreational activities for those looking to stay active. Overall, this area of Desoto combines both convenience and comfort for seniors considering settling down in the area.

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (0.2 miles)
• Walgreens (2.3 miles)
• Walgreens (2.9 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.9 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3.1 miles)
• Walmart Pharmacy (3.2 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3.3 miles)

Restaurants

• McDonald's (0.9 miles)
• Taco Cabana (1.1 miles)
• Cracker Barrel (1.2 miles)
• In-N-Out Burger (1.2 miles)
• Pollo Regio - 200 (1.3 miles)
• Whataburger (1.4 miles)
• Domino's Pizza (1.6 miles)

Physicians

• My Eyelab (0.9 miles)
• POA Happy Teeth Today (1.2 miles)
• MomPremier Eye Institute (1.4 miles)
• CareNow (3.4 miles)
• Methodist Charlton Medical Center - Azhar A Kazi MD (3.5 miles)
• Southwest Urology Associates (3.6 miles)
• Raymond S Khouw (3.7 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (0.9 miles)
• Starbucks (4.2 miles)
• Starbucks (4.5 miles)
• Panera Bread (5.7 miles)
• Starbucks (5.8 miles)
• Tops Cafe (7.3 miles)
• Starbucks (10.8 miles)

Hospitals

• Medical Center At Lancaster (1.5 miles)
• Methodist Rehabilitation Hospital (3.4 miles)

Places of Worship

• Greater Mount Hebron Baptist Church (6.4 miles)
• Southern Baptist Convention (10.1 miles)
• Rockett Christian Church (10.4 miles)

Parks

• Kiest Park (7.5 miles)
• Cedar Hill State Park (8.3 miles)
• Kidd Springs Park (10.1 miles)
• Valley Ridge Park (10.4 miles)
• Kessler Parkway Trail (11 miles)