The Hillcrest of North Dallas

Pros

• The staff are friendly and attentive, and the facility is well maintained.
• Hillcrest of North Dallas is described as an exceptional facility with outstanding care.
• Residents and families note engaging activities and a home-like atmosphere.
• The dining and dietary program are praised, with the dietary manager receiving compliments.
• The nursing and therapy teams go above and beyond to care for residents.
• The building is clean, bright, and aesthetically pleasing.
• Administration and leadership are compassionate and professional.
• The staff are welcoming, making families feel supported.
• The facility is recommended for short-term rehab and long-term care.
• Therapy services are excellent and the therapists are dedicated.
• Front desk, admissions, and supportive staff are helpful and friendly.
• Overall, the environment feels like a welcoming home for loved ones.

Cons

• The place is nasty and unprofessional.
• Residents are left unattended and roam the halls as if they were in a psych ward.
• The facility is not safe at all.
• Rooms are dirty and the entire facility smells like a baby diaper.
• The staff cannot be located and call lights are not answered promptly.
• There are allegations of elder abuse and neglect with no adequate reporting.
• Management is terrible and the administration is incompetent.
• The facility is chronically understaffed with high turnover and poor maintenance.
• Medication errors occur and there is a lack of transparency with families.
• The HVAC system is unreliable and the building is not properly cleaned.

Review

The Hillcrest of North Dallas is best suited for families seeking a clean, activity-focused environment with solid nursing and therapy support when staffing levels are dependable and leadership is engaged. The building presents well, the rooms and common areas feel orderly, and reviewers repeatedly highlight engaging activities, responsive therapy teams, and attentive nurses when the facility is adequately staffed. For long-term care or short-term rehab, it can be a compelling option for families who want a friendly front desk, a pleasant atmosphere, and a programmatic approach to rehab and daily living.

However, it is essential to consider alternatives for families prioritizing ironclad safety and predictable, consistently high-quality care. Several reviews flag serious concerns about safety, staffing stability, and regulatory findings. Notably, Medicare records referenced by some reviewers highlight warnings and prior sanctions, and multiple accounts describe episodes of neglect or poor supervision. In a setting where critical incidents or slow response to alarms could jeopardize a vulnerable loved one, Hillcrest warrants a comparative diligence that may push families toward other facilities with more consistently documented safety and accountability.

On the upside, the strongest pros center on a well-maintained, attractive campus, professional and often warm staff, and a proven emphasis on rehabilitation and social engagement. Families praising the nursing and therapy teams describe attentive care, clear communication, and daily programs that keep residents active. The dietary improvements under a new manager earn praise, and several residents and families cite meaningful interactions with administrators, social workers, and activity directors. The combination of clean facilities, approachable staff, and robust activity offerings creates a sense of a welcoming, home-like environment when operations are running smoothly.

The major drawbacks revolve around staffing instability and concerning safety reports. Reviewers recount inconsistent caregiver coverage, delays in answering call lights, and frequent turnover that disrupts team familiarity with residents' needs. Odors, infrequent housekeeping lapses, and occasional room-assignment missteps appear in several accounts, with some families describing neglectful or unresponsive care. There are also deeply troubling anecdotes involving alleged abuse or failure to properly manage medical emergencies, which, even if isolated or disputed in part, create a pervasive sense of risk that cannot be ignored. Taken together, these themes emphasize that Hillcrest's strengths depend heavily on daily leadership and staffing realities.

In weighing the positives against the negatives, the conclusion is pragmatic: Hillcrest can deliver meaningful, high-quality care when leadership is proactive, staff are stable, and families can actively participate in oversight. The strong rehab orientation, clean environment, and caring clinicians can offset many ordinary challenges of long-term care, but the serious safety concerns and regulatory flags tilt the balance toward caution. For families with the time to tour thoroughly, request detailed staffing schedules, and obtain direct feedback from current residents and families, Hillcrest may represent a viable option - provided ongoing assurances about safety, accountability, and consistent care are in place.

Practical next steps are essential for anyone seriously considering Hillcrest. Schedule a comprehensive tour with the administrator and head of nursing, and ask for recent incident logs, staffing ratios by shift, and response-time data for call bells. Review the Medicare.gov care records and ask for concrete explanations about any prior sanctions or fines, as well as the facility's corrective actions. Request to speak with multiple front-line staff, including the director of therapy, the dietary manager, and several CNAs, to gauge consistency and morale. Finally, probe fall prevention measures, wound-care protocols, infection-control practices, and the process for discharging a resident or transferring to another facility. If these questions receive clear, credible, and sustained answers, Hillcrest can be a strong fit for a family prioritizing warmth, engagement, and capable rehab care. If not, explore options with steadier staffing, fewer regulatory concerns, and a demonstrable track record of consistently safe, transparent operations.

This section of Dallas, Texas offers a convenient and well-equipped community for senior living. With multiple hospitals nearby such as The Heart Hospital Baylor Plano and Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Plano, residents can have easy access to medical care. There are also several cafes and restaurants within a few miles, providing options for dining out or grabbing a cup of coffee. Additionally, there are pharmacies, physicians' offices, parks, places of worship, theaters, and transportation options like the Arapaho Center Station in close proximity. Overall, this area provides a blend of healthcare facilities, amenities, and recreational opportunities that cater to the needs and interests of seniors looking to settle in a vibrant neighborhood.

Hospitals

• The Heart Hospital Baylor Plano (0.8 miles)
• Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Plano (4.1 miles)

Cafes

• Mimi's Star Cafe (0.8 miles)
• Starbucks (3 miles)
• Red Truck Cafe (4.7 miles)
• Mozart Bakery (4.7 miles)
• Starbucks (5.4 miles)

Restaurants

• Lekka (1.3 miles)
• Afrika Fusion (2.6 miles)
• Eddie's Diner (2.7 miles)
• Sonic Drive-In (3.1 miles)
• Guitars & Growlers (3.2 miles)
• Bread Zeppelin Salads Elevated (3.6 miles)
• The Hideaway (3.7 miles)

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (1.3 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.8 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.8 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.6 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.9 miles)
• Walgreens (3.2 miles)
• Walgreens (3.2 miles)

Physicians

• The ENT & Allergy Centers of Texas (1.4 miles)
• Plano Orthopedic & Sports Medicine Center (1.5 miles)
• Eminent Medical Center (1.7 miles)
• Eye Care Associates (2.3 miles)
• Dhat (2.6 miles)
• Touchstone Imaging Plano (4 miles)
• Dallas Associated Dermatologists (4.6 miles)

Parks

• Russell Creek Park (1.9 miles)
• Windhaven Meadows Park (3.8 miles)
• Addison Circle Park (3.9 miles)
• Coyote Creek Park (4.6 miles)
• Memorial Park (4.6 miles)
• Arbor Hills Nature Preserve (4.8 miles)
• Hoblitzelle Park (5.5 miles)

Places of Worship

• Prestonwood Baptist Church (3.7 miles)
• Episcopal Church Of The Transfiguration (4.4 miles)
• Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church (4.8 miles)

Theaters

• Cinemark (4 miles)
• Alamo Drafthouse Cinema (4.6 miles)

Transportation

• Arapaho Center Station (4.5 miles)