The home failed to make food and drinks appealing and served them at a safe, appetizing temperature. Cited November 2025 — limited pattern, potential for harm.
View the original federal record
F-Tag 804 — 42 CFR §483.60 — S/S: E
Nursing home report
Highlands, The
FITCHBURG, MA · Medicare-certified · 168 beds
In good standing
For-profitChain member
Data as of July 1, 2026
3 of 5 overall
3 out of 5 stars overall. Highlands, The in Fitchburg, MA has 3-star health inspection and staffing ratings, a 4-star quality rating, reported nurse staffing below the federal benchmark (3.86 vs. 4.1 hours per resident per day), and no fines in the last 24 months.
Facility ratings
Health inspections
Staffing
3.8641 hrs/resident/day
Quality measures
Last inspection: November 25, 2025Penalties, last 24 months: $0
Federal guidance recommends at least 4.1 nursing hours per resident each day. This facility reports 3.8641.
Staffing detail
- Registered nurses
- 0.41
- Licensed practical nurses
- 1.15
- Nurse aides
- 2.31
- Weekend nursing
- 3.42
Hours per resident per day.
Total staff turnover: 25%
Registered nurse turnover: 28%
Resident outcomes
Each measure compares a year ago with the most recent quarter. Green means the facility moved the right way; red means the wrong way.
Negative outcomes
Lower is better — fewer affected residents. A decrease is good (green); an increase is concerning (red).
Long-stay residents on antipsychotic medication
14.4%17.5%Worsening
Residents with a fall causing major injury
2.3%7.6%Worsening
Residents with pressure ulcers (bedsores)
5.4%10%Worsening
Residents with a urinary tract infection
0%0.8%Worsening
Residents who lost too much weight
12.9%11.8%Improving
Residents who were physically restrained
0%0%No change
Residents needing more help with daily activities
4.9%8.7%Worsening
Residents whose ability to walk got worse
4.5%11.9%Worsening
Long-stay residents on antianxiety or sleep medication
25%21.1%Improving
Short-stay residents newly given an antipsychotic
0.6%0.6%No change
Residents with a long-term catheter
0%0.6%Worsening
Residents with new or worsening incontinence
31.1%37.1%Worsening
Residents with depressive symptoms
2.7%5.8%Worsening
Positive outcomes
Higher is better — e.g. vaccinations. An increase is good (green); a decrease is concerning (red).
Long-stay residents given the seasonal flu vaccine
—92%—
Long-stay residents given the pneumonia vaccine
55.8%61.1%Improving
Short-stay residents given the seasonal flu vaccine
—50.4%—
Short-stay residents given the pneumonia vaccine
15.7%11.3%Worsening
What the inspectors found
The nursing home failed to provide and carry out an infection prevention and control program to help keep residents from getting or spreading infections. Cited November 2025 — limited pattern, potential for harm.
View the original federal record
F-Tag 880 — 42 CFR §483.80(a) — S/S: E
The nursing home failed to provide services that met professional standards of quality. Cited July 2024 — limited pattern, potential for harm.
View the original federal record
F-Tag 658 — 42 CFR §483.21(b)(3) — S/S: E
The nursing home failed to develop and carry out a complete care plan that met each resident’s needs with clear steps and timelines. Cited November 2025 — isolated incident, potential for harm.
View the original federal record
F-Tag 656 — 42 CFR §483.21(b)(1) — S/S: D
The home failed to ensure residents kept their ability to do everyday activities unless there was a medical reason. Cited November 2025 — isolated incident, potential for harm.
View the original federal record
F-Tag 676 — 42 CFR §483.24 — S/S: D
Recent history
- STAFFING
Reported nurse staffing was below the federal recommendation of 4.1 hours per resident per day.
- INSPECTION
Health inspection found 7 health deficiencies.
See what inspectors found
- INSPECTION
Health inspection found 6 health deficiencies.
See what inspectors found
- INSPECTION
Health inspection found 4 health deficiencies.
See what inspectors found
Operator & ownership
- Ownership
- For profit - Limited Liability company
- Chain
- Part of LIFE CARE CENTERS OF AMERICA · 194 homes · 3.4 stars avg
- Occupancy
- 156.3 residents on an average day (93% of 168 beds)
- Resident voice
- Resident & family councils
- Medicare history
- Certified for 37 years
Things at a nursing home change — inspections, staffing, ownership, news.
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services — public records, updated monthly. GoodStanding presents official records with plain-language summaries. Always visit a facility in person.