About Country Meadows of Wyomissing (Berks County)
Is this your business?
"Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at twenty or eighty. Anyone who keeps learning stays young. The greatest thing in life is to keep your mind young."
- Henry Ford.
At Country Meadows Retirement Commmunity of Wyomissing, Pennsylvania, there is no shortage of stimulation available to residents. The home's lavish activity program offers opportunities for continuing learning, social interaction, and fitness programs, all so important to keeping brain and body healthy and young.
The fitness center includes Nautilus equipment and a rehabilitation center with workouts planned for seniors, plus guided physical therapy. Art courses, piano lessons, and current events exchanges keep mature minds active and socially connected. Motivation is possible at all levels, evidenced by the existence of the raised garden in the Alzheimer's area.
Set at the foreground of the Berks County countryside and along the Tulpehocken Creek, the rural Wyomissing community seems remote and subdued. Yet the home is surprisingly close to civilization, yielding benefits that adult education, medical centers, shopping, and churches can provide. The locale affords seniors access to entertainment like the World War II Air Show at the Reading Airport and the annual Health & Wellness Fair. Residents appreciate day trips to Reading Phillies games, significant savings at the VF Factory outlets, and picnics at the Red Bridge recreation area.
Country Meadows Retirement Communities is a multi-generational family business, founded by former Pennsylvania Governor George M. Leader and wife Mary Jane. For over four decades, the organization has remained family-owned, with the founders still sitting on the board. Adult children Michael Leader (CEO), David Leader (COO), and brother-in-law, Ted Janeczek (CFO), now run the establishment. There are a total of 10 communities owned by Country Meadows -- nine in Pennsylvania, and one in Frederick, Maryland.
The organization's family mission is to keep residents self-sufficient and independent as long as possible. How independent is independent? The answer differs for each resident. As we age, we lose ability to perform certain tasks -- but there are other tasks we can still do. Country Meadows assesses each individual to find out what he can do and where he needs help. Country Meadows meets residents where they're at. For example, a man who can no longer drive might be able to help with directions; a woman who can't use a knife to chop carrots safely might be able to fold napkins or tear lettuce.
Country Meadows staff also customizes exercise programs to each individual's ability. Classes are instructed according to levels of proficiency for optimum physical, mental, and spiritual benefits.
Country Meadows strives to help residents find meaning in their lives. The staff knows that giving back to the community can be extremely gratifying to seniors, even as they themselves are receiving assistance. For example, a resident might need assistance getting dressed because it hurts to lift her arms -- but that very same resident might be able to participate in an arthritis advocacy walk. She is giving back and making a difference, and her contribution matters. Country Meadows has partnered with numerous charitable organizations to make opportunities like this possible, because they know that senior lives are made richer when they can help others.
One secret of Country Meadows' success: they recruit and retain the best staff in the area. They've been deemed "Best Place to Work in Pennsylvania" eight times between 2001-2011. This is no accident: Country Meadows management strives to create a culture of fulfillment and passion by providing ongoing training, education, and career enhancement opportunities. Employees are happy to be here, and families notice that they are gracious, approachable, and helpful.
Community Features
- Close proximity to libraries, senior centers, banks, churches, temples, doctors' offices, veterinarians' offices
- Shared areas for amusing guests, mingling and unwinding
- Covered porches to enjoy the country backdrop
- Raised garden
- Fitness and rehabilitation center with Nautilus equipment
- Housing organized according to peer groups
- Beauty shop
- Barber shop
* Apartment complexes are grouped according to level of care
Events
- Yearly Health & Wellness Fair
- Reading Airport WWII Air Show
- Easter egg hunt at Gring's Mill Park
- Annual Peach Festival held here onsite at the Country Meadows of Wyomissing
- Picnics at Red Bridge recreation area
- Festival of Lights at Christmas time
- Lunch & Learn: lectures from outside speakers
Activities
According to Director of Advertising, Mandi Block, "It's all about you." Classes are organized by differing levels of ability. Some activities are actually run by the seniors -- for example, one small group regularly watches opera on DVDs together.
- Nautilus: exercises are devised for seniors
- Tai Chi
- Yoga: gentle
- Wii bowling league: all locations of Country Meadows compete against each other annually
- Games
- Additional computer games include golfing, tennis, and baseball Life-long learning programs
- Volunteer opportunities. Walking clubs for exercise and fundraising: ten cents per mile donated by Country Meadows on behalf of senior walkers for the Alzheimer's Association and the Arthritis Foundation
- Art classes
- Painting courses
- Piano lessons
- Cooking presentations
- Current events exchanges
- Support groups including groups for grief, Alzheimer's, and memory care
- Happy Hour
- Movie nights
- Fireside chats
- Hymns for Us
- Dances
- Parties
- Shopping trips
- Concerts
- Lunch out
- Picnics
- Field trips to museums
- Organized travel ventures
Services
- Devoted fitness staff to assist with exercises
- Physical therapy
- Occupational therapy
- Speech therapy
- Massage therapy
- Day-long dining: snacks and beverages
- Regular, high-caliber meals served three times per day
- Dressing assistance
- Medication management
- Weekly housekeeping
- Weekly linen services
- Weekly trips to community pool
- Transportation to appointments, errands, shopping, and church
- Full-time, onsite chaplains with referrals to clerics for other religions
Benefits
- Potential residents learn total costs immediately, as the rental fee is all-inclusive with services
- Rental fee covers all utilities plus cable television and wireless internet access
- No buy-in fee
- 24-hour trained, compassionate staff
- Pet-friendly
Country Meadows has proven through four decades that it walks its talk. Goals are to:
- Promote a Genuine Sense of Community
- Honor the Rights and Independence of Seniors
- Support Wellness in all of its Dimensions
- Encourage Lifelong Growth and Development
- Provide Leadership to Our Team
- Practice Professional and Social Responsibility
- Create the Standard for Quality
- Establish a Culture of Integrity
Lowest Monthly Rate:
Highest Monthly Rate:
Financial Guidance Offered:
- We help with paperwork for VA Benefits
- Preferred partner with LifeCare Funding Group
State Certification:
Housing Categories:
- Independent Living
- Assisted Living
- Respite Care
Cleaning Services:
- Laundry services: Clothing (staff washes residents' clothes)
- Laundry services: Linens (staff washes residents sheets/linens)
- Private laundry (residents can wash own laundry on site)
- Housekeeping (staff provides housekeeping services to residents)
Activities:
- Organized offsite activities (outings, etc.)
- Fitness
- Music
- Arts
- Woodworking
- Crafts
- Games (bingo, bridge, etc.)
- Stories
- Religious services
- Lectures and discussions
- Bocce ball
- Happy Hour
- Themed dining events
Guest Services:
- Guests can attend meals
- Ample parking for guests
Pets Allowed:
Dining Options:
- Meals in a shared dining room
- In-room kitchenettes
- In-room full kitchens (includes oven, etc.)
- Meals delivered to residents' rooms
In-Room Technology/Entertainment:
Types of Residence:
- Studio apartments
- 1 bedroom apartments
- 2 bedroom apartments
Privacy Options
Transportation Options
- Parking for residents
- Transportation for residents (shuttle bus or similar)
