In-Home Dementia Care in Lakeland Highlands, FL

Local figures

Dementia Care in Lakeland Highlands, FL: the local picture

286

residents 85 or older (2.4% of all residents)

2,431

residents 65 or older (20% of Lakeland Highlands)

28%

of residents 65+ report a disability (32% in Polk County)

6+

Medicare-certified nursing homes within 25 miles

Lakeland Highlands has about 286 residents aged 85 or older among 2,431 aged 65 or older. The risk of Alzheimer’s rises steeply with age, and the Alzheimer’s Association estimates that about a third of people 85 and older have Alzheimer’s dementia.

28% of residents 65 and older report a disability (32% in Polk County). The Census counts cognitive difficulty as one kind, alongside hearing, vision, walking, self-care and living independently.

18% of older Lakeland Highlands residents in households live alone. For someone with memory loss who lives alone, a few hours of daily check-ins are often the first step.

Lakeland Highlands compared with Polk County and Florida

Census figure	Lakeland Highlands	Polk County	Florida
Residents 85 or older	2.4%	2.1%	2.6%
Residents 65 or older	20%	20%	21%
Residents 65+ with a disability	28%	32%	31%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	18%	24%	25%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	6.4%	12%	12%
Residents 5+ who speak a language other than English at home	12%	28%	31%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$80,152	$50,939	—

Older residents in towns around Lakeland Highlands

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	Residents 85+
Medulla, FL	1.8 mi	1,674	124
Fuller Heights, FL	3.6 mi	1,741	138
Mulberry, FL	4.2 mi	1,496	268
Highland City, FL	4.4 mi	1,941	56
Willow Oak, FL	5.1 mi	462	29
Crystal Lake, FL	6.3 mi	630	27

Nursing homes near Lakeland Highlands

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Scott Lake Health And Rehabilitation Center	Lakeland, FL	0.3 mi	2 of 5	120	(863) 500-4015
Highlands Lake Center	Lakeland, FL	2.7 mi	2 of 5	179	(863) 646-8699
Bridgewalk On Harden Health And Rehabilitation, Ll	Lakeland, FL	3.7 mi	1 of 5	120	(863) 648-4800
Florida Presbyterian Homes Inc	Lakeland, FL	5.2 mi	4 of 5	68	(863) 688-5521
Lakeland Hills Center	Lakeland, FL	7.8 mi	2 of 5	120	(863) 688-8591
Charming Lakes Rehab	Lakeland, FL	7.8 mi	2 of 5	120	(863) 682-7580

Hospices serving Lakeland Highlands

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Compassionate Care Hospice Of Central Florida Inc	Lakeland, FL	0.7 mi	(863) 709-0099
Empath Hospice, LLC	Lakeland, FL	5.6 mi	(863) 329-2750
Good Shepherd Hospice	Lakeland, FL	7.9 mi	(863) 682-0067
Lifepath Hospice	Temple Terrace, FL	26 mi	(813) 877-2200

Straight-line miles from the center of Lakeland Highlands. Medicare (CMS) data, October 2026; call ahead to confirm. We are not affiliated with these providers.

What it covers

What a dementia caregiver can help with

Keeping a predictable daily routine
Gentle help with bathing, dressing and toileting
Meals, hydration and medication reminders
Calming approaches for sundowning, agitation and repeated questions

Cost

What dementia care costs in Lakeland Highlands

At the Florida median aide wage of $16.25 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,408 a month in wages, which is 21% of the $6,679 monthly median income of Lakeland Highlands households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Florida's minimum wage rose to $15.00 an hour on September 30, 2026, under Article X, Section 24 of the Florida Constitution.

Hiring directly, you agree the rate with the caregiver and usually become the household employer (U.S. Department of Labor rules). Some families qualify for programs that pay for care at home; see How to get paid to take care of a family member in Florida: SMMC LTC and the PDO.

Before you hire

What to know before hiring a dementia caregiver

An estimated 7.2 million Americans aged 65 and older are living with Alzheimer’s dementia, according to the Alzheimer’s Association 2025 Facts and Figures. Most live at home, cared for by family. The Association’s 24/7 Helpline (1-800-272-3900) is free.

Questions worth asking: Tell me about someone with dementia you cared for. What worked? What do you do when a client becomes agitated in the late afternoon? How do you keep someone safe who tries to leave the house? More in our dementia care guide.

CaregiverConnect does not run background checks. Check identity, references and any certification yourself before anyone starts. The Safety Center explains how.

Questions

Dementia Care in Lakeland Highlands: common questions

What nursing homes are near Lakeland Highlands?

The closest Medicare-certified nursing homes are Scott Lake Health And Rehabilitation Center in Lakeland (0.3 mi, 2 of 5 overall); Highlands Lake Center in Lakeland (2.7 mi, 2 of 5 overall); Bridgewalk On Harden Health And Rehabilitation, Ll in Lakeland (3.7 mi, 1 of 5 overall). Ratings are from Medicare Care Compare.

How much does dementia care cost in Lakeland Highlands?

At the Florida median aide wage of $16.25 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,408 a month in wages, which is 21% of the $6,679 monthly median income of Lakeland Highlands households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Florida's minimum wage rose to $15.00 an hour on September 30, 2026, under Article X, Section 24 of the Florida Constitution.

When does someone with dementia need care at home?

Common signs are missed meals or medication, getting lost in familiar places, unsafe cooking or driving, and a family caregiver who is exhausted. Many families start with a few hours a day and add hours, nights or live-in help as the disease progresses.

More near Lakeland Highlands

More senior care near Lakeland Highlands

Dementia Care in nearby cities

Other care in Lakeland Highlands

More for Lakeland Highlands families

Sources

Census ACS 2020–2024 5-year; CMS provider data (October 25, 2026); U.S. DOL state minimum wages (July 1, 2026); BLS OEWS May 2025 aide wages, which cover employed aides rather than private rates.

In-Home Dementia and Alzheimer's Care in Lakeland Highlands, FL