1 / 5CMS Care Compare
Reviews of Hillcrest Firethorn are sharply divided: many families praise the physical and occupational therapy teams, nursing compassion, and food quality that helped loved ones recover and return home, while a large number of other reviewers describe serious lapses in basic care, especially with call-light response times, night-shift staffing, and communication. The facility's 3.0 rating and wide range of one- and five-star reviews suggest care quality may vary significantly by shift, unit, or specific staff assigned.
AI-generated from reviews and community data.
Hillcrest Firethorn is a senior living community in Lincoln, Nebraska offering Skilled Nursing / Long Term Care. Amenities include Restaurant style Dining Room, Gathering / Activity Spaces and Social Activities. Families rate it 3.0 out of 5 across 48 reviews.
Hillcrest Firethorn is a post-acute rehabilitation and long-term care center located in Lincoln's Firethorn neighborhood. It is part of the locally owned Hillcrest Health & Living network and is designed as a resort-like setting where guests can recover from illness, injury or surgery in a comfortable, hospitality-focused environment.
The center accommodates up to 72 guests across two neighborhoods, each with 36 private rooms featuring upscale finishes and private bathrooms. Short-term rehabilitation guests work with an in-house team of licensed therapists who provide physical, occupational and speech therapy using personalized treatment plans and up-to-date equipment, with many guests returning home within 14 to 24 days. Therapists coordinate with each guest's medical team, and the center offers transition support to Hillcrest Home Care to help ease the move back home.
Beyond short-term rehab, Hillcrest Firethorn provides 24-hour long-term care, including private rooms, made-to-order dining and a regular schedule of activities. The community also partners with Hillcrest Hospice to offer end-of-life care and symptom management for residents who need additional comfort.
Dining includes restaurant-style meals or in-room service prepared by an executive chef, with an emphasis on nutrition and comfort as part of the overall recovery experience. In 2023, the center received the Bronze Quality Award from the American Health Care Association/National Center for Assisted Living. Interior updates, including new carpeting, flooring and furniture, are scheduled for Fall 2025.
Hillcrest Firethorn accepts Medicare, many Medicare Advantage plans, private insurance, worker's compensation and long-term care insurance, with limited Medicaid availability. For qualifying Medicare guests, the first 20 days are typically covered in full.
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Help Me Choose3overall · 48 ratings combined
3★ on Google (48)
Jolene Kohout
Apr 2026
My husband underwent major back surgery and went to Hillcrest Firethorn a week later and was in a lot of pain. The nursing staff, PT and OT were wonderful. After being at Hillcrest for five weeks he was able to come home and is able to take care of himself with minimal pain because of the therapy received by the very knowledgeable therapists. Thank you so much to the staff at Hillcrest Firethorn!
Renea Barnes
Sep 2025
My brother was admitted at Hillcrest Firethorn for rehab. He was cared for with compassion and he really enjoyed his stay. Upon his release the nurses went over medication,dressings and gave me instructions to care for him at home. I am forever grateful for Hillcrest. Renea Barnes
Randy Valdez
Sep 2025
Thank you all, for all that you do. Not easy looking out for so many people, im sure. Keep up the good works.
Krista Young
Aug 2025
LAs a nurse i seriously expected more from this facility. I have worked in many long-term facilities and I have never experiences the the neglect or lack of empathy from staff. I can't say all of them are that way but out of all of them I have encountered there is a few that truly care. My loved one on hospice had orders to have pain medication every 4 hours mouth care every 2 and be turned every 2 hours. These were not done. I've seen nurses walk by, glanced in the doorway and walk on by. Never seen them come and lay eyes on their resident. When my loved one passed I asked them to do end of life cares and make him presentable when others come in to say Goodbye. I left for an hr and a 1/2 to give them time to do this. When I came back they didn't even touch him. Can't make him comfortable now he is too stiff. Before his passing they would take over 30 mins to answer a call light. I understand that it can be hectic but at least let the resident know that they will be back and they matter. Im try disgusted and embarrassed for this facility. Obviously a 3 star rating proves it. Just because a facility looks good doesn't mean they are good. I will never have another love one in this facility again. Apparently most dont even consider that someday their loved one might be in the same situation that these residents are in. Do better people, excuses can only be excuses for so long.
TAMMY Taylor
Nov 2024
Try to answer your call lights more instead of neglecting your residence. People have elderly family members and they do not appreciate them being treated like dirt and told him telling them to pee their brief if you can't make it and don't try to make it and then have parties down at the end of the hallway and neglecting your residence. You guys need to pay more attention to them. And either that or else fire your staff and get more staff.
4 inspection visits in the last three years, 35 citations on file. Inspections are conducted by state agencies on behalf of the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
Severity F of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, widespreadCorrected May 14, 2025
Ensure proper usage of power strips and extension cords.
Severity F of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, widespreadCorrected May 14, 2025
Install smoke barrier doors that can resist smoke for at least 20 minutes.
Severity F of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, widespreadCorrected May 14, 2025
Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems.
Severity E of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, patternCorrected May 14, 2025
Allow residents to self-administer drugs if determined clinically appropriate.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected May 14, 2025
Ensure drugs and biologicals used in the facility are labeled in accordance with currently accepted professional principles; and all drugs and biologicals must be stored in locked compartments, separately locked, compartments for controlled drugs.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedFound during a complaint inspectionCorrected May 14, 2025
Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected May 14, 2025
Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
Severity G of L: actual harm, isolatedFound during a complaint inspectionCorrected Mar 10, 2025
Immediately tell the resident, the resident's doctor, and a family member of situations (injury/decline/room, etc.) that affect the resident.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedFound during a complaint inspectionCorrected Mar 10, 2025
Provide a written emergency evacuation plan.
Severity F of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, widespreadCorrected May 21, 2024
Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
Severity F of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, widespreadFound during a complaint inspectionCorrected May 21, 2024
Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Severity F of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, widespreadCorrected May 21, 2024
Add doors in an exit area that do not require the use of a key from the exit side unless in case of special locking arrangements.
Severity F of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, widespreadCorrected May 21, 2024
Meet other general requirements that are deficient.
Severity F of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, widespreadCorrected May 21, 2024
Have simulated fire drills held at unexpected times.
Severity F of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, widespreadCorrected May 21, 2024
To conduct inspection, testing and maintenance of fire doors by qualified individuals.
Severity F of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, widespreadCorrected May 21, 2024
Ensure that testing and maintenance of electrical equipment is performed.
Severity F of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, widespreadCorrected May 21, 2024
Install corridor and hallway doors that block smoke.
Severity E of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, patternCorrected May 21, 2024
Meet requirements for the use of electrical equipment.
Severity E of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, patternCorrected May 21, 2024
Ensure proper usage of power strips and extension cords.
Severity E of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, patternCorrected May 21, 2024
Develop the complete care plan within 7 days of the comprehensive assessment; and prepared, reviewed, and revised by a team of health professionals.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected May 21, 2024
Coordinate assessments with the pre-admission screening and resident review program; and referring for services as needed.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected May 21, 2024
Have approved installation, maintenance and testing program for fire alarm systems.
Severity F of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, widespreadCorrected Jun 21, 2023
Follow proper procedures when the fire alarm was out of service for more than 4 hours.
Severity F of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, widespreadCorrected Jun 21, 2023
Meet other general requirements that are deficient.
Severity F of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, widespreadCorrected Jun 21, 2023
To conduct inspection, testing and maintenance of fire doors by qualified individuals.
Severity F of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, widespreadCorrected Jun 21, 2023
Have generator or other power source capable of supplying service within 10 seconds.
Severity F of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, widespreadCorrected Jun 21, 2023
Implement emergency and standby power systems.
Severity F of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, widespreadCorrected Jun 21, 2023
Ensure that special areas are constructed so that walls can resist fire for one hour or have an approved fire extinguishing system.
Severity F of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, widespreadCorrected Jun 21, 2023
Provide properly protected cooking facilities.
Severity F of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, widespreadCorrected Jul 12, 2023
Provide a written emergency evacuation plan.
Severity F of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, widespreadCorrected Jun 21, 2023
Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
Severity E of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, patternCorrected Jun 21, 2023
Ensure proper usage of power strips and extension cords.
Severity E of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, patternCorrected Jun 21, 2023
Meet requirements for the use of electrical equipment.
Severity E of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, patternCorrected Jun 21, 2023
Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Jun 21, 2023
Source: CMS Care Compare, public federal data covering certified nursing facilities, refreshed monthly. Citations range from A (least serious) to L (most serious) on the federal scope and severity scale. Most citations are corrected quickly; review the details and ask the community about anything that concerns you.
Hillcrest Firethorn offers Skilled Nursing / Long Term Care.
Hillcrest Firethorn has not published its pricing. For context, communities in Lincoln that publish rates start around $4,337 per month at the median. Final costs depend on care needs and apartment selection, so contact the community for a quote.
Hillcrest Firethorn is located at 8601 Firethorn Lane in Lincoln, Nebraska.
Reviews of Hillcrest Firethorn are sharply divided: many families praise the physical and occupational therapy teams, nursing compassion, and food quality that helped loved ones recover and return home, while a large number of other reviewers describe serious lapses in basic care, especially with call-light response times, night-shift staffing, and communication. The facility's 3.0 rating and wide range of one- and five-star reviews suggest care quality may vary significantly by shift, unit, or specific staff assigned.
Hillcrest Firethorn had 4 government inspection visits in the last three years, with 35 citations on file according to CMS Care Compare data. The full history, including what each citation was for and whether it was corrected, is in the inspection section on this page.
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