Northwest Florida Community Hospital ranked No. 2 among Washington County nursing homes in early 2026

Northwest Florida Community Hospital emerged as the second largest nursing home in Washington County for the first quarter of 2026, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) reported.

The facility provided 34 available beds, which is 73 fewer than the countywide average as of the first quarter of 2026. The hospital served an average of 32.8 residents during this time.

The hospital earned a 5 out of 5 overall rating from the CMS, surpassing the state average of 3.3 for nursing homes in Florida.

Washington Rehabilitation and Nursing Center was the largest provider in the county for the quarter with 180 beds available.

Northwest Florida Community Hospital recorded no fines or penalties through the first quarter of 2026.

Washington County, Florida, had two for-profit nursing homes in total.

U.S. Census Bureau estimates show the older adult population in the nation is rising as younger age groups decrease. From 2020 to 2024, the number of Americans 65 and older increased by 13%, while the population under 18 declined by 1.7%. Over the past century, the older adult population in the United States has surged from 4.9 million in 1920 to more than 61 million in 2024.

A 2021 study indicates that close to half of this age group, about 28 million people, are likely to require long-term services and support. The same report anticipates that more than a third may ultimately need 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, an insurance education group. “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.”

Information in this article was obtained from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The source data can be found here.