Heartland Of Columbia Rehab And Nursing Center

Pros

• The staff at Heartland on Forest Drive has always been friendly and attentive to residents, creating a welcoming environment for families.
• Many family members express gratitude for the compassionate care provided by Heartland staff, highlighting their dedication to the well-being of residents.
• Residents have enjoyed living at Heartland, seeing it as a second family that provides comfort and support.
• The facility is noted for being neat and clean, contributing to a pleasant atmosphere for residents.
• Family members appreciate the efforts made by Heartland staff to keep them informed and comfortable, especially during challenging times like the pandemic.
• The physical therapy team at Heartland has received praise for their helpfulness and professionalism in aiding residents' recovery.

Cons

• The nursing home environment is not uplifting, and the level of stress is high for everyone involved.
• Staff members are often unavailable when needed, leading to inadequate care for residents.
• There have been reports of unsanitary conditions, with residents found in soiled clothing and bedding.
• The food served to residents has been described as gross and unappetizing.
• Communication between staff and families is poor, causing frustration for those seeking assistance.
• Residents have experienced significant weight loss due to a lack of proper care and attention.
• Some staff members have been reported as rude and unhelpful, giving the impression that they do not prioritize resident care.
• Residents are not regularly checked on, leaving them feeling neglected during their stay.
• There seems to be a focus on financial gain over quality care based on claims about misleading Medicare information.
• Issues with personal hygiene, such as infrequent bathing and hair washing, have been highlighted by family members of the residents.

Review

The experiences shared by individuals regarding the nursing care facilities, particularly Heartland on Forest Drive in Columbia, present a complex tapestry of opinions ranging from heartfelt gratitude to profound discontent. While some families express immense appreciation for the compassionate care and living environment provided at Heartland, others report alarming deficiencies that have led to tragic outcomes. The contrasting reviews highlight the challenges inherent in long-term care settings and the critical role of staff in shaping residents' well-being.

For many families, Heartland is seen as a beacon of hope in what can often be a grim landscape of nursing home care. One relative described her loved one as having found a second family at Heartland over her six-year residency. The staff’s friendly demeanor and attentiveness contributed significantly to her comfort and happiness within the facility. Another reviewer echoed this sentiment, emphasizing how the staff at Heartland provided invaluable support during particularly challenging times like the COVID-19 pandemic. This positive feedback underscores that dedicated and compassionate caregiving can indeed make a substantial difference in the lives of residents who may feel isolated or vulnerable.

Conversely, an alarming number of reviewers raised serious concerns about inadequate care practices at Heartland and other facilities. One individual recounted their harrowing experience with their mother, who tragically lost weight and deteriorated rapidly due to neglectful conditions. They described finding their mother in soiled clothing without timely assistance from staff members and expressed disbelief over how such oversight could occur in a health care setting. This personal tragedy was compounded by communication issues—highlighting a lack of awareness from staff that continued even after the devastating loss.

Others also reflected on poor management and unprofessional behavior among some caregivers at these facilities. Complaints included inadequate response times to call lights, unsatisfactory meal quality—described with resignation as “not Burger King”—and an overall lack of attention to personal hygiene for residents. These statements paint a troubling picture where essential needs regarding cleanliness and timely medical attention are repeatedly neglected, which not only adds stress for family members but also greatly diminishes the dignity afforded to their loved ones.

Despite mixed reviews for Heartland specifically, broader observations about nursing home environments emerged through these accounts. Many reviewers acknowledged that caring for individuals with complex needs is inherently challenging work; however, they firmly asserted that even amidst these challenges, basic standards must be met consistently by all staff members across shifts. Individuals shared conflicting feelings: admiration for those few exceptional caregivers who made meaningful connections with residents while feeling frustrated by those whose negligence overshadowed such efforts.

As families navigate an emotional landscape surrounding long-term care decisions for their loved ones—often fraught with guilt or uncertainty—the diverse experiences shared underscore the critical need for transparency within nursing home operations. Some families mentioned wishing there was more accessible means to communicate their feedback directly (e.g., suggestion boxes), suggesting that avenues could be created for improving service quality based on visitor insights.

In conclusion, while plenty of heartwarming stories emerge from places like Heartland that attest to good caregiving experiences shaped by committed staff, significant flaws remain apparent according to other reviews reflecting deeply troubling aspects related directly to resident welfare. The dichotomy between satisfaction and dissatisfaction reinforces both essential lessons: caregivers' roles cannot be underestimated nor taken lightly; ongoing assessment and open communication channels are paramount if organizations are to improve services effectively while honoring every resident's inherent value and right to dignified care.

Pharmacies

• Judy, Andrea (0.1 miles)
• Hawthorne Pharmacy (0.2 miles)
• Kroger Pharmacy (1 miles)
• Walgreens (1.1 miles)
• Walgreens (1.3 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.4 miles)
• Palmeto Senior Care: John D Marsh (1.6 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (0.2 miles)
• Drip (1.2 miles)
• Starbucks (1.6 miles)
• The Corner Blend (2 miles)
• Sweetwaters Coffee & Tea Park St (2 miles)
• Starbucks (2.5 miles)

Physicians

• Miller & Flynn Optometrist (0.3 miles)
• Providence Thoracic & Cardiovascular Associates (0.3 miles)
• Joseph J. Lawton (0.3 miles)
• Columbia Medical Associates (0.3 miles)
• Holly K Smith - Providence Columbia Medical Associates (0.3 miles)
• Carolinas Dermatology Group (0.3 miles)
• Eye Physicians & Surgeons of Columbia PA (0.4 miles)

Hospitals

• Sleep Med (0.4 miles)

Restaurants

• Waffle House (1 miles)
• Chick-Fil-A (1.1 miles)
• Pawleys Front Porch (1.1 miles)
• Backstreets Grill (1.1 miles)
• Craft and Draft (1.2 miles)
• The Gourmet Shop (1.2 miles)
• Bar None (1.2 miles)

Places of Worship

• Good Shepherd Lutheran Church (1.4 miles)
• St Joseph's Catholic Church (1.5 miles)
• Shandon Baptist Church (2.9 miles)

Transportation

• Enterprise Rent-A-Car (1.9 miles)

Parks

• Hollywood Park (1.9 miles)
• Columbia Canal & Riverfront Park (2.6 miles)