All states › Florida › Lake Wales › Lake Wales Health and Rehabilitation Center
730 N Scenic Hwy Lake Wales, FL 33853 · Polk County
All 2 nursing homes in Lake Wales, FL (2 take Medicaid)
CMS certification number 106069 · See this home on Medicare Care Compare
Is Lake Wales Health and Rehabilitation Center a good nursing home? Reviews, ratings and inspection record
There are no official resident reviews of nursing homes: Medicare's Care Compare publishes inspections, staffing and quality data instead. Here is what that record shows for Lake Wales Health and Rehabilitation Center as of October 2026.
CMS rates it 1 out of 5 stars overall, below the Florida average of 3.3.
Online reviews from families and residents are on Google Maps and other sites; they reflect individual experiences and aren't checked by CMS. The full inspection reports, including what inspectors observed, are on Medicare Care Compare.
Staffing
Nursing staff spend about 3.49 hours per resident per day at Lake Wales Health and Rehabilitation Center, below the Florida median of 3.67 (US median: 3.72). About 0.46 of those hours are from registered nurses. Weekend staffing is close to its all-week average. 45.5% of nursing staff left within a year (Florida median 42%).
About this nursing home
Paying for care at Lake Wales Health and Rehabilitation Center: Medicare and Medicaid
Lake Wales Health and Rehabilitation Center is certified for both Medicare and Medicaid. Medicare Part A can cover a short skilled-nursing or rehab stay here after a qualifying hospital stay of at least three inpatient days (observation days don't count), for up to 100 days per benefit period. Medicaid can pay for long-term care for residents who meet Florida's income and asset rules. Being certified doesn't guarantee a Medicaid bed is open, so ask whether the home accepts residents whose Medicaid application is still pending.
In 2026 Medicare covers days 1–20 in full after the Part A deductible ($1,736 per benefit period); for days 21–100 you pay $217 a day; after day 100 you pay all costs. Medicare doesn't pay for long-term custodial care. Medicare's coverage rules.
Health inspections
The most recent standard inspection was on June 24, 2024 and found 10 deficiencies. CMS notes that this home's most recent inspection was more than two years ago. In total, inspectors issued 34 citations in the last three years.
Each citation has a scope and severity letter from A to L. A–C: potential for minimal harm. D–F: potential for more than minimal harm. G–I: actual harm. J–L: immediate jeopardy to resident health or safety.
What the inspections found
Over the last three years, inspectors issued 34 citations at Lake Wales Health and Rehabilitation Center across 5 inspection dates, 8 of them from complaint investigations. 3 were at the actual-harm level (G–I), most recently on June 24, 2025. The most common areas cited were resident assessment and care planning (8) and pharmacy service (6). The most serious was cited under the CMS rule to "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" (tag F0584, level G, June 24, 2025). 2 citations were under CMS's abuse, neglect and exploitation rules.
June 24, 2025 · 1 citation · includes complaint inspection
GHonor 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.
April 30, 2025 · 7 citations, includes actual harm · includes complaint inspection
GProtect each resident from all types of abuse such as physical, mental, sexual abuse, physical punishment, and neglect by anybody.
FPost nurse staffing information every day.
DRespond appropriately to all alleged violations.
DProvide safe and appropriate respiratory care for a resident when needed.
DEnsure that nurses and nurse aides have the appropriate competencies to care for every resident in a way that maximizes each resident's well being.
DProvide pharmaceutical services to meet the needs of each resident and employ or obtain the services of a licensed pharmacist.
DEnsure medication error rates are not 5 percent or greater.
June 24, 2024 · 10 citations
FProcure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
FDesignate a qualified infection preventionist to be responsible for the infection prevent and control program in the nursing home.
FKeep all essential equipment working safely.
EPASARR screening for Mental disorders or Intellectual Disabilities
DAssess the resident completely in a timely manner when first admitted, and then periodically, at least every 12 months.
DEnsure each resident receives an accurate assessment.
DCreate and put into place a plan for meeting the resident's most immediate needs within 48 hours of being admitted
DDevelop the complete care plan within 7 days of the comprehensive assessment; and prepared, reviewed, and revised by a team of health professionals.
DProvide safe and appropriate respiratory care for a resident when needed.
DImplement 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.
August 11, 2022 · 11 citations, includes actual harm
GProvide safe, appropriate pain management for a resident who requires such services.
DHonor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.
DGive residents notice of Medicaid/Medicare coverage and potential liability for services not covered.
DProvide timely notification to the resident, and if applicable to the resident representative and ombudsman, before transfer or discharge, including appeal rights.
DNotify 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.
DProvide 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.
DImplement 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.
DEnsure medication error rates are not 5 percent or greater.
DEnsure 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.
DSafeguard resident-identifiable information and/or maintain medical records on each resident that are in accordance with accepted professional standards.
DProvide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
March 26, 2021 · 5 citations
EProvide safe and appropriate respiratory care for a resident when needed.
DEnsure each resident receives an accurate assessment.
DDevelop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.
DProvide each resident with a nourishing, palatable, well-balanced diet that meets his or her daily nutritional and special dietary needs.
DProvide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Questions to ask on a tour of Lake Wales Health and Rehabilitation Center
- Inspectors cited the home at the actual-harm level on June 24, 2025 under the rule on resident rights. What changed afterwards, and can I see the plan of correction?
- CMS cited the home under its abuse and neglect rules on April 30, 2025. How are staff trained, and how are concerns reported?
- CMS rates short-stay quality 2 out of 5. How often do rehab patients go back to the hospital, and how many therapy sessions a week are typical?
- The last standard inspection was more than two years ago. Can I see any recent complaint inspection results?
- Do you have a Medicaid bed open now, and will you admit someone whose Medicaid application is still pending?
- When is the first care-plan meeting, and can family attend?
Questions come from this home's CMS data: its inspections, staffing and ownership record.
Fines and payment denials
1 penalty in the last three years, including $46,800 in fines.
| Date | Type | Amount or length |
|---|---|---|
| Apr 30, 2025 | Fine | $46,800 |
Rating history
| CMS month | Overall | Inspection | Staffing | Quality |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| October 2026 | 1/5 | 1/5 | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| August 2026 | 1/5 | 1/5 | 3/5 | 3/5 |
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Location
Hospitals near Lake Wales Health and Rehabilitation Center
The Medicare-certified hospitals closest to this nursing home, with their CMS data. Ask the home which hospital it usually sends residents to.
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1.8 mi
Lake Wales Medical Center Lake WalesEmergency room ★★☆☆☆ Medicare overall 2 of 5Median ER visit 2h 6m for patients treated and sent home
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11.6 mi
Winter Haven Hospital Winter HavenEmergency room ★★★☆☆ Medicare overall 3 of 5Median ER visit 3h 13m for patients treated and sent home
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15.7 mi
Bartow Regional Medical Center BartowEmergency room ★★★☆☆ Medicare overall 3 of 5Median ER visit 2h 8m for patients treated and sent home
Hospital ratings, ER visit times and more at Hospitals In Each State
Source: CMS Care Compare. Distances are approximate.
Nearby nursing homes
More nursing homes near Lake Wales Health and Rehabilitation Center › All nursing homes in Lake Wales ›
Compare Lake Wales Health and Rehabilitation Center with the 3 closest homes side by side ›
Higher-rated nursing homes within 10 miles
- Palm Garden of Winter Haven · Winter Haven · 4 stars · 9.5 mi
- Life Care Center of Winter Haven · Winter Haven · 4 stars · 9.7 mi
- Astoria Health and Rehabilitation Center · Winter Haven · 3 stars · 8.8 mi
Source: CMS Provider Data Catalog (provider information, health deficiencies, penalties), October 2026. Inspection citations and penalties cover the last three years. Nursing Homes In Each State is independent and not affiliated with CMS or Medicare. About the data · Report a problem with this listing. Is this your nursing home? Feature it here.