Forest Hills Care Center

Pros

• The care team at the facility is known for their compassion and dedication, with specific praise for individual staff members such as Marvette.
• Many family members found the office staff, especially the social workers, to be kind and supportive throughout their loved ones' stays.
• The facility offers various activities for residents, creating a festive atmosphere that includes events like themed parties.
• The food provided at the facility is generally considered nourishing and well-prepared, even accommodating special dietary needs.
• Residents expressed feelings of support and comfort during their stay, with one mother stating she felt right at home.
• Visitors appreciated the cleanliness of the facility and noted that most staff were friendly and accommodating when it came to visiting hours.
• Some reviews highlighted positive experiences with problem resolution from management, indicating responsive leadership within the facility.

Cons

• One individual reported that the facility was "HORRIBLE" and accused them of almost killing their father due to neglect, including failing to provide physical therapy and denying him water for hours.
• Another reviewer noted that the residents did not appear satisfied or happy, indicating concerns about the quality of care.
• A family member described difficulty in reaching staff for answers and support, suggesting poor communication from the facility.
• One commenter expressed dissatisfaction with the shared living arrangements and stated that not enough activities were provided for residents during their stay, which negatively impacted their loved one's social experience.
• A reviewer mentioned that while the facility was clean, it appeared outdated and in need of improvements in furnishings.
• Despite some positives, another review pointed out issues with understaffing, affecting overall attention given to residents.

Review

Forest Hills Care Center has garnered a range of opinions from families of residents who have experienced its services, reflecting both commendable care and troubling instances of neglect. This reflective piece seeks to encapsulate the diverse experiences shared by individuals regarding the facility's staff, environment, and overall quality of care offered to their loved ones.

In several reviews, families praised the compassionate and attentive nature of the staff at Forest Hills. Many expressed an appreciation for the rehabilitation team, highlighting their dedication and effectiveness in providing physical therapy to patients. Specific caregivers were named for going above and beyond; one reviewer particularly lauded an aide named Marvette, calling her "THE BEST." The office staff also received accolades for their kindness and willingness to support family members through difficult times. Social workers were noted as being especially approachable and responsive to concerns, which contributed significantly to a family’s comfort level while navigating this challenging caregiving environment.

Conversely, not all feedback was positive. A stark contrast emerged in one review that described a harrowing experience where neglect reportedly almost cost a resident's life. The reviewer recounted how their father was not provided adequate physical therapy sessions despite being there for rehab, suffered from neglect concerning hydration needs, and ultimately faced serious health deterioration that required hospitalization. This alarming account raised significant concerns over the care standards at Forest Hills and prompted strong warnings against entrusting loved ones to this facility.

Another family's experience was more mixed but still revealing. They detailed how their mother stayed at Forest Hills for nearly five months due to a stroke. While they reported that most interactions with staff were respectful and supportive—especially from those in the office—their observations pointed to some underlying issues such as infrequent activities due to COVID-19 restrictions impacting engagement levels among residents. Some areas within the facility appeared outdated or needed maintenance attention but were kept clean overall.

The challenges posed by COVID-19 resonated throughout multiple accounts; initially strict visitation protocols limited family interaction with residents dramatically. One reviewer articulated how visiting was only permissible through window views before transitioning to more direct communication via plexiglass barriers in dining areas when restrictions eased temporarily. Staff members demonstrated flexibility during these transitions by accommodating visits during meal times whenever possible. Nonetheless, access limitations remained a source of frustration for many families worried about their loved one’s emotional well-being confined within those walls.

Despite some negative reports regarding staffing shortages leading to uneven resident attention—a common issue across various healthcare settings—several reviewers acknowledged that much of the personnel exhibited genuine care towards patients. Activities like bingo parties and themed events were mentioned positively as means for social engagement among residents, contributing positively to their mental health during recovery processes.

On balance, while many families relayed heartfelt thankfulness for specific caregivers who provided support in difficult situations, others voiced substantial grievances about systemic issues affecting resident care quality at Forest Hills Care Center. These contrasting narratives highlight an urgent need for ongoing assessments within residential facilities serving vulnerable populations so that best practices can be reinforced consistently while addressing areas in need of improvement decisively.

This area of Forest Hills, New York offers a variety of conveniences for senior living. With multiple pharmacies within a few miles' radius, easy access to transportation options such as subway stations and the LIRR, and places of worship nearby like St Luke's Episcopal Church, seniors can feel confident in their ability to meet their daily needs. The proximity to parks like Forest Park and Flushing Meadows Corona Park provides opportunities for outdoor activities and relaxation. Additionally, there are several dining options ranging from fast food chains to fine dining establishments, ensuring a diverse selection of cuisine. For medical care, reputable facilities such as the David H. Koch Center for Cancer Care at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and Manhattan Psychiatric Center are within reach. Overall, this part of Forest Hills offers a convenient and well-rounded environment for senior residents.

Pharmacies

• CVS Pharmacy (0.5 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (0.7 miles)
• Walgreens (1.8 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.4 miles)
• Walgreens (2.4 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3.2 miles)
• Queens Crossing (3.2 miles)

Transportation

• Forest Hills – 71st Avenue (0.6 miles)
• MTA Subway - Briarwood (2 miles)
• LIRR - Mets-Willets Point Station (2.4 miles)
• MTA - Mets-Willets Point Subway Station (2.5 miles)
• MTA Subway - 74th St/Roosevelt Ave/Jackson Hts (2.6 miles)
• LIRR - Jamaica Station (2.8 miles)
• MTA - Sutphin Boulevard Subway Station (2.9 miles)

Places of Worship

• St Luke's Episcopal Church (0.7 miles)

Parks

• Forest Park (1.2 miles)
• Flushing Meadows Corona Park (2 miles)
• Cunningham Park (4.6 miles)
• Astoria Park (4.9 miles)
• McCarren Park (4.9 miles)
• Herbert Von King Park (5.2 miles)
• Rainey Park (5.3 miles)

Theaters

• AMC Fresh Meadows 7 (4.1 miles)

Restaurants

• Taco Bell (4.2 miles)
• Ikraveit Foods (4.7 miles)
• McDonald's (4.8 miles)
• Kimbap Lab (5.4 miles)
• Burger King (5.9 miles)
• Bobby Van's Steakhouse (6 miles)
• White Castle (6.2 miles)

Cafes

• The West (5 miles)

Physicians

• David H. Koch Center for Cancer Care at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (6 miles)
• Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (6.1 miles)

Hospitals

• Manhattan Psychiatric Center (6.2 miles)
• Kings County Hospital Center (6.3 miles)