Skilled NursingCMS verified

Highlands Lake Center

4240 Lakeland Highlands Rd, Lakeland, FL 33813 · Polk County

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2.0CMS overall rating(863) 646-8699 Visit website ↗

Fair

Haven Scout Score

Our composite of CMS ratings, staffing, and safety. This community rates fair.

Photos via google places, facility website.

Availability outlook● Very limited availability

Typically 95% full (170 of 179 beds occupied on an average day). Openings here tend to go fast.

If this community is on your shortlist, checking current openings sooner rather than later genuinely matters here.

Source: federal census data (average daily residents vs. certified beds, CMS Care Compare). Confirm current openings with an advisor — availability changes weekly.

Our evaluation

An honest, data-grounded look at this community — every claim is drawn from public inspection data.

A below-average federal rating — worth a careful look in Lakeland

Highlands Lake Center is a for-profit skilled nursing facility in Lakeland, FL, with 179 certified beds and an average of about 170 residents per day. It operates as part of the Aston Health network.

Medicare rates it 2 out of 5 stars overall — below the national average of about 3 stars. Component ratings: 2/5 on health inspections, 3/5 on staffing, 4/5 on quality measures.

Staff provide about 3.30 total nurse hours per resident each day (0.64 of them from registered nurses), below the national benchmark of roughly 3.9 hours. Annual nursing-staff turnover is about 52.4%, higher than the ~52% national average. On the safety record, CMS notes 17 health deficiencies at its most recent standard survey.

Strengths

✓No federal fines on record
✓Full sprinkler system
✓Active resident & family council

Things to ask about

•Below-average 2-star overall CMS rating
•Below-average health-inspection rating
•Below-average nurse staffing (3.30 hrs/resident/day)
•17 deficiencies at last survey

Best for: Families considering this community should tour in person, request the latest survey, and weigh it against higher-rated Lakeland options — our advisors can help you compare.

At a glance

Certified beds: 179
Avg. residents/day: 170
Ownership: For profit - Corporation
Part of a chain: Aston Health
Continuing care: No
CMS provider #: 105620

Federal quality ratings

From the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), on a 1–5 star scale.

Overall rating

Health inspections

Staffing

Quality measures

Pricing & cost

We publish transparent estimates and verify exact pricing on request. No surprises.

Level of care	Monthly cost	Source
Skilled Nursing	$9,220–$11,950/mo (median $10,290)	Local market estimate

2024–2026 published survey medians, state median adjusted to local Lakeland prices (BEA regional price parities). Request a quote for exact pricing. Range spans semi-private to private rooms. How we estimate costs

Request exact pricing for Highlands Lake Center →

Staffing & care

More nursing time per resident — and lower turnover — generally means more attentive care.

Total nurse hrs / resident / day: 3.30; National avg ≈ 3.9
RN hrs / resident / day: 0.64; National avg ≈ 0.75
Nursing staff turnover: 52.4%; National avg ≈ 52%

Safety & inspection record

Federal inspectors survey nursing homes roughly once a year. Here's the latest on file.

Health deficiencies (last survey): 17
Federal fines: None on record
Total penalties: 0
Last standard survey: 2024-03-07
Sprinkler system: Yes
Resident & family council: Resident

What inspectors found

The most recent findings from federal health inspections (32 citations on record — showing the latest 8). Every nursing home is inspected roughly once a year; most receive some citations.

2025-11-05Severity E — potential for harmFrom a complaintPharmacy Service Deficiencies

Provide pharmaceutical services to meet the needs of each resident and employ or obtain the services of a licensed pharmacist.

2025-11-05Severity D — potential for harmFrom a complaintQuality of Life and Care Deficiencies

Provide safe, appropriate pain management for a resident who requires such services.

2025-04-17Severity E — potential for harmFrom a complaintResident Rights Deficiencies

Honor the resident's right to voice grievances without discrimination or reprisal and the facility must establish a grievance policy and make prompt efforts to resolve grievances.

2025-04-17Severity D — potential for harmFrom a complaintAdministration Deficiencies

Provide or obtain laboratory tests/services when ordered and promptly tell the ordering practitioner of the results.

2024-08-06Severity D — potential for harmFrom a complaintResident Rights Deficiencies

Honor the resident's right to a safe, clean, comfortable and homelike environment, including but not limited to receiving treatment and supports for daily living safely.

2024-08-06Severity D — potential for harmFrom a complaintResident Rights Deficiencies

Honor the resident's right to voice grievances without discrimination or reprisal and the facility must establish a grievance policy and make prompt efforts to resolve grievances.

2024-08-06Severity D — potential for harmFrom a complaintPharmacy Service Deficiencies

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, compar…

2024-03-07Severity E — potential for harmResident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies

Ensure each resident receives an accurate assessment.

Severity uses the CMS scope/severity scale: D–F = potential for harm, G–I = actual harm, J–L = immediate jeopardy. Source: CMS Care Compare health citations; data as of the latest federal release. Discuss any finding directly with the community on a tour.

Services & amenities

✓ Full automatic sprinkler system
✓ Medicare & Medicaid certified
✓ 24-hour licensed nursing
✓ On-site rehabilitation therapy
✓ Rehabilitation services
✓ Respite / short-term stays
✓ Scheduled transportation
✓ Restaurant-style dining
✓ Wellness programs
✓ Daily activities & events
✓ Private rooms available
✓ 24/7 staff

Location

4240 Lakeland Highlands Rd, Lakeland, FL

Monday: Open 24 hours
Tuesday: Open 24 hours
Wednesday: Open 24 hours
Thursday: Open 24 hours
Friday: Open 24 hours
Saturday: Open 24 hours
Sunday: Open 24 hours

Reviews & reputation

We aggregate ratings across Google, Yelp, and verified families — and link back to every source so you can read more.

Google

4.1

318 reviews →

Verified family reviews

No verified family reviews yet for Highlands Lake Center.

Have a loved one here, or recently toured? Help other families by sharing your experience — we verify every review before it's published.

Talk to an advisor about this community

Common questions about Highlands Lake Center

How much does Highlands Lake Center cost?

Highlands Lake Center does not publish exact rates. Comparable skilled nursing in the Lakeland, FL area typically runs $9,220–$11,950 per month (median $10,290, based on published survey medians adjusted for local prices). A Haven advisor can confirm current pricing for free.

What is Highlands Lake Center's Medicare rating?

Medicare (CMS) rates Highlands Lake Center 2 out of 5 stars overall, including 2/5 for health inspections, 3/5 for staffing, 4/5 for quality measures. The national average is about 3 stars.

How is the staffing at Highlands Lake Center?

Staff provide about 3.30 total nurse hours per resident per day (national benchmark ≈ 3.9), and annual nursing-staff turnover is about 52.4% (national average ≈ 52%). These figures are reported to the federal government and updated regularly.

What did inspectors find at Highlands Lake Center?

Highlands Lake Center has 32 health citations on its recent federal inspection record (last standard survey: 2024-03-07). The full citation-by-citation detail, with severity levels, is published on this page.

Does Highlands Lake Center have availability?

Typically 95% full (170 of 179 beds occupied on an average day). Openings here tend to go fast. Availability changes weekly — a Haven advisor can confirm current openings at no cost.

What types of care does Highlands Lake Center offer?

Highlands Lake Center in Lakeland, FL offers skilled nursing and is licensed for 179 beds.

The best time to decide is before a crisis decides for you

Most families start this search after a fall, a hospital stay, or a caregiver reaching a breaking point — and end up choosing from whatever has a bed open that week. Families who plan even a few weeks ahead get to choose on quality, fit, and price instead of availability alone.

Move-ins take time: assessments, paperwork, and preparation typically run 2–6 weeks in Lakeland.
The best communities fill first: top-rated communities often run a waitlist — touring early holds your place in line.
Touring costs nothing and commits you to nothing — but it turns a future emergency into a calm, informed choice.

Start with a free shortlist →Take the 2-minute assessment

Your next steps — this week

1
Confirm the fit
Check the inspection record and staffing data on this page against your loved one's needs.
2
Get exact pricing & availability
Request current rates for Highlands Lake Center — takes one minute, answered same day.
3
Tour 2–3 communities
Compare this community against two alternatives. Ask about staff turnover, all-in monthly cost, and care-plan changes.
4
Hold a spot
Most communities hold a residence with a small refundable deposit while you decide.