Retirement Living-Lauderhill

Pros

• Brian and his team are praised for going above and beyond for continued quality of care.
• Erick is described as an excellent tour guide and very professional.
• Forest Trace is portrayed as a beautiful senior living facility with a host of indoor and outdoor activities and high-quality care.
• The food, activities, and care are provided with continued quality.
• Rick Drew is noted as knowledgeable, kind, and caring during tours.
• The community is located in a beautiful setting with mature trees, a lake, and well-kept walking paths.
• Apartments are spacious with full-size kitchens and in-unit laundry.
• The nursing and care staff are described as friendly, helpful, and attentive.
• Staff and leadership (Denise Higgins, Stephen Fornataro, Indie, Jewel, Maureen, Jackie, Vicki) are praised for professionalism and support.
• Families express gratitude for the transition into the community and feel treated with dignity and respect.

Cons

• The staff do not help residents with the services they're supposed to provide; they only collect rent.
• The administrative staff has turned over several times in a few short years, and the admins stink.
• The facility has bed bugs and management chooses to ignore it.
• They currently have one aide covering two entire floors for assisted living residents, leaving residents under-staffed and treated as cash cows.
• The building is run-down with elevators constantly out of order.
• The business office is a nightmare - impossible to reach, unresponsive, and completely unhelpful; Heidi never returns calls.
• The staff are rude and unprofessional; management prioritizes money over resident well-being.
• Management's responses to bad reviews are gaslighting residents.
• The memory care programs and activities advertised are not always offered.
• Families report neglect and poor communication from management and staff, including lack of contact after hospitalization and failure to assist with basic needs like phone access.

Review

Forest Trace Senior Living presents itself as a place of beauty and activity, where residents can enjoy a robust menu of indoor and outdoor engagements, serene surroundings, and a sense of community. Several reviews highlight the environment itself as a strong selling point: mature trees, a large lake, and well-kept walking paths create a peaceful, home-like atmosphere. Tour experiences are frequently praised as well, with Erick described as an excellent and professional guide who leaves prospective residents and families with a positive sense of the community. The overall feel conveyed by those who visit and move in is one of a warm, active, and inviting setting.

Once a resident, Judy shares a heartfelt endorsement of Forest Trace, speaking from more than a year of experience. She emphasizes stability at the top, noting that the Executive Director, Brian, and his team consistently deliver quality care, good food, engaging activities, and genuine compassion from staff like Tony the Med Tech. Judy also mentions forming many friendships and feeling confident in recommending the community to others, underscoring a sustained sense of satisfaction and belonging within the community. Her voice reflects a belief that, for many residents, Forest Trace can be a home where life remains rich and supported.

Not all feedback aligns on a single note, however. A number of reviews present serious concerns, painting a more troubling picture. Some critics urge readers to "keep looking" if the facility is on their radar, alleging neglect and a focus on rent over resident well-being. Specific criticisms include frequent turnover among administrative staff, insufficient on-site caregiving (an aide reportedly covering two floors for assisted living), and claims that residents are treated more like sources of income than individuals in need of care. Allegations about bed bugs and a pattern of ignoring problems have been repeated by several reviewers, and one writer even characterizes the setting as abusive or negligent. These voices stress the importance of scrutiny and due diligence when considering Forest Trace.

There are also individuals who report mixed-to-positive experiences amid the challenges. Some reviewers recount moments of effectiveness and professionalism, such as Erick again being highlighted as a standout staff member, or noting prompt repairs and transitions when a loved one is moving between care settings or undergoing rehabilitation. A story about a bathroom repair and rapid response to a hospitalization incident illustrates that, inside the same facility, there can be pockets of responsive care and practical problem-solving. Another family member describes a move into memory care where staff involvement and program offerings did not always meet expectations, but nonetheless acknowledges kindness from several team members and the ongoing effort to support residents.

Communication and language, as well as the logistics of care, emerge as recurring themes in the more critical narratives. Several reviews mention difficulties with communication - difficulty reaching administrative or nursing staff, missed phone calls, and frustrations with getting purchases or groceries delivered to a resident. Some accounts describe language barriers among residents and staff, and one reviewer recounts a particularly disheartening experience in which a nurse reportedly spoke of overburdened workloads in a way that underscored the stress of the job. These elements paint a picture of a facility where helpful communication and consistent attention to residents' everyday needs - like arranging for food, coordinating with families, and ensuring touchpoints for care - do not always align with expectations.

The broader conversation about management is equally pointed. A number of reviews criticize leadership decisions and the tone of responses to feedback, describing management as gaslighting or unresponsive to concerns. Widespread criticisms include rude and unprofessional behavior among some staff, maintenance and safety issues (including elevators that are frequently out of order), and inefficiencies in the business office. Heidi, specifically named in one critique for never returning calls, is highlighted as emblematic of a larger pattern of communication breakdowns. Taken together, these voices convey a strong impression that, for some families, the experience at Forest Trace hinges as much on administrative culture as on the day-to-day care.

Against this backdrop, there are still resonant affirmations from residents and families who feel the community offers much to celebrate. Some reviews describe the staff as genuinely caring, with nurses and aides who are consistently helpful and friendly, and a sense that the team will go the extra mile when needed. Positive testimonials name individuals like Denise Higgins in sales, Stephen Fornataro (Executive Director), and a group of front-desk and activities staff - Indie, Jewel, Maureen, Jackie, and Vicki - whose patience and dedication left a lasting impression. In these accounts, the community's strengths - its people, its programs, and its ability to foster connection - shine through despite systemic challenges.

Finally, there are strong, affirmative endorsements tied to specific experiences with Forest Trace's Las Vegas-to-Florida-like transition story: a family member in memory care who was drawn to the compassionate approach and well-designed environment, and a narrative of gratitude from families who found that the community provided "the full package." A leasing agent, Rick Drew, is singled out for his knowledge, kindness, and steady support during the tour and beyond, helping families feel confident about moving forward. Some reviewers end on a high note, calling Forest Trace a wonderful place with a sense of home, beauty, and comprehensive care that can meet a range of needs.

In sum, Forest Trace Senior Living emerges as a community of contrasts. Its beauty, its culture of activity, and the care provided by many staff members are repeatedly praised, offering a compelling vision of what life there can be for residents and families seeking a supportive, sociable environment. Yet, the facility also faces persistent critiques around staffing levels, administrative stability, responsiveness, and some quality-of-care concerns that compel potential residents to conduct thorough due diligence, visit multiple times, and speak directly with current residents and families. The narrative is one of a place with strong positives and significant, ongoing opportunities for improvement, depending on which lens you bring to the experience.

This part of Fort Lauderdale, Florida offers a variety of amenities and services that cater to senior living. With multiple pharmacies located within a few miles, accessing medication and healthcare supplies is convenient. The presence of reputable physicians and medical centers nearby ensures easy access to healthcare services. Additionally, there are several parks in the area for outdoor recreational activities. A selection of restaurants offering diverse cuisine options can provide seniors with dining choices. In terms of transportation, there are stations nearby for easy access to public transit. Overall, this area provides a mix of essential services and leisure activities that could be appealing for seniors looking for a well-rounded community to live in.

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (1.6 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.8 miles)
• Walgreens (1.9 miles)
• Walgreens (2.3 miles)
• Walgreens (2.4 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.5 miles)
• Walgreens (3.1 miles)

Physicians

• Pom MRI and Imaging Center (2.2 miles)
• Arnoldo Ghitis, MD (3.3 miles)
• Miami Cancer Institute | Plantation (4.4 miles)
• Care Resource (4.7 miles)
• Skin Institute (6.2 miles)
• Midland Medical Center (6.3 miles)
• Eye Centers Of South Florida (6.4 miles)

Parks

• Central Broward Regional Park (2.6 miles)
• Royal Palm Park (3.9 miles)
• Deicke Park (4.1 miles)
• Holiday Park (6.1 miles)
• Firefighters Park (6.8 miles)
• George English Park (7.2 miles)

Restaurants

• Subway (2.9 miles)
• McDonald's (3.4 miles)
• Chick-Fil-A (4.7 miles)
• Chipotle Mexican Grill (4.8 miles)
• Taco Bell (4.9 miles)
• Circus Bar (5.3 miles)
• Jesse's Xtreme Sports Bar (5.4 miles)

Hospitals

• University Hospital And Medical Center (3.8 miles)
• UM/Sylvester Clinics At Plantation (4 miles)

Cafes

• Habibi Hookah Lounge (4.6 miles)
• Starbucks (5.5 miles)

Transportation

• Cypress Creek Station (5.7 miles)
• Brightline (5.8 miles)

Theaters

• AMC DINE-IN Coral Ridge 1 (7.2 miles)

Places of Worship

• Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church (7.6 miles)