Hillside Manor in Hollis, NY

Pros

• The staff are nice and caring.
• Her room is clean and spacious.
• The place is lively, with residents always doing something.
• It offers concerts, movie nights, game nights, and a variety of activities for residents.
• The dining room is nice.
• The staff are very friendly and interact well with residents.
• The facility has a comfortable setting where everyone has their own room.
• The facility is absolutely clean and well-maintained.
• The walls are painted and there is no peeling; there is no broken furniture.
• The environment is lively with many visitors and activities.
• The residents seem happy, well-groomed, and engaged.
• The staff are warm, loving, and attentive.
• Overall, Hillside Manor would be a good choice for a loved one.

Cons

• A family member was overmedicated constantly.
• There was no lost-and-found system, and several of her labeled clothing items were lost.
• PCA fill-ins were not properly trained on the patients they were covering.
• When the regular PCA wasn't there, she wasn't cleaned properly, which caused UTIs.
• The physical therapy was described as the worst.
• The staff were described as money-hungry and lacking empathy.
• The reviewer was concerned about safety due to the steep hill, doubting how patients could be evacuated safely.

Review

Hillside Manor in Hollis is best suited for active seniors who want a lively, apartment?style atmosphere with a steady calendar of social and recreational options, all within easy reach of transit and local amenities. The community shines for those who prize embedded activity life, private rooms, and personal attention from staff who come across as friendly and caring. Families seeking a genuine sense of engagement - where concerts, movie nights, game days, and day trips are part of the routine - will find Hillside Manor aligns with that goal. It is not a sterile, clinical enclave; it feels like a neighborhood where residents can stay connected, with a venue that supports social fulfillment as a daily priority.

Those weighing alternatives should consider whether the facility's age and consistency of care fit their expectations for risk management and reliability. The most pronounced red flags in the reviews relate to medication handling, staff training gaps, and operations that appear uneven at times - such as mis?medication concerns, lost laundry, and questions about the thoroughness of cleaning in resident rooms. For families prioritizing meticulous medication oversight, airtight accountability, and a consistently spotless, modern environment, Hillside Manor may not meet that bar. The surrounding setting - city-like traffic and a steep approach to visibility and entrance - can also complicate access for residents with mobility or safety concerns.

The core strengths of Hillside Manor - staff warmth, a bustling activity calendar, and private, well?maintained rooms - offer meaningful compensation for several drawbacks. The staff comes across as compassionate, attentive, and engaged with residents, helping to sustain a lively atmosphere that many families value. The private rooms and clean, well?kept common areas foster dignity and independence, while the dining room and on?site events provide predictable routines that curb isolation. The social worker's progress meetings and the involvement of volunteers underscore a culture of ongoing engagement, which can translate into measurable quality of life gains for residents who thrive on daily interaction and visible program offerings.

However, the same strengths illuminate why cautious buyers should probe beyond surface impressions. An old facility with dated infrastructure can amplify concerns around maintenance and overall efficiency, especially when paired with reports of inconsistent activity participation and gaps in care cohesion. The laundry mismanagement and the experiences of PCA coverage gaps point to potential vulnerabilities in day?to?day operations. Parking and accessibility on a busy hill can be challenging for residents with limited mobility or dementia, raising practical safety questions during outings or emergencies. In rehab scenarios, expectations about therapy quality and discharge planning should be explicitly verified, as some reviews suggest variability rather than uniformly excellent outcomes.

For decision guidance, prospective buyers should demand concrete assurances: how medication reconciliation is conducted, what the incident reporting and follow?through process looks like, and how staff scheduling guarantees consistent coverage by trained caregivers. Request recent activity calendars and a walk?through of private rooms versus shared spaces, plus a tour that includes therapy spaces and the rehab team's daily schedule. Inquire about laundry procedures, lost?and?found practices, and whether any recent renovations or planned upgrades address the dated?facility concerns. Safety details - especially on the hill, firecode compliance, and ease of egress - deserve explicit, written reassurance.

In the end, Hillside Manor stands out as a practical fit for families prioritizing connection, activity, and an apartment?like living experience in a transit?friendly neighborhood. It is less ideal for those whose non?negotiables are flawless medication safety, modern infrastructure, and consistently flawless operations across all shifts. The community rewards residents who relish a busy social life and who are comfortable advocating for themselves or their loved ones in a setting where warmth and engagement are genuine strengths. For seniors with more intensive medical oversight needs or with heightened sensitivity to care consistency, exploring a higher?acuity or newer facility may yield more reliable outcomes.

Located in the charming neighborhood of Hollis, New York, this area offers a variety of amenities and services that cater to senior living. With several parks nearby, such as Cunningham Park and Forest Park, residents can enjoy outdoor activities and scenic walks. The neighborhood also boasts convenient access to theaters like AMC Fresh Meadows 7 for entertainment options. A range of dining choices from fast food chains to upscale restaurants like Bobby Van's Steakhouse provide culinary diversity. In terms of healthcare, there are numerous pharmacies and hospitals within close proximity, including Winthrop University Hospital for medical needs. Transportation is easily accessible with multiple subway and train stations nearby, making it convenient for seniors to travel around the city. Overall, Hollis presents a vibrant and well-equipped environment for seniors seeking a comfortable and engaging lifestyle.

Parks

• Cunningham Park (1.1 miles)
• Alley Pond Park (2.1 miles)
• Forest Park (3.9 miles)
• Flushing Meadows Corona Park (4.3 miles)
• Allenwood Park (6.1 miles)
• Hempstead Lake State Park (7.1 miles)

Theaters

• AMC Fresh Meadows 7 (1.9 miles)

Restaurants

• White Castle (1.9 miles)
• McDonald's (2.9 miles)
• Taco Bell (3.1 miles)
• Burger King (3.3 miles)
• Bobby Van's Steakhouse (4.8 miles)
• Air France Lounge (5 miles)

Pharmacies

• CVS Pharmacy (2 miles)
• Walgreens (2.1 miles)
• Walgreens (2.8 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.8 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3.1 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3.7 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3.8 miles)

Transportation

• MTA - Sutphin Boulevard Subway Station (2.1 miles)
• LIRR - Jay / Hall Tower (2.1 miles)
• LIRR - Jamaica Station (2.1 miles)
• MTA Subway - Briarwood (2.5 miles)
• LIRR - Floral Park Station (3.6 miles)
• Forest Hills – 71st Avenue (3.7 miles)
• Avis Rent A Car (4.2 miles)

Places of Worship

• St Luke's Episcopal Church (3.7 miles)
• Congregation Sons of Israel (6.6 miles)

Hospitals

• Division of Vascular/Interventional Radiology at Long Island Jewish Medical Center (4.3 miles)
• Winthrop University Hospital New Life Center (7 miles)
• Winthrop University Hospital (7 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (5.2 miles)
• Starbucks (5.6 miles)
• Starbucks (6.2 miles)

Physicians

• 2 Pro Health Plaza (5.2 miles)
• North Shore Gastroenterology Associates PC (6.4 miles)
• Orlin & Cohen Orthopedic Group (6.4 miles)
• Winthrop Professional Building (7.1 miles)