Highlands Lake Center

Pros

• The rehabilitation resources at Highlands Lake Center are very impressive, featuring a dedicated staff of a dozen rehab specialists who provide excellent care.
• Many patients and their families appreciate the caring nature and kindness of several staff members, contributing to a positive atmosphere in the facility.
• The physical therapy department is highly regarded for its first-rate services and the effective encouragement provided by therapists during recovery.
• The facility is consistently noted for being clean and pleasant, creating a welcoming environment for residents.
• Families have experienced good communication with staff regarding care and were able to participate in their loved ones' rehabilitation process.
• The dining area offers enjoyable meals, enhancing the overall experience for both residents and their visitors.
• Some patients reported significant improvements in their condition due to the attentive care they received from nurses and therapists during their stay.

Cons

• Patients' call buttons are frequently ignored, leading to prolonged wait times for assistance.
• Staff members display a lack of professionalism, with some observed laughing at patients in distress.
• There is inconsistency in care and policies among the staff, creating confusion and frustration.
• The facility has experienced a decline in quality due to high turnover rates and the hiring of agency nurses.
• Essential supplies such as wipes have been replaced with inadequate alternatives, forcing families to provide their own essentials.
• The physical facility is described as old and poorly maintained, contributing to a negative overall environment for residents.
• Some staff members exhibit contemptible indifference towards patients, diminishing the overall quality of care.
• Despite signs promoting "caring" and "dignity," many patients are observed being neglected or poorly treated.

Review

Highlands Lake Center has garnered a mixed bag of reviews, with many experiences reflecting significant concerns about care quality and staffing, while others highlight commendable rehabilitation services and positive interactions with specific staff members. Individuals who have visited or had loved ones stay in the facility articulate a range of emotions—frustration, disappointment, gratitude, and even hope—pointing to both systemic issues and shining examples of dedicated care.

Several reviewers noted instances where call buttons went unanswered for extended periods. Patients reported feeling neglected, with one caregiver expressing dismay at observing urine-drenched individuals wandering the halls while staff seemed indifferent to their needs. The majority of complaints centered around understaffing; nursing personnel appeared overwhelmed and were often observed directing families to wait for Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) rather than attending to patient needs directly. In some cases, CNAs were described as pleasant but overworked, leaving little room for support when staff was stretched thin.

Despite these substantial critiques regarding general attentiveness and responsiveness from nurses, some experiences stood in stark contrast. A reviewer praised the rehab department's impressive capabilities, emphasizing that the physical therapists were diligent in pushing patients toward recovery goals. This insight underlines that even within an ostensibly struggling facility, there are standout professionals making a meaningful difference in patients' lives. Several reports highlighted daily therapy sessions that significantly advanced patient mobility and overall well-being, indicating that skilled rehabilitation efforts could greatly benefit those requiring post-surgical care or recovery from injuries.

Compounding these issues is a perception that management has worsened in recent months following a change in ownership. Reports surfaced about diminished quality of supplies used by staff members, leading to practices deemed inappropriate by family members—such as using towels to assist with personal hygiene instead of providing proper medical supplies like wipes. Such changes sparked worry among families regarding how cost-cutting measures impact patient care standards.

However, amid the grievances about staffing quality and inconsistency are glimmers of positivity articulated by family members who believe their loved ones received adequate attention from certain caring workers amidst the chaos. One review shared uplifting feedback on the dining experience provided at Highlands Lake Center; meals were described as enjoyable both by residents and their visiting family members. This familial participation during meal times served as an opportunity for connection between residents and caregivers alike.

Encouragingly enough, there exists clear acknowledgment that Highlands Lake Center offers an active rehabilitation program alongside a clean environment—a point reiterated across various testimonials praising both cleanliness and safety protocols established within the facility for protecting vulnerable residents prone to wandering or confusion. While some individuals left with serious concerns about staff morale or treatment practices evident during their visits—for instance witnessing inappropriate behavior among staff—others felt reassured by accessible management levels engaging with families personally throughout care discussions.

Ultimately, Highland Lake Center sits at a crossroads between exemplary rehab capabilities and troubling service shortcomings marked by apparent disconnects within its staffing structure and corporate policies guiding daily operations. Families contemplating taking loved ones into this facility may feel inclined to explore firsthand accounts from previous visitors while weighing individual experiences against reported systemic challenges affecting comprehensive resident care quality moving forward.

Places of Worship

• Highland Park Church of the Nazarene (0.6 miles)
• The Rock Community Church (2 miles)
• Way Community Church (2.1 miles)
• South Florida Baptist Association (2.1 miles)
• Church Of The Resurrection (2.4 miles)
• Victory Church at Lakeside Village (3.7 miles)
• Christ Lutheran Church (6.5 miles)

Parks

• Woodlake Park (1.2 miles)
• Circle B Bar Reserve (4 miles)
• Adair PARK (5.2 miles)
• Lake Parker Park (6.6 miles)

Pharmacies

• Winn-Dixie (1.5 miles)
• Walgreens (2.1 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.5 miles)
• PharMerica (2.5 miles)
• Tri County Pharmacy (2.6 miles)
• Walgreens (3.4 miles)
• Ariana Pharmacy (4.2 miles)

Physicians

• Lakeland Primary Care Associates (1.5 miles)
• Doctor Today Tlc (1.5 miles)
• Southside Medical Clinic (1.7 miles)
• Adult Primary Care Of Polk County (1.7 miles)
• St Luke's regional health care (2 miles)
• Dermatology Associates (2.1 miles)
• Lakeland Open Mri (2.1 miles)

Restaurants

• Ling's Buffet (2.1 miles)
• Andy's Frozen Custard (2.1 miles)
• First Watch - South Lakeland (2.1 miles)
• Winners Circle Sports Bar & Grill (2.1 miles)
• PDQ (2.2 miles)
• Chick-Fil-A (2.2 miles)
• Tijuana Flats (2.3 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (2.3 miles)
• Black & Brew Coffee House & Bistro (4.4 miles)

Hospitals

• Polk Starlight Sleep Labs (2.6 miles)
• Lakeland Regional Health (5.2 miles)
• Lakeland Regional Heal (5.3 miles)
• Radiology Department (5.4 miles)
• Lakeland Regional Medical Center (5.4 miles)
• Endoscopy Unit (5.5 miles)
• Bartow Regional Medical Center (6.7 miles)

Transportation

• Railroad Tracks (4.3 miles)
• Lakeland Linder Regional Airport (LAL) (5.6 miles)