Highland Nursing Center in San Antonio, TX

Pros

• It is described as usually very clean and free of odors compared with other facilities.
• It is called a favorite heirloom jewel that one wouldn’t want to leave.
• The family-run bungalow is noted for having the happiest, friendliest staff in the area.
• The staff is praised as great and residents are treated with respect.
• The food is described as looking good and residents are doing well there.
• The facility is noted as old but well cared for.

Cons

• The facility misleads families by touting a “4 Star Rated” status while doing little to maintain standards of care to pass inspections.
• Highland falls short in many areas, with departmental communication appearing lacking.
• Management and administration are questionable, using bait-and-switch tactics and showing a poor understanding of the law governing release of medical information and durable powers of attorney.
• The activities are limited to the facility, with no off-site trips or outings offered.
• Overall, Highland Nursing Center leaves a lot to be desired.
• The nurses are largely unfriendly and impatient with residents, while staff frequently take excessive smoke breaks during shifts.
• Administrative staff lack empathy and fail to answer questions about residents’ care or belongings.
• Personal items, including clothing and blankets, were used by other residents without permission.
• The facility quickly uses sedatives to make its job easier.
• A resident’s death appeared suspicious and potentially preventable due to infrequent rounds.
• The administrator blocked a doorway and attempted to intimidate a family during a transfer, requiring police intervention; families are advised not to choose this facility.
• The facility has a strong odor resembling death, with persistent smells of urine and feces, and staff often fail to answer questions or take responsibility.
• The facility neglects patients, and families are advised to visit daily to obtain answers.
• The staff and upper management are incompetent.

Review

Highland Nursing Center is best suited for families prioritizing a clean, predictable environment where basic daily needs are met without demanding high-touch clinical oversight. The standout positive is cleanliness: the facility generally avoids the pervasive odors found in some peers, and residents will find a tidy, orderly setting. It suits residents who mainly require custodial care, routine meals, and some continuity of care, rather than those who need intensive nursing, complex medications, or aggressive care coordination. Prospective movers should not expect a vibrant activity program or robust off-site outings; the facility’s strength rests in keeping a straightforward, on-site routine.

Alternatives should be strongly considered for families seeking proactive administration, transparent communication, and a consistently responsive care team. The reviews reveal a pattern of management concerns, with accusations of “bait and switch” tactics and limited knowledge about legal releases of medical information. Administrative processes appear opaque, and questions about care plans, medication, or residents’ belongings often go unanswered. For families who require clear, timely answers, and a facility willing to walk through the legal and medical details with POAs and family members, Highland may fall short. If a high level of advocacy, safety oversight, and consistent policy implementation is essential, look to other options.

The primary pros at Highland, cleanliness and a calm on-site routine, do not fully offset the most troubling cons. A solid safe baseline is helped by good sanitation and reliable housekeeping, but this cannot compensate for perceived gaps in clinical leadership and day-to-day care responsiveness. The dietary department is noted to do its best, and a basic level of care is present, yet the lack of meaningful activities beyond the building’s walls and limited staff engagement with residents dulls the overall experience. In short, cleanliness buys some peace of mind, but it cannot compensate for inadequate nursing presence, poor intra-staff communication, or insufficient resident advocacy.

Safety and accountability emerge as the most serious red flags. Reports describe bruising on a resident, lost items, and even blankets being used by others, all of which point to weak controls over personal property and basic resident safety. Sedation is cited as a tool to ease workload, which raises questions about consent, monitoring, and the appropriateness of medication decisions. A particularly alarming incident involved blocking a POA’s doorway during a sought relocation, culminating in police involvement. These narratives create a risk-aware picture: without stronger oversight, family members may face obstruction when seeking timely, transparent resolutions, and residents may endure avoidable harm or neglect.

For families navigating a decision, establish a concrete, early plan to verify care quality before committing. Demand to see up-to-date care plans, medication administration records, incident logs, and a transparent medications policy. Schedule unannounced visits at different times, speak directly with both the Director of Nursing and front-line staff, and talk with current residents about daily experiences. Require clear lines of accountability for any bruising, missing belongings, or changes in a resident’s condition, and insist on timely responses to questions about care plans and releases of information. If these assurances cannot be provided, or if staff turnover and communication gaps persist, move to facilities with proven, proactive management and stronger resident advocacy.

In the end, Highland Nursing Center can serve a niche: a clean, low-disruption environment for residents who require basic custodial care and whose families are prepared to stay actively involved and demand rigorous oversight. For anyone prioritizing reliable clinical leadership, transparent administration, responsive problem-solving, and uncompromised resident safety, alternatives should be the default path. The deciding families will want to weigh the peace of mind that comes with strong management against the unsettling reports of neglect, resistance to questions, and safety concerns that pervade these reviews.

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (0.9 miles)
• Walgreens (1.1 miles)
• Walgreens (2.8 miles)
• Walgreens (3.4 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3.6 miles)
• Walmart Pharmacy (3.8 miles)
• Walgreens (4.1 miles)

Restaurants

• Las Palapas (1.1 miles)
• Chick-Fil-A (1.2 miles)
• Taco Cabana (1.3 miles)
• Taco Bell (1.6 miles)
• McDonald's (2.7 miles)
• McDonald's (2.8 miles)
• Wendy's (3.9 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (1.2 miles)
• Starbucks (5.1 miles)
• The Trading Post (5.7 miles)
• Starbucks (5.7 miles)
• Habibi Cafe (7.6 miles)
• Baldys Classic Diner (8.3 miles)

Physicians

• Dr.Abraham-Cox Office (1.3 miles)
• Southeast OB-GYN Associates PA (1.5 miles)
• Kidney Treatment Center-East (2.8 miles)
• Hugo Alonzo Rojas (4.1 miles)
• Trevino Family Clinic (4.1 miles)
• John A Campagna (5 miles)
• Wesley Primary Care (5.5 miles)

Hospitals

• San Antonio State Hospital (1.4 miles)
• Innova Hospital San Antonio (1.6 miles)
• US Army (6.3 miles)
• San Antonio Military Medical Center-SAMMC (6.4 miles)
• University Health System (8 miles)

Transportation

• Enterprise Rent-A-Car (2.5 miles)
• Exit 567/Fredericksburg Rd/E (7.4 miles)

Places of Worship

• Mission San Jose (2.6 miles)
• Second Baptist Church (3.5 miles)
• Mission Concepcion (3.6 miles)
• Temple Beth-El (6.6 miles)
• St Ann's Catholic Church (7.2 miles)

Parks

• Palo Alto Park (7.3 miles)
• Woodlawn Lake Park (7.9 miles)
• Lou Karden Memorial Park (9.2 miles)