Harbor Beach Convalescent Home

Pros

• The staff are kind and responsive to residents' needs.
• The facility is good for recovery, with staff fulfilling requests promptly.
• The management team is supportive during difficult times.
• The therapy team is really good and effective in rehabilitation.
• Brenda and Shirley are excellent at helping residents with requests and communicating needs.
• The nurses are knowledgeable, attentive, and very kind.
• The facility offers personalized attention in a small setting, with each resident having a personal assistant.
• Residents feel at home and enjoy the activities and games scheduled by the staff.
• The staff are welcoming, helpful, and attentive to residents' needs.
• Harbor Beach's smaller size creates a family atmosphere, with staff always available.
• The facility is clean, and the doctors and nurses are available to answer questions.
• One reviewer notes that the staff went above and beyond to assist and care for her.

Cons

• A reviewer called the facility a nightmare and warned others not to trust them with a loved one.
• Another reviewer claimed a relative developed pneumonia and a urinary tract infection due to staff neglect, with patients left in urine and feces for hours and calls not answered.
• One reviewer said the state inspection found multiple violations and advised avoiding the facility.
• The food was described as horrendous.
• A reviewer stated the facility is older and not able to provide adequate care for someone who needs intensive care.

Review

Across the collected impressions, the nursing home experiences described present a tapestry of warmth, attentiveness, and dependable care blended with sharp warnings about risks and gaps in service. A common thread running through many reviews is the sense that, when the staff know residents well and communicate diligently, the facility feels like a caring, supportive place to recover, heal, and grow more comfortable in daily life. In several accounts, Harbor Beach - often highlighted for its smaller, more intimate environment - stands out as a setting where staff go beyond routine care to build real relationships, and where timely assistance feels personalized rather than rote.

Several residents emphasize the kindness and accessibility of the caregiving team. In one upbeat portrayal, the staff are described as "kind" and "helpful," with management presenting a steady source of support during challenging times. The experience of being treated with patience and courtesy seems central to the sense of safety and home-like feel in the facility. Personal assistants or designated contacts, such as Brenda, are repeatedly credited with coordinating needs - from arranging haircuts to calling family members and facilitating errands - thereby making everyday life easier and more manageable for residents. Comments like "they make me feel at home" and "the staff are knowledgeable, attentive, and very kind" underscore a recurring view that compassionate, hands-on attention can significantly shape a resident's daily experience.

The positive assessments extend to therapy and rehabilitation, where residents point to the availability and quality of therapy teams as a standout feature. The reviews suggest that physical rehab staff - along with nurses and doctors who are readily accessible - help residents make meaningful progress. In several notes, residents specifically acknowledge the dedication of therapy professionals and management staff who coordinate care, with references to specific leaders such as Alex, the director of rehabilitation services, and Michael, the director of admissions, as well as Kim, a nurse. The smaller facility atmosphere - often described as a "family" feel thanks to a more intimate bed count - contributes to easier communication and more frequent interactions with the care team, which many residents interpret as reassurance and security during recovery.

Other accounts celebrate Harbor Beach as a well-maintained, clean facility where activity planning and engaging programs keep residents connected and involved. A sense of pride in the environment is palpable in remarks about the facility's cleanliness, the reliability of the care team, and the ongoing efforts to keep residents' spirits up through social or therapeutic activities. In a sentiment echoed by families, there is gratitude for a team that answers questions promptly and demonstrates genuine concern for residents' well-being, often going the extra mile to ensure pain management, daily routines, and personal preferences are respected.

Beyond Harbor Beach, some reviews reference positive experiences at other facilities like Aspire and Aviata, reinforcing the idea that dedicated staff and well-coordinated care can make a significant difference in residents' lives. One reviewer notes that Aspire has been a "great place for Mom," praising attentiveness, responsiveness to questions, and a clean environment, with doctors and nurses readily available to address concerns. Another account highlights Aviata's overall supportive atmosphere, where staff are consistently friendly and courteous, and a familiar point person - such as Brenda - helps residents navigate appointments and daily needs. These references further illustrate that, across multiple facilities, residents value stable, respectful, and proactive caregiving.

There are, however, stark counterpoints that temper the otherwise hopeful tone. A particularly severe account describes Harbor Beach as a "NIGHTMARE," with accusations that a loved one did not receive essential medical care, including antibiotics, and endured prolonged distress due to neglect. The reviewer claims that staff failed to change diapers promptly, left a resident sitting in urine and feces for hours, and did not return calls promptly. They assert that state-level inspections found "multiple violations," and they urge others to avoid the facility. This extreme vignette stands in sharp contrast to the other consistently positive reviews and serves as a cautionary reminder that experiences can diverge dramatically between individuals and units within the same system.

There are also critiques centered on responsiveness and daily care routines. One reviewer describes waiting all day for a child to be dressed and taken out of bed, with promises and explanations that never materialize. The dissatisfaction centers on communication gaps and perceived inaction, signaling that even in otherwise well-regarded facilities, processes and accountability can falter. Another patient notes that, in the course of a stay, the facility did not provide timely help or necessary services for a loved one with complex needs, culminating in a hospital return and a grave outcome. Taken together, these accounts underscore the critical importance of reliable staffing, prompt communication, and consistent adherence to care standards in ensuring resident safety and well-being.

In sum, the reflections offer a nuanced portrait: many residents and families speak highly of the personal touch, the generosity of staff, and the sense of community fostered by smaller facilities. The presence of attentive therapy teams, capable nurses, and compassionate aides contributes to meaningful recovery and daily comfort. Yet the narrative is not one-sided. There are painful, persuasive testimonies about neglect and failings that can have serious consequences, reminding readers that quality can vary, and constant vigilance, oversight, and clear communication are essential. For anyone considering these facilities, the collective impressions suggest balancing the lure of a warm, individualized setting with careful due diligence - tours, conversations with staff and families, and a close look at how concerns are addressed - to determine whether a given place can truly meet a loved one's medical and emotional needs.

This area of Fort Lauderdale, Florida offers a convenient and diverse selection of amenities for senior living. With several pharmacies nearby including CVS, Winn-Dixie, and Walgreens, accessing medication and healthcare supplies is easily manageable. There are also various dining options such as Boatyard and The Floridian for enjoyable meals out. Transportation is readily available with the Brightline station only 1.6 miles away, making travel accessible. For leisurely activities, parks like Fort Lauderdale Beach Park and Hugh Taylor Birch State Park provide opportunities for outdoor recreation. Additionally, healthcare services are within reach at facilities like Midland Medical Center and Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital. Overall, this area presents a well-rounded environment with essential services for seniors looking to reside in Fort Lauderdale.

Pharmacies

• CVS Pharmacy (0.2 miles)
• Winn-Dixie (0.2 miles)
• Walgreens (0.4 miles)
• Walgreens (0.6 miles)
• AHF Pharmacy - Campus (0.8 miles)
• Walgreens (1 miles)
• Winn-Dixie (1.4 miles)

Restaurants

• Boatyard (0.5 miles)
• 15th Street Fisheries (0.8 miles)
• Boathouse at the Riverside (1.1 miles)
• The Floridian (1.2 miles)
• Luigi's Coal Oven Pizza (1.3 miles)
• YOT Bar & Kitchen (2 miles)
• La Familia Tacos & Tequila (2 miles)

Transportation

• Brightline (1.6 miles)
• Terminal 1 (2 miles)
• Car Rental Center (2.1 miles)
• Delta Air Lines Ticket Counter (2.1 miles)
• Fort Lauderdale Airport- Arrivals Pickup (2.1 miles)
• TSA Security Checkpoint (2.2 miles)
• Terminal 3 (2.2 miles)

Parks

• Fort Lauderdale Beach Park (2.1 miles)
• Holiday Park (2.2 miles)
• George English Park (2.9 miles)
• Hugh Taylor Birch State Park (3.1 miles)
• Central Broward Regional Park (4.6 miles)
• Topeekeegee Yugnee Park (5 miles)
• Royal Palm Park (5.4 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (3.9 miles)
• Starbucks (7.1 miles)

Physicians

• Midland Medical Center (4.5 miles)
• Care Resource (4.6 miles)
• Stark Vision Hollywood Oakwood Plaza (4.7 miles)
• Pom MRI and Imaging Center (5.2 miles)
• Comprehensive Health & Wellness Center, P.A. (5.8 miles)
• Eye Centers Of South Florida (6.3 miles)

Theaters

• AMC DINE-IN Coral Ridge 1 (4.9 miles)

Hospitals

• Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital (6.4 miles)

Places of Worship

• Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church (6.6 miles)