Family Owned & Operated
Because We Care
Somerset is a family owned and operated Assisted Living and Memory Care community on the shore of Lake Saunders in Tavares, Florida. Our mission is a simple one — make every day great — and we take it seriously and have for the last 20 years. Attentive licensed care comes first. Everything else, from the garden beds to the sock hop, is what happens when sixty people get to enjoy the fruits of retired living!
Why Families Choose Somerset
Small Enough to Know Every Name.
Somerset is family owned and operated — one community, not one location in a chain. Decisions are made here, by people who know our residents personally. And because Assisted Living and Memory Care sit under the same roof, many residents can stay right where they are as their needs change.
Personal Care, Not Institutional Care
Assistance with bathing, dressing, grooming, mobility and toileting — delivered patiently and respectfully by caregivers who know each resident's routine, their preferences, and exactly how they take their coffee.
Medication Management, Done Right
Licensed staff handle secure storage, scheduling, administration, refills and coordination with pharmacies and physicians — with every dose documented.
A Setting Worth Waking Up To
Somerset overlooks Lake Saunders. Rooms are generously sized, each with a bay window or French doors, and the water is part of daily life here — including regular trips out on the pontoon boat, weather permitting.
A Day at Somerset
Structure where it helps. Freedom where it doesn't.
Mornings begin when each resident is ready, not on a fixed schedule. Meals are served at proper tables, with conversation. Afternoons belong to the resident — the lake, a card game, the garden, a rest, or a visit from family, who are welcome any day of the week between 8am and 8pm. On movie nights the popcorn machine comes out and the room goes quiet the way a drive-in used to. On karaoke afternoons, it does not.
- Three home-cooked meals & snacks
- Bowling & community outings
- Pontoon boat rides on the lake
- Beach days, museum & theater trips
- Dances, karaoke & socials
- English, Spanish & Creole spoken
What's On
This Month at Somerset.
Our activities calendar is posted here every month — church and bingo, exercise jam and trivia, karaoke, ice cream socials, and wherever the bus is headed next.
- 10 am Church
- 2 pm Bingo
- 6 pm Tea & Cookies
- 10 am Arts & Crafts (SNUG CNAs)
- 1 pm Civic Center
- 6 pm Elks Fish Fry
- 10 am Library & Crocheting
- 2 pm Mall Walk (Dylan)
- 6 pm Hot Cocoa
- 8 am Dr. Perez
- 9:30 am Crossword Puzzles (see office)
- 2 pm Karaoke & Music at Snug
- 10:30 am Exercise Jam with Janet
- 1:30 pm Ice Cream Social
- 6:30 pm Trivia with Diane
- 9:30 am News Update
- 10 am – 12 pm Individual Therapy (30 mins w/ Dyl)
- 2 pm Winter Olympics Ceremony on TV
- 11:30 am Lakes Concert Live at Leesburg Library (Dylan)
- 10 am Church
- 2 pm Bingo
- 6 pm Super Bowl Watch Party
- 10 am Arts & Crafts — Valentine's Cards (SNUG CNAs)
- 1 pm Civic Center
- 6 pm Political Progress
- 10 am Library & Crocheting
- 2 pm Bowling (Joe)
- 6 pm Hot Cocoa
- 8 am Dr. Perez
- 9:30 am Crossword Puzzles (see office)
- 2 pm Karaoke & Music Sing-Along at Snug
- 10:30 am Exercise Jam with Janet
- 2 pm CNA Meeting
- 6:30 pm Trivia with Diane
- 9:30 am News Update
- 10 am – 12 pm Individual Therapy (30 mins w/ Dyl)
- 7 pm Movie Night — Activities Room (Love)
- 10 am Church & Cookies, Dining Room (Mary)
- 2 pm Valentine's Day Party
- 10 am Church
- 11:30 am Farmers Market
- 2 pm Bingo
- 6 pm Tea & Cookies
- 10 am Arts & Crafts (SNUG CNAs)
- 1 pm Black History Event
- 6 pm Political Progress
- 10 am Library & Crocheting
- 2 pm Fat Tuesday Mardi Gras Celebration
- 6 pm Hot Cocoa
- 8 am Dr. Perez
- 9:30 am Crossword Puzzles (see office)
- 2 pm Karaoke & Music Sing-Along at Snug
- 7 pm Parenting Therapy Group
- 10:30 am Exercise Jam with Janet
- 1:30 pm Ice Cream Social
- 6:30 pm Trivia with Diane
- 9:30 am News Update
- 10 am – 12 pm Individual Therapy (30 mins w/ Dyl)
- 6:30 pm Lunar New Year Celebration
- 10 am Resident Council Meeting
- 2 pm Lake Walk, Tavares
- 6 pm Steak Night at the Elks
- 10 am Church
- 2 pm Bingo
- 6 pm Tea & Cookies
- 10 am Arts & Crafts (SNUG CNAs)
- 1 pm Civic Center
- 6 pm Political Progress
- 10 am Library & Crocheting
- 2 pm Games with Diane (Activities Room)
- 6 pm Hot Cocoa
- 8 am Dr. Perez
- 9:30 am Crossword Puzzles (see office)
- 2 pm Karaoke & Music Sing-Along at Snug
- 7 pm Parenting Therapy Group (virtual)
- 10:30 am Exercise Jam with Janet
- 2 pm Bingo
- 6:30 pm Trivia with Diane
- 9:30 am News Update
- 2 pm Bingo
- 3 pm Making Cookies
- 10 am George Fest Parade
- 2 pm Sock Hop
Would you like a printed copy? Ask at the front desk, or call us and we'll mail one out.
From Our Families
Words We're Proud Of.
"We are so blessed to be able to have my mom at this facility…"
"My Mother was a resident there for several years. I feel like she was treated well!"
"Very caring and attentive to patients. Keep patients busy and always something to do."
No Obligation
Come See It for Yourself.
Tours take about 45 minutes and there is no obligation of any kind. Bring your questions, and bring your loved one if they'd like to come — we'd rather they saw it for themselves.
About Us
A Growing Family ..
We are a family owned and operated Assisted Living Facility with a mission of making every day great. Here at Somerset we pride ourselves in quality of life and aim to make the most enjoyable of experiences for those who call these walls 'home'. We understand that everyone isn't able to provide the attention needed by their loved ones aging into golden years. The specific amenities, training and ambiance created by a community like ours will undoubtedly promote ease of mind for the retiree residing with us and to those family and friends who aren't quite as lucky yet!
Somerset overlooks Lake Saunders, providing a peaceful atmosphere. Our rooms feature either a bay window or French doors. We are proud to say that we go the extra mile for everyone who walks through our doors and look forward to continuing to grow this special community.
Going the Extra Mile
The people who set the standards here work in this building, and the person you meet at the door is the person who answers when you call. Families deal with us directly. We prioritize our residents and take pride in the
That shapes how we spend our days. Our residents go out — genuinely out — to the bowling alley, the museum, the theater, the beach, and onto the lake aboard a pontoon boat. Our garden grows real tomatoes, planted and tended by residents who have opinions about them. There are dances, karaoke afternoons and socials. And the holidays here are celebrated properly, with the whole community pitching in.
Underneath every bit of it is serious care, and that is the part we are proudest of: individual written care plans, licensed medication management, 24-hour staffing, and a nursing team that knows each resident's history. Our staff speak English, Spanish and Creole — so nobody here has to search for the right words.
What We Promise
Four Commitments We Make to Every Family.
Dignity, First and Always
Every resident is an adult with a lifetime behind them. We knock before we enter, ask before we act, and respect the preferences of each individual.
Open Communication
Families are encouraged to communicate and visit and we are here to help in anyway so feel free to give us a call.
Familiar Faces
Being family owned and operated means our caregivers stay, and that matters clinically as much as it does personally. A resident's routine is safest in the hands of someone who takes pride in their care.
Safe and Serene
Grab bars, call systems, trained staff and a written hurricane plan — inside a community that still looks and feels like home.
Our Team
The People.
Humans serving humans. All day everyday.
Beth Heiman
A licensed administrator with 18+ years of experience in senior care. Oversees daily operations, admissions and family communication.
Joe Donnelly
You know what they say, happiness starts in the belly. The man, the myth, the legend. Great menus, tailored meals and a dedication fully flavored health.
The Team
Morning baths and evening tea. Clean linens, strong bodies and memorable outings. Holiday celebrations and random Tuesday heart to hearts, we're building a life for our residents- that makes life worth living.
Licensing & Compliance
Licensed, Inspected and Accountable.
Somerset is licensed by Florida's Agency for Health Care Administration and subject to regular state inspection. Our staff complete all Florida-required training in medication administration, resident rights, infection control, elopement, Alzheimer's and dementia care, and emergency procedures.
- Florida AHCA Assisted Living Facility License #7472
- Dedicated Specialty Care for residents living with Alzheimer's or dementia
- Level 2 background-screened staff
- Written hurricane & emergency power plan on file
- Medicaid accepted — please ask whether your family qualifies
What We Offer
What's Included ...
The monthly rate covers the resident's room, all on property meals, personal care, housekeeping, laundry, activities, specified outings and 24-hour staffing. Higher care levels and specialty services will be discussed on an individual basis.
Assistance With Daily Living
Bathing, dressing, grooming, oral care, toileting, continence support, transferring and mobility assistance — as much or as little as each resident needs.
Medication Management
Secure storage, scheduled administration, refills, pharmacy coordination, physician orders on file, and every single dose documented.
Three Meals a Day, Made Here
Breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks, prepared on site from fresh ingredients and served restaurant style. Diabetic, low-sodium, pureed and texture-modified diets accommodated.
24-Hour Staffing & Supervision
Trained caregivers on site day and night, emergency call systems in every room and bathroom, with regular wellness checks throughout the day.
Activities & Life Enrichment
Bowling, pontoon boat rides, beach days, museum and theater trips, gardening, flower arranging, bingo, card games, dances, karaoke, socials, music programs, devotional services — and movie nights with the popcorn machine running.
Nursing & Health Monitoring
On-site nursing, vital signs, weight and appetite tracking, diabetic and incontinence care, non-ambulatory support, and coordination with 3rd party physicians, home health, therapy and hospice.
Housekeeping, Laundry & Respite Stays
Weekly deep cleaning, daily tidying, personal laundry and fresh linens. We also offer short-term and respite stays, whether a family needs relief or a bridge home from the hospital.
Transportation
Medical and non-medical transportation — appointments, pharmacy trips, worship services and group outings throughout Lake County.
Specialty Care
A dedicated building with specific program for residents living with dementia — structured routines, redirection techniques, secured exterior doors and staff trained in dementia-informed care.
Care Levels
Clear Pricing, in Writing, Before Anything Is Signed.
Every resident receives a care assessment before move-in. That assessment sets the care level and the rate — and the rate does not change unless needs change and we have discussed it with you first.
Level One · Supportive Living
For residents who are largely independent but want good meals, good company and support close at hand.
- Private or shared room
- Three meals & snacks
- Housekeeping & laundry
- Medication reminders
- All activities and outings
Level Two · Personal Care
For residents who need hands-on assistance with several activities of daily living.
- Everything in Level One
- Full medication administration
- Bathing, dressing & grooming help
- Mobility & transfer assistance
- Continence care
- A written care plan, reviewed with you
Memory Care
For residents living with Alzheimer's or dementia who need a structured, supported day.
- Everything in Level Two
- Structured, dementia-informed daily routine
- Closer supervision & checks
- Two-person transfer assistance
- Secured doors & hospice coordination
We accept Medicaid, and we're glad to help you look into long-term care insurance, VA Aid & Attendance and Florida assistance programs.
Common Questions
What Families Ask Us Most.
What is included in the monthly rate?
The room, all meals and snacks, personal care at the assessed level, medication management, housekeeping, laundry, linens, utilities, activities, outings and 24-hour staffing. You receive the complete list in writing before signing anything.
Can residents bring their own furniture?
Yes, and we encourage it. A favorite chair, a quilt, family photographs — familiar belongings make the first few weeks considerably easier. We'll walk the room with you and help plan the layout.
What if care needs increase, or memory loss progresses?
We reassess regularly and any time there is a change. Because Memory Care is offered on site, many residents do not need to move at all. If a higher care level is required, we discuss it with you — including cost — before anything changes. Many residents remain with us through hospice, with our team working alongside their hospice provider.
Do you accept Medicaid or long-term care insurance?
Yes. We accept Medicaid and work with long-term care insurance policies. Call us and we will walk through eligibility, VA Aid & Attendance and other Florida programs you may qualify for.
What are your visiting hours?
Visitors are welcome every day of the week, Monday through Sunday, from 8:00am to 8:00pm — in keeping with Florida residents' rights. We simply ask that you sign in at the front desk so we always know who is in the building. And yes, you're welcome to stay for a meal.
How quickly can someone move in?
When a room is available, usually within a few days — enough time for a care assessment, a physician's form and the paperwork. If we are full, we will tell you honestly and add you to the waiting list.
The Facility
Spacious Rooms, Bay Windows and a Home.
Somerset sits on several acres with water front views of Lake Saunders. Our rooms are large yet cozy. Our shared spaces are designed to promote sharing and community. Our activities calendar leaves plenty of opportunities to mingle, create and dance the day away! But, it's really the people who make this place special. Those who have called Somerset home for years as residents, dedicated care givers, and affiliated partners ensure everyday that quality and support are within reach.
Resident Rooms
Room Enough to Live.
Private rooms, studios and shared suites — furnished, or arranged entirely with the resident's own furniture options when available. Each includes a private bathroom, air conditioning, cable and Wi-Fi. Bathrooms are fitted with grab bars, raised seating and walk-in access, with an emergency call button at the bed and in the bath.
- Shared options
- Bay windows or French doors
- Call button at bed & bath
- Furnished, or bring your own
- Cable, Wi-Fi & phone
- Daily tidying, weekly deep clean
Shared Spaces
Places to Gather, and Places to Be Alone.
The Dining Room
Proper tables, proper plates, served restaurant style — with gluten-free, low-sodium, no-sugar and vegan options as needed. Decorated in full for every holiday.
The Residents' Lounge
Comfortable seating, a large television, and the room where most of the day's conversation and card games take place.
The Lake View
Lake Saunders is the best seat in the house — for morning coffee, an afternoon book, or a quiet visit with family.
The Garden
Raised beds planted and tended by our residents, with level paths designed for walkers and wheelchairs. Tomatoes and marigolds are the current favorites.
Salon & Game Room
An on-site beauty salon for haircuts and styling, and a game room for cards, bingo, puzzles and tournaments that get more competitive than you'd expect.
Movie Nights
A big screen and a popcorn machine, set up for film nights and black-and-white classics — the closest thing to a drive-in indoors.
Fitness, With a Local Partner
Rather than a token exercise room, we partner with a local gym so residents who want to stay active have proper equipment and proper support.
Safety & Accessibility
Built for Aging, Not Retrofitted for It.
- Emergency call system in every room
- Grab bars in all bathrooms
- Step-free, wheelchair-accessible layout
- Wide doorways & hallways
- Non-slip flooring
- Secured exterior doors
- Monitored smoke & fire system
- Generator & emergency power plan
- Written Florida hurricane plan
- Awake overnight staff
Find Us
On Lake Saunders, Minutes From AdventHealth Waterman.
2450 Dora Avenue, Tavares, FL 32778
A day in the life ..
A Somerset Photo Album.
Every photograph here is a real day at Somerset.
Pictures Only Go So Far
Somerset Is Better in Person.
Come walk through the community, meet our staff and residents, and stay for lunch. No pressure, no sales pitch — just the place as it actually is on a Tuesday.
Schedule a Visit
Choose a Time That Suits You.
A tour takes about 45 minutes and covers the available rooms, the common areas, our Memory Care wing and the day's menu — with time for every question you have. You're welcome to stay for a meal.
Prefer That We Call You?
Send us a note and we'll call you back the same business day.