Common Questions
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Celebrate your right to a rewarding retirement!
- Where is The Heritage of Green Hills?
- What makes The Heritage of Green Hills different from other retirement communities?
- What is a continuing care retirement community?
- What is the difference between a fee-for-service CCRC and a LifeCare CCRC?
- What role does long-term care insurance have in paying for a CCRC?
- How does the Well by Design program work?
- What type of home will I have at The Heritage of Green Hills?
- May I decorate my apartment or villa as I wish?
- Do residents need to carry homeowner’s insurance?
- What do you mean by maintenance-free living?
- Will I be able to bring my car?
- Will my pet be allowed on campus?
- What does the monthly fee cover at The Heritage of Green Hills?
- How does the flexible dining program work?
- Is the monthly fee fixed, or is it subject to change?
- Is there an advantage to making a deposit early?
- What happens to the entrance fee at The Heritage of Green Hills?
- When I move to The Heritage of Green Hills, can I be sure my future health needs will be met?
- What type of amenities will this community offer?
- When will The Heritage of Green Hills be built?
- Who owns this community?
- I’d like to reserve my spot—what is my next step?
Where is The Heritage of Green Hills?
The community will be built on 78 rolling acres in Reading, Pennsylvania, near the Flying Hills neighborhood of Cumru Township. The tree-covered Berks County site is located at 10 Tranquility Lane just off Route 10, close to Route 176 and minutes from the Pennsylvania Turnpike’s Reading/Morgantown exit. Nearby options abound for dining, entertainment, shopping and recreation, including:
- Flying Hills Community and Golf Club
- Green Hills Inn
- Reading Outlets
- The Sovereign Center
- The Sovereign Performing Arts Center
- Reading’s Museum, Arboretum and Park
- Reading Phillies minor league stadium
With the Valley Forge/King of Prussia area just 30 minutes away and Center City Philadelphia approximately one hour’s drive, The Heritage of Green Hills is an excellent choice for people who currently live in the Greater Philadelphia area.
What makes The Heritage of Green Hills different from other retirement communities?
The Heritage of Green Hills will be different from other retirement communities in several special ways. First and foremost, The Heritage of Green Hills will be a continuing care retirement community, so you’ll gain peace of mind, knowing you’ll have access to additional levels of care, when and if you need them. The community’s unique Well by DesignSM program will help you focus on staying healthy as a whole person—wellness for every aspect of your mind, body, spirit—so you have the energy, enthusiasm and youthful outlook you need to get more enjoyment out of everything you do. In addition, The Heritage of Green Hills is the first retirement community in the Reading area to offer a 100% refundable entrance fee.
What is a continuing care retirement community?
A continuing care retirement community, or CCRC, provides independent living, assisted living and nursing care as well as a full range of healthcare and supportive services on one campus. Residents benefit from an active lifestyle and gain peace of mind knowing that their future healthcare needs will be met.
What is the difference between a fee-for-service CCRC and a LifeCare CCRC?
Only about 4% of adults aged 65+ reside in a nursing home, according to figures from the American Health Care Association and the U.S. Census. At a fee-for-service community like The Heritage of Green Hills, residents pay for higher levels of healthcare services only if they are needed. In a LifeCare community, residents make pre-payment for healthcare services, usually in the form of higher entrance fees and monthly fees, whether or not the higher levels of care are ever needed.
What role does long-term care insurance have in paying for a CCRC?
People who have already obtained long-term care insurance to help pay for higher levels of healthcare may find a fee-for-service CCRC like The Heritage of Green Hills to be particularly appealing. Long-term care insurance policies vary based on the provider but may cover assisted living, nursing care and other healthcare services.
How does the Well by Design program work?
Exclusively available at American Heritage Communities, the Well by Design program is a holistic philosophy, spanning all aspects of wellness for the mind, body and spirit, and offering a personal path to wellness for each resident. At The Heritage of Green Hills, you’ll have the opportunity to work with a team of specialists to establish your health, wellness and personal goals. Whether you wish to learn a foreign language, volunteer in one of Reading’s charitable organizations or shave a few strokes off your golf score, your team—which may include a Well by Design coach, healthcare professional and fitness instructor—will help you develop an individualized plan and provide the ongoing coaching, training, support and motivation you need to achieve your goals.
What type of home will I have at The Heritage of Green Hills?
As currently planned, the first phase of our new community will include four apartment buildings with a variety of one-, two-, and three-bedroom with den floor plans, plus 14 villas with garages. With so many styles to choose from, you're sure to find the maintenance-free apartment or villa that feels "just like home" to you.
In addition, the thoughtfully designed homes will be well equipped with all the necessities and many conveniences including:
- Wall-to-wall carpeting
- Mini-blinds
- Refrigerator with ice maker
- Stove
- Microwave
- Dishwasher
- Oven
- Stackable washer and dryer
- Garbage disposal
May I decorate my apartment or villa as I wish?
We invite you to make yourself at home by furnishing and decorating your apartment or villa according to your personal tastes. You’ll also have a variety of choices for options. If you wish, upgraded finishes and appliances, as well as custom modifications to your residence, are available for an additional fee.
Do residents need to carry homeowner’s insurance?
While The Heritage of Green Hills insures the buildings and grounds, residents will need to obtain a renter’s insurance policy to cover personal property and liability.
What do you mean by maintenance-free living?
At The Heritage of Green Hills, we’re designing a community that gives you the freedom to live every day as you like. We think that means freeing you completely from the worries and responsibilities of maintaining your own home. You can count on us to take care of all exterior maintenance and most indoor maintenance, too. Move here and you’ll never push a lawn mower, lift a snow shovel, wield a leaf blower or fix a faucet.
Will I be able to bring my car?
Of course you may! Community residents will be encouraged to keep driving, and parking will be easy. Each villa will have its own one-car garage, and large parking areas are being planned with reserved spaces for residents of apartment buildings. Covered parking spaces will also be available for a fee. Residents will be able to ride a convenient shuttle to and from their cars or take advantage of our valet parking services.
Will my pet be allowed on campus?
Well behaved pets are welcome in the community. The complete pet policy will be detailed in your Resident Handbook.
What does the monthly fee cover at The Heritage of Green Hills?
Your monthly fee includes the cost of your residence, all interior and exterior maintenance, an array of services, participation in Well by Design programs, planned community activities and entertainment, plus access to all the campus amenities. Your utilities are also included, with the exception of telephone, premium cable television and Internet services.
With the standard service package, you’ll enjoy delicious meals as part of the flexible dining program, regularly scheduled local transportation, a parking shuttle and twice monthly housekeeping services to help keep your new home as fresh and comfortable as the day you moved in. And at The Heritage of Green Hills, you’ll always feel safe thanks to your emergency communication system and 24-hour on-site security and safety officers within the gated community.
How does the flexible dining program work?
Each month, as part of the monthly service fee, residents will be given a $200 meal plan credit, which can be used for any of the dining options on campus. You may choose from traditional, restaurant-style dining, as well as casual dining in the café or pub. The meal plan can also be applied to guest meals, take-out or convenience store purchases. Whichever venue you select, you’ll have a varied menu of tasty options including healthy choices. Additional meal packages will be available for an extra fee.
Is the monthly fee fixed, or is it subject to change?
Monthly fees are typically adjusted annually, although with 30-days notice, other adjustments may be made if necessary. These adjustments help a community maintain the level of service residents expect, while compensating for inflation and other operating cost changes. Prior to move-in, residents may wish to consult their financial counselors to ensure that they will be able to live comfortably at The Heritage of Green Hills despite inflation and its effect on fees.
Is there an advantage to making a deposit early?
Making a 10% deposit now enables you to select your residence in advance, while there’s still a good selection of styles and locations available. You’ll have the opportunity to secure your specific residence, with your choice of the floor plan, view and position you prefer. You’ll also receive our newsletter and invitation to educational seminars and events where you can meet other future residents of the community.
What happens to the entrance fee at The Heritage of Green Hills?
We’re proud to be the first Reading community to offer a fully refundable entrance plan. Should you leave the community, the 100% refundable plan ensures that the entire amount of your entrance fee will be returned to you or to your heirs once the residence is resold. The only reasons for returning less than 100% of your deposit would be to pay for outstanding expenses for your care or to restore significant changes you’ve made to your residence. Or, if you prefer, ask a sales person about the 75% refundable or the declining balance entrance fee plans that are also available.
When I move to The Heritage of Green Hills, can I be sure my future health needs will be met?
Any resident who chooses the 100% refundable entrance fee plan also enjoys the security of the community’s progressive care assistance program. If a resident requires a higher level of care but has exhausted his or her assets, the progressive care assistance program can help.
Once the resident’s independent living residence has been resold, charitable programs and other resources will be evaluated to supplement the resident’s income. After this, The Heritage of Green Hills may draw funds from the refundable entrance fee balance to help pay the difference between the actual charges and what the resident can afford to pay. This progressive care assistance program helps residents continue to receive the care they need within the community. In addition, the community may establish a benevolence fund to assist residents who outlive their resources. This is a general overview of the assistance program. For specific information, please talk to a member of our sales team.
What type of amenities will this community offer?
In addition to the beautiful grounds, walking trails and the outdoor amphitheater at the center of the community, where summer concerts will be held, the community will offer an impressive assortment of indoor amenities. The first Village Center will have a fitness center, indoor swimming pool, pharmacy, convenience store, full-service bank, ATM, beauty salon and day spa. You’ll also find a library, a formal dining room and a café/pub with a lovely terrace that will overlook the amphitheater. The second Village Center will include an auditorium and nondenominational sanctuary. Best of all, apartment and Village Center buildings will be connected by convenient enclosed walkways. Once construction is complete, you’ll be able to stroll to every part of the community during inclement weather without getting wet.
When will The Heritage of Green Hills be built?
Current plans call for the community to be constructed in three phases, with each phase containing a variety of residence styles and a portion of the planned amenities. As with any new development, the construction timeline for The Heritage of Green Hills is dependent on many factors, including issues such as permits, inspections and even the weather! Although subject to change as development progresses, the benchmarks of the community’s target development timeline are listed below.
- Break ground for Phase I construction—Late 2007
- First residents begin moving in—Late 2008
- Phase II construction begins—Mid 2009
- Phase III construction begins—To be determined as project progresses
The Heritage of Green Hills is owned and operated by American Heritage Communities, Inc., a for-profit corporation founded in 2002, with plans to develop CCRCs throughout the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern regions. The American Heritage management team includes some of the country’s most experienced senior housing experts, as well as experts from the hospitality, finance, real estate and construction industries. American Heritage Communities will provide the community’s development and management services and maintain on-site marketing and administrative offices. As the first phase of the community nears completion, the management team will hire permanent, on-site operations staff, including an executive director, chief engineer, and directors for the medical services, food and beverage and Well by Design programs.
I’d like to reserve my spot—what is my next step?
To get started on your way to a rewarding retirement, contact us or call a member of the sales team at (484) 269-5100 for more information!
