Overall sentiment in the reviews for Highland Park Rehabilitation and Care Community is highly mixed and polarized. A substantial subset of reviewers report exceptionally positive experiences emphasizing compassionate, attentive staff, strong physical therapy and rehabilitation services, and a clean, comfortable environment with attractive common areas. Several reviewers singled out individual employees (e.g., Stephanie, Teresa, Marietta) and roles (social worker, nurses, PTs) for going above and beyond, assisting with Medicaid and paperwork, performing thorough in-home visits, and helping families during transitions. Multiple long-term residents and families expressed gratitude and satisfaction, noting resident happiness, effective rehab outcomes, and successful long-term placement (including a report of a resident staying Covid-free through the pandemic). The facility also receives praise for remodeled spaces, updated bathrooms, a pet-friendly and community-oriented atmosphere, and periodic activities and music programming that enhance quality of life.
Counterbalancing the positive reports are numerous and serious negative allegations that point to inconsistent operational performance and potential safety risks. Many reviews describe critical lapses in clinical care: slow call-button response times (some reports around three hours), delayed pain medication, improper wound dressing management, and poor follow-up with surgeons and aftercare. There are multiple accounts of neglect—patients allegedly left unattended for hours, ignored by staff, or suffering unaddressed pain — and at least one review that links care failure to a death. Infection-control and safety concerns were raised, including reports of a COVID outbreak, patients roaming hallways, and diagnoses (e.g., shingles or infection) that reviewers feel were missed or delayed. These clinical issues are compounded by reports of unsafe food handling practices, lack of diabetic/low-carb meal options, and inconsistent meal quality.
Facility and maintenance concerns appear repeatedly and are mixed in nature. Several reviewers note that the building is older but generally clean and maintained; others report tangible problems such as water damage on the ceiling, a urine smell in hallways, broken or damaged rooms, lack of air conditioning in patient areas, and heater malfunctions. Some areas have been remodeled and are praised, but the physical plant seems uneven: attractive lounges and updated bathrooms exist alongside reports of basic maintenance problems and housekeeping lapses. Security and administrative issues are also mentioned: reviewers reported doors that don’t lock, blocked visitors, unanswered messages to the business office, duplicate billing, and episodes of abrupt or poorly communicated discharges. These operational problems feed into perceptions of dishonesty or lack of transparency by some staff and administration.
Staff behavior and culture is another prominent, polarized theme. Many families and residents describe staff as friendly, respectful, professional, and patient-focused. At the same time, other reviews recount unprofessional behavior—yelling by nurses at CNAs in front of visitors, rudeness toward families, staff on cell phones, and language-barrier-related communication problems. Several reports point to understaffing and poor responsiveness as root causes of delays and neglect, while other reviewers acknowledge staff are trying hard despite being short-staffed. This suggests significant variability in staffing levels, training, and supervision across shifts or units.
Dining, activities, and day-to-day quality-of-life offerings show mixed feedback. Some reviewers praise the activity programming, music visits, and the social, homey atmosphere, while others find the facility institutional and criticize the food—especially the diabetic diet—and the limited or inconsistent activity options. Administrative and customer-service experiences vary: a number of reviewers commend helpful office staff and caseworkers who resolve billing or insurance issues and maintain good communication, but others report unreturned calls, transferred calls, billing errors, and administrators who are unresponsive or defensive when complaints are raised.
In summary, Highland Park Rehabilitation and Care Community appears to provide excellent, compassionate care and strong rehabilitation services for many residents, with standout staff and some well-maintained and updated spaces. However, the facility also has multiple serious and recurring complaints involving responsiveness, clinical care lapses, safety and infection-control concerns, inconsistent housekeeping and maintenance, and administrative/communication failures. The breadth and severity of the negative reports—particularly delayed medication, long call-response times, alleged neglect, and safety concerns—warrant careful consideration. Prospective residents and families should weigh the facility’s demonstrated strengths (notably, strong PT and dedicated caregivers in many cases) against the documented risks and variability in care. If considering this facility, visitors should ask specific questions about staffing levels, call-light response times, clinical oversight, infection-control policies, meal options for special diets (such as diabetic/low-carb), maintenance plans for known building issues, and grievance/communication procedures. Additionally, in-person visits at different times of day and speaking directly with current families or the social worker may help gauge consistency of care and whether the positive experiences are representative of current operations.
