Nursing homes › Massachusetts › Highlands, the
335 Nichols Road, Fitchburg, MA 01420 · 9783434411 · 168 certified beds
Per CMS filings, this facility is affiliated with Life Care Centers of America, a group operating 194 facilities in 26 states. Group record: average rating 3.4/5, 14 abuse citation icons, 3 facilities on the Special Focus list, $3,697,816 in federal fines. This facility rates below its group average (3.4/5).
Total nurse staffing: 3.86 (Massachusetts median: 3.71). RN hours: 0.41. Weekend total: 3.42. Nursing staff turnover: 25%.
All-time on record: 17 deficiency citations. Below: citations from 2023 onward (severity letters explained in methodology).
| Survey date | Deficiency | Sev. | Type | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-11-25 | Ensure food and drink is palatable, attractive, and at a safe and appetizing temperature. | E | Health | corrected 2025-12-19 |
| 2025-11-25 | Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program. | E | Health | 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. | D | Health | 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. | D | Health | 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. | D | Health | corrected 2025-12-19 |
| 2025-11-25 | Provide or obtain laboratory tests/services when ordered and promptly tell the ordering practitioner of the results. | D | Health | 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. | D | Health | corrected 2025-12-19 |
| 2024-07-23 | Ensure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality. | E | Health | 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. | D | Health | 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. | D | Health | 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. | D | Health | corrected 2024-08-16 |
| 2024-07-23 | Develop and implement policies and procedures for flu and pneumonia vaccinations. | D | Health | corrected 2024-08-16 |
| 2024-07-23 | Ensure each resident receives an accurate assessment. | B | Health | 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. | D | Health | corrected 2023-04-03 |
| 2023-03-20 | Provide safe, appropriate dialysis care/services for a resident who requires such services. | D | Health | 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. | D | Health | 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. | D | Health | corrected 2023-04-03 |
No federal fines or payment denials on record.
| Name | Role | Type | % | Since |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CROSS, CINDY | Corporate Officer | Individual | NOT APPLICABLE | since 04/19/2004 |
| THURMOND, JOAN | Corporate Officer | Individual | NOT APPLICABLE | since 04/19/2004 |
| LIFE CARE CENTERS OF AMERICA, INC. | Operational/Managerial Control | Organization | NOT APPLICABLE | since 06/30/2005 |
Source: CMS Provider Data Catalog (July 2026 release) — provider file, deficiency file, ownership file, penalty file. CCN 225315. Corrections: data@carerecords.org.