Highlands, The

Nursing Home · Fitchburg, MA

CMS overall rating 3/5 For profit - Limited Liability company

CMS certification number225315

Contact & location

335 Nichols Road
Fitchburg, MA 01420
Worcester County
Phone
(978) 343-4411
ZIP code
01420 – all care providers

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Facility details

Certified beds
168
Residents per day
156.3 (93% occupied)
Ownership
For profit - Limited Liability company
Legal name
Highlands Medical Investors LLC
Chain
Life Care Centers of America (194 facilities, avg 3.4★)
Medicare certified since
December 8, 1988
Participates in
Medicare and Medicaid
Council
Both council

CMS star ratings

Overall★★★★★ 3/5
State avg 3.0
Health inspections★★★★★ 3/5
State avg 3.0
Staffing★★★★★ 3/5
State avg 3.1
Quality measures★★★★★ 4/5
State avg 3.3
Long-stay quality★★★★★ 4/5
Short-stay quality★★★★★ 4/5

Staffing

Hours of nursing care per resident per day, from payroll data. More hours generally mean more time for each resident.

Total nurse staffing
3.86 (state 3.86 · U.S. 3.86)
Registered nurses (RN)
0.41 (state 0.65 · U.S. 0.69)
Licensed practical nurses
1.15 (state 0.95 · U.S. 0.86)
Nurse aides
2.31 (state 2.26 · U.S. 2.32)
Weekend total
3.42 (state 3.48 · U.S. 3.42)
Nursing staff turnover
24.8 (state 38.2 · U.S. 45.8)%
RN turnover
27.8 (state 42.6 · U.S. 42.9)%
Administrators who left
0 in the last year

Inspections

Last standard inspection
November 25, 2025
Health deficiencies (last cycle)
7.0 (state 7.2 · U.S. 9.3)
From complaints
0
Citations on record (3 years)
17 health · 11 fire safety
DateCitationSeverityStatus
2025-11-25 Ensure food and drink is palatable, attractive, and at a safe and appetizing temperature.
F0804 · Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies		 E
No actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm		 Corrected 2025-12-19
2025-11-25 Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
F0880 · Infection Control Deficiencies		 E
No actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm		 Corrected 2025-12-19
2025-11-25 Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.
F0656 · Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies		 D
No actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm		 Corrected 2025-12-19
2025-11-25 Ensure residents do not lose the ability to perform activities of daily living unless there is a medical reason.
F0676 · Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies		 D
No actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm		 Corrected 2025-12-19
2025-11-25 Provide appropriate care for residents who are continent or incontinent of bowel/bladder, appropriate catheter care, and appropriate care to prevent urinary tract infections.
F0690 · Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies		 D
No actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm		 Corrected 2025-12-19
2025-11-25 Provide or obtain laboratory tests/services when ordered and promptly tell the ordering practitioner of the results.
F0773 · Administration Deficiencies		 D
No actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm		 Corrected 2025-12-19
2025-11-25 Safeguard resident-identifiable information and/or maintain medical records on each resident that are in accordance with accepted professional standards.
F0842 · Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies		 D
No actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm		 Corrected 2025-12-19
2024-07-23 Ensure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.
F0658 · Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies		 E
No actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm		 Corrected 2024-08-16
2024-07-23 Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.
F0656 · Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies		 D
No actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm		 Corrected 2024-08-16
2024-07-23 Provide appropriate care for residents who are continent or incontinent of bowel/bladder, appropriate catheter care, and appropriate care to prevent urinary tract infections.
F0690 · Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies		 D
No actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm		 Corrected 2024-08-16
2024-07-23 Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
F0812 · Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies		 D
No actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm		 Corrected 2024-08-16
2024-07-23 Develop and implement policies and procedures for flu and pneumonia vaccinations.
F0883 · Infection Control Deficiencies		 D
No actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm		 Corrected 2024-08-16
2024-07-23 Ensure each resident receives an accurate assessment.
F0641 · Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies		 B
No actual harm, potential for minimal harm		 Corrected 2024-08-16
2023-03-20 Immediately tell the resident, the resident's doctor, and a family member of situations (injury/decline/room, etc.) that affect the resident.
F0580 · Resident Rights Deficiencies		 D
No actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm		 Corrected 2023-04-03
2023-03-20 Provide safe, appropriate dialysis care/services for a resident who requires such services.
F0698 · Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies		 D
No actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm		 Corrected 2023-04-03
2023-03-20 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.
F0700 · Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies		 D
No actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm		 Corrected 2023-04-03
2023-03-20 Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
F0812 · Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies		 D
No actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm		 Corrected 2023-04-03

Severity letters A–L combine how widespread a problem was (isolated, pattern, widespread) with how serious (from potential for minimal harm to immediate jeopardy). How to read inspection results

Fines & penalties

No federal fines or payment denials in the last three years.

Ownership & management

NameRoleSince
Cross, Cindy (individual)Corporate Officer · NOT APPLICABLE
Thurmond, Joan (individual)Corporate Officer · NOT APPLICABLE
Life Care Centers of America, INC. (organization)Operational/managerial Control · NOT APPLICABLE
Bonilla, Carlos-Andres (individual)W-2 Managing Employee · NOT APPLICABLE

Frequently asked questions

What is the rating of Highlands, The?

Highlands, The has a 3-star overall rating from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services on a scale of 1 to 5, compared with a 3.0-star average in Massachusetts.

How many beds does Highlands, The have?

It has 168 certified beds and cares for about 156 residents per day.

Has Highlands, The been fined?

CMS lists no federal fines or payment denials in the last three years.

Who owns Highlands, The?

It is part of Life Care Centers of America and is classified as for profit - limited liability company. See the ownership table above for all owners and managers reported to CMS.

What is the phone number of Highlands, The?

(978) 343-4411. The facility is located at 335 Nichols Road, Fitchburg, MA 01420.

Other nursing homes in Fitchburg

Compare all nursing homes in Fitchburg, MA →

Source: CMS Care Compare, August 2026. Information is provided as published by CMS; verify details directly with the facility.