Lake Wales Wellness and Rehabilitation Center
Below-average Medicare ratings — review the inspection history and ask the administrator about recent corrections before visiting.
based on 145 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.
- Abuse citation on record
- Low overall rating (1/5 stars)
- Low staffing rating (2/5 stars)
- Above-median deficiencies (18 vs median 6.0)
- High RN turnover (57%)
Bottom 25% in FL · Below recommended RN staffing · Above average staffing · Worst in AHAVA HEALTHCARE chain · No penalties on record · Abuse citation
What this means for your family
While the facility offers strong rehabilitation services and a welcoming environment, the recent increase in reports regarding hygiene and call-light response times is concerning. We strongly recommend visiting during off-hours or weekends to observe staffing levels and asking for a tour of the specific unit where your loved one would reside.
Google Reviews
Google Reviews
145 reviews on Google“Lake Wales Wellness and Rehabilitation Center receives polarized feedback, with many visitors praising the clean facility, friendly staff, and effective rehabilitation services. However, several families report serious concerns regarding neglect, including slow response times for call lights, hygiene issues, and inconsistent medication management. While many find the environment welcoming, others highlight significant lapses in basic care and administrative communication.”
Quality Themes
Tap a score for detailsStrengths
- Clean, well-maintained facility
- Friendly and welcoming front desk staff
- Effective physical and occupational therapy
- Responsive administrative leadership
Concerns
- Slow response times to call lights (mentioned by 3 reviewers)
- Hygiene and toileting neglect (mentioned by 4 reviewers)
- Medication management errors (mentioned by 2 reviewers)
- Poor communication regarding medical status/transfers (mentioned by 3 reviewers)
Rating Trends
Tap a year to see what changed
Distribution · 147 analyzed
How They Respond to Reviews
This facility actively engages with reviewer feedback.
Questions for Your Tour
- 1It is wonderful to see how clean and well-maintained the facility looks; how does the team ensure this level of cleanliness is maintained in the resident rooms daily?
- 2I noticed the front desk staff was very welcoming; how does the administrative team ensure that communication remains just as friendly when updates about a resident's medical status or transfers occur?
- 3What specific protocols are in place to ensure medication is administered accurately and on time every day?
- 4How does the nursing team manage call lights during the night shift to ensure residents receive timely assistance with hygiene and toileting needs?
- 5Can you tell me more about the physical and occupational therapy programs and how they help residents regain their independence?
- 6What kind of daily activities or social outings are planned to keep the residents engaged and active?
Personalized based on this facility's data
Key Review Excerpts
“My Mom has had two rehab stays at this facility since Oct/Nov 2024. She is currently being transferred back there tomorrow to complete her rehab. The treatment she has received at this facility has been awesome thus far.”
“I’m extremely concerned about the level of care my grandmother is receiving. She has repeatedly been left sitting in her own urine for extended periods before anyone comes to change her.”
“The staff was very pleasant and helpful. My friend seemed pleased with her care. Facility was clean.”
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
4
measures
3
measures
1
measures
Residents with depression symptoms
Highly dependent on how each facility screens and codes depressive symptoms, so it varies widely between facilities.
Residents on antipsychotic medication
Residents on anti-anxiety or sleep medication
Residents whose bladder or bowel control got worse
Residents whose walking got worse
Residents vaccinated for pneumonia
Short-stay residents vaccinated for pneumonia
Short-stay residents vaccinated for the flu
Short-stay residents newly given antipsychotics
US average from Medicare published data
Inspection History
Medicare Inspection History
3-year lookback · Medicare 2026
This facility has concerning patterns with 51 deficiencies across recent surveys, including multiple family complaints triggering investigations into abuse protection failures and medication management problems. The most recurring issues involve medication errors, care planning deficiencies, and respiratory care problems, with serious complaints about resident protection from neglect and nursing staff competency. While all violations show correction dates, the frequency of complaints and repeat medication safety issues warrant careful consideration during any visit.
Jun 24, 2025Complaint1
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.
Apr 30, 2025Complaint7
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.
Nursing and Physician Services Deficiencies
Post nurse staffing information every day.
Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Deficiencies
Respond appropriately to all alleged violations.
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Provide safe and appropriate respiratory care for a resident when needed.
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.
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.
Jun 24, 2024Routine15
Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies
Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
Infection Control Deficiencies
Designate a qualified infection preventionist to be responsible for the infection prevent and control program in the nursing home.
Environmental Deficiencies
Keep all essential equipment working safely.
Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies
PASARR screening for Mental disorders or Intellectual Disabilities
Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies
Assess the resident completely in a timely manner when first admitted, and then periodically, at least every 12 months.
Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies
Ensure each resident receives an accurate assessment.
Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies
Create and put into place a plan for meeting the resident's most immediate needs within 48 hours of being admitted
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.
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Provide safe and appropriate respiratory care for a resident when needed.
Pharmacy Service Deficiencies
Implement gradual dose reductions(GDR) and non-pharmacological interventions, unless contraindicated, prior to initiating or instead of continuing psychotropic medication; and PRN orders for psychotropic medications are only used when the medication is necessary and PRN use is limited.
Smoke Deficiencies
Have approved installation, maintenance and testing program for fire alarm systems.
Services Deficiencies
Ensure heating and ventilation systems that have been properly installed according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems Deficiencies
Have generator or other power source capable of supplying service within 10 seconds.
Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems Deficiencies
Ensure proper usage of power strips and extension cords.
Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems Deficiencies
Ensure that testing and maintenance of electrical equipment is performed.
Feb 6, 2024Complaint1
Services Deficiencies
Ensure heating and ventilation systems that have been properly installed according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Jun 19, 2023Complaint2
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.
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
Aug 11, 2022Routine14
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Provide safe, appropriate pain management for a resident who requires such services.
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
Give residents notice of Medicaid/Medicare coverage and potential liability for services not covered.
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 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.
Pharmacy Service Deficiencies
Implement gradual dose reductions(GDR) and non-pharmacological interventions, unless contraindicated, prior to initiating or instead of continuing psychotropic medication; and PRN orders for psychotropic medications are only used when the medication is necessary and PRN use is limited.
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.
Infection Control Deficiencies
Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Egress Deficiencies
Provide exit doors that are held open by devices that will automatically close on the activation of a fire alarm or smoke detector.
Miscellaneous Deficiencies
To conduct inspection, testing and maintenance of fire doors by qualified individuals.
Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems Deficiencies
Ensure receptacles at patient bed locations and where general anesthesia is administered, are tested after initial installation, replacement or servicing.
Ownership & Operations
Who Operates This Facility
Lake Wales Wellness and Rehabilitation Center
for profit
Chain Affiliation
Ahava Healthcare
16 facilities nationwide
Chain avg rating: 2.5/5 · Rank 12 of 15 (Worst)
Ownership & Management
Owners
Mfi Healthcare FL LLC
Owner · Organization
Ecm Holdings LLC
Owner (parent company) · Organization
Eisen, Menashe
Individual is an Owner, Partner or Trustee of Any Adp of the Snf
Philipson, Bent
Individual is an Owner, Partner or Trustee of Any Adp of the Snf
Philipson, Gabrielle
Individual is an Owner, Partner or Trustee of Any Adp of the Snf
Philipson, Raquel
Individual is an Owner, Partner or Trustee of Any Adp of the Snf
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
145 reviews from families & visitors
Official Website
Visit lakewalesctr.com
Medicare data downloads
Original nursing home datasets
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Safer Alternatives Nearby
Based on current clinical data, we identified 6 nearby facilities within 10 miles that may offer a stronger care environment. We encourage families to compare options carefully.
Groves Center
2.0 miNursing Home · Lake Wales, FL
Astoria Health and Rehabilitation Center
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Life Care Center of Winter Haven
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Winter Haven Health and Rehabilitation Center
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Palm Garden of Winter Haven
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Lake Mariam Health and Rehabilitation Center
10.0 miNursing Home · Winter Haven, FL