Heritage Forest Lane

Pros

• The staff were knowledgeable and helped the reviewer feel informed about their dad's short-term rehabilitation decision.
• Staff kindly helped him get in and out of bed, use the bathroom, and shower.
• The facility allowed guests to visit and provided phone access when needed.
• The staff provide quick 24/7 assistance.
• Barbara Malick likes Highlands.
• The staff are amazing and the environment is very caring.
• The reviewer loves the place and notes that everyone is nice and welcoming.
• The facility has a good system and is organized.

Cons

• The facility should be shut down.
• The facility deserves a zero rating.
• The facility is absolutely horrible and unkempt.
• The facility smells like urine.
• The workers are lazy and dysfunctional.
• The DON is horrible and will lie to you.
• Staff can make up their own assignments.
• They stole nearly $3,000 from a resident's trust fund and continued to receive her Social Security checks.
• The administrator Chris Gordy threatens residents.
• People should not send their loved ones to this facility.

Review

A wide range of experiences comes through in the collection of notes about Highlands and Highlands Guest Care. Several visitors describe a facility that can feel bright, organized, and responsive in certain moments, especially when short-term rehab or rapid assistance is needed. In these accounts, the therapy gym, dining services, and the general layout of rooms are highlighted as positive features. One reviewer who spent six weeks there due to a knee injury recalls a smooth process getting in and out of bed, using the bathroom and shower with assistance, and the ability to have guests visit and even lend a working phone when theirs was dead. This observer also notes the staff's knowledge and their effort to help a family make an educated decision about a parent's move for short-term rehabilitation, underscoring a generally supportive and informative tone during the tour and stay.

Several pieces of testimony emphasize direct, hands-on care. A guest who required 24/7 assistance during recovery stresses that when short-notice help was needed, the staff responded quickly. This impression echoes the sense that, for some residents, the facility can deliver reliable support in essential moments, especially around daily living tasks and mobility. Another positive thread comes from the arrival of Barbara Malick to the community, with the writer looking forward to visiting and noting that she speaks highly of the place. These comments suggest a segment of residents and visitors who associate Highlands with warmth, attentiveness, and a sense of community.

However, the narrative is not one-sided. A substantial portion of the remarks paints a starkly different picture, focusing on serious concerns about care quality, staffing, and governance. Several reviewers accuse the facility of abuse, coercion, and neglect, with some pointing to understaffing as a root cause. In these voices, the DON and the director are singled out as problematic, with allegations that assignments are manipulated or retaliatory in nature. The frustration is not merely about low staffing levels; it is framed as systemic, with claims that staff are allowed to act without accountability and that legal or policy protections are not adequately observed. One reviewer stresses not recommending the place, underscoring a feeling that the care environment can deteriorate into something unsafe and unfair.

Financial and communication concerns emerge in another, particularly alarming strand. One family alleges their mother was mistreated, placed in inadequate space, and had money misappropriated from a trust fund, with ongoing questions about Social Security benefits and a lack of clear communication with the family's power of attorney. The account describes difficulty in getting timely information about care and safety, and an insistence that advocacy from family members is essential to prevent harm. The severity of these claims - ranging from misallocation of funds to potential isolation and improper handling of medical and personal communications - paints a troubling picture for those considering placing a loved one at Highlands.

The sentiment about care quality is further complicated by memories from the past. A reviewer recalls experiences from a decade earlier (2010, when the facility was Forest Ln Healthcare SNF) that echoed similar warnings: a strong odor of urine, messy staff behavior, and a DON described as horrible. That memory continues to color current perceptions, especially as the writer notes their own professional evolution into a CNA/CMA and their reluctance to consider the current facility for employment. It serves as a cautionary touchpoint about the potential for longstanding issues to recur or linger in the facility's culture.

Amid the conflicting narratives, there are even sharper contrasts. One reviewer endorses Highlands with phrases like "administrator Chris Gordy threats residents like they are family members" alongside a claim that staff are amazing and the environment is very caring. Another comment simply insists that the place should be shut down, citing personal experiences of being unable to contact a grandmother, concerns about isolation, and anger over the handling of her care and phone access. A number of short notes celebrate excellent service and attentive staff, while others condemn the same facility as unprofessional and neglectful, with accounts of residents screaming for help going unanswered and beds and food described as subpar. The chorus is clearly divided, and the tone shifts from praise to outrage across different entries.

What stands out across all these accounts is a pattern of highly inconsistent experiences. For some families, Highlands appears to be a place where care can be responsive, staff can be compassionate, and administrative systems can run smoothly, especially in the context of a planned, short-term rehab stay. For others, the same facility feels dangerous or negligent, with serious questions raised about staffing, accountability, and communication with families and legal guardians. The juxtaposition of praise for individual staff members or positive examples of effort against broad allegations of abuse, theft, and neglect creates a picture of a complex, unsettled environment.

If you are evaluating Highlands or Highlands Guest Care, the message from these voices is not simple. There are meaningful positives: capable staff during rehab, supportive day-to-day assistance, and visible efforts to keep operations efficient and welcoming at times. There are equally compelling warnings: potential understaffing, reports of abuse or neglect, difficulties with communication and oversight, and serious concerns about safety and the handling of a resident's funds and legal matters. Prospective families should approach with thorough due diligence - visiting with questions, speaking directly to guardians and residents when possible, requesting comprehensive tours of care practices, and consulting state resources or inspectors to understand current conditions. The spectrum of experiences suggests that outcomes may depend heavily on specific shifts, staff members, and the overall culture at any given time.

This area of Dallas, Texas, offers a diverse range of amenities and services that cater to the needs of seniors. With several pharmacies, hospitals, and physicians' offices in close proximity, residents have easy access to healthcare facilities. Additionally, there are numerous restaurants offering a variety of cuisines, cafes for socializing with friends over coffee, and parks for leisurely strolls or outdoor activities. The presence of theaters provides entertainment options for those who enjoy movies. Various places of worship are also nearby for spiritual fulfillment. Overall, this part of Dallas combines convenience with a vibrant community atmosphere, making it an appealing choice for senior living.

Restaurants

• Braum's (0.2 miles)
• Wingstop (1.4 miles)
• Pappasito's Cantina (2.4 miles)
• Taco Diner (2.5 miles)
• Enchilada's Restaurant (2.6 miles)
• Taco Joint (3 miles)
• Seasons 52 (3.3 miles)

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (1.3 miles)
• Abrams Royal Pharmacy (1.4 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.6 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.1 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.3 miles)
• Walgreens (2.4 miles)
• Walgreens (2.8 miles)

Hospitals

• Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas (2.2 miles)
• Baylor Scott & White Medical Center (5.8 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (2.4 miles)
• Starbucks (3.2 miles)
• Starbucks (4.4 miles)
• Urban Vines Wine Bistro (6 miles)

Physicians

• Pediatric Associates of Dallas (2.5 miles)
• Eye Care Associates (4.8 miles)
• Eye 2 Eye Vision (5.8 miles)
• Eminent Medical Center (6.2 miles)
• Baylor Medical Plaza (7 miles)

Parks

• R.P Brooks Park (2.6 miles)
• Lochwood Park (5 miles)
• Addison Circle Park (5.7 miles)
• Germany Park (5.9 miles)
• Tietze Park (6.1 miles)

Theaters

• Alamo Drafthouse Cinema (2.8 miles)
• Alamo Drafthouse Lake Highlands (3 miles)
• AMC Theater Northpark (3.2 miles)

Transportation

• Park Lane Station (2.8 miles)
• Arapaho Center Station (4 miles)

Places of Worship

• Episcopal Church Of The Transfiguration (3.1 miles)
• Temple Emanu-El (3.6 miles)
• Northway Christian Church (3.7 miles)
• Preston Hollow Presbyterian Church (3.8 miles)
• Redeemer Bible Church (4.8 miles)
• St Monica Catholic Church (5.6 miles)
• Ridge Pointe Fellowship (6.9 miles)