Solaris Healthcare Merritt Island

Solaris Healthcare Merritt Island holds an overall 3-star rating from CMS, which puts it in the average range nationally. That overall score is a composite of three separate ratings, and in this case, those pieces tell a pretty mixed story. The Health Inspection rating is 2 stars, meaning state inspectors found more citations, or more serious ones, than you would see at a typical facility. That is worth paying attention to, since inspections look at real on-the-ground conditions like safety, care practices, and how the facility responds to problems. Staffing comes in at 3 stars, which is average, reflecting that the number of nursing hours residents receive relative to the resident count is in line with most facilities but not a standout. The bright spot here is the Quality Measures rating, which is a full 5 stars. That means when you look at 15 clinical and physical health outcomes for residents, things like falls, pressure wounds, and decline in daily functioning, this facility performs much better than average.

So what does this mean if you are considering this facility for a loved one? The strong Quality Measures score suggests that residents tend to fare well health-wise day to day, which is genuinely encouraging. But the lower Health Inspection score is a flag worth following up on. Before making a decision, it would be a good idea to ask the facility directly about their recent inspection history and what steps they have taken to address any cited issues. No single number tells the whole story, but going in with these specifics gives you much better questions to ask.

Staffing at Solaris Healthcare Merritt Island is a bit of a mixed picture compared to other Florida nursing homes. On the registered nurse side, residents here receive about 0.57 RN hours per day, which is slightly above the Florida average of 0.52, meaning there's a touch more access to higher-level nursing care on any given day. However, when you look at total nursing hours across all staff types combined, the facility comes in at 3.62 hours per resident per day, which falls a little short of the Florida average of 3.87. In practical terms, that gap in total hours could mean nursing aides and other care staff are managing more residents at once during a typical shift, which can affect how quickly someone gets help with daily needs like bathing, meals, or repositioning. Neither number is alarming, but families should factor this in, especially if their loved one needs more hands-on attention throughout the day.

Solaris Healthcare Merritt Island carries a 2-out-of-5-star health inspection rating, which is below average and worth paying attention to as you evaluate this facility. That said, the government has never issued a formal penalty against this facility, and there are no fines on record. A lower inspection rating typically means surveyors found deficiencies during their visits, but the absence of penalties suggests nothing rose to the level of a formal enforcement action. Families should ask the facility directly about past inspection findings and what steps have been taken to address them, since a 2-star rating alone deserves a closer look even without accompanying fines. You can compare this facility's record against others in Merritt Island on the Merritt Island nursing homes and assisted living page.

1. How many residents does each certified nursing assistant typically care for during the day shift, and how does that number change at night and on weekends?
2. How long have your charge nurses and CNAs been working here on average, and what is your staff turnover rate over the past year?
3. If my loved one falls or has a medical emergency overnight, walk me through exactly what happens from the moment staff becomes aware of the situation.
4. How do you handle a resident who refuses a meal, misses medications, or shows signs of depression or withdrawal - what does that process actually look like day to day?
5. Can I see the most recent state inspection report, and can you explain any deficiencies that were cited and what was done to correct them?
6. What does a typical Tuesday look like for a resident who is mobile but needs help with daily tasks - from morning routine through evening - including meals, activities, and any time spent outside their room?

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