Holiday Heights Nursing Home

Pros

• The staff were friendly and very helpful.
• They went above and beyond.
• The hospitality shown by the staff was appreciated.
• The rehabilitation staff demonstrated professionalism and provided attentive care.
• Meals were satisfactory, and medication management was consistently maintained.
• The care and compassion of the staff were outstanding.
• Holiday Heights is a wonderful, family-oriented place.
• Alyx Rocha and her staff are exceptional.

Cons

• The facility was described as absolutely disgusting, with lazy workers and a horrible smell.
• Residents were left for hours in soiled beds, and staff allegedly refused to change them.
• The staff were said to ignore call lights and fail to follow mobility and range-of-motion guidelines.
• Diabetic patients reportedly received inappropriate meals and never had their blood sugar checked.
• The building was likened to a 70s fallout hospital with cramped rooms and harsh lighting.
• There were allegations of code violations and a lack of a clear chain of command.
• The facility allegedly did not provide monthly statements or insurance EOBs.
• A family member claimed another relative used power of attorney to steal the resident's possessions.

Review

Across the collection of reflections about Holiday Heights, the picture that emerges is complex and deeply mixed. Several families describe experiences built on warmth, professionalism, and genuine care, while others recount troubling lapses in safety, communication, and accountability. What stands out in the positive accounts is a sense that, when the staff are present and attentive, residents and their families feel supported, respected, and connected. In some cases, caregivers are described as going above and beyond, delivering compassionate rehab, attentive medication management, and thoughtful social connections that give visitors reason to return. The overall tone of these favorable observations is one of gratitude for the people who treated their loved ones with kindness and dedication, even when the facility itself had its flaws.

The praise frequently centers on the behavior and professionalism of the staff. Families recount rehabilitation experiences that felt constructive and dignified, with clinicians and aides demonstrating care, attentiveness, and a commitment to maintaining patient comfort and safety. Several reviews note that meals were satisfactory and that the team worked to create meaningful interactions and relationships with residents - connections that provided emotional support as well as physical care. In particular, some reviewers emphasize a sense of hospitality and home-like warmth, despite the building's appearance. They describe the care as grounded in respect for residents and a genuine concern for their well-being, with staff members who seemed motivated to make each stay as positive as possible.

A smaller but very visible thread in the comments is the perception that the facility, to some degree, struggles with its physical environment. One review characterizes the building as having a "military barracks" feel, with concrete walls and an industrial vibe - a design that some people felt diminished the home-like atmosphere that staff were otherwise doing their best to cultivate. Even so, the consensus among those who perceived this was that the staff did everything they could to compensate for the setting, creating a sense of warmth and safety within a less-than-ideal exterior. The tension between a compassionate staff and a less inviting physical space appears repeatedly: excellent caregiving paired with an environment that some families found unwelcoming or outdated.

Beyond the day-to-day care, several accounts raise broader concerns about administration and financial transparency. A notable portion of the feedback centers on billing and documentation, with some reviewers reporting that they never received monthly statements or Explanation of Benefit statements from insurers. The absence of clear financial documentation is described as a source of frustration and confusion, especially when families feel they should have a straightforward accounting trail for services rendered. In several paragraphs, reviewers also recount interpersonal and legal complications involving family members who were not authorized to act for the resident. One case involves a sister alleged to have used and mismanaged a resident's resources, removed belongings, and claimed powers of attorney she did not hold. A letter from a physician asserting that the resident did not have dementia and could live independently is cited as context for questions about the sister's actions. Taken together, these elements underscore a real worry about governance, accountability, and safeguarding residents' property and finances.

Amid these concerns, there are clear reminders that some reviewers view Holiday Heights as a place with exemplary staff leadership and customer care. Several pieces call out specific individuals as outstanding contributors to the resident experience. For example, Alyx Rocha, described as Admission Coordinator/HR, receives high praise in one review for her work and the supportive staff she leads. Other messages highlight the impact of a new administrator and the responsiveness of the care team to resident concerns, suggesting that leadership changes were noticed and appreciated by families who felt they were finally being heard and supported. The consistent thread here is trust in the people who are on the front lines - nurses, CNAs, aides, and coordinators - when they are available and empowered to do their jobs well.

On the other end of the spectrum, several accounts present alarming, even brutal, pictures of neglect and poor conditions. A number of reviewers describe experiences that left them feeling that residents were not being cared for adequately. Specific complaints include extended delays to respond to call lights, poor hygiene, and rooms that smelled of waste. Some reviewers allege that staff did not change soiled beds or attend to residents promptly, and that there were lapses in vital monitoring such as blood sugar checks for diabetics. Additional critiques center on the facility's infrastructure and environment: rooms described as cramped and lacking windows or televisions, as well as a pervasive sense that the building's design and maintenance were not conducive to comfort or safety. In one particularly forceful account, the reviewer claims that the entire operation showed signs of systemic neglect, rampant odor, and a culture that did not enforce basic mobility and hygiene standards, to the point of questioning licensure compliance and safety.

A separate, strongly negative narrative comes from a former patient transport worker who witnessed repeated turnover in staff and a pattern of neglect that culminated in a decision to move a loved one elsewhere as quickly as possible. This account emphasizes the smell, unaddressed soiling, and a purported lack of adherence to standard care protocols - such as timely assistance with soiling care, routine monitoring, and communication about patient needs. The reviewer also contends there was an absence of a clear chain of command and accountability at the supervisory level, contributing to a hazardous environment. Taken together, these experiences reflect a distrust in the facility's ability to maintain the safety and well-being of residents when it matters most.

In sum, Holiday Heights appears to be a place where the strength of its people - the nurses, aides, therapists, and administrators - can make a meaningful difference in residents' lives, even if the building, systems, and procedures sometimes fail to match that same standard. For some families, the facility provides a welcoming, compassionate environment with capable rehab, solid meals, and meaningful human connection. For others, the combination of administrative concerns, documentation gaps, potential mismanagement by family members, and serious allegations of neglect and unsafe conditions paints a darker picture that cannot be ignored. As with many long-term care experiences, the reality seems to depend largely on who is at the helm, who is on duty, and how responsive leadership and staff are to concerns as they arise.

This part of Norman, Oklahoma offers convenient access to a variety of healthcare services, including physicians, hospitals, and pharmacies within a short distance. The area also provides numerous dining options ranging from fast food to upscale restaurants, as well as cafes for a leisurely coffee break. For recreational activities, nearby parks such as Rotary Park and Colonial Commons Park offer green spaces for outdoor relaxation. Additionally, transportation options are readily available with the University of Oklahoma Airport located nearby. Places of worship and theaters are also easily accessible for spiritual fulfillment and entertainment purposes. Overall, this neighborhood provides a well-rounded environment for senior living with its diverse amenities and services.

Physicians

• Norman Endoscopy Center (0.2 miles)
• GI Of Norman (0.2 miles)
• Variety Care (0.3 miles)
• Breast Care Center At Norman Regional Hospital (0.3 miles)
• Medical Mart (0.5 miles)
• Yeaman Signature Health Clinic (0.9 miles)
• Miller Vision Center (1.1 miles)

Hospitals

• Norman Regional Hospital Radiation Oncology (0.3 miles)
• Alsac St Jude Childrens's Hosp (1.1 miles)
• Children's Recovery Center (1.2 miles)
• Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (1.3 miles)
• J D Mc Carty Center For Children (2 miles)
• Healthplex Women's and Children's Pavillion (3.2 miles)
• Norman Healthplex Labor and Delivery (3.3 miles)

Pharmacies

• Physicians & Surgeons Pharmacy (0.3 miles)
• Central Pharmacy (1.1 miles)
• Walgreens (1.2 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.3 miles)
• Homeland (1.6 miles)
• Homeland (2.2 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.4 miles)

Restaurants

• Sonic Drive-In (0.4 miles)
• Tarahumara's Mexican Cafe (0.4 miles)
• Scratch Kitchen & Cocktails (1 miles)
• Service Station (1.3 miles)
• Chick-Fil-A (1.4 miles)
• Othello's Italian Restaurant (1.4 miles)
• McDonald's (1.5 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (1.3 miles)
• Dutch Bros Coffee (1.5 miles)
• Panera Bread (2.1 miles)
• Starbucks (2.2 miles)

Transportation

• University of Oklahoma Airport (OUN) (1.5 miles)
• David Jay Perry Airport (1K4) (5.7 miles)

Parks

• Rotary Park (2 miles)
• Colonial Commons Park (2.4 miles)

Places of Worship

• Islamic Society of Norman (2.1 miles)

Theaters

• Robinson Crossing 6 (2.6 miles)
• Regal Warren Moore 4DX & IMAX (7.2 miles)