Home / Massachusetts / Pittsfield
Berkshire Place
290 South Street, Pittsfield, MA 01201 · Berkshire County · (413) 445-4056
54 certified beds, about 51 residents a day · Non profit - Corporation · Medicare since 2001
Part of a continuing care retirement community Certified for Medicare
Overall
4 of 5
Health inspections
4 of 5
Staffing
4 of 5
Quality measures
4 of 5
CMS Care Compare ratings, data as of September 1, 2026 · CCN 225762 · See it on Medicare.gov · Compare with other homes
The record in brief
At its most recent standard inspection, on February 12, 2026, inspectors cited 2 health deficiencies (the Massachusetts average is 6.8, the national average 9.2).
Of 11 health citations since August 2023, 2 were rated as actual harm or immediate jeopardy to residents.
CMS lists no fines against this home in the last three years.
Nurses and nurse aides worked 5.02 hours per resident per day, against 3.86 across Massachusetts and 3.86 nationally. Registered nurses accounted for 0.63 of those hours.
68.4% of nursing staff left within the year CMS measured (Massachusetts average 38.2%).
Health inspections
Federal rules call for a standard inspection at least every 15 months, plus a visit whenever a complaint is filed. Each mark below is one citation, colored by how serious inspectors rated it. How to read a citation.
Under each citation, the quoted text is the inspector's own summary from the federal statement of deficiencies (CMS form 2567), word for word apart from a privacy scrub; CMS removes residents' and staff names before it publishes the text. The full notes are on Medicare.gov.
608/23
310/24
202/26
Potential for minimal harm Potential for more than minimal harm Actual harm Immediate jeopardy Found on a complaint visit
Where its citations fall on CMS's grid
CMS rates every citation by how much harm it caused (rows) and how many residents it touched (columns). The count in each box is this home's, across all 11 health citations on file.
Severity
Isolated
Pattern
Widespread
Immediate jeopardy
0J
0K
0L
Actual harm
2G
0H
0I
Potential for more than minimal harm
9D
0E
0F
Potential for minimal harm
0A
0B
0C
February 12, 2026Standard inspection · 2 citations
- D Develop and implement policies and procedures for flu and pneumonia vaccinations.
Inspectors wroteBased on interviews, and record review, the facility failed to ensure Influenza and/or Pneumococcal vaccines were administered when consent was obtained to receive the vaccine for two Residents (#2 and #29), of five applicable residents reviewed for immunizations, out of a total sample of 13 residents. Specifically, the facility failed to: For Resident #2, administer the Influenza Vaccine when consent was obtained for the Resident to receive the vaccine in January 2026. For Resident #29, administer the Pneumococcal Vaccine when consent was obtained to receive the vaccine in June 2024.
- D Educate residents and staff on COVID-19 vaccination, offer the COVID-19 vaccine to eligible residents and staff after education, and properly document each resident and staff member's vaccination status.
Inspectors wroteBased on interviews, and record review, the facility failed to ensure that COVID-19 immunization was administered after consent was obtained to administer the vaccine for one Resident (#4), of five applicable residents reviewed for immunizations, out of a total sample of 13 residents. Specifically, for Resident #4, the facility failed to administer the COVID-19 immunization when the Resident was eligible to receive the vaccine and written consent for the vaccine was obtained in October 2025.
October 28, 2024Standard inspection · 3 citations
- D Ensure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.
Inspectors wroteBased on interview, and record review, the facility failed to ensure professional standards of care were maintained for diabetic management of one Resident (#23) out of a total sample of 13 residents. Specifically, for Resident #23, the facility failed to ensure that the Medical Doctor (MD) was notified and appropriate assessment conducted when the Resident experienced a period of hyperglycemia (high blood sugar).
- D Implement gradual dose reductions(GDR) and non-pharmacological interventions, unless contraindicated, prior to initiating or instead of continuing psychotropic medication; and PRN orders for psychotropic medications are only used when the medication is necessary and PRN use is limited.
Inspectors wroteBased on interview, record and policy review, the facility failed to ensure that an as needed (PRN) psychotropic medication (medication that affect the mind, emotions, and behavior) was limited to 14 days for one Resident (#24), of five applicable residents reviewed, out of a total sample of 13 residents. Specifically, the facility failed to ensure that PRN Ativan (Lorazepam: anti-anxiety medication) was limited to 14 days and if not limited, included a Physician determined duration for continued use of the medication.
- D Provide or obtain laboratory tests/services when ordered and promptly tell the ordering practitioner of the results.
Inspectors wroteBased on interview, and record review, the facility failed to obtain Physician orders prior to administering a Pneumococcal Vaccination to one Resident (#23) out of five applicable residents reviewed, out of a total sample of 13 residents. Specifically, for Residents #23 the facility failed to obtain a Physician's order prior to administering the Pneumococcal 20-Valent Conjugate Vaccine (PCV20-type of Pneumococcal Vaccination).
August 17, 2023Standard inspection · 6 citations
- G Immediately tell the resident, the resident's doctor, and a family member of situations (injury/decline/room, etc.) that affect the resident.
Inspectors wroteBased on record review and interviews for one resident (Resident #199) out of a total sample of 12 residents, the facility failed to notify the Attending Physician of a significant change in the Resident's medical status. Specifically, for Resident #199 the facility staff failed to contact the Physician when the Resident began to first exhibit signs and symptoms of a significant decline, resulting in a delayed transfer to the hospital. The Resident was diagnosed with sepsis and admitted to the Critical Care Unit when finally transferred to the hospital.
- G Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
Inspectors wroteBased on record review and interviews for one Resident (#199) out of a total sample of 12 residents, the facility failed to ensure standards of quality of care were provided to the Resident. Specifically, the facility failed to: 1. Recognize a significant decline in the Resident's status and notify the Attending Physician timely resulting in delay in transferring the critically ill Resident to the hospital. 2. Appropriately document and monitor areas of concern on the Resident's skin which was ultimately diagnosed as a pressure injury (localized damage to the skin and/or underlying soft tissue usually over a bony prominence or related to a medical or other device).
- D Assess the resident when there is a significant change in condition
Inspectors wroteBased on interview and records reviewed for one resident (Resident #27) out of a total sample of 12 residents, the facility failed to complete a significant change of status (SCOS) Minimum Data Set (MDS) Assessment within the required 14 days.
- D Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.
Inspectors wroteBased on record review and interview for one Resident (#199) out of a total sample of 12 residents, the facility failed to implement the plan of care. Specifically, for Resident #199 the facility staff failed to ensure that lab work ordered by the Physician was obtained, resulting in incomplete diagnostic information available for the Attending Physician to make treatment decisions.
- D Provide safe and appropriate respiratory care for a resident when needed.
Inspectors wroteBased on observations, interview and records reviewed for one Resident (#27) out of a total sample of 12 residents, the facility failed to provide care and services for the use of Oxygen. Specifically, for Resident #27 the facility failed to ensure that Physician's orders were in place for the accurate amount of Oxygen being utilized by the Resident, and care and services of the oxygen tubing.
- D Safeguard resident-identifiable information and/or maintain medical records on each resident that are in accordance with accepted professional standards.
Inspectors wroteBased on record review and interviews for one Resident (#199) out of a total sample of 12 residents, the facility failed to maintain accurate medical records. Specifically, for Resident #199 the facility failed to: 1. Ensure that staff accurately documented Nursing Progress Notes pertaining to the status of the Resident's Foley catheter (a thin, flexible tube inserted into the bladder to drain urine outside the body). 2. Ensure that staff accurately documented the findings of the Resident's skin condition on a Weekly Skin Assessment and Nursing Progress note.
Fire safety inspections
5 fire safety citations on file: 3 on October 28, 2024, 2 on August 17, 2023.
Every fire safety citation5 citations
- D Implement emergency and standby power systems.
- D Install emergency lighting that can last at least 1 1/2 hours.
- D Have generator or other power source capable of supplying service within 10 seconds.
- E Implement emergency and standby power systems.
- E Have generator or other power source capable of supplying service within 10 seconds.
Fines and payment denials
CMS lists no fines or payment denials against this home in the last three years. The national average is 0.9 fines per home.
Staffing
Hours of care per resident per day, from the payroll records every home sends CMS. Higher means more staff time with each resident.
| Measure | This home | Massachusetts | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| All nursing staff (RN, LPN and aides) | 5.02 | 3.86 | 3.86 |
| Registered nurses | 0.63 | 0.65 | 0.69 |
| All nursing staff on weekends | 4.54 | 3.48 | 3.42 |
| Nurse aides | 2.99 | ||
| Licensed practical nurses | 1.39 | ||
| Nursing staff turnover (share who left in a year) | 68.4% | 38.2% | 45.8% |
| Registered nurse turnover | 50.0% | 42.6% | 42.9% |
| Administrators who left | 2 |
CMS expects 3.24 hours a day for residents as sick as this home's (its case-mix figure). The staffing star compares the two.
Staffing by quarter, from daily payroll records
Every nursing home sends CMS its staff hours for each day (the Payroll Based Journal). Here they are added up by quarter. The latest quarter is the one behind the figures above. In January to March 2026, nursing staff hours per resident were 5.21 on weekdays and 4.54 on weekends, 13% lower on weekends (nationally, weekends ran 15% lower). Contract or agency staff worked 28.6% of nursing hours, against 5.3% nationally. Total nursing hours per resident went from 5.58 in April to June 2025 to 5.02 in January to March 2026.
| Quarter | All nursing staff | Registered nurses | Weekdays | Weekends | Contract staff share | Days with no RN hours | Residents a day |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan to Mar 2026 | 5.02 | 0.63 | 5.21 | 4.54 | 28.6% | 0 of 90 | 51 |
| Oct to Dec 2025 | 4.90 | 0.70 | 5.03 | 4.58 | 28.8% | 0 of 92 | 52 |
| Jul to Sep 2025 | 5.33 | 0.75 | 5.54 | 4.79 | 34.3% | 0 of 92 | 49 |
| Apr to Jun 2025 | 5.58 | 0.87 | 5.83 | 4.93 | 28.2% | 0 of 91 | 45 |
| United States, Jan to Mar 2026 | 3.75 | 0.62 | 3.92 | 3.33 | 5.3% | 0.5% of days | |
| Massachusetts, Jan to Mar 2026 | 3.79 | 0.61 | 3.94 | 3.41 | 5.0% | 0.4% of days |
Hours per resident per day: staff hours in the quarter divided by resident days (the daily census CMS derives from resident assessments). Registered nurses include the director of nursing and RNs with administrative duties; aides include nurse aides in training and medication aides, as in CMS's own staffing measure. How these are calculated.
Quality measures
The measures CMS uses for the quality star. Lower is better for every one of them.
| Measure | This home | Massachusetts | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Percentage of long-stay residents whose need for help with daily activities has increased Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 15.7 | 16.4 | 13.9 |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with a catheter inserted and left in their bladder Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 1.1 | 0.8 | 0.8 |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with a urinary tract infection Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 0.0 | 1.8 | 1.6 |
| Percentage of long-stay residents experiencing one or more falls with major injury Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 3.6 | 3.5 | 3.2 |
| Percentage of short-stay residents who newly received an antipsychotic medication Short Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 0.7 | 1.4 | 1.6 |
| Percentage of long-stay residents whose ability to walk independently worsened Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 9.9 | 15.4 | 14.1 |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with pressure ulcers Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 4.9 | 4.2 | 4.6 |
| Percentage of long-stay residents who received an antipsychotic medication Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 11.9 | 21.4 | 15.4 |
| Percentage of short-stay residents who were rehospitalized after a nursing home admission Short Stay residents, 20250101-20251231 | 31.1 | 25.7 | 23.8 |
| Percentage of short-stay residents who had an outpatient emergency department visit Short Stay residents, 20250101-20251231 | 20.0 | 11.9 | 12.0 |
| Number of hospitalizations per 1000 long-stay resident days Long Stay residents, 20250101-20251231 | 2.4 | 1.9 | 1.9 |
| Number of outpatient emergency department visits per 1000 long-stay resident days Long Stay residents, 20250101-20251231 | 0.8 | 1.5 | 1.8 |
Owners and operators
Legal business name: BERKSHIRE RETIREMENT HOME INC.
| Name | Role | Type | Share | Since |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Berkshire Retirement Home Inc | 5% or greater direct ownership interest | Organization | 100% | 06/25/1986 |
| Forfa, Edward | W-2 managing employee | Individual | 01/01/1986 | |
| Forfa, Edward | Corporate director | Individual | 02/12/2003 | |
| Furlano, Nelson | Corporate director | Individual | 10/01/2013 | |
| Gilligan, Mark | Corporate director | Individual | 10/18/2018 | |
| Guyette, Shelley | Corporate director | Individual | 10/01/2012 | |
| Herrick, Richard | Corporate director | Individual | 10/24/2007 | |
| Kahn, Craig | Corporate director | Individual | 10/24/2021 | |
| Kirby, Elizabeth | Corporate director | Individual | 03/09/2006 | |
| Mara, Dorothy | Corporate director | Individual | 03/09/2006 | |
| Marinaro, Vincent | Corporate director | Individual | 10/20/2011 | |
| McKenna, Mark | Corporate director | Individual | 06/12/2024 | |
| McNinch, Jacqueline | Corporate director | Individual | 10/24/2021 | |
| Murphy, John | Corporate director | Individual | 01/01/2018 |
As listed in the CMS ownership file, which names owners with a 5% or greater stake and the people and companies with operational or managerial control.
Questions to ask on a visit
Chosen from this home's own inspection record.
- When is the care plan meeting, and can family attend it?Inspectors cited 4 problems in this area, most recently on October 28, 2024: "Ensure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality."
- What changed in infection control since the last inspection, and who on staff is the infection preventionist?Inspectors cited 2 problems in this area, most recently on February 12, 2026: "Develop and implement policies and procedures for flu and pneumonia vaccinations."
- How do you prevent falls and pressure injuries, and how are families told when one happens?Inspectors cited 2 problems in this area, most recently on August 17, 2023: "Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals."
- How are medications reviewed, and how often are antipsychotic or sedating drugs used?Inspectors cited 1 problem in this area, most recently on October 28, 2024: "Implement gradual dose reductions(GDR) and non-pharmacological interventions, unless contraindicated, prior to initiating or instead of continuing psychotropic medication; and PRN orders for psychotropic medications are only used when the medication is necessary and PRN use is limited."
- How long has the current administrator been here?CMS counts 2 administrators who left in the period it measured.
Other nursing homes nearby
- Hillcrest Commons Nursing & Rehabilitation Center Pittsfield, 1.6 mi · 3 of 5 stars · 34 citations
- Mt Greylock Extended Care Facility Pittsfield, 2 mi · 5 of 5 stars · 8 citations
- Springside Rehabilitation and Skilled Care Center Pittsfield, 2.5 mi · 4 of 5 stars · 18 citations
- Mount Carmel Care Center Lenox, 3.2 mi · 3 of 5 stars · 22 citations
- Craneville Rehabilitation and Skilled Care Center Dalton, 4.6 mi · 4 of 5 stars · 18 citations
- Kimball Farms Nursing Care Center Lenox, 5.9 mi · 4 of 5 stars · 9 citations
- Lee Healthcare Lee, 8 mi · 1 of 5 stars · 35 citations
- Fairview Commons Nursing & Rehabilitation Center Great Barrington, 16.7 mi · 1 of 5 stars · 36 citations
Common questions
- What is Berkshire Place's Medicare star rating?
- CMS rates Berkshire Place 4 out of 5 stars overall, with 4 for health inspections, 4 for staffing and 4 for quality measures (CMS data as of September 1, 2026).
- How many deficiencies did Berkshire Place get at its last inspection?
- 2 health deficiencies at the standard inspection on February 12, 2026. The Massachusetts average is 6.8.
- Has Berkshire Place been fined?
- CMS lists no fines in the last three years.
- Does Berkshire Place accept Medicaid?
- CMS lists it as "Medicare", so it is not certified for Medicaid.
- Who owns Berkshire Place?
- CMS lists 14 owners and managers. Legal business name: BERKSHIRE RETIREMENT HOME INC.
Sources
- Ratings, staffing and fines: CMS Provider Information, released September 30, 2026, data as of September 1, 2026.
- Citations: CMS Health Deficiencies and Fire Safety Deficiencies.
- Owners: CMS Ownership. Penalties: CMS Penalties.
- Staffing by quarter: CMS Payroll Based Journal Daily Nurse Staffing, April 2025 to March 2026, summed by NursingHomeClear.
- Inspector summaries: CMS Full Statement of Deficiencies (CMS-2567 text), data as of September 1, 2026. Each quote is the part of the statement before the detailed findings.
- Inspection reports with the inspectors' full notes are on this home's Medicare.gov page.
- Something wrong on this page? Ask for a correction. We fix errors in our copy of the data; findings themselves can only be changed by CMS and the state.
- NursingHomeClear is independent and not affiliated with CMS, Medicare or any state agency. This page reports federal records; it does not rate, recommend or endorse any home, and it is not medical or legal advice.