(888) 927-9409
Pricing Call
(888) 927-9409
The Highlands
Nursing Home & Skilled Nursing · Fitchburg, MA
CMS overall rating Info CMS (the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services) is the federal agency that rates nursing home quality. Its Overall Rating runs from 1 to 5 stars, combining health inspections, staffing, and quality measures, with inspections weighted most heavily.
Exterior view of a nursing home facility. Exterior view of The Highlands assisted living facility with gardens Exterior view of The Highlands facility Exterior view of The Highlands facility. Exterior view of a nursing home with an American flag Exterior view of a senior care facility surrounded by greenery. Exterior view of The Highlands assisted living facility Exterior view of The Highlands nursing home Entrance of a nursing home with a covered area Exterior view of The Highlands facility Residents enjoying a game with balloons indoors. Resident exercising with green foam weights. Two residents happily enjoying time indoors. Front entrance of The Highlands facility YouTube Video

The Highlands

Nursing Home & Skilled Nursing · Fitchburg, MA
CMS overall rating Info CMS (the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services) is the federal agency that rates nursing home quality. Its Overall Rating runs from 1 to 5 stars, combining health inspections, staffing, and quality measures, with inspections weighted most heavily.
335 Nichols St, Fitchburg, MA 01420 View map Calculator: See prices in your area
The Highlands accepts Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay.
Contact Us Explore Open Rooms
Calculator: See prices in your area
The Highlands accepts Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay.

Overview of The Highlands

The Highlands is a nursing home in Fitchburg, MA, offering rehabilitation and skilled nursing. The community also ensures older adults are treated well in a supportive and home-like setting. With 24/7 nursing care, dietitian-approved meals, housekeeping, laundry, and transportation, residents experience a maintenance-free lifestyle. To meet residents’ unique needs and preferences, personalized care plans are also provided for their recovery.

Pet visits, light exercises, and various recreational opportunities foster interactions and encourage residents to live actively. Courtyards, a library, a beauty salon, and a barber shop are among the top-notch amenities dedicated to residents’ relaxation and wellness. Nestled near Mass Audubon’s Flat Rock Wildlife Sanctuary, Mount Wachusett Community College, and Crocker Conservation Area in Fitchburg, the community ensures accessibility and convenience. As one of the best options for senior living in Massachusetts, this nursing home continuously provides excellent services for older adults’ welfare.

Facility Direct Line (978) 343-4411
Facility Direct Line (978) 343-4411 contact_highlands@lcca.com

Quality ratings

Measured by Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)

Overall rating Info The Overall CMS Rating combines results from health inspections, staffing levels and quality measures. Health inspections carry the most weight. Staffing and quality scores can increase or decrease the final rating based on performance compared to state and national standards.
▲ 3.5% Above MA avg. ▲ 3.5% Above MA avg.MA average: 2.9Click the badge to see the full State ranking.Click here to see the full State ranking.
Health Inspection Info Based on the results of the facility's three most recent standard inspections and any complaint investigations. CMS reviews the number, scope, and severity of deficiencies, with more recent findings weighted more heavily.
▲ 5.4% Above MA avg. ▲ 5.4% Above MA avg.MA average: 2.8Click the badge to see the full State ranking.Click here to see the full State ranking.
Staffing Info Measures average nursing staff hours per resident per day, including Registered Nurses (RNs) and total nursing staff. Ratings are adjusted based on the level of care residents require and are compared to state and national benchmarks.
At MA avg. At MA avg.MA average: 3.0Click the badge to see the full State ranking.Click here to see the full State ranking.
Quality Measures Info Based on clinical and physical health indicators reported to CMS, such as hospital readmissions, falls, pressure ulcers, and improvements in mobility. These measures reflect how well residents' health needs are being managed.
▲ 25.8% Above MA avg. ▲ 25.8% Above MA avg.MA average: 3.2Click the badge to see the full State ranking.Click here to see the full State ranking.

Staffing hours Info Daily nursing hours per resident by staff type, reported to CMS. Higher is generally better — compare this facility to state and national averages to see where staffing stands.

Hours per resident per day vs Massachusetts averages

Rank #42 / 83Nurse hours — State benchmarkedThis home is ranked 42nd out of 83 homes we track in Massachusetts for nurse hours. Shows adjusted nurse hours per resident per day benchmarked to the Massachusetts average, with a ranking across 83 Massachusetts facilities. More hours mean more direct care. The national average is about 3.5 hrs; below 3.0 is a red flag.Communities with the same value for a metric share the same rank. Rankings cover every community we track in Massachusetts that reports data for that category. Communities without available data are excluded, so the pool size varies from metric to metric.Click the rank badge to see the full State ranking.Click here to see the full State ranking.

Total nursing care Info This home is ranked 42nd out of 83 homes we track in Massachusetts for nurse hours. Total adjusted nursing hours per resident per day, combining RN, LPN, and aide time. CMS adjusts this for case-mix so facilities can be fairly compared.

3h 50m

3% below state avg
Staff type
Hours / day / resident
vs state avg
Registered Nurse (RN) Info RNs hold the highest nursing license and can assess residents, interpret test results, and direct care plans. More RN hours per day often signals stronger clinical oversight and faster response to health changes.
24m
−38% State avg: 39m per day · National avg: 42m per day
LPN / LVN Info Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) or Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVNs) deliver routine hands-on care — medication administration, wound dressing, and monitoring vital signs. They work under RN supervision and make up a large share of daily bedside care.
1h 8m
+18% State avg: 58m per day · National avg: 52m per day
Nurse Aide Info Certified Nurse Aides (CNAs) provide the most direct day-to-day assistance: bathing, dressing, feeding, and mobility. Nurse aide hours are typically the largest staffing category and directly affect residents' quality of life.
2h 17m
Avg State avg: 2h 18m per day · National avg: 2h 24m per day
Weekend Total Nursing Info Combined nursing hours (RN + LPN + Nurse Aide) per resident per day on weekends. Staffing often drops on weekends — this figure reveals whether the facility maintains adequate coverage outside of weekday hours.
3h 23m
−4% State avg: 3h 31m per day · National avg: 3h 30m per day
Physical Therapist Info Hours per resident per day provided by licensed Physical Therapists (PTs) or PT Assistants. PT services help residents recover mobility after injury or illness and are especially important for post-acute (short-stay) rehabilitation.
5m
+8% State avg: 5m per day · National avg: 4m per day
Weekend RN Info Registered nurse hours specifically on weekends. Facilities sometimes reduce RN presence on Saturdays and Sundays — a low weekend RN figure compared to weekday hours can indicate reduced clinical oversight when most administrative staff are absent.
13m
−51% State avg: 27m per day · National avg: 29m per day

3 of 6 metrics below state avg

Standout metric: LPN / LVN is +18% above Massachusetts average

By The Numbers

Community insights.

Bed count Info A large-scale community that may provide a wide range of amenities, services, and structured programs. 168 Rank #17 / 276Bed count — State benchmarkedThis home is ranked 17th out of 276 homes we track in Massachusetts for bed count. Shows this facility's certified or reported bed count compared to other Massachusetts facilities. Larger communities may offer more amenities, programs, and on-site services for residents and families.Communities with the same value for a metric share the same rank. Rankings cover every community we track in Massachusetts that reports data for that category. Communities without available data are excluded, so the pool size varies from metric to metric.Click the rank badge to see the full State ranking.Click here to see the full State ranking. 168-bed community

Medium-capacity home · Offers a balance of services and community atmosphere.

Walk Score Info Somewhat walkable. A few nearby services may be reachable on foot, but most trips require transportation. Rank #366 / 490Walk Score — State benchmarkedThis home is ranked 366th out of 490 homes we track in Massachusetts for walk score. Shows how walkable this facility's neighborhood is compared to the average walk score across Massachusetts facilities. Higher scores benefit residents, families, and staff.Communities with the same value for a metric share the same rank. Rankings cover every community we track in Massachusetts that reports data for that category. Communities without available data are excluded, so the pool size varies from metric to metric.Click the rank badge to see the full State ranking.Click here to see the full State ranking.
27 / 100
Occupancy rate Info Occupancy between 85% and 95% suggests balanced demand. Rank #17 / 79Occupancy rate — State benchmarkedThis home is ranked 17th out of 79 homes we track in Massachusetts for occupancy. Shows this facility's occupancy rate versus the Massachusetts average, with its Statewide rank out of 79. Higher occupancy signals strong local demand and financial stability.Communities with the same value for a metric share the same rank. Rankings cover every community we track in Massachusetts that reports data for that category. Communities without available data are excluded, so the pool size varies from metric to metric.Click the rank badge to see the full State ranking.Click here to see the full State ranking.
93% This home usually has limited availability 93%
Higher occupancy than the Massachusetts average: 80.2%
Residents per day (avg)
156
Avg. Length of Stay Info Average number of days residents stay at this facility, based on CMS cost report data. Shorter stays often reflect post-acute or rehab care; longer stays reflect long-term care.
71 days

About this community

Awards

APFM Award

Safety & Compliance

Safety Features24/7 staffing, eCall pendants

Therapy & Rehabilitation

2 services
Rehabilitation Services
Respite Care

Staffing & Medical

1 service
24-Hour Staffing

Additional Services

1 service
Home Care

Amenities & Lifestyle

Housekeeping
Laundry
Activities
Wellness ProgramReal-time health monitoring
Specific ProgramsHome Helpers, Personal Care

Contact The Highlands

CMS Health Inspection History

Inspections Since 2021 · 5 years of data
Total health inspections 4

Massachusetts average 4.5

Last Health inspection on Jul 2024

Total health citations
12 Rank #13 / 85Health citations — State benchmarkedThis home is ranked 13th out of 85 homes we track in Massachusetts for health citations. Shows this facility's total health deficiency citations benchmarked to the Massachusetts State average, with a ranking across all 85 MA facilities. Lower citation counts earn a better rank.Communities with the same value for a metric share the same rank. Rankings cover every community we track in Massachusetts that reports data for that category. Communities without available data are excluded, so the pool size varies from metric to metric.Click the rank badge to see the full State ranking.Click here to see the full State ranking.

Massachusetts average 32.7

Citations per inspection
3 Rank #6 / 85Citations per inspection — State benchmarkedThis home is ranked 6th out of 85 homes we track in Massachusetts for citations per inspection. Shows average deficiency citations per CMS inspection for this facility versus the Massachusetts mean across 85 facilities with citation data. Lower is better.Communities with the same value for a metric share the same rank. Rankings cover every community we track in Massachusetts that reports data for that category. Communities without available data are excluded, so the pool size varies from metric to metric.Click the rank badge to see the full State ranking.Click here to see the full State ranking.

Massachusetts average 7.24

Health citations are formal notices following inspections when they fail to comply with safety and care standards.

11 of 12 citations resulted from standard inspections; and 1 of 12 resulted from complaint investigations.

Breakdown of citation severity (last 5 years)
Critical health citations
0
100% better than Massachusetts average

Massachusetts average: 0.3

Serious health citations
0
100% better than Massachusetts average

Massachusetts average: 1.5

0 critical citations Massachusetts average: 0.3
0 serious citations Massachusetts average: 1.5
11 moderate citations Massachusetts average: 29.7
1 minor citation Massachusetts average: 1.3
Citations history (last 5 years)
Infection Control moderate citation Jul 23, 2024
Corrected
Nutrition moderate citation Jul 23, 2024
Corrected
Quality of Care moderate citation Jul 23, 2024
Corrected
Care Planning minor citation Jul 23, 2024
Corrected

Data sourced from CMS Health Deficiencies reports. Citation severity codes range from A (least serious) to L (most serious). Immediate Jeopardy (J-L) citations indicate situations where the facility's noncompliance has placed residents at risk of death or serious harm.

Staffing Data

Reporting period: October 1 – December 31, 2025 (Q4 2025). Source: CMS Payroll-Based Journal report.

Total staff 229
Employees 221
Contractors 8
Staff to resident ratio 1.44 : 1
13% fewer staff per resident than Massachusetts average
Massachusetts average ratio: 1.66 : 1 Massachusetts average ratio: 1.66 : 1See full Massachusetts ranking
Avg staff/day 95
Average shift 7.7 hours
0% compared with Massachusetts average
Massachusetts average: 7.9 hours Massachusetts average shift: 7.9 hoursSee full Massachusetts ranking
Total staff hours (quarter) 67,416

Nursing staff breakdown

Q4 2025 · Oct 1 – Dec 31 More info This data comes from the CMS Payroll-Based Journal report covering October 1 – December 31, 2025.
Registered Nurse

Manages medical care and health needs.

RN Staff Info All 17 RN Staff are full-time employees. No contractors work on this role. 17
Average shift length Info Average shift length. Calculated as total hours divided by days worked and average staff per day. 8.7 hours
Licensed Practical Nurse

Assists with medical care and medications.

LPN Staff Info All 41 LPN Staff are full-time employees. No contractors work on this role. 41
Average shift length Info Average shift length. Calculated as total hours divided by days worked and average staff per day. 8.5 hours
Certified Nursing Assistant

Helps with daily care and mobility.

CNA Staff Info All 102 CNA Staff are full-time employees. No contractors work on this role. 102
Average shift length Info Average shift length. Calculated as total hours divided by days worked and average staff per day. 7.7 hours

Contractor staffing

Q4 2025 · Oct 1 – Dec 31 More info This data comes from the CMS Payroll-Based Journal report covering October 1 – December 31, 2025.

Total hours from contractors

0.2%

120 contractor hours this quarter

Occupational Therapy Assistant: 7 Medical Director: 1

Staff by category

Q4 2025 · Oct 1 – Dec 31 More info This data comes from the CMS Payroll-Based Journal report covering October 1 – December 31, 2025.
Certified Nursing Assistant102010233,20892100%7.7
Licensed Practical Nurse4104114,23092100%8.5
Registered Nurse170174,12192100%8.7
Other Dietary Services Staff190193,39492100%6.4
Physical Therapy Assistant8082,08992100%6.5
Speech Language Pathologist4041,6028289%7.2
RN Director of Nursing4041,4537784%8.1
Clinical Nurse Specialist7071,2937278%7.4
Respiratory Therapy Technician6061,0509199%7
Dietitian2029606470%8
Mental Health Service Worker2029466470%7.9
Physical Therapy Aide2025897480%7.4
Administrator1015286672%8
Nurse Practitioner1014806065%8
Occupational Therapy Aide1014645863%8
Qualified Social Worker2024055054%8.1
Respiratory Therapist1013134145%7.6
Qualified Activities Professional1011735560%3.1
Occupational Therapy Assistant07780910%6.6
Medical Director0114133%13.5
102 Certified Nursing Assistant
% of Days 100%
41 Licensed Practical Nurse
% of Days 100%
17 Registered Nurse
% of Days 100%
19 Other Dietary Services Staff
% of Days 100%
View All Staffing Data in Leominster

Penalties and fines

Federal penalties imposed by CMS for regulatory violations, including civil money penalties (fines) and denials of payment for new Medicare/Medicaid admissions.

Source: CMS Penalties Database

No penalties in the past 3 years

No civil money penalties or payment denials were reported in the last 3 years.

Quality of care over time

These measures show how residents usually do over time at this home, based on health outcomes and preventive care.

High-risk clinical events score Info A composite score based on pressure ulcers, falls with injury, weight loss, walking ability decline, and activities of daily living decline. 7.1
31% better than Massachusetts average

Massachusetts average: 10.2

Functional decline score Info A composite score based on activities of daily living decline, walking ability decline, and incontinence. 16.0
20% better than Massachusetts average

Massachusetts average: 20.0

Long-stay resident measures
Above average Info CMS star rating based on long-stay quality measure performance. 5 stars = significantly above average, 1 star = significantly below average.
Need for Help with Daily Activities Increased Info Percent of long-stay residents whose need for help with daily activities has increased 7.2%
61% better than Massachusetts average

Massachusetts average: 18.7%

Walking Ability Worsened Info Percent of long-stay residents whose ability to move independently worsened 11.9%
38% better than Massachusetts average

Massachusetts average: 19.3%

Low Risk Residents with Bowel/Bladder Incontinence Info Percent of low risk long-stay residents who lose control of their bowels or bladder 28.8%
30% worse than Massachusetts average

Massachusetts average: 22.1%

Falls with Major Injury Info Percent of long-stay residents experiencing one or more falls with major injury 1.2%
67% better than Massachusetts average

Massachusetts average: 3.6%

High Risk Residents with Pressure Ulcers Info Percent of long-stay high risk residents with pressure ulcers 5.1%
9% worse than Massachusetts average

Massachusetts average: 4.7%

Urinary Tract Infection Info Percent of long-stay residents with a urinary tract infection 0.0%
100% better than Massachusetts average

Massachusetts average: 2.1%

Lost Too Much Weight Info Percent of long-stay residents who lose too much weight 10.0%
94% worse than Massachusetts average

Massachusetts average: 5.2%

Depressive Symptoms Info Percent of long-stay residents who have depressive symptoms 4.8%
55% better than Massachusetts average

Massachusetts average: 10.7%

Antipsychotic Use Info Percent of long-stay residents who received an antipsychotic medication 12.8%
37% better than Massachusetts average

Massachusetts average: 20.3%

Pneumococcal Vaccine Info Percent of long-stay residents assessed and appropriately given the pneumococcal vaccine 64.3%
30% worse than Massachusetts average

Massachusetts average: 91.9%

Influenza Vaccine Info Percent of long-stay residents assessed and appropriately given the seasonal influenza vaccine 92.0%
In line with Massachusetts average

Massachusetts average: 94.8%

Short-stay resident measures
Above average Info CMS star rating based on short-stay quality measure performance. 5 stars = much above average, 1 star = much below average.
Pneumococcal Vaccine Info Percent of short-stay residents assessed and appropriately given the pneumococcal vaccine 23.5%
69% worse than Massachusetts average

Massachusetts average: 76.7%

Antipsychotic medication increase Info Percent of short-stay residents who newly received an antipsychotic medication 0.5%
64% better than Massachusetts average

Massachusetts average: 1.3%

Influenza Vaccine Info Percent of short-stay residents assessed and appropriately given the seasonal influenza vaccine 50.4%
35% worse than Massachusetts average

Massachusetts average: 77.7%

Quality measures are calculated from Minimum Data Set (MDS) assessments. For most measures, lower percentages indicate better care quality.

Breakdown by payment type

Medicare

37% of new residents, usually for short-term rehab.

Typical stay 25 days

Private pay

36% of new residents, often for short stays.

Typical stay 1 - 2 months

Medicaid

27% of new residents, often for long-term daily care.

Typical stay 5 - 6 months

Facility Characteristics

Source: CMS Long-Term Care Facility Characteristics (Data as of Jan 2026)

Total residents 159
Medicare
21
13.2% of residents
Medicaid
97
61% of residents
Private pay or other
41
25.8% of residents
Programs & Services
Residents Group

Residents meet regularly to discuss policies, care quality, and activities

Active Resident Council

Organized group of residents that meets regularly to discuss facility policies, quality of life, and activities.

Data sourced from CMS Long-Term Care Facility Characteristics quarterly report. Payer mix reflects the current resident census by primary payment source.

Finances and operations

Based on CMS SNF Cost Report for fiscal year ending in 12/2023.

For-profit
Operated by a single business entity.
Net patient revenue Info Net patient revenue — what the home actually collects for resident care, after contractual allowances, bad debt and discounts are subtracted from its gross charges (CMS cost report, Worksheet G-3). It covers resident care only; money the home earns from other sources is shown separately as "Other income."
$20.2M
Net patient income Info Net patient income: net patient revenue minus the home's total operating expenses. A positive figure means it earns more from resident care than it spends to deliver it; a negative figure means the opposite. It excludes non-operating "other income."
$69.7K
For-profit Operated by a single business entity.
Net patient revenue Info Net patient revenue — what the home actually collects for resident care, after contractual allowances, bad debt and discounts are subtracted from its gross charges (CMS cost report, Worksheet G-3). It covers resident care only; money the home earns from other sources is shown separately as "Other income."
$20.2M Rank #15 / 82Net patient revenue — State benchmarkedThis home is ranked 15th out of 82 homes we track in Massachusetts. Shows this facility's net patient revenue compared to the Massachusetts average, among facilities reporting a recent fiscal year. Higher revenue generally means more resources for staffing and capital — read alongside Payroll %.Communities with the same value for a metric share the same rank. Rankings cover every community we track in Massachusetts that reports data for that category. Communities without available data are excluded, so the pool size varies from metric to metric.
Net patient income Info Net patient income: net patient revenue minus the home's total operating expenses. A positive figure means it earns more from resident care than it spends to deliver it; a negative figure means the opposite. It excludes non-operating "other income."
$69.7K
Other income Info Money the home earns outside of resident care — such as investments, grants, rentals and other non-operating sources (CMS cost report, Worksheet G-3). It is tracked separately from net patient revenue: it is not part of that figure, and it is not included in net patient income.
$99.0K
Payroll costs Info Staff salaries plus wage-related costs — benefits such as payroll taxes, health insurance and retirement — from the home's own accounting records (CMS cost report, Worksheet A). Contract or agency labor is counted separately, under other operating costs. Rank #18 / 82Payroll costs — State benchmarkedThis home is ranked 18th out of 82 homes we track in Massachusetts. Shows total staff payroll — salaries plus wage-related benefits — benchmarked to the Massachusetts average, among facilities reporting a recent fiscal year. Higher payroll relative to peers often signals better staffing and less reliance on contract labor.Communities with the same value for a metric share the same rank. Rankings cover every community we track in Massachusetts that reports data for that category. Communities without available data are excluded, so the pool size varies from metric to metric.
$12.8M 63.5% of net patient revenue Info Payroll as a share of revenue: staff salaries and wage-related benefits divided by net patient revenue. A higher figure means more of each revenue dollar goes to staff pay. Rank #36 / 82Payroll % of net patient revenue — State benchmarkedThis home is ranked 36th out of 82 homes we track in Massachusetts. Shows payroll as a percentage of net patient revenue versus the Massachusetts average, among facilities reporting a recent fiscal year. Below 25% may signal understaffing or heavy agency use — read with Staffing ratings.Communities with the same value for a metric share the same rank. Rankings cover every community we track in Massachusetts that reports data for that category. Communities without available data are excluded, so the pool size varies from metric to metric.
Other operating costs Info Everything it costs to run the home apart from payroll — food, utilities, supplies, maintenance, contract labor and administration. Calculated as total operating expense minus payroll (staff salaries and wage-related benefits).
$7.3M
Total costs Info The home's total operating expense for the year — all the costs of running it, salaries included (CMS cost report, Worksheet G-3).
$20.2M
How we calculate these figures

This home is owned by Carlos Bonilla

Certified by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services authority — CMS Certification Number: 225315

Show certification details

What does this home offer?

Housing options icon
Housing options icon

Housing Options: Private/Semi-Private Rooms

Building type icon
Building type icon

Building Type: Mid-rise

On-site medical care and health services icon
On-site medical care and health services icon

On-site Medical Care and Health Services

Rehabilitative support icon
Rehabilitative support icon

Rehabilitative Support

Beauty services icon
Beauty services icon

Beauty Services

Housekeeping icon
Housekeeping icon

Housekeeping Services

Social and recreational activities icon
Social and recreational activities icon

Social and Recreational Activities

Transportation services icon
Transportation services icon

Transportation Services

Who this home usually serves

TYPE OF STAY

Mostly short-term rehab stays

Most residents typically stay for a few weeks or months before returning home or moving on.

New residents most often arrive under Medicare (37% of admissions), and a typical Medicare stay runs around 25 days.

Admissions
743 total

Coverage residents most often arrive under.

Medicare 37%
Private pay 36%
Medicaid 27%
Discharges
759 total

Coverage residents most often leave under.

Medicare 35%
Private pay 32%
Medicaid 33%

Admissions and discharges reflect care patterns over time — they are not used to rate this facility.

How we assess these insights

Places of interest near The Highlands

Address 1.3 miles from city center Info Estimated distance in miles from Fitchburg's city center to The Highlands's address, calculated via Google Maps.

Calculate Travel Distance to The Highlands

Add your location

Address

Compare Nursing Homes around Leominster

Info below is compiled from CMS reports & the MA Executive Office of Elder Affairs, senior community websites & trusted data sources such as Walk Score & BBB.

Communities are listed from highest to lowest based on our ranking methodology.

The facility name. Click to view the full profile page on Assisted Living Magazine, including photos, services, and contact info.
CMS (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, the federal agency that regulates nursing homes) Overall 5-star rating — a composite of Health Inspection, Staffing, and Quality Measures scores. 5 stars = top 10% nationally. 1 star = bottom 10%. The single most important number to start with when comparing facilities.
Care Types in This Table NH (Nursing Home): 24/7 skilled nursing care for residents with complex, ongoing medical needs. SNF (Skilled Nursing Facility): Round-the-clock nursing care, often for recovery after surgery, injury, or illness. RC (Respite Care): Short-term temporary care that gives family caregivers a break. HOS (Hospice Care): Comfort-focused care for those with a terminal illness, prioritizing quality of life over treatment. PC (Palliative Care): Comfort-focused care for serious illness at any stage, including alongside curative treatment.
Neighborhood or city area where the facility is located. Proximity to family, hospitals, and green space matters for both quality of life and ease of visitation. Consider drive time and transit access when evaluating location.
Licensed bed capacity. Larger facilities (300+ beds) often have more specialized programs but can feel institutional. Smaller homes (under 150 beds) tend to deliver more personalized care. Compare with Avg Res/Day to understand how full the facility typically runs.
Percentage of licensed beds filled on an average day. Color indicates financial health: green (90%+) = operationally strong, typically profitable. Amber (80–89%) = stable but leaving revenue on the table. Orange (70–79%) = financial strain likely, may struggle with fixed costs. Red (<70%) = significant distress, closure or ownership change risk increases sharply.
This facility's occupancy rate compared to the statewide average for similar facilities. A positive number means above-average demand. Facilities running 5%+ above the state average are typically the most sought-after in their market — a strong proxy for reputation.
CMS-adjusted total nurse hours per resident per day (RN + LPN + CNA combined). The national average is approximately 3.5 hrs. Higher is better — more direct care time per resident. Below 3.0 is a red flag. CMS weights RN hours more heavily because RNs handle complex clinical decisions that CNAs cannot.
CMS Health Inspection star rating (1–5 stars), based on the 3 most recent annual state surveys plus any complaint investigations. This is the hardest rating to manipulate — it reflects real surveyor findings on-site. 5 stars = fewest deficiencies found. 1 star = most. It carries the heaviest weight in the Overall CMS rating.
CMS Staffing star rating (1–5 stars), based on daily nurse staffing hours submitted to CMS via verified payroll data. Compares RN, LPN, and CNA coverage relative to resident acuity level. 5 stars = well above expected staffing. Weekend staffing is evaluated separately, as that's where many facilities quietly reduce coverage.
CMS Quality Measures star rating (1–5 stars), based on 15 clinical outcome metrics including fall rates, pressure ulcers, antipsychotic drug use, and hospital readmissions. Captures actual resident health outcomes, not just compliance. High QM combined with low Health Inspection scores can indicate a facility with strong care but weak documentation practices.
Registered Nurse hours per resident/day compared to the statewide average. RNs are the highest-skilled nursing staff — they assess residents, manage medications, and respond to emergencies. A value of +50% means RN coverage is 50% above the state norm. Negative values are a concern for residents with complex or acute medical needs.
Total nursing staff hours (RN + LPN + CNA combined) per resident/day vs. the statewide average. A broader measure than RN vs State — it captures the entire care team. A facility can have high total staffing but low RN hours, meaning more aides and fewer nurses. Read both columns together for the full picture.
Total dollar amount of federal monetary fines (civil money penalties) issued by CMS in the past 3 years. Fines are only levied for serious violations — typically actual harm to residents, repeated uncorrected deficiencies, or systemic non-compliance. Even a single fine is noteworthy. Multiple fines strongly suggest a pattern, not isolated incidents.
Total health deficiency citations from the most recent standard inspection cycle. Minor citations (scope A–C) are common and often administrative in nature. Higher counts aren't always disqualifying, but should be read alongside Severe Citations to understand actual harm levels. Under 10 is strong for a large facility; 30+ warrants a closer look.
Average deficiency citations per CMS inspection (survey) in the reporting window — total citations divided by the number of inspections. Lower is better; compare alongside total Citations and Severe Citations for context.
Citations at CMS scope/severity level G or higher — G–I means actual harm occurred; J–L means residents were placed in immediate jeopardy. (D–F is potential for harm only). Examples include unaddressed falls, medication errors causing injury, neglect, or abuse.
Average number of residents in the building on any given day, derived from annual census data. Reflects true operating scale — a 400-bed facility running 200 residents/day operates very differently from one at 390. Higher resident counts generally mean more funded staffing hours.
Better Business Bureau rating (A+ to F). Reflects complaint history, business transparency, and how family disputes were resolved. A+ means no significant unresolved complaints. A blank (—) means the facility isn't BBB-accredited, which is common for healthcare providers and not necessarily a negative signal.
Walk Score® (0–100). Measures walkability of the surrounding area. 90–100 = Walker's Paradise. 70–89 = Very Walkable. 50–69 = Somewhat Walkable. Below 50 = Car-Dependent. Higher scores benefit family visitors, resident outings, and staff commuting.
The licensed owner or operator of record filed with CMS — the individual or organization legally accountable for the facility. Searching the operator name across other facilities can reveal chain or multi-site ownership, which matters: chain-operated homes tend to have more variable quality outcomes than independently run facilities.
What the home actually collects for resident care, after contractual allowances, bad debt and discounts — not gross billings. Taken from the latest complete annual cost report, so it is comparable across homes reporting the same period. Revenue alone doesn't indicate care quality, but it funds staffing and capital reinvestment. Pair with Payroll %. Figures are from each facility's most recent complete fiscal year — hover a value for the exact year; a * marks homes that report an older period than most facilities.
Staff salaries plus wage-related benefits from the latest complete annual cost report. Contract and agency labour is counted separately, under other operating costs, so a home leaning on agency staff can show a low figure here. Payroll is the cost most directly tied to care quality — compare with Payroll % for full context. Figures are from each facility's most recent complete fiscal year — hover a value for the exact year; a * marks homes that report an older period than most facilities.
Payroll as a share of NET PATIENT REVENUE (not gross revenue). Both figures come from the same cost-report year. A higher figure means more of each revenue dollar goes to staff pay. Read with the Staffing star rating to judge whether spend translates into coverage — and note that homes whose patient revenue covers only part of their operation can read implausibly high. The Massachusetts average is: 66.2% Figures are from each facility's most recent complete fiscal year — hover a value for the exact year; a * marks homes that report an older period than most facilities.
CMS Certification Number: the unique federal identifier for this skilled nursing provider.
Life Care Center of Leominster ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
NH
SNF
Leominster
133
Facility 133
MA AVG 94
Rank #45 / 276
87.7%
Facility 87.7%
MA AVG 80.2%
Rank #37 / 79
+9%
3.94
Facility 3.94
MA AVG 3.93
Rank #34 / 83
 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ -51%0%
$0
Facility $0
MA AVG $76.6k
Rank #1 / 86
21
Facility 21
MA AVG 32.7
Rank #28 / 85
5.3
Facility 5.3
MA AVG 7.2
Rank #30 / 85
2117-
31
Facility 31
MA AVG 53
Rank #353 / 490
William Reidt
$14.5MFiscal year ending 12/2023
Facility $14.5MFiscal year ending 12/2023
MA AVG $15.2M
Rank #41 / 82
$10.5MFiscal year ending 12/2023
Facility $10.5MFiscal year ending 12/2023
MA AVG $9.7M
Rank #28 / 82
72.7%Fiscal year ending 12/2023
Facility 72.7%Fiscal year ending 12/2023
MA AVG 66.2%
Rank #14 / 82
225038
The Highlands ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆
NH
SNF
Fitchburg
168
Facility 168
MA AVG 94
Rank #17 / 276
93.0%
Facility 93.0%
MA AVG 80.2%
Rank #17 / 79
+16%
3.83
Facility 3.83
MA AVG 3.93
Rank #42 / 83
 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ -42%-3%
$0
Facility $0
MA AVG $76.6k
Rank #1 / 86
12
Facility 12
MA AVG 32.7
Rank #13 / 85
3.0
Facility 3.0
MA AVG 7.2
Rank #6 / 85
-156-
27
Facility 27
MA AVG 53
Rank #366 / 490
Carlos Bonilla
$20.2MFiscal year ending 12/2023
Facility $20.2MFiscal year ending 12/2023
MA AVG $15.2M
Rank #15 / 82
$12.8MFiscal year ending 12/2023
Facility $12.8MFiscal year ending 12/2023
MA AVG $9.7M
Rank #18 / 82
63.5%Fiscal year ending 12/2023
Facility 63.5%Fiscal year ending 12/2023
MA AVG 66.2%
Rank #36 / 82
225315
Leominster Rehabilitation and Nursing Center ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆
NH
HOS
PC
RC
SNF
Leominster
124
Facility 124
MA AVG 94
Rank #50 / 276
87.6%
Facility 87.6%
MA AVG 80.2%
Rank #38 / 79
+9%
3.86
Facility 3.86
MA AVG 3.93
Rank #34 / 83
 ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆ -33%-2%
$0
Facility $0
MA AVG $76.6k
Rank #1 / 86
35
Facility 35
MA AVG 32.7
Rank #56 / 85
8.8
Facility 8.8
MA AVG 7.2
Rank #63 / 85
-109-
35
Facility 35
MA AVG 53
Rank #332 / 490
Gardner Nursing Home Holding Company LLC
$13.9MFiscal year ending 12/2023
Facility $13.9MFiscal year ending 12/2023
MA AVG $15.2M
Rank #43 / 82
$8.2MFiscal year ending 12/2023
Facility $8.2MFiscal year ending 12/2023
MA AVG $9.7M
Rank #48 / 82
58.9%Fiscal year ending 12/2023
Facility 58.9%Fiscal year ending 12/2023
MA AVG 66.2%
Rank #50 / 82
225196
Nursing Home Explorer

Financial Assistance for
Nursing Home in Massachusetts

The Highlands is located in Fitchburg, Massachusetts.
Here are the financial assistance programs available to residents in Massachusetts.

Get Financial aid guidance

Home Care Program

MassHealth Home Care

Age 60+
General Massachusetts resident, at risk of nursing home placement.
Income Limits (2025) ~$1,500/month individual, varies by region
Asset Limits $2,000 individual, excludes home, car
MA

Coordinated through Aging Services Access Points (ASAPs); high demand in urban areas.

Benefits
In-home care (3-5 hours/day) Homemaker services Respite care (up to 14 days/year) Adult day care (~$75/day)

Frail Elder Waiver

Massachusetts Medicaid FE Waiver

Age 65+
General Massachusetts resident, Medicaid-eligible, nursing home-level care need.
Income Limits (2025) ~$2,829/month 300% FBR, individual
Asset Limits $2,000 (individual), $3,000 (couple).
MA

Requires clinical eligibility determination.

Benefits
Personal care (5-7 hours/day) Respite care (240 hours/year) Adult day care (~$75/day) Home health services

Senior Care Options (SCO)

Massachusetts Senior Care Options

Age 65+
General Massachusetts resident, eligible for MassHealth (Medicare optional), nursing home-level care need.
Income Limits (2025) ~$2,829/month (300% FBR, individual); QIT allowed.
Asset Limits $2,000 (individual), $3,000 (couple) (excludes home up to $713,000, car).
MA

Not available in Dukes/Nantucket Counties; multiple SCO providers (e.g., CCA, Tufts).

Benefits
Personal care (5-7 hours/day) Medical care Respite (240 hours/year) Adult

Medicare Savings Program (MSP)

Massachusetts Medicare Savings Program (MassHealth Buy-In)

Age 65+ or disabled
General Massachusetts resident, Medicare Part A/B.
Income Limits (2025) ~$2,510/month (QMB), ~$3,380/month (SLMB), ~$3,598/month (QI)—individual.
Asset Limits $9,430 (individual), $14,130 (couple).
MA

Three tiers; no waitlist; includes Extra Help for Part D.

Benefits
Covers Part B premiums ($174.70/month) Deductibles ($240/year) Copays (~20%)

National Family Caregiver Support Program (NFCSP) Respite

Massachusetts NFCSP Respite Care

Age —
General Caregivers of 60+ needing care or 55+ caregivers of others; Massachusetts resident; functional needs (2+ ADLs).
Income Limits (2025) Prioritizes ~$24,980/year (individual); no strict cap.
Asset Limits Not assessed; need-based.
MA

27 ASAPs; prioritizes low-income, rural caregivers.

Benefits
Respite (4-6 hours/week or 5 days/year) Adult day care ($60/day) Caregiver training Supplies (~$500/year)

Prescription Advantage

Massachusetts Prescription Advantage

Age 65+ or disabled
General Massachusetts resident, enrolled in Medicare Part D (or ineligible for Medicare).
Income Limits (2025) No strict limit; copays vary by income ~$24,980-$75,000/year individual
Asset Limits Not assessed.
MA

Supplements Medicare Part D; no enrollment fee for low-income.

Benefits
Covers prescription copays ($5-$40/drug) Fills coverage gaps Catastrophic cost protection ($4,000+ covered)

VA Aid and Attendance (A&A) and Housebound Benefits

Massachusetts VA Aid and Attendance/Housebound

Age 65+ or disabled veteran/spouse
General Massachusetts resident, wartime service, need for ADL help (A&A) or homebound.
Income Limits (2025) Net income < ~$1,984/month (veteran with dependent, A&A); pension offsets income.
Asset Limits ~$155,356 net worth limit
MA

High veteran demand statewide.

Benefits
Cash (~$1,433-$2,642/month veteran, ~$951-$1,318 spouse) for care costs (e.g., in-home, assisted living)

Frequently Asked Questions about The Highlands

Is The Highlands in a walkable area?

The Highlands has a walk score of 27. Somewhat walkable. A few nearby services may be reachable on foot, but most trips require transportation.

What is the occupancy rate at The Highlands?

The Highlands's occupancy is 87.9%.

Are pets allowed at The Highlands?

No, The Highlands has a no-pet policy.

What is the best email address for The Highlands?

The team at The Highlands can be reached at contact_highlands@lcca.com.

Does The Highlands operate as a for-profit or non-profit?

The Highlands is registered as a for-profit.

Are there photos of The Highlands?

Yes — there are 14 photos of The Highlands in the photo gallery on this page.

What is the address of The Highlands?

The Highlands is located at 335 Nichols St, Fitchburg, MA 01420.

Guides for Better Senior Living

Care Cost Calculator: See Prices in Your Area

Nursing Home Data Explorer

Don’t Wait Too Long: 7 Red Flag Signs Your Parent Needs Assisted Living Now

The True Cost of Assisted Living in 2025 – And How Families Are Paying For It

Understanding Senior Living Costs: Pricing Models, Discounts & Financial Assistance

Updated on
Pricing
More
More Actions
Contact Contact Map Book a Tour Let's Chat