Lakeland Hills Center

Lakeland Hills Center has an overall rating of 2 out of 5 stars, which puts it below average compared to other nursing homes nationwide. That overall number is a composite of three separate ratings, and in this case, the pieces tell a pretty striking story. The health inspection rating is just 1 out of 5 stars, meaning state inspectors found more problems here than at most facilities, and some of those citations were likely serious. The staffing rating is also 1 out of 5 stars, which means residents are getting fewer hours of nursing care per day than you would typically expect, and that can affect how quickly staff respond to needs, how well medications are managed, and the overall attentiveness of care day to day.

The one bright spot is the quality measures rating, which is a perfect 5 out of 5 stars. This score is based on 15 clinical indicators, things like whether residents are developing pressure wounds, experiencing falls, losing too much weight, or declining in mobility. A top score there suggests that despite the staffing and inspection concerns, residents are seeing strong health outcomes in measurable ways. For families, that contrast is worth digging into. It may be worth asking the facility directly how they achieve strong outcomes with lower staffing levels, and what has been done to address the issues found during inspections.

Staffing at Lakeland Hills Center runs a bit below what you'd typically see at Florida nursing homes. Residents here receive about 3.28 total nurse hours per day, compared to the Florida average of 3.87, and registered nurse coverage comes in at 0.49 hours per resident versus the state average of 0.52. In practical terms, that gap in total nursing hours means staff are covering more ground throughout the day, which can affect how quickly call lights get answered, how much time aides spend with each person during meals or personal care, and how attentive the team can be to changes in a resident's condition. It is not necessarily a red flag on its own, since staffing numbers shift with resident needs and facility size, but it is worth asking the facility directly how they manage care during peak hours and overnight when you visit.

Lakeland Hills Center has a 1-out-of-5-star health inspection rating from the government, which is the lowest possible score and a signal that inspectors have found repeated or serious concerns at this facility. On top of that, the facility has faced 2 government penalties totaling $214,420 in fines, with the most recent penalty issued in April 2025, meaning these are not old, resolved issues from years past. For families, this combination of a rock-bottom inspection rating and significant, recent financial penalties is worth taking seriously. It does not automatically mean the facility is the wrong choice for every person, but it does mean you should ask hard questions, request to see recent inspection reports, and consider visiting more than once before making a decision. Families evaluating this facility can compare it to others in Lakeland on the Lakeland nursing homes and assisted living page.

1. How many residents does each certified nursing assistant care for during the day shift and the night shift, and has that number changed in the past year?
2. How often do residents see the same aides and nurses from week to week, or does staffing rotate frequently between different floors and units?
3. Can you walk me through exactly what happens when a resident falls, including who gets notified, how quickly, and what follow-up care looks like?
4. If my loved one needs help getting to the bathroom at night, how long should they expect to wait before someone responds to their call light?
5. What does a typical Tuesday look like for a resident who is mobile and social, from morning wake-up through the evening hours?
6. How many state inspection deficiencies has this facility received in the past two years, and what specific steps were taken to fix the problems that were cited?

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