Lake Placid Health and Rehabilitation Center was the largest nursing home in Highlands County for the first quarter of 2026, according to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).
The facility operated with 180 available beds during the quarter—60 more than the county’s average at that time—and supported an average of 131.5 residents in Q1.
The CMS assigned Lake Placid Health and Rehabilitation Center a 2 out of 5 overall rating, which is below Florida’s nursing home average of 3.3 for the same period.
Other major facilities included The Palms at Sebring Nursing and Rehabilitation with 120 available beds, ranking second in the county, while Vivo Healthcare Sebring|Oaks at Avon was third with 104 beds.
Reports show that Lake Placid Health and Rehabilitation Center recorded no incident-related fines or penalties during the quarter.
Highlands County had a total of five for-profit nursing facilities.
U.S. Census Bureau estimates indicate the country’s older adult population is expanding, while younger age brackets are shrinking. From 2020 to 2024, the U.S. population 65 and older grew by 13%, as those under 18 decreased by 1.7%. Over the last century, the older adult population has surged, increasing from 4.9 million in 1920 to more than 61 million in 2024, as shown by recent census analysis.
A 2021 study found that roughly half of America’s older adults—about 28 million—may eventually need long-term services and supports, with more than one-third potentially requiring nursing home care.
“Living a long life is something that many of us want and could get,” said Jesse Slome, executive director of the American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance. “But when we live a long life, the chances of us needing long-term care increase exponentially. But when you need that type of care, there are limited options.”
| Rank | Nursing Home | Overall Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lake Placid Health and Rehabilitation Center | 2 |
| 2 | The Palms at Sebring Nursing and Rehabilitation | 2 |
| 3 | Vivo Healthcare Sebring | 3 |
| 3 | Oaks at Avon | 3 |
| 5 | Royal Care of Avon Park | 2 |
This article uses information from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Find the source data here.
