Brookdale Lake Highlands

Loyalton of Lake Highlands resides on Plano Road, across from a beautiful park. Abundant parking and an emerald lawn dotted with manicured shrubs lay before the red brick facility. The secured Alzheimer’s unit is located at the rear of the square building. Soft lighting abounds throughout the interior. Pretty lace curtains dress the expansive windows that line the dining room, which is furnished with dark wood tables and chairs upholstered in blue. The staff members are familiar with each resident’s eating preferences, so they ensure that the menu offers those options. The wide hallways are decorated with “life stations” that stimulate residents’ memories; one example includes a bassinet and baby clothes, which reminds residents of raising their children. Shadow boxes that feature photographs and mementos hang outside the doors of residents’ rooms—these, too, jog residents’ memories. Mirrored closet doors, white walls and large windows create a spacious atmosphere in residents’ rooms.

The staff informed us that plans to install a fountain in the outdoor patio of the Alzheimer’s unit are underway. Residents enjoy growing plants and eating at the picnic tables in this area. A fence separates the patio from the facility’s main courtyard. The homey activity room opens to the secured patio. Here, we observed a few residents sitting on couches and watching the fish swim in an aquarium. Others were napping, as our visit took place directly after lunch.