Palm Garden Of Clearwater

Palm Garden of Clearwater holds an overall 2-star rating from CMS, which means it falls below average compared to other nursing homes nationwide. That overall score is shaped by three separate ratings, and in this case, they tell a pretty mixed story. The health inspection rating is just 1 star, the lowest possible, meaning state inspectors found a higher number of citations, more serious ones, or both, compared to most facilities. That's the piece families should pay the closest attention to, since inspections reflect real, on-the-ground conditions that surveyors observed firsthand. Staffing comes in at 3 stars, which is average, so residents are getting a fairly typical amount of nursing time relative to the number of people living there. Then there's the quality measures rating, which is a standout 5 stars, the highest possible. This score is based on 15 clinical indicators like wound care, fall rates, and mobility, and it suggests that residents' physical health outcomes are actually quite strong.

The challenge for families is weighing those highs and lows together. The health inspection score pulls the overall rating down significantly, and CMS gives that category extra weight in the final calculation. So even with excellent clinical outcomes and average staffing, the facility's overall rating ends up below average. A 5-star quality score is genuinely encouraging and worth noting, but the 1-star inspection history means it would be worth requesting to see the actual inspection reports before making a decision. Those reports are public and can tell you exactly what issues were found.

Palm Garden of Clearwater sits right around the middle of the pack when it comes to staffing, with some numbers above the Florida average and one area that falls a bit short. On the registered nurse side, residents here receive about 0.60 RN hours per day, which is actually a little higher than the Florida average of 0.52 hours, meaning a more credentialed nurse is checking in slightly more often than at many Florida nursing homes. In practical terms, that can matter when it comes to catching health changes early or managing complex medical needs. However, when you look at total nurse hours, which includes CNAs and other nursing staff, the picture shifts. Residents receive about 3.61 total nursing hours per day compared to the Florida average of 3.87, so there is a modest gap in overall hands-on care time. For a typical day, that difference could show up in things like how quickly call lights get answered or how much time staff have for activities like bathing and feeding assistance. Neither figure is alarming, but families should weigh both numbers together rather than focusing on just one.

Palm Garden of Clearwater has a 1-out-of-5-star health inspection rating from the government, which is the lowest possible score and worth taking seriously. There is one penalty on record, resulting in a fine of $13,343, with the most recent penalty dated August 8, 2025. A low inspection rating typically signals that inspectors have found repeated or significant care concerns during their visits, and the recent timing of that penalty means this is not an older issue that has long since been resolved. That does not necessarily mean the facility cannot provide good care, but families should ask management directly about what led to these findings and what steps have been taken to address them. Families evaluating this facility can compare it to others in Clearwater on the Clearwater nursing homes and assisted living page.

1. How many residents does each certified nursing assistant care for during the day shift, and how does that number change at night and on weekends?
2. How long have your nurses and aides been working here, and what does your turnover look like over the past year?
3. What happens when a resident falls or has a medical emergency in the middle of the night, and who specifically is on-site to respond?
4. Can you walk me through what a typical Tuesday looks like for a resident who needs help with bathing, meals, and getting around?
5. How do you handle it when a family member has a complaint or feels like their loved one is not getting the attention they need?
6. Has this facility been cited for any deficiencies in the last two years, and can you show me the most recent state inspection report?

"For more guidance on evaluating facilities, see our guide to questions to ask when choosing a Florida nursing home."