The Highlands

Marian F

Nov. 20, 2022

My sister was a patient at this facility post hip fracture: I must say I was upset at the quality of care I saw. The RN bragged that she was working 80 hours that week: wow, someone working that many hours certainly cannot be at the top of their game. I asked why my sister did not have a bed alarm after I was informed she kept trying to get out of bed: I received an erroneous response that didn’t make sense. In a wheelchair , she had no shoes on to support her feet(wheelchair legs removed so she could use feet to assist navigation) therefore risking stubbing her toes. She was to walk but they put her wheelchair right up to the toilet thus, not taking advantage of a situation for her to practice walking to the bathroom. Her hair was a mess, facial whiskers not removed and she acted like she was over medicated and could barely open her eyes. Dinner was served at 6:30, and they told me that bedtime was around 7-7:30. Not good to lie down so soon after ingesting food. When dinner finally arrived it consisted of cold ground white fish, cold scoop of mashed potato that was slightly brown and a scoop of puréed spinach that had a dried crust on the top. A glass of warm milk was the only drink. Nutrition is critical to healing but this was appalling. I am from NYS and very familiar with a not for profit facility and there is absolutely no comparison. The Highlands is for profit, and therefore would expect much better food! Makes me think someone is lining their pockets at the expense of the poor patients and families. Many people will accept a friendly smile and think everyone here is so nice , that may be true but sometime their is a dissonance between that and quality care. I can assure you that this place leaves a lot to be desired. Administrators and owners, try eating a meal served to one of your patients. Always put yourself in a patients shoes. For many this is the last place they will be in their life, make it an experience that you would want your parents to have.