Big Springs Specialty Care center in Huntsville, AL

Pros

• The staff are very caring, kind, and attentive, ensuring residents are comfortable and well cared for.
• Lexy is praised as a standout staff member who provides excellent care to the mother.
• Chara the nurse is great and shows real care for patients.
• The nurses, aides, and therapists work hard to keep patients happy and help them return home; the therapy team is top notch.
• Big Springs is a great facility for short-term rehab and long-term care, with an excellent therapy staff and a caring nursing team.
• The staff are friendly, helpful, and treat families as part of the care team; management is responsive and supportive.

Cons

• They never answer the phone, and when they do, they hang up on callers.
• The management is unprofessional; the facility is understaffed and aides are overworked.
• The place is dirty and does not use disinfectants, leaving residents in urine for hours.
• A resident contracted MRSA within 72 hours and developed septic encephalopathy, suggesting neglect.
• A patient was found on the floor in a soiled diaper with no clothes, left unattended.
• Medications and pain relief were frequently delayed or withheld, endangering patients.
• Call bells go unanswered for long periods; residents go without meals or necessary assistance.
• Families faced poor communication, and in one case a relative died after isolation with no timely contact.

Review

Big Springs Specialty Care center in Huntsville is best for families pursuing short-term rehabilitation with a clear goal of returning a loved one home. The setting emphasizes outcome-driven care, powered by a therapy program that many reviewers describe as top notch and capable of delivering meaningful gains in mobility and independence. The core advantage is a rehab team that is consistently praised for skill and determination, and staff who show genuine warmth and patience on the floor. This facility can serve as a viable option when a rapid, goal-oriented rehab track is the priority, provided there is active family involvement to monitor dosing, responsiveness, and safety.

Alternatives should be considered for anyone prioritizing safety, predictability, and tight care coordination. If persistent understaffing, medication omissions, or miscommunication are unacceptable, look to other Huntsville-area SNFs with stronger staffing ratios and documented patient safety records. For residents with heavy dementia or behavior challenges, seek dedicated memory-care units with higher staff-to-resident ratios. If ongoing hospital-level care or stable long-term custodial support is the aim, another facility with consistent staffing and proven infection control may reduce the risk of preventable hospitalizations. In short, this is not the first choice for families who cannot monitor care closely.

On the pro side, caregivers and some nurses are described as compassionate and attentive, and a number of reviewers highlight the rehab and therapy teams as the facility's strongest asset. The ability to help patients move toward discharge and regain function is repeatedly cited, along with staff who communicate with families and try to accommodate needs. New administration is noted by some as elevating the level of care and accountability, and the location near Huntsville Hospital adds practical convenience for transfers. When these positives align, the care environment can feel personal and supportive in the moments that matter for rehab.

Yet the negatives overwhelm in a sustained pattern. Chronic understaffing is a recurring theme, with patients left waiting for help, medicines delayed or omitted, and aides pushed to the limit. Stories of patients being left in soiled conditions, bedsores, or without essential medical supplies are deeply troubling and repeatedly raised. Cleanliness and maintenance are cited as inconsistent, with odors, dated facilities, and occasional pest concerns entering the conversation. Management is frequently described as unprofessional or unresponsive, and lawsuits and complaints appear with troubling regularity. The contrast between occasional praise for individual staff and ongoing safety concerns creates a precarious balance that tips toward risk for vulnerable residents.

That said, the best outcomes can still emerge when the rehab-focused care plan is executed with vigilance. The skilled therapists can produce genuine mobility gains that shorten stays and promote safer home transitions, and the presence of compassionate staff on some shifts can improve daily quality of life for the moment. A proactive family or advocate who scrutinizes medication timing, wound care, and infection control can push the system toward safer practice, especially if the facility's leadership remains engaged and responsive. In other words, the positives matter, but their impact is limited by persistent staffing gaps, communication failures, and safety lapses that require constant oversight.

Families considering Big Springs should plan a meticulous evaluation: tour the rehab unit, request to meet the therapy manager and the current nursing leadership, review the latest state surveys and any corrective actions, and ask for a transparent outline of nurse-to-patient ratios by shift. Verify medication administration protocols, discharge planning, and home-health coordination, and seek recent resident-family references beyond the strongest endorsements. If concerns about safety or consistency remain, prioritize alternatives with steadier staffing and firmer infection-control records. When choosing Big Springs, approach with a dedicated advocate and a detailed care plan, prepared to intervene promptly to protect a loved one's safety and recovery trajectory.

This part of Huntsville, Alabama offers a convenient and diverse array of amenities for senior living. With a variety of restaurants ranging from fast food to fine dining, there are plenty of options for dining out. Additionally, there are places of worship nearby for spiritual needs and cafes for socializing over coffee. There is also easy access to medical care with several physician offices and hospitals in the vicinity, providing peace of mind for healthcare needs. The presence of pharmacies ensures easy access to medications as well. For outdoor recreation, there are parks within a short distance for leisurely strolls or enjoying nature. Overall, this area provides a comfortable and convenient environment for seniors looking to settle down in Huntsville.

Restaurants

• Chick-Fil-A (0.2 miles)
• Cajun Steamer (0.2 miles)
• Taco Bell (0.5 miles)
• Cotton Row Restaurant (0.5 miles)
• Baumhower’s Victory Grille - Huntsville (0.5 miles)
• Bad Daddy's Burger Bar (0.6 miles)
• Los Mariachis (0.6 miles)

Places of Worship

• First Baptist Church (0.2 miles)
• Church of the Nativity Episcopal (0.6 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (0.2 miles)
• Honest Coffee Roasters (0.6 miles)
• Gold Sprint Coffee (0.9 miles)
• Blue Plate Cafe (1.4 miles)
• Starbucks (1.6 miles)
• Starbucks (2.2 miles)

Physicians

• Pugh Brenda L - Rheumatology Associates-North Alabama (0.2 miles)
• Hearing & Speech Clinic (0.2 miles)
• Huntsville Surgical As (0.3 miles)
• Bioimaging MRI Center (0.3 miles)
• Bioimaging of Huntsville (0.3 miles)
• Tennessee Valley Life Center (0.3 miles)
• Huntsville Pediatric Associates (0.3 miles)

Hospitals

• Uab Health Center Huntsville (0.2 miles)
• Hh Cvicu (0.3 miles)
• Huntsville Hospital for Women & Children (0.7 miles)
• Crestwood Medical Center (2.1 miles)
• Crestwood Women's Center (2.2 miles)

Pharmacies

• Huntsville Hospital Pharmacy (0.3 miles)
• Propst Discount Drugs (1.3 miles)
• Walgreens (1.5 miles)

Parks

• Big Spring Park (0.4 miles)
• Mayfair Park (1 miles)
• Milton Frank Stadium (1.5 miles)