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Nursing HomeMedicaid

Groves Center

On Medicare Special Focus status, a serious quality warning. Visit in person and ask tough questions before deciding.

512 S 11th St, Lake Wales, FL 33853120 bedsLicensed & Active
Google rating
3.5/5

based on 182 Google reviews

5
4
3
2
1
Groves Center Nursing Home in Lake Wales, FL — Street View
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What this means for your family

While recent reviews suggest the facility is undergoing positive renovations and management changes, the history of severe neglect allegations remains concerning. If you choose to tour, we strongly recommend visiting unannounced during off-hours to observe response times to call lights and the cleanliness of the facility, as these are the most frequent points of failure mentioned by families.

Google Reviews

Google Reviews

182 reviews on Google
The Groves Center receives highly polarized reviews, with recent feedback suggesting a facility in transition. Many families praise the compassionate nursing staff, recent renovations, and the admissions team, while a significant number of critical reviews cite severe neglect, including poor hygiene, slow response times to call lights, and medication management errors. Families considering this facility should be aware of the stark contrast between experiences, which often depend on specific staff members and the current state of facility management.

Quality Themes

Tap a score for details
Food2.0Staff5.0Clean3.0Activities6.0Meds2.0MemoryN/AComms4.0Value3.0

Strengths

  • Compassionate and attentive nursing staff
  • Helpful and knowledgeable admissions team
  • Visible facility renovations and upgrades
  • Effective physical therapy department

Concerns

  • Slow or non-existent response to call lights (mentioned by 9 reviewers)
  • Poor hygiene and cleanliness (urine odors, dirty bathrooms) (mentioned by 11 reviewers)
  • Medication management errors or delays (mentioned by 7 reviewers)
  • Inadequate staffing levels (mentioned by 6 reviewers)
  • Neglect of basic resident needs (hygiene/diaper changes) (mentioned by 8 reviewers)

Rating Trends

Tap a year to see what changed

234'16(5)'18(12)'20(5)'22(23)'24(25)'26(11)

Distribution · 185 analyzed

5
89
4
22
3
11
2
7
1
56
12 reviews posted between Apr 17, 2024Apr 17, 2024 · 9 were 5-star
11 reviews posted between Sep 19, 2023Sep 21, 2023 · 10 were 5-star

How They Respond to Reviews

0%response rate

Questions for Your Tour

  • 1I noticed the facility is undergoing some nice renovations; how are you balancing these upgrades with maintaining a consistently clean and odor-free environment for residents?
  • 2Could you walk me through the specific process for how call lights are monitored and prioritized to ensure residents receive timely assistance?
  • 3Given the importance of medication adherence, what safeguards and double-check systems are currently in place to ensure residents receive the correct doses on time?
  • 4How do you currently manage staffing levels during peak hours to ensure that basic personal care needs, such as hygiene and bathroom assistance, are met promptly?
  • 5What does a typical day look like for residents in terms of social engagement, and how do you encourage participation for those who might be more reserved?
  • 6In the event of a medical concern, how does your nursing team communicate updates to family members, and what is your protocol for escalating care if a resident's condition changes?

Personalized based on this facility's data


Key Review Excerpts

It is not the newest building with the newest equipment, but they helped me walk again, after I was given a 0 percent chance by my doctors.

Rehab patient · 2024★★★★★

The staff had it's good but the majority was never seen without their personal smart phones directly in front of their faces. On more than one occasion I had to as wait 30 minutes or more for the staff to respond to the call light.

Rehab patient · 2018☆☆☆☆

The nurses and the CNA, Veronica was absolutely amazing! She was the kindest woman to my nana. The Social Worker went above and beyond to make sure we had everything at home to care for her when she arrived.

Memory care family member · 2023★★★★★
Source: 182 Google reviews

Staffing

Staffing Hours

per resident/day · Medicare 2026
RN Hours
0.32hrs
43%
Registered nurses for medical care
Total Nursing
3.07hrs
75%
All nurses + aides combined
Staff Turnover
60%
Lower is better (< 30% = good)
RN Turnover
84%
Lower is better (< 30% = good)

Both RN and total nursing hours are below national benchmarks. This can mean less clinical attention per resident, so ask about their staffing plan.

Quality Measures

Quality Measures

Resident outcomes compared with national, state, and local averages · 17 measures

Better Than Avg

12

measures

Worse Than Avg

2

measures

Mixed Results

3

measures

Long-Stay Residents
🚿

Residents whose bladder or bowel control got worse

↓ Lower is better
This Facility8.6%
Better than Avg
Here
8.6%
US
19.4%
FL
11.5%
Polk
20.1%
😔

Residents with depression symptoms

↓ Lower is better
This Facility1.1%
Better than Avg
Here
1.1%
US
12.1%
FL
4.1%
Polk
3.4%

Highly dependent on how each facility screens and codes depressive symptoms, so it varies widely between facilities.

💊

Residents on antipsychotic medication

↓ Lower is better
This Facility6.1%
Better than Avg
Here
6.1%
US
15.4%
FL
8.7%
Polk
11.3%
💊

Residents on anti-anxiety or sleep medication

↓ Lower is better
This Facility21.9%
Worse than Avg
Here
21.9%
US
19.5%
FL
15.0%
Polk
20.9%
💉

Residents vaccinated for pneumonia

↑ Higher is better
This Facility99.3%
Better than Avg
Here
99.3%
US
93.4%
FL
98.1%
Polk
96.6%
🚶

Residents whose walking got worse

↓ Lower is better
This Facility11.5%
Mixed vs Avgs
Here
11.5%
US
15.3%
FL
10.6%
Polk
16.7%
Short-Stay Residents (Rehab / Post-Acute)
💉

Short-stay residents vaccinated for the flu

↑ Higher is better
This Facility97.9%
Better than Avg
Here
97.9%
US
79.7%
FL
94.7%
Polk
82.9%
💉

Short-stay residents vaccinated for pneumonia

↑ Higher is better
This Facility98.5%
Better than Avg
Here
98.5%
US
81.8%
FL
94.8%
Polk
90.6%
💊

Short-stay residents newly given antipsychotics

↓ Lower is better
This Facility2.2%
Worse than Avg
Here
2.2%
US
1.6%
FL
1.5%
Polk
1.5%
Source: Medicare quality measures

US average from Medicare published data

Inspection History

Medicare Inspection History

3-year lookback · Medicare 2026

24deficiencies
2penalties
24 complaint-triggered
$291,478 in fines

This facility shows concerning patterns with families repeatedly filing complaints triggering over half the deficiencies, including recent abuse protection failures spanning from 2024 to 2025. The most frequent issues involve abuse protection, care quality (particularly respiratory and wound care), and medication management. While all violations show correction dates, the persistence of similar problems across multiple years and ongoing family complaints suggest underlying care quality concerns that warrant careful investigation before placement.

Feb 4, 2026Routine
11
0880Potential for harm · WidespreadCorrected

Infection Control Deficiencies

Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.

0881Potential for harm · WidespreadCorrected

Infection Control Deficiencies

Implement a program that monitors antibiotic use.

0554Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Resident Rights Deficiencies

Allow residents to self-administer drugs if determined clinically appropriate.

0605Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Deficiencies

Prevent the use of unnecessary psychotropic medications or use medications that may restrain a resident's ability to function.

0644Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies

Coordinate assessments with the pre-admission screening and resident review program; and referring for services as needed.

0645Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies

PASARR screening for Mental disorders or Intellectual Disabilities

0657Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies

Develop the complete care plan within 7 days of the comprehensive assessment; and prepared, reviewed, and revised by a team of health professionals.

0689Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies

Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.

0756Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Pharmacy Service Deficiencies

Ensure a licensed pharmacist perform a monthly drug regimen review, including the medical chart, following irregularity reporting guidelines in developed policies and procedures.

0759Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Pharmacy Service Deficiencies

Ensure medication error rates are not 5 percent or greater.

0760Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Pharmacy Service Deficiencies

Ensure that residents are free from significant medication errors.

Oct 29, 2025Complaint
8
0600Actual harm · IsolatedCorrected

Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Deficiencies

Protect each resident from all types of abuse such as physical, mental, sexual abuse, physical punishment, and neglect by anybody.

0684Actual harm · IsolatedCorrected

Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies

Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.

0585Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Resident 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.

0609Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Deficiencies

Timely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft and report the results of the investigation to proper authorities.

0610Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Deficiencies

Respond appropriately to all alleged violations.

0690Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies

Provide appropriate care for residents who are continent or incontinent of bowel/bladder, appropriate catheter care, and appropriate care to prevent urinary tract infections.

0697Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies

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

0777Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Administration Deficiencies

Provide or obtain x-rays/tests when ordered and promptly tell the ordering practitioner of the results.

May 28, 2025Complaint
5
0880Potential for harm · PatternCorrected

Infection Control Deficiencies

Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.

0925Potential for harm · PatternCorrected

Environmental Deficiencies

Make sure there is a pest control program to prevent/deal with mice, insects, or other pests.

0585Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Resident 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.

0684Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies

Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.

0690Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies

Provide appropriate care for residents who are continent or incontinent of bowel/bladder, appropriate catheter care, and appropriate care to prevent urinary tract infections.

Oct 1, 2024Complaint
4
0583Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Resident Rights Deficiencies

Keep residents' personal and medical records private and confidential.

0656Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies

Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.

0695Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies

Provide safe and appropriate respiratory care for a resident when needed.

0880Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Infection Control Deficiencies

Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.

Jan 12, 2024Complaint
6
0600Immediate jeopardy · WidespreadCorrected

Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Deficiencies

Protect each resident from all types of abuse such as physical, mental, sexual abuse, physical punishment, and neglect by anybody.

0610Immediate jeopardy · WidespreadCorrected

Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Deficiencies

Respond appropriately to all alleged violations.

0726Immediate jeopardy · WidespreadCorrected

Nursing and Physician Services Deficiencies

Ensure that nurses and nurse aides have the appropriate competencies to care for every resident in a way that maximizes each resident's well being.

0835Immediate jeopardy · WidespreadCorrected

Administration Deficiencies

Administer the facility in a manner that enables it to use its resources effectively and efficiently.

0867Immediate jeopardy · WidespreadCorrected

Administration Deficiencies

Set up an ongoing quality assessment and assurance group to review quality deficiencies and develop corrective plans of action.

0686Actual harm · IsolatedCorrected

Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies

Provide appropriate pressure ulcer care and prevent new ulcers from developing.

Jan 12, 2024Routine
5
0584Potential for harm · PatternCorrected

Resident 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.

0688Potential for harm · PatternCorrected

Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies

Provide appropriate care for a resident to maintain and/or improve range of motion (ROM), limited ROM and/or mobility, unless a decline is for a medical reason.

0761Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Miscellaneous Deficiencies

To conduct inspection, testing and maintenance of fire doors by qualified individuals.

0684Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies

Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.

0698Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies

Provide safe, appropriate dialysis care/services for a resident who requires such services.

Federal Penalties

Fine

Oct 29, 2025

$128,925

Fine

Jan 12, 2024

$162,553

Ownership & Operations

Who Operates This Facility

Owner / Operator

Groves Center

Organization Type

for profit

Chain Affiliation

Chain Name

Hearthstone Senior Communities

Chain Size

8 facilities nationwide

Ownership & Management

Owners

Hearthstone Senior Communities, INC.

Owner (parent company) · Organization

100%

Key personnel

Garner, AlvinOfficer / DirectorJaffe, HowardOfficer / DirectorRombold, LoriOfficer / DirectorWyatt, BrianOfficer / DirectorConsulting Support Services, LLCManager
Source: Medicare provider data

Contact

Get in Touch

Contact this facility directly and verify the details that matter most to your family.

References & Resources

EveryPlace is a research directory. Facility information is compiled from public sources — Medicare.gov, state licensing portals, Google Places, and publicly available street-level imagery. Listings do not constitute endorsement, recommendation, or advertisement, and we do not accept payment for placement. Families should verify all details directly with the facility and the original sources linked above before making any care decisions. See our Research Policy for our editorial standards, correction process, and image-removal policy.

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