Highgate Senior Living

Pros

• The staff at Highgate are consistently described as super friendly and welcoming to residents and their families.
• Residents enjoy the food, with many stating that breakfast, lunch, and dinner are satisfactory.
• The community offers a variety of activities for residents to engage in, keeping them active and social.
• Cleanliness of individual rooms is maintained regularly, providing comfort for the residents.
• Many residents quickly acclimate to their new environment and express happiness and reduced agitation after moving in.
• Family members appreciate the open welcoming atmosphere when they visit their loved ones at Highgate.

Cons

• The facility experienced issues with missing items, leading to dissatisfaction among residents and their families.
• There were complaints about the high costs of care, which seemed disproportionate compared to the services provided.
• Some residents reported poor cleanliness standards, including unpleasant odors in certain areas.
• Staff members appeared overworked and rushed, affecting the quality of care for residents.
• Activities available for residents were inconsistent and lacked engagement, especially due to COVID-19 restrictions.
• Multiple reviews indicated concerns about management practices, including perceived lack of oversight and communication regarding billing.
• Several families expressed regret over placing their loved ones in the facility after negative experiences within a short timeframe.
• The environment was described as more institutional than home-like, leading to dissatisfaction with personal choices regarding care services.

Review

Highgate at Bellingham has garnered a wide range of reviews from families navigating the complex world of assisted living for their loved ones. While some experiences have been positive, shedding light on the community's activities and the friendliness of the staff, others have raised serious concerns regarding management practices, cleanliness, and overall value for money.

Several reviewers expressed dissatisfaction with the costs associated with Highgate. One family member noted that after paying an initial fee ranging from $3,000 to $4,000 just to set up their husband in the facility, they felt this charge was inappropriate. The reviewer compared these costs unfavorably to other facilities in the area and argued that they were not receiving commensurate value. Issues such as frequent missing items—specifically clothing—added to their frustrations. With reports indicating that after sending 20 pairs of pants, only two remained with their loved one, it became clear that inventory control might be a significant concern for residents' families.

In contrast to these critiques, some families reported very positive experiences at Highgate. They highlighted a vibrant community atmosphere filled with various activities designed to engage residents socially. For instance, one reviewer praised the facility for its entertainment options like blackjack games and cribbage sessions that foster friendships among residents. Many appreciated that family members were always welcomed during visits and noted friendly interactions between staff and both residents and visitors alike. Positive remarks about mealtime experiences also emerged; while breakfast received mixed reviews, lunch and dinner appeared satisfactory.

Despite these highlights, a pattern of negative feedback persisted regarding overall cleanliness and management practices at Highgate. Multiple reviewers cited poor hygiene standards within common areas, including unpleasant odors reminiscent of urine—a serious red flag for any caregiving establishment. Concerns over staff morale also surfaced repeatedly; some reviews mentioned employees being overworked or leaving for better opportunities elsewhere due to management issues occurring within Highgate itself.

Prospective residents would do well to consider these contrasting perspectives before making a decision about placing their loved ones in Highgate's care. While many agree on the facility’s shortcomings in providing transparency around billing practices and consistent oversight of resident care needs, others found comfort in their family members' ability to fit into the community quickly—for example, one son noted his father's improved mood since transitioning from another less suitable assisted living environment.

Ultimately, choosing an assisted living facility involves weighing many factors: location convenience versus cost-effectiveness; quality of care against available activities; perceived cleanliness alongside staff engagement levels—all pivotal in ensuring a seamless transition into this new chapter in life for seniors facing various health challenges. Families may find themselves navigating nuances within each review—what resonates with them personally—and thus must conduct comprehensive research before settling on where they wish their loved ones to thrive amidst possible isolation brought about by external circumstances like COVID-19 restrictions or staffing shortages affecting day-to-day operations across numerous facilities today.

This part of Bellingham, Washington, offers a convenient and diverse range of amenities for seniors looking to settle in the area. With several dining options nearby such as Olive Garden, The Birch Door Cafe, and Wendy's, residents can enjoy a variety of cuisine choices. Additionally, there are multiple physician offices including Northwest Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and Bellingham Retina Specialists within close proximity for medical needs. Access to reliable transportation is also available with the WTA Cordata Station nearby and Enterprise Rent-A-Car just a short drive away. For shopping needs, there are several pharmacies like Walgreens and Walmart Pharmacy in the vicinity. Nearby hospitals include PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center and Bellingham Surgery Center for healthcare services. Lastly, residents can enjoy leisure activities at cafes like Starbucks or parks such as Broadway Park and Elizabeth Park, providing opportunities for recreation and relaxation.

Restaurants

• Olive Garden (0.1 miles)
• The Birch Door Cafe (0.1 miles)
• Zen Sushi & Bar (0.3 miles)
• Wendy's (0.4 miles)
• Taco Bell (0.4 miles)
• IHOP (0.7 miles)
• Mi Mexico (0.7 miles)

Physicians

• Northwest Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (0.3 miles)
• Bellingham Retina Specialists (0.3 miles)
• ClearView Eyecare (0.6 miles)
• Dr. Daniel C. Best & Associates (0.7 miles)
• Sea Mar Community Health Center (0.8 miles)
• Horizon Oral Surgery (0.8 miles)
• Bellingham Eye Physicians (0.9 miles)

Transportation

• WTA Cordata Station (0.4 miles)
• U-Haul Moving & Storage (0.8 miles)
• Enterprise Rent-A-Car (2.2 miles)
• Bellingham International Airport (BLI) (2.3 miles)

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (0.4 miles)
• Cost Cutter Pharmacy Meridian (0.4 miles)
• Walmart Pharmacy (0.4 miles)
• Rite Aid (0.7 miles)
• Infusion Solutions (1 miles)
• Fred Meyer Pharmacy (1.4 miles)
• Rite Aid (1.5 miles)

Hospitals

• Option Care (1 miles)
• Mount Baker Imaging (1.2 miles)
• Mount Baker Kidney Center (1.2 miles)
• Peacehealth St Joseph Child Birth Center (1.5 miles)
• PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center (1.5 miles)
• Bellingham Surgery Center (1.6 miles)
• St Joseph Cancer Center (1.7 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (1.4 miles)
• Starbucks (2.5 miles)
• Starbucks (2.8 miles)

Parks

• Broadway Park (2 miles)
• Elizabeth Park (2.4 miles)
• Zuanich Park (2.9 miles)

Theaters

• Regal Barkley Village IMAX & RPX (2.3 miles)