Highlands Lake Center
Below-average Medicare ratings — review the inspection history and ask the administrator about recent corrections before visiting.
based on 306 Google reviews
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Quality Concerns Identified
Medicare inspection and quality data reveal areas that families should carefully evaluate before choosing this facility.
- Low overall rating (2/5 stars)
- Above-median deficiencies (19 vs median 6.0)
- High staff turnover (51%)
Bottom 25% in FL · Below recommended RN staffing · No penalties on record
What this means for your family
Highlands Lake Center has a strong rehab program that many families find effective, but the facility suffers from inconsistent care and communication gaps. If you choose this facility, we strongly recommend visiting frequently and unannounced to monitor medication administration and hygiene, and to establish a direct line of communication with a specific staff member for updates.
Google Reviews
Google Reviews
306 reviews on Google“Highlands Lake Center receives highly polarized feedback, with many families praising the facility's cleanliness and the kindness of specific staff members, while others report severe neglect and communication failures. While some residents thrive in the rehab program, multiple reviewers have raised critical alarms regarding medication management, slow response times for call buttons, and poor hygiene in certain wings. Families considering this facility should be aware of the inconsistency in care quality and the potential for significant lapses in communication during medical emergencies.”
Quality Themes
Tap a score for detailsStrengths
- Clean, well-maintained facility
- Friendly and compassionate individual staff members
- Effective short-term rehabilitation program
- Welcoming and professional administrative presence
Concerns
- Neglect and slow response to call buttons (mentioned by 9 reviewers)
- Medication management errors or delays (mentioned by 6 reviewers)
- Unpleasant odors (urine/body odor) in hallways (mentioned by 5 reviewers)
- Poor communication with families regarding patient status or medical changes (mentioned by 5 reviewers)
- Missing personal belongings/clothing (mentioned by 3 reviewers)
Rating Trends
Tap a year to see what changed
Distribution · 210 analyzed
How They Respond to Reviews
This facility actively engages with reviewer feedback.
Questions for Your Tour
- 1We noticed how much the administration engages with feedback online; how does the leadership team involve families in the decision-making process regarding resident care?
- 2What specific protocols are in place to ensure call buttons are answered promptly and that staff can respond quickly to resident needs?
- 3Can you walk us through your process for medication administration and how you ensure there are no delays or errors in the schedule?
- 4How does the facility manage cleanliness and air quality in the common hallways to ensure a comfortable environment for everyone?
- 5What does a typical daily schedule look like for residents, and what kind of social activities or outings are available to keep them engaged?
- 6In the event of a medical emergency or a significant change in a resident's health status, how do you ensure the family is notified immediately?
Personalized based on this facility's data
Key Review Excerpts
“My mom has been at this facility for 4 yrs. And I just want to give a shout out a few people here that are working to fix some of the issues. This is not a bash review. There are issues here but there’s a few staff members that really are trying their best to listen & help.”
“My husband of 48 years old has been in this facility for about a month now. He suffers from a brain tumor hemorrhage and MS... He is currently in the rehabilitation section and absolutely loves it!”
“My dad entered the facility in late September, there were constant issues with care. Staff truly doesn’t care about the residents, they’d rather spend time talking or on their phones and not doing their jobs!”
Staffing
Staffing Hours
per resident/day · Medicare 2026Both 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
9
measures
5
measures
3
measures
Residents on anti-anxiety or sleep medication
Residents with depression symptoms
Highly dependent on how each facility screens and codes depressive symptoms, so it varies widely between facilities.
Residents whose bladder or bowel control got worse
Residents whose walking got worse
Residents vaccinated for pneumonia
Residents needing more daily help over time
Short-stay residents vaccinated for the flu
Short-stay residents vaccinated for pneumonia
Short-stay residents newly given antipsychotics
US average from Medicare published data
Inspection History
Medicare Inspection History
3-year lookback · Medicare 2026
Highlands Lake Center shows concerning patterns with 11 complaint-triggered deficiencies, indicating families have filed reports about care issues. The facility has persistent problems with medication management, resident rights, and quality of care, with issues recurring across multiple surveys from 2020-2025. While all deficiencies show correction dates, the repeated nature of problems in medication safety and resident rights suggests ongoing challenges families should carefully consider.
Nov 5, 2025Complaint2
Pharmacy Service Deficiencies
Provide pharmaceutical services to meet the needs of each resident and employ or obtain the services of a licensed pharmacist.
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Provide safe, appropriate pain management for a resident who requires such services.
Apr 17, 2025Complaint4
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.
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.
Administration Deficiencies
Provide or obtain laboratory tests/services when ordered and promptly tell the ordering practitioner of the results.
Administration Deficiencies
Provide or obtain laboratory tests/services when ordered and promptly tell the ordering practitioner of the results.
Aug 6, 2024Complaint3
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.
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.
Pharmacy 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, compartments for controlled drugs.
Mar 7, 2024Routine13
Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies
Ensure each resident receives an accurate assessment.
Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies
Coordinate assessments with the pre-admission screening and resident review program; and referring for services as needed.
Egress Deficiencies
Meet other general requirements.
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Honor each resident's preferences, choices, values and beliefs.
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.
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Provide for the safe, appropriate administration of IV fluids for a resident when needed.
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Provide safe and appropriate respiratory care for a resident when needed.
Pharmacy Service Deficiencies
Provide pharmaceutical services to meet the needs of each resident and employ or obtain the services of a licensed pharmacist.
Pharmacy Service Deficiencies
Ensure medication error rates are not 5 percent or greater.
Pharmacy 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, compartments for controlled drugs.
Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies
Safeguard resident-identifiable information and/or maintain medical records on each resident that are in accordance with accepted professional standards.
Environmental Deficiencies
Make sure that the nursing home area is safe, easy to use, clean and comfortable for residents, staff and the public.
Environmental Deficiencies
Make sure there is a pest control program to prevent/deal with mice, insects, or other pests.
Mar 7, 2024Complaint3
Resident Rights Deficiencies
Give residents notice of Medicaid/Medicare coverage and potential liability for services not covered.
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
Infection Control Deficiencies
Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Nov 18, 2021Routine8
Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies
Ensure each resident receives and the facility provides food that accommodates resident allergies, intolerances, and preferences, as well as appealing options.
Resident Rights Deficiencies
Honor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.
Resident Rights Deficiencies
Provide timely notification to the resident, and if applicable to the resident representative and ombudsman, before transfer or discharge, including appeal rights.
Resident Rights Deficiencies
Notify the resident or the resident’s representative in writing how long the nursing home will hold the resident’s bed in cases of transfer to a hospital or therapeutic leave.
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Provide enough food/fluids to maintain a resident's health.
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Provide safe and appropriate respiratory care for a resident when needed.
Pharmacy Service Deficiencies
Provide pharmaceutical services to meet the needs of each resident and employ or obtain the services of a licensed pharmacist.
Pharmacy Service Deficiencies
Ensure medication error rates are not 5 percent or greater.
Ownership & Operations
Who Operates This Facility
Highlands Lake Center
for profit
Chain Affiliation
Aston Health
38 facilities nationwide
Chain avg rating: 2.5/5 · Rank 21 of 30
Ownership & Management
Owners
Gabriel Living Center, LLC
Owner · Organization
Highlands Lake Holdco LLC
Owner · Organization
Lce Partners LLC
Owner (parent company) · Organization
Key personnel
Contact
Get in Touch
Contact this facility directly and verify the details that matter most to your family.
References & Resources
Medicare Care Compare
Official Medicare quality ratings, inspections & staffing data
Google Maps
Photos, directions & neighborhood info
Google Reviews
306 reviews from families & visitors
Official Website
Visit highlandslakecenter.com
Medicare data downloads
Original nursing home datasets
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