Worcester Senior AdvisorHighlands, the is a 168-bed Medicare- and Medicaid-certified nursing home at 335 Nichols Road in Fitchburg, Massachusetts. CMS gives Highlands, the an overall rating of 3 out of 5 stars, based on CMS data as of October 1, 2026.
How does CMS rate Highlands, the in Fitchburg, MA?
CMS gives Highlands, the an overall rating of 3 out of 5 stars; its health inspection rating is 3, staffing 3 and quality measures 4, each out of 5.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Overall rating (CMS) | 3 of 5 |
| Health inspection rating (CMS) | 3 of 5 |
| Staffing rating (CMS) | 3 of 5 |
| Quality measures rating (CMS) | 4 of 5 |
| Certified beds | 168 |
| Ownership type (CMS) | For profit - Limited Liability company |
| Operator chain (CMS) | Life Care Centers Of America (194 facilities) |
| Legal business name | Highlands Medical Investors Llc |
| First certified for Medicare/Medicaid | December 8, 1988 |
| CMS certification number | 225315 |
What deficiencies has CMS recorded at Highlands, the?
November 25, 2025 is the date of Highlands, the's latest standard health inspection in CMS's data, and that cycle produced 7 cited deficiencies.
The previous standard survey was on July 23, 2024. The Worcester County median for the latest cycle is 6, so Highlands, the sits above the local middle. In Massachusetts the Department of Public Health conducts these surveys for CMS.
CMS reports no fines and 0 payment denials in its three-year window.
How many nursing hours do residents get at Highlands, the?
Each resident at Highlands, the gets about 3.98 hours of nursing staff time per day in CMS's payroll data (higher than the Worcester County median of 3.72), 0.40 hours of it from registered nurses.
Total nursing-staff turnover is 33.8% (lower than the Worcester County median of 39.0%), and 0 administrators have left in the CMS measurement period. For context, MassHealth's payment rules use a standard of 3.58 nursing hours per resident per day; CMS's payroll-based figure of 3.98 is measured differently, so treat the comparison as a prompt for questions rather than a verdict.
How full is Highlands, the?
CMS reports an average of 156 residents a day in Highlands, the's 168 certified beds, about 93% full against a county median of 87%.
A home running near capacity may have a waiting list for long-term beds even when short-stay rehab beds open up; a home with many empty beds may be easier to enter but deserves questions about why. Ask which units have openings and whether long-term and rehab residents share a floor.
What are the alternatives to Highlands, the nearby?
With 168 certified beds it is larger than the county median of 124; the closest other certified home is Fitchburg Healthcare in Fitchburg, in the same ZIP code, rated 1 of 5 by CMS.
| Residence / provider | Miles away | CMS overall rating | Certified beds | Nurse hours / resident / day | Deficiencies cited |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fitchburg Healthcare 1199 John Fitch Hwy, 01420 | 0.0 | 1 of 5 | 160 | 3.47 | 13 |
| Fitchburg Rehabilitation and Nursing Center 94 Summer Street, 01420 | 0.0 | 1 of 5 | 87 | 3.28 | 11 |
| Leominster Rehabilitation and Nursing Center 44 Keystone Drive, 01453 | 5.3 | 1 of 5 | 106 | 3.56 | 5 |
| Life Care Center of Leominster 370 West Street, 01453 | 5.3 | 4 of 5 | 133 | 4.06 | 7 |
| Gardner Rehabilitation and Nursing Center 59 Eastwood Circle, 01440 | 8.6 | 2 of 5 | 124 | 4.13 | 9 |
What is around Highlands, the in Fitchburg?
Highlands, the sits in Fitchburg; the nearest hospital with an emergency department in CMS's data is UMass Memorial HealthAlliance Hospitals, about 5.3 miles away in a straight line, and the local Aging Services Access Point is Aging Services of North Central Massachusetts at (978) 537-7411.
The next closest hospital is Heywood Hospital at about 8.6 miles; distances are straight lines, not drive times.
What should families ask Highlands, the before choosing it?
Start with the questions its own record raises: ask to see the statement of deficiencies and plan of correction for the 7 deficiencies cited on November 25, 2025.
- Turnover of 33.8% is at or below the county median; ask who the long-tenured charge nurses are on nights and weekends.
- CMS records a both council here; ask when it meets and whether families can attend.
- If MassHealth may pay later, confirm Highlands, the keeps residents who convert from private pay to MassHealth, and how the $72.80 monthly personal needs allowance is handled.
