Highland Pines Rehabilitation sits in Clearwater, FL, and does a good job at helping seniors who need skilled nursing, rehabilitation, or post-acute care after a hospital stay, and the building itself holds up to 115 people, though only four beds are open as of June 2025, and folks there can get help with bathing, dressing, taking medicine, eating, using the restroom, and even dietary needs like diabetic meals, so you see a lot of caregivers, Registered Nurses, Licensed Practical Nurses, and Certified Nursing Assistants working shifts and there's always someone on call for emergencies. You'll find some comforts too, like a beauty salon, cable or satellite TV, a computer center with Wi-Fi, private bathrooms, and a small library, and the garden and outdoor space give people a spot to sit in the sun or just get fresh air. The dining room serves restaurant-style meals, and meals are made for people with special needs or restrictions, and every day staff put on activities-from bingo and dominoes to karaoke, crafts, fitness programs, and sometimes day trips when folks feel up for it, and there's transportation handled by the community bus for errands and checkups around town, so people don't have to worry about getting places. Folks needing rehabilitation get physical, occupational, or speech therapy, and the therapy rooms and wellness center help a lot with recovery and strength, since many come here after surgery or illness and need short-term help before going home, while others stay long-term if their needs are heavier.
There's always a nurse or aide available during the day and residents have a call button for quick help at any hour, and the staff handle medication, feeding tubes, and wound care for those who need extra medical attention, and they try to involve families and residents alike through council meetings to share feedback and improve things together. The place is close to Morton Plant Hospital, so emergency care is not far if anything sudden comes up. Highland Pines is owned by the Florida Institute for Long Term Care, LLC, and runs as a non-profit, so it takes Medicare and Medicaid, and it also does offer some respite and palliative care for those who need a break or comfort at the end of life, plus laundry and housekeeping are handled by staff so residents don't have to do chores. The staff all speak English.
However, Highland Pines has had its share of problems and it's fair to say the place's record is mixed; government inspections over the years found staff didn't always protect residents from harm, including injuries like facial fractures and brain bleeds, and some of those incidents led to hospitalization or even death, which led to two federal fines in the past three years for health and safety violations. There were lawsuits tied to falls, bedsores, infections, and even alleged abuse or neglect, plus staff sometimes got complaints about how they managed feeding tubes or cleaned up after spills, leading to more regulatory reviews. Highland Pines gets an "average" rating in health inspections, "above average" in quality measures, but "below average" in staffing, and the current nurse staffing is three hours and ten minutes per resident each day, which is less than some other places but still covers basic needs. Medicare's Care Compare gives it three out of five stars. In the end, Highland Pines tries to offer care focused on each person's recovery and comfort, using its therapy rooms and team-based approach, and while folks get practical support with meals, recreation, and nursing, families should take a close look at recent inspection and violation reports before making a decision.
