HeartLands Senior Living at Ellicott City

I moved my mother to Heartlands from Florida when she was 91. There was an adjustment period but because the staff is very responsive to, and interested in, their residents, my mother's transition was a great success. She thrives. The HeartLands location is excellent; it is easy to go shopping and easy to get items delivered. The housekeeping and maintenance departments are well managed. Foodservice is more of a challenge. Although the cooks don't always hit the mark, the servers are wonderful and go out of their way to make things better if a resident isn't happy with a meal. The Wellness Center staff is excellent and Administration highly competent. All in all, it is a good place for Mom. I have recommended a 92 year old widower friend move there - I think living at HeartLands would give him a new lease on life.

I was prompted to review this facility by an email that I received from Michael Paris, a Five-Star Sales and Marketing Director. I would not recommend Heartlands to anyone with a family member who is medically fragile, a fall risk, or who is expected to decline in function. My late husband was a Heartlands resident from approximately 2011-2013. When he fell repeatedly (due to his deteriorating neurological condition) and was hospitalized, I went to the nursing supervisor to ask her if her staff would be able to safely care for my husband or if he should be discharged directly to a nursing home. She assured me that Heartlands would absolutely be able to continue to care for my husband and promised to let me know if the situation were to change. Less than 72 hours after returning to Heartlands, my husband fell again. He sustained several fractures, required another hospitalization and suffered considerable pain. I believe that this nursing supervisor was yielding to corporate pressure to retain paying residents even in circumstances where Heartlands could not provide safe and adequate levels of care for impaired residents. My guess is that the situation has not changed. Heartlands may be viable choice for some prospective residents. The facility is attractive, the rooms are large and well-appointed, the food is reasonably palatable, and the location is convenient to both Baltimore and I-70. As in every facility, some staff members are caring and responsive, while others are less so.

The staff really makes the residents at Heartlands feel like they are home. The staff mingle and get to know the residents. They make us feel very welcomed and check on us even when we are not staying at Heartlands. During the Covid-19 outbreak, I stayed with my daughter. They still checked on me and made me feel very special on my return. The residents are very nice and always eager to make new friends!