Merrill Gardens at ChampionsGate

Assisted Living, Independent Living & Memory Care · Lakeland, FL

Overview of Merrill Gardens at Championsgate

Formerly known as Merrill Gardens at Championsgate, The Glades at ChampionsGate offers a luxurious senior living experience with 114 independent living, 73 assisted living, and 36 memory care residences in the heart of Four Corners, FL. Known for its science-based memory training, powered by the UCLA Longevity Center and EngageVR virtual reality program, the community provides immersive digital experiences that help improve residents’ senses and cognitive abilities.

The Glades at ChampionsGate is committed to offering plenty of amenities and carefree living. Residents have all they need for an active lifestyle, including four eating options, a movie theater, a fitness facility, and a swimming pool. The community’s goal is to provide residents with interesting activities that are catered to their interests by providing Watermark University with award-winning programs and classes.

(863) 588-3242
Bed community size
224-bed community
A large-scale community that may provide a wide range of amenities, services, and structured programs.
Walk Score
Walk Score: 34 / 100
Somewhat walkable. A few nearby services may be reachable on foot, but most trips require transportation.

About this community

License Details

Facility TypeAssisted Living Facility
StatusLicensed
IssuanceJanuary 4, 2026
ExpirationMarch 31, 2028
CountyPolk
License Number13104

Ownership & Operating Entity

Merrill Gardens at ChampionsGate is legally operated by Cref3 Championsgate Owner Llc, and administrated by Daniel Guanio.

Management CompanyAGEWELL SOLVERE
Profit StatusFor-Profit

Staffing

Key information about the people who lead and staff this community.

Languages Spoken

Creole English Spanish

Activities in this home

What does this home offer?

Pets allowed icon
Pets allowed icon

Pets Allowed: Yes, Pets Allowed

Housing options icon
Housing options icon

Housing Options: Studio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed

Building type icon
Building type icon

Building Type: 3-story

Fitness and recreation icon
Fitness and recreation icon

Fitness and Recreation

Types of Care at Merrill Gardens at ChampionsGate

Independent Living Assisted Living Memory Care

Contact Merrill Gardens at ChampionsGate

Inspection History

In Florida, the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) is the primary authority that conducts unannounced inspections and completes official health quality reports for all healthcare facilities.

The data displayed corresponds to the last 10 years.

28 visits/inspections Info Inspections are mandatory, regular evaluations conducted by state health departments or regulatory agencies. They ensure the community provides safe, compliant care, covering areas like resident health, staff and management.

Results

13 with citations

15 without citations

Florida average: 16 inspections with citations

Latest inspection

Date October 22, 2025
Complaint Investigation

30 total citations

Citations indicate regulatory violations. A higher number implies the facility had several areas requiring improvement.

Florida average: 33 citations

1.1 citations per inspection

Florida average: 1.3 citations per inspection

13 deficiencies

Deficiencies indicate regulatory issues. A higher number implies the facility had several areas requiring improvement.

Florida average: 19 deficiencies

4 fines

Florida average: 5 fines

Total amount fined: $7,300.00

Florida average: $11,623.53

Inspection Report Summary for Merrill Gardens at ChampionsGate

THE GLADES AT CHAMPIONSGATE was last inspected on 2025-10-22, with no deficiencies cited. During the reporting period from 2017-11-22 to 2025-10-22, a total of 26 inspections were conducted, with all but one resulting in deficiencies. The facility accumulated 28 line-item deficiencies across these inspections, which fell under various categories including complaint-driven and standard inspections. Common themes identified during this time included records and documentation, resident care and rights, and emergency planning. Following the identification of deficiencies, the facility implemented corrections to address these issues, ultimately achieving a status of No Deficiencies in its latest inspection.

Living Spaces & Floor Plans for Merrill Gardens at ChampionsGate

Merrill Gardens At Championsgate 3
Merrill Gardens At Championsgate3
Merrill Gardens At Championsgate2
Merrill Gardens At Championsgate1

Financial Assistance for
Assisted Living in Florida

Merrill Gardens at ChampionsGate is located in Four Corners, Florida.
Here are the financial assistance programs available to residents in Florida.

Get Financial aid guidance

Long-Term Care Waiver

Florida Medicaid LTC Waiver

Age 65+ or 21+ disabled
General Florida resident, Medicaid- eligible, nursing home-level care need.
Income Limits (2025) ~$2,829/month 300% FBR, individual
Asset Limits $2,000 (individual), $3,000 (couple).
FL

High demand; waitlists common.

Benefits
In-home care (6-8 hours/day) Assisted living Respite (240 hours/year) Case management

Community Care for the Elderly (CCE)

Florida CCE

Age 60+
General Florida resident, at risk of nursing home.
Income Limits ~$2,000/month varies
Asset Limits $5,000 individual
FL

Limited funding; regional variation.

Benefits
Homemaker services (3-5 hours/week) Adult day care (~$60/day) Respite (up to 10 days/year)

Home Care for the Elderly (HCE)

Florida Home Care for the Elderly

Age 60+
General Florida resident, at risk of nursing home placement; caregiver must be approved.
Income Limits (2025) ~$2,829/month individual, aligned with Medicaid thresholds
Asset Limits ~$2,000 (individual); varies by case manager discretion.
FL

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

Benefits
Basic subsidy (~$160/month) for housing/medical costs; special subsidies for supplies/services (e.g., incontinence supplies, ~$50-$200/month)

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

Florida Medicaid PACE

Age 55+
General Florida resident, nursing home-level care need, safe with PACE support.
Income Limits (2025) ~$2,829/month 300% FBR
Asset Limits $2,000 (individual), $3,000 (couple).
FL

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

Benefits
Personal care (5-7 hours/day) Medical care Meals Transportation Therapy

Optional State Supplementation (OSS)

Florida Optional State Supplementation

Age 65+ or disabled
General Florida resident, living in approved facility, receiving SSI or low-income.
Income Limits (2025) ~$1,004/month individual, including SSI
Asset Limits $2,000 (individual), $3,000 (couple).
FL

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

Benefits
Cash payment (~$78.40/month) for room/board or personal needs in facilities

Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP)

Florida SCSEP (federally funded, state-administered)

Age 55+
General unemployed, low-income, Florida resident.
Income Limits (2025) ~$1,983/month 125% FPL, individual
Asset Limits Not specified; income-focused.
FL

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

Benefits
Paid training (~20 hours/week at ~$7.25/hour) Job placement

Places of interest near Merrill Gardens at ChampionsGate

Address 48.8 miles from city center Info Estimated distance in miles from Four Corners's city center to Merrill Gardens at ChampionsGate's address, calculated via Google Maps. — 6.93 miles to nearest hospital (Celebration Family Care)

Calculate Travel Distance to Merrill Gardens at ChampionsGate

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Address

Compare Assisted Living around Lakeland The information below is reported by the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA).

Filter by care type
Merrill Gardens at ChampionsGate
AL

Assisted Living A licensed, long-term care setting for seniors or individuals with disabilities who need help with daily activities — like bathing, dressing, and medication management — but not 24-hour skilled nursing. Offers housing, meals, and around-the-clock support while aiming to maximize resident independence.

IL

Independent Living Lifestyle-focused communities for older adults offering dining, activities, and transportation with minimal personal care. Best for active, independent seniors who want community without medical support.

MC

Memory Care Secured, specialized care for people living with Alzheimer's or dementia. Staff trained in cognitive impairment, with higher staff-to-resident ratios and an environment designed to reduce confusion and wandering risk.

Four Corners (Championsgate)224Yes 34 Cref3 Championsgate Owner Llc2846.4%301.1For-Profit$7,300Daniel GuanioStudio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed-
Ansley Parke at Oakbridge
AL

Assisted Living A licensed, long-term care setting for seniors or individuals with disabilities who need help with daily activities — like bathing, dressing, and medication management — but not 24-hour skilled nursing. Offers housing, meals, and around-the-clock support while aiming to maximize resident independence.

Lakeland110Yes 24 Ansley Parke At Oakbridge Llc4153.7%350.9For-Profit$5,500Everton M Spencer SrStudio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed-
Brookdale Highlands
AL

Assisted Living A licensed, long-term care setting for seniors or individuals with disabilities who need help with daily activities — like bathing, dressing, and medication management — but not 24-hour skilled nursing. Offers housing, meals, and around-the-clock support while aiming to maximize resident independence.

MC

Memory Care Secured, specialized care for people living with Alzheimer's or dementia. Staff trained in cognitive impairment, with higher staff-to-resident ratios and an environment designed to reduce confusion and wandering risk.

Lakeland105Yes 6 Ahc Southland-Lakeland, Llc4242.9%451.1For-Profit$12,000Lisa PaulStudio / 1 Bed / 2 BedA+
The Canopy at Waldenwoods
AL

Assisted Living A licensed, long-term care setting for seniors or individuals with disabilities who need help with daily activities — like bathing, dressing, and medication management — but not 24-hour skilled nursing. Offers housing, meals, and around-the-clock support while aiming to maximize resident independence.

Plant City (Walden Woods)80Yes 44 Walden Woods Operations Llc1136.4%232.1For-Profit$500Brittany EspositoStudio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed-
Sunburst Community Care
AL

Assisted Living A licensed, long-term care setting for seniors or individuals with disabilities who need help with daily activities — like bathing, dressing, and medication management — but not 24-hour skilled nursing. Offers housing, meals, and around-the-clock support while aiming to maximize resident independence.

IL

Independent Living Lifestyle-focused communities for older adults offering dining, activities, and transportation with minimal personal care. Best for active, independent seniors who want community without medical support.

MC

Memory Care Secured, specialized care for people living with Alzheimer's or dementia. Staff trained in cognitive impairment, with higher staff-to-resident ratios and an environment designed to reduce confusion and wandering risk.

Lakeland (Tigertown)-No 55 --------Studio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed-

Guides for Better Senior Living

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Frequently Asked Questions about Merrill Gardens at ChampionsGate

What neighborhood is Merrill Gardens at ChampionsGate in?

Merrill Gardens at ChampionsGate is in the ChampionsGate neighborhood of Four Corners.

What languages are spoken at Merrill Gardens at ChampionsGate?

The team at Merrill Gardens at ChampionsGate speaks Creole, English, and Spanish.

Who is the owner of Merrill Gardens at ChampionsGate?

The legal owner and operator of Merrill Gardens at ChampionsGate is Cref3 Championsgate Owner Llc.

Is Merrill Gardens at ChampionsGate in a walkable area?

Merrill Gardens at ChampionsGate has a walk score of 34. Somewhat walkable. A few nearby services may be reachable on foot, but most trips require transportation.

What is the license number of Merrill Gardens at ChampionsGate?

According to FL state health department records, Merrill Gardens at ChampionsGate's license number is 13104.

When does Merrill Gardens at ChampionsGate's license expire?

According to FL state health department records, Merrill Gardens at ChampionsGate's license expires on March 31, 2028.

Does Merrill Gardens at ChampionsGate operate as a for-profit or non-profit?

Merrill Gardens at ChampionsGate is registered as a for-profit in FL.

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