Highlands Lake Center

Nursing Home
Overview of Highlands Lake Center

Highlands Lake Center, Lakeland, Florida, is dedicated to redefining the wellness journey through personalized post-acute rehabilitation and long-term nursing care. Their mission revolves around tailoring nursing and rehabilitation experiences to individual needs, enhancing the quality of life, and surpassing ordinary expectations with extraordinary outcomes. The community values health, well-being, and a caring nursing home culture, setting a gold standard in exceptional care.

Highlands Lake Center combines clinical care, heartfelt compassion, and homey nursing home amenities to provide a personalized wellness journey. The community offers specialized care programs, including wound care, short-term rehabilitation, pain management, and therapeutic recreation. Highlands Lake Center’s commitment to recovery in comfort ensures a cheerful environment, modern surroundings, and a proprietary atmosphere of happiness, healing, and hope. The spacious and welcoming facility provides private and semi-private rooms with amenities such as cable TV, telephone, internet, and fine dining, creating a trusted destination in wellness focused on residents’ healthcare needs.

(863) 646-8699

Quality ratings

Measured by Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)

Overall rating Info Official CMS rating based on health inspections, staffing and quality measures.
2/5
Florida average: 3.2/5
Health Inspection Info Official CMS rating based on deficiencies found during state health inspections.
2/5
Florida average: 2.8/5
Staffing Info Official CMS rating based on nurse staffing hours per resident per day.
3/5
Florida average: 3.4/5
Quality Measures Info Official CMS rating based on clinical outcomes for residents.
4/5
Florida average: 4.1/5

Nursing care per resident

Info Average daily nursing hours per resident (adjusted for acuity). Higher values indicate more nursing time per resident.
3h 40m per day

This home provides 9% less nursing time per resident than the state average.

Florida average: 4h 2m per day

Staffing hours breakdown

Info Hours of care per resident per day, broken down by staff type. Data from CMS Medicare.
Staff type Facility State avg National avg
Registered Nurse (RN) Info Registered nurse hours per resident per day. 38m per day 44m per day 41m per day
LPN / LVN Info Licensed Practical Nurse / Licensed Vocational Nurse hours per resident per day. 38m per day 47m per day 52m per day
Nurse Aide Info Nurse aide hours per resident per day. 2h 1m per day 2h 20m per day 2h 21m per day
Total Nursing (Weekend) Info Total number of nurse staff hours per resident per day on weekends. 3h 0m per day 3h 31m per day 3h 26m per day
Physical Therapist Info Physical therapist staff hours per resident per day. 6m per day 5m per day 4m per day
RN (Weekend) Info Registered nurse hours per resident per day on weekends. 30m per day 32m per day 29m per day

Capacity and availability

Medium-capacity home

Offers a balance of services and community atmosphere.

Total beds 179

This home usually has limited availability

Occupancy is moderate, suggesting balanced demand.

Similar demand to the Florida average
Occupancy rate 93.8%
Residents per day (avg) 159
Occupancy rate
93.8%
Residents per day (avg)
159

Who this home usually serves

TYPE OF STAY

Mix of rehab and long-term care

This home supports both short-term rehab and long-term care, with residents staying for a wide range of durations.

Breakdown by payment type

Medicare

26% of new residents, usually for short-term rehab.

Typical stay 29 days

Private pay

59% of new residents, often for short stays.

Typical stay 1 - 2 months

Medicaid

15% of new residents, often for long-term daily care.

Typical stay 5 - 6 months

Finances and operations

Proprietary home
Other
Home revenue
$20.3M
Profit
$5.4M
Proprietary home Other
Home revenue
$20,308,062.00
Profit
$5,353,032.00
Payroll costs Info The portion of the home's budget spent on staff, including nurses, caregivers, and other employees who support care and operations.
$7.2M
35.5% of revenue
Other operating costs Info All remaining costs needed to run the home, such as food, utilities, building maintenance, supplies and administrative expenses.
$9.3M
Total costs $16.5M

Types of Care at Highlands Lake Center

Skilled Nursing Respite Care
Contact Highlands Lake Center

Compare Nursing Homes around Lakeland

The information below is reported by the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA).
Highlands Lake Center
SNF

Nursing Homes 24/7 care needed

RC

Respite Care

Lakeland
179
No
9
AYALA, CYNTHIA
93.8%
$20,080,162.00
$7,203,178.00
35.9%
158.60
2/5
3.6603
2/5
3/5
4/5
1
35
-
-19%
-9%
+11%
The Club at Lake Gibson
HC

Hospice Care

SNF

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RC

Respite Care

Lakeland
120
No
45
NH OPERATOR HOLDINGS XI LLC
94.3%
$23,587,955.00
$8,224,071.00
34.9%
116.50
2/5
3.5836
2/5
2/5
3/5
2
21
1
-28%
-11%
+12%
Lakeland Nursing and Rehabilitation Center
SNF

Nursing Homes 24/7 care needed

Lakeland (Tigertown)
185
No
57
PALM TERRACE J DEK OPERATIONS LLC
74.6%
$24,481,691.00
$7,463,998.00
30.5%
161.00
1/5
3.6092
1/5
2/5
4/5
17
33
3
-26%
-11%
-11%
Bridgewalk on Harden
SNF

Nursing Homes 24/7 care needed

Lakeland
120
No
24
GARRARD, LOUIS
72.9%
$10,895,961.00
$5,332,385.00
48.9%
91.80
1/5
3.4180
1/5
1/5
3/5
3
19
4
-55%
-15%
-13%
Porter Mcgrath Health Center
SNF

Nursing Homes 24/7 care needed

Lakeland (Dixieland)
-
No
62
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-

Places of interest near Highlands Lake Center

Address 4.9 miles from city center — 5.49 miles to nearest hospital (Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition of Florida)

Address 4240 Lakeland Highlands Rd, Lakeland, FL 33813

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Staffing Data

Source: CMS Payroll-Based Journal (Q2 2025)

230
Total Staff
224
Employees
6
Contractors
63,372
Total Hours (Quarter)
86
Avg Staff/Day
8.1
Avg Shift (hrs)
Nursing Staff Breakdown
Role Count Avg Shift (hrs) Uses Contractors?
Registered Nurse229.2 No
Licensed Practical Nurse279.3 No
Certified Nursing Assistant1028 No
Staff by Category
Administration
4 staff
5hs shift avg
Nursing Staff
167 staff
8.4hs shift avg
Physicians & Practitioners
9 staff
7.7hs shift avg
Therapy Services
31 staff
7.4hs shift avg
Activities & Recreation
0 staff
0hs shift avg
Social Services
2 staff
7.6hs shift avg
Dietary Services
13 staff
7.7hs shift avg
Other Services
4 staff
7.9hs shift avg
Contractor Analysis
2.3%
of total hours from contractors
1,439 contractor hours this quarter
Medical Director: 1 Clinical Nurse Specialist: 3 Administrator: 1 Dietitian: 1
Role Employees Contractors Total Staff Total Hours Days Worked % of Days Avg Shift (hrs)
Certified Nursing Assistant102010229,71391100%8
Licensed Practical Nurse2702710,69191100%9.3
Registered Nurse220226,09091100%9.2
Dietitian121132,6279099%7.7
Speech Language Pathologist110112,3759099%7.5
Physical Therapy Aide100102,1638998%7.1
Clinical Nurse Specialist4372,16091100%7.7
Respiratory Therapy Technician5051,4087886%7.6
Dental Services Staff2029426875%7.9
Mental Health Service Worker2029377077%7.9
Physical Therapy Assistant3039177380%7.3
Nurse Aide in Training150158755055%7.6
Administrator2137686268%8
Qualified Social Worker2024986470%7.6
RN Director of Nursing1014966268%8
Nurse Practitioner2024505763%7.9
Occupational Therapy Aide2022312730%8
Medical Director011336571%0.5

Health Inspection History

Inspections
Total health inspections 8

Florida average 4.3


Last Health inspection on Nov 2025

Total health citations 35
Citations per inspection
4.38

Health citations are formal notices following inspections when they fail to comply with safety and care standards.

22 of 35 citations resulted from standard inspections; 10 of 35 resulted from complaint investigations; and 3 of 35 came from combined inspections (standard and complaint).

Breakdown of citation severity (last 3 years)
Critical Health citations More info 0
100% better than Florida average

Florida average: 0.8


Serious Health citations More info 0
100% better than Florida average

Florida average: 0.4

0 critical citations More info Florida average: 0.8

0 serious citations More info Florida average: 0.4

34 moderate citations More info Florida average: 18.4

1 minor citation More info Florida average: 0.2
Citations history (last 3 years)
Pharmacy moderate citation Nov 05, 2025
Corrected

Quality of Care moderate citation Nov 05, 2025
Corrected

Administration moderate citation Apr 17, 2025
Corrected

Resident Rights moderate citation Apr 17, 2025
Corrected

Facility Characteristics

Source: CMS Long-Term Care Facility Characteristics (Data as of Jan 2026)

Ownership: For-Profit Corporation
Part of: Aston Healthcare
Resident Census by Payment Source
170 Total Residents
Medicare 34 (20%)
Medicaid 94 (55.3%)
Private Pay/Other 42 (24.7%)
Programs & Services
Residents' Group
Family Engagement

Active councils help families stay involved in care decisions and facility operations.

Quality of care over time

These measures show how residents usually do over time at this home, based on health outcomes and preventive care.

High-risk clinical events score Info A composite score based on pressure ulcers, falls with injury, weight loss, walking ability decline, and activities of daily living decline. 6.7
10% better than Florida average

Florida average: 7.4

Functional decline score Info A composite score based on activities of daily living decline, walking ability decline, and incontinence. 12.6
In line with Florida average

Florida average: 12.4

Long-stay resident measures
Need for Help with Daily Activities Increased Info Percent of long-stay residents whose need for help with daily activities has increased 9.5%
9% better than Florida average

Florida average: 10.5%

Walking Ability Worsened Info Percent of long-stay residents whose ability to move independently worsened 8.0%
39% better than Florida average

Florida average: 12.9%

Low Risk Residents with Bowel/Bladder Incontinence Info Percent of low risk long-stay residents who lose control of their bowels or bladder 20.4%
51% worse than Florida average

Florida average: 13.5%

Falls with Major Injury Info Percent of long-stay residents experiencing one or more falls with major injury 2.9%
9% worse than Florida average

Florida average: 2.6%

High Risk Residents with Pressure Ulcers Info Percent of long-stay high risk residents with pressure ulcers 4.4%
17% better than Florida average

Florida average: 5.4%

Urinary Tract Infection Info Percent of long-stay residents with a urinary tract infection 0.0%
100% better than Florida average

Florida average: 0.9%

Lost Too Much Weight Info Percent of long-stay residents who lose too much weight 8.5%
42% worse than Florida average

Florida average: 6.0%

Depressive Symptoms Info Percent of long-stay residents who have depressive symptoms 0.0%
100% better than Florida average

Florida average: 3.3%

Antipsychotic Use Info Percent of long-stay residents who received an antipsychotic medication 17.6%
119% worse than Florida average

Florida average: 8.0%

Pneumococcal Vaccine Info Percent of long-stay residents assessed and appropriately given the pneumococcal vaccine 99.3%
In line with Florida average

Florida average: 97.7%

Influenza Vaccine Info Percent of long-stay residents assessed and appropriately given the seasonal influenza vaccine 100.0%
In line with Florida average

Florida average: 99.2%

Hospitalizations per 1,000 days Info Number of hospitalizations per 1,000 long-stay resident days. 2.37
13% worse than Florida average

Florida average: 2.10

ED visits per 1,000 days Info Number of outpatient emergency department visits per 1,000 long-stay resident days. 0.69
42% better than Florida average

Florida average: 1.18

Short-stay resident measures
Pneumococcal Vaccine Info Percent of short-stay residents assessed and appropriately given the pneumococcal vaccine 87.2%
7% worse than Florida average

Florida average: 94.0%

Antipsychotic medication increase Info Percent of short-stay residents who newly received an antipsychotic medication 1.4%
9% better than Florida average

Florida average: 1.5%

Influenza Vaccine Info Percent of short-stay residents assessed and appropriately given the seasonal influenza vaccine 77.0%
19% worse than Florida average

Florida average: 94.7%

Re-hospitalized after SNF stay Info Percentage of short-stay residents who were re-hospitalized after their nursing home admission. 21.6%
18% better than Florida average

Florida average: 26.2%

Emergency department visits Info Percentage of short-stay residents who had an outpatient emergency department visit. 9.0%
In line with Florida average

Florida average: 9.3%

Falls with major injury Info Percentage of SNF residents who experience falls with major injury during their stay. 2.5%
218% worse than Florida average

Florida average: 0.8%

Ability to care for self at discharge Info Percentage of residents at or above expected ability to care for themselves at discharge. 36.1%
33% worse than Florida average

Florida average: 53.7%

Successful return to home or community Info Rate of successful return to home or community from a skilled nursing facility. 38.9%
23% worse than Florida average

Florida average: 50.6%

Penalties and fines

Federal penalties imposed by CMS for regulatory violations, including civil money penalties (fines) and denials of payment for new Medicare/Medicaid admissions.

Source: CMS Penalties Database (Data as of Jan 2026)

Total fines amount $4K
95% lower than Florida average

Florida average: $72K

Number of fines 1
62% fewer fines than Florida average

Florida average: 2.6

Payment Denials Info Serious action where Medicare and/or Medicaid temporarily stops payments for new residents until issues are fixed. 0
100% fewer payment denials than Florida average

Florida average: 0.1

Fines amount comparison
Fines amount comparison
This facility $4K
Florida average $72K
Penalty History

Penalties are imposed by CMS for violations of federal nursing home regulations.

Civil Money Penalty Info Fines imposed for noncompliance, which can be assessed per day or per instance of violation. Jan 9, 2023
$4K

Last updated: Jan 2026

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Long-Term Care Waiver

Florida Medicaid LTC Waiver

Age 65+ or 21+ disabled, Florida resident, Medicaid- eligible, nursing home-level care need.

~$2,829/month (300% FBR, individual).

$2,000 (individual), $3,000 (couple).

High demand; waitlists common.

Community Care for the Elderly (CCE)

Florida CCE

Age 60+, Florida resident, at risk of nursing home.

~$2,000/month (varies).

$5,000 (individual).

Limited funding; regional variation.

Home Care for the Elderly (HCE)

Florida Home Care for the Elderly

Age 60+, Florida resident, at risk of nursing home placement; caregiver must be approved.

~$2,829/month (individual, aligned with Medicaid thresholds).

~$2,000 (individual); varies by case manager discretion.

Limited funding (~3,500 served annually); prioritizes low-income frail seniors.

Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE)

Florida Medicaid PACE

Age 55+, Florida resident, nursing home-level care need, safe with PACE support.

~$2,829/month (300% FBR).

$2,000 (individual), $3,000 (couple).

Limited to specific counties (e.g., Hillsborough, Miami-Dade); ~10 sites statewide.

Optional State Supplementation (OSS)

Florida Optional State Supplementation

Age 65+ or disabled, Florida resident, living in approved facility, receiving SSI or low-income.

~$1,004/month (individual, including SSI).

$2,000 (individual), $3,000 (couple).

Limited to specific facility types; ~$78.40/month max supplement.

Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP)

Florida SCSEP (federally funded, state-administered)

Age 55+, unemployed, low-income, Florida resident.

~$1,983/month (125% FPL, individual).

Not specified; income-focused.

Priority for veterans, rural residents; ~1,000 slots/year.

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