The Highlands at Wyomissing

Overview

The Highlands at Wyomissing is a continuing care retirement community (CCRC) located at 2000 Cambridge Ave in Wyomissing, Pennsylvania, a suburb of Reading in Berks County. The community operates as a full-service senior living campus offering multiple levels of care, from independent living arrangements to skilled nursing services. This model, often referred to as a "continuum of care" approach, allows residents to transition between different care levels as their needs change without relocating to a different facility.

The campus encompasses various housing options including apartments, cottages, and villas, providing residents with choices in living arrangements based on their preferences for space, privacy, and lifestyle. The community serves older adults seeking a residential environment that combines housing with access to healthcare services, social programming, and daily living support.

Location and Setting

Wyomissing is positioned in southeastern Pennsylvania, approximately 60 miles northwest of Philadelphia. The area is characterized by suburban development with access to the commercial and medical infrastructure of the greater Reading metropolitan area. Cambridge Avenue, where The Highlands is situated, runs through a residential section of Wyomissing that includes other senior care facilities and medical offices.

The community's grounds feature landscaped outdoor areas that residents can access for walking and recreation. The campus layout is designed with multiple wings and buildings connected to facilitate movement between different areas of the community. This architectural approach allows residents to navigate the facility while remaining indoors, which is particularly relevant during inclement weather or for those with mobility considerations.

Levels of Care

The Highlands operates under the CCRC model, which typically involves an entrance fee structure combined with monthly service fees. This arrangement provides access to a spectrum of care services:

• Independent living for residents who can manage daily activities without assistance but desire access to community amenities and the security of having higher levels of care available if needed
• Assisted living for those requiring help with activities of daily living such as medication management, bathing, dressing, or meal preparation
• Memory care for residents with Alzheimer's disease, dementia, or other cognitive impairments requiring specialized supervision and programming
• Skilled nursing for individuals needing 24-hour medical care and monitoring
• Rehabilitation services including physical therapy and occupational therapy for residents recovering from surgery, illness, or injury

The skilled nursing wing provides rehabilitation services for residents who need short-term therapy following medical events. Physical therapy and occupational therapy programs are available to help residents regain function and independence. These services may be utilized by long-term community residents as well as individuals admitted specifically for post-acute rehabilitation.

Amenities and Services

The community includes multiple dining venues where residents take their meals. The dining program operates restaurant-style service rather than institutional cafeteria arrangements, with menu options and table service. A bistro provides an alternative dining setting for more casual meals or gatherings with visitors.

On-site retail shops allow residents to purchase items without leaving the campus. This convenience factor is significant for residents who no longer drive or prefer to minimize trips into the surrounding community. The presence of these shops reflects the campus's design as a self-contained environment where residents can meet many daily needs without external travel.

A fitness center provides exercise equipment and space for physical activity. Programming typically includes group fitness classes appropriate for older adults, though specific offerings vary. The community organizes social events and activities intended to foster engagement among residents and provide structured recreational opportunities.

Transportation services are available to residents, including rides to medical appointments. This service addresses a practical challenge many seniors face when they reduce or cease driving, helping maintain connections to healthcare providers and other destinations in the surrounding area.

Facility Design and Accessibility

The buildings feature wheelchair accessible entrances and the parking areas include accessible spaces, meeting requirements for individuals with mobility limitations. The campus provides on-site parking at no additional charge for residents and visitors, with a free parking lot available.

The interior design of the common areas reflects an upscale aesthetic with attention to decor and finishes. The architectural layout incorporates different wings that connect to allow residents to move between areas of the campus. This design consideration supports residents who use walkers, wheelchairs, or other mobility aids by providing continuous indoor pathways.

Operational Structure

Like most CCRCs, The Highlands operates on a fee structure that typically includes an entrance fee paid upon admission and ongoing monthly fees that cover housing, certain services, and access to higher levels of care. The specific financial arrangements, fee schedules, and what is included in base fees versus charged as additional services varies and should be discussed directly with the community's admissions staff.

The community employs staff across multiple departments including nursing, dining services, housekeeping, maintenance, activities, and administration. The staffing model must address the diverse needs of residents at different care levels, from those living independently to those requiring around-the-clock skilled nursing care.

Regional Context

The Reading area has a substantial population of older adults, and several senior living options exist in Berks County. The Highlands represents the CCRC model within this market, distinguished from standalone independent living communities, nursing homes, or assisted living facilities by its integration of multiple care levels on a single campus.

The community can be reached by phone at +1 610-775-2300 for inquiries about availability, services, pricing, and tours. Prospective residents and their families typically visit the campus to assess whether the environment, services, and community culture align with their needs and preferences before making decisions about senior living arrangements.

Practical Considerations

Individuals evaluating The Highlands or any CCRC should consider factors including the financial structure and long-term costs, the specific services included in fees versus those charged separately, staffing levels and staff-to-resident ratios at different care levels, the community's policies on transitions between care levels, and the overall fit with the prospective resident's lifestyle preferences and care needs.

Tours of the campus allow visitors to observe the physical environment, speak with staff, and often interact with current residents. Many families find it valuable to visit at different times of day and to ask specific questions about how care is delivered, how concerns are addressed, and what daily life looks like for residents at various care levels.