Massachusetts › Worcester County › Fitchburg
Highlands, The
335 Nichols Road, Fitchburg, MA 01420
Ratings are based on the most recent data available; a facility's ratings may have changed since the last update. The health inspection rating is based on the three most recent standard surveys and complaint investigations. CMS processed this record on 1 Aug 2026. View the Care Compare record.
Highlands, The is a For-profit, limited liability company nursing home in Fitchburg, Massachusetts, certified for 168 beds and caring for about 156 residents a day.
CMS gives it 3 of 5 stars overall, equal to the Massachusetts median; the health inspection rating is 3, staffing 3 and quality measures 4.
Inspectors recorded 17 health deficiencies across the three most recent survey cycles (7, 6, 4 by cycle, most recent first), none at the actual-harm level. That is 10.1 per 100 beds, fewer than the state median of 21.7.
CMS lists no fines or payment denials against the facility in the period covered.
Reported nurse staffing is 3.9 hours per resident per day (0.4 RN), close to the Massachusetts median of 3.7; nursing staff turnover is 24.8%.
Compared with county, state and nation
| Measure | This facility | Worcester Co. median | Massachusetts median | US average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall star rating | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3.0 |
| Health citations, 3 cycles | 17 | 27 | 27 | 28.7 |
| Citations per 100 beds | 10.1 | 20.7 | 21.7 | 26.8 |
| Total nurse hours per resident day | 3.9 | 3.7 | 3.7 | 3.9 |
| RN hours per resident day | 0.4 | 0.5 | 0.6 | 0.7 |
| Nursing staff turnover | 24.8% | 38.6% | 37.7% | 45.8% |
| Fines listed | $0 | $0 | $0 | — |
County and state figures are medians across facilities (50 in the county, 341 in the state); the US column is the CMS national average where CMS publishes one.
Citations by survey cycle
Dark bar: this facility. Grey bar: Massachusetts average per facility for the same cycle, as published by CMS. Standard health survey dates: 25 Nov 2025, 23 Jul 2024.
Severity mix: D ×13 E ×3 B ×1
Health deficiencies
Every health citation in the current CMS record (three survey cycles), most recent first. Tag text is the CMS requirement summary, not the inspection narrative.
Scope and severity letters (A–L)
| Survey date | Tag | What the tag requires | Severity | Type | Corrected |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25 Nov 2025 | F0804 | Ensure food and drink is palatable, attractive, and at a safe and appetizing temperature. | E | Standard survey | 19 Dec 2025 |
| 25 Nov 2025 | F0880 | Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program. | E | Standard survey | 19 Dec 2025 |
| 25 Nov 2025 | F0656 | Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured. | D | Standard survey | 19 Dec 2025 |
| 25 Nov 2025 | F0676 | Ensure residents do not lose the ability to perform activities of daily living unless there is a medical reason. | D | Standard survey | 19 Dec 2025 |
| 25 Nov 2025 | F0690 | Provide appropriate care for residents who are continent or incontinent of bowel/bladder, appropriate catheter care, and appropriate care to prevent urinary tract infections. | D | Standard survey | 19 Dec 2025 |
| 25 Nov 2025 | F0773 | Provide or obtain laboratory tests/services when ordered and promptly tell the ordering practitioner of the results. | D | Standard survey | 19 Dec 2025 |
| 25 Nov 2025 | F0842 | Safeguard resident-identifiable information and/or maintain medical records on each resident that are in accordance with accepted professional standards. | D | Standard survey | 19 Dec 2025 |
| 23 Jul 2024 | F0658 | Ensure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality. | E | Standard survey | 16 Aug 2024 |
| 23 Jul 2024 | F0656 | Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured. | D | Standard survey | 16 Aug 2024 |
| 23 Jul 2024 | F0690 | Provide appropriate care for residents who are continent or incontinent of bowel/bladder, appropriate catheter care, and appropriate care to prevent urinary tract infections. | D | Standard survey | 16 Aug 2024 |
| 23 Jul 2024 | F0812 | Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards. | D | Standard survey | 16 Aug 2024 |
| 23 Jul 2024 | F0883 | Develop and implement policies and procedures for flu and pneumonia vaccinations. | D | Standard survey | 16 Aug 2024 |
| 23 Jul 2024 | F0641 | Ensure each resident receives an accurate assessment. | B | Standard survey | 16 Aug 2024 |
| 20 Mar 2023 | F0580 | Immediately tell the resident, the resident's doctor, and a family member of situations (injury/decline/room, etc.) that affect the resident. | D | Standard survey | 3 Apr 2023 |
| 20 Mar 2023 | F0698 | Provide safe, appropriate dialysis care/services for a resident who requires such services. | D | Standard survey | 3 Apr 2023 |
| 20 Mar 2023 | F0700 | Try different approaches before using a bed rail. If a bed rail is needed, the facility must (1) assess a resident for safety risk; (2) review these risks and benefits with the resident/representative; (3) get informed consent; and (4) Correctly install and maintain the bed rail. | D | Standard survey | 3 Apr 2023 |
| 20 Mar 2023 | F0812 | Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards. | D | Standard survey | 3 Apr 2023 |
Penalties
CMS lists no fines or payment denials for this facility in the period covered.
Staffing
Hours per resident per day as reported through the Payroll-Based Journal; grey bars are the Massachusetts average. Turnover: nursing staff 24.8%, RNs 27.8%; 0 administrators left in the reporting year.
Quality measures
| Measure | Residents | This facility | Massachusetts median | US median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Percentage of long-stay residents whose need for help with daily activities has increased | Long Stay | 7.8% | 15.4% | 12.6% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with a catheter inserted and left in their bladder | Long Stay | 0.2% | 0.6% | 0.3% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with a urinary tract infection | Long Stay | 0.6% | 1.5% | 0.9% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents experiencing one or more falls with major injury | Long Stay | 6.4% | 3.3% | 2.8% |
| Percentage of short-stay residents who newly received an antipsychotic medication | Short Stay | 0.4% | 1.0% | 1.0% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents whose ability to walk independently worsened | Long Stay | 8.1% | 14.4% | 12.5% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with pressure ulcers | Long Stay | 6.3% | 3.8% | 4.2% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents who received an antipsychotic medication | Long Stay | 16.0% | 19.6% | 13.4% |
Four-quarter averages for the measures CMS uses in the quality-measure star rating (2025Q2-2026Q1). Lower is better for every measure listed. Medians are computed across facilities on this site.
Ownership
Ownership type: for-profit, limited liability company. Legal business name: Highlands Medical Investors Llc. Chain: Life Care Centers Of America (194 facilities).
| Organisation | Role in the CMS record | Interest | Since |
|---|---|---|---|
| Life Care Centers of America, Inc. | Operational/managerial control | NOT APPLICABLE | 06/30/2005 |
Only organisations are shown. CMS also records individual owners, officers and managing employees; this site does not publish people's names.
Other nursing homes in Worcester County
| Facility | City | Beds | Overall | Health | Staffing | Citations | Per 100 beds | Fines | Last survey |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beaumont Rehab & Skilled Nursing Ctr - Northboro | Northborough | 96 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 16 | 16.7 | — | 23 Jun 2025 |
| Holy Trinity Eastern Orthodox N & R Center | Worcester | 113 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 9 | 8.0 | — | 6 Jan 2026 |
| Lutheran Rehabilitation and Skilled Care Center | Worcester | 150 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 0 | 0.0 | — | — |
| Lydia Taft House | Uxbridge | 53 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 7 | 13.2 | — | 3 May 2023 |
| Quaboag Rehabilitation & Skilled Care Facility | West Brookfield | 166 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 8 | 4.8 | — | 5 Nov 2024 |
| River Terrace Rehabilitation and Healthcare Ctr | Lancaster | 82 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 2.4 | $9K | 5 May 2025 |
| West Side House LTC Facility | Worcester | 91 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 13 | 14.3 | — | 30 Dec 2024 |
| Whittier Westborough Transitional Care Unit | Westborough | 19 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 31.6 | — | 2 May 2025 |
All 50 facilities in Worcester County
Questions and answers
How many deficiencies has Highlands, The been cited for?
17 health deficiencies across the three most recent survey cycles, 0 at the actual-harm or immediate-jeopardy level. The Massachusetts median is 27 per facility.
Has Highlands, The been fined?
CMS lists no fines against the facility in the period covered.
How does staffing at Highlands, The compare?
Reported total nurse staffing is 3.9 hours per resident per day against a Massachusetts median of 3.7 and a national average of 3.9.
Who operates Highlands, The?
It is part of the Life Care Centers Of America chain. Ownership type is for-profit, limited liability company. Organisations in the CMS ownership record include Life Care Centers of America, Inc.. Individual owners and managers are not listed on this site.
When was Highlands, The last inspected?
The most recent survey or investigation in the CMS record is dated 25 Nov 2025; the most recent standard health survey was 25 Nov 2025.
Where does this data come from?
All figures are from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Care Compare datasets (provider information, health deficiencies, penalties, ownership and quality measures), processed 1 Aug 2026. Ratings and citations may change; the Care Compare record is authoritative.
Provenance
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Care Compare nursing home datasets (provider information, health deficiencies, penalties, ownership, MDS quality measures, state and national averages), public domain, processed by CMS on 1 Aug 2026. Facility record: Care Compare. Errors in processing are corrected at the next daily build; see corrections.