Home / Pennsylvania / Topton
Lutheran Home at Topton, the
One South Home Avenue, Topton, PA 19562 · Berks County · (610) 682-1400
194 certified beds, about 89 residents a day · Non profit - Church related · Medicare and Medicaid since 1967
CMS Care Compare ratings, data as of September 1, 2026 · CCN 395117 · See it on Medicare.gov · Compare with other homes
The record in brief
At its most recent standard inspection, on September 18, 2025, inspectors cited 2 health deficiencies (the Pennsylvania average is 10, the national average 9.2).
None of its 10 health citations since November 2023 was rated as actual harm or immediate jeopardy.
CMS lists no fines against this home in the last three years.
Nurses and nurse aides worked 3.84 hours per resident per day, against 3.89 across Pennsylvania and 3.86 nationally. Registered nurses accounted for 1.00 of those hours.
47.6% of nursing staff left within the year CMS measured (Pennsylvania average 44.5%).
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.
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 10 health citations on file.
September 18, 2025Standard inspection · 2 citations
- D Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
Inspectors wroteBased on clinical record review and staff interview, it was determined that the facility failed to ensure physicians' orders were implemented for two of 21 sampled residents. (Residents 8, 10)
- D Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Inspectors wroteBased on a review of employee personnel files and staff interviews, it was determined that the facility failed to follow Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations for baseline tuberculosis (TB) screening and testing for three of five newly hired employees. (Employee 2, 3, and 5)
June 27, 2025Complaint inspection · 1 citation
- D Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
Inspectors wroteBased on clinical record review, review of facility documentation, and staff interview, it was determined that the facility failed to implement safety interventions for one of three sampled residents at risk for falls. (Resident 5)
October 24, 2024Standard inspection · 1 citation
- D Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
Inspectors wroteBased on facility policy review, clinical record review, and staff interview, it was determined that the facility failed to ensure physician's orders were implemented for one of 29 sampled residents. (Resident 99)
November 15, 2023Standard inspection · 6 citations
- D Ensure each resident receives an accurate assessment.
Inspectors wroteBased on clinical record review and staff interview, it was determined that the facility failed to ensure that the Minimum Data Set (MDS) assessment was completed to accurately reflect the resident's status for one of 36 sampled residents. (Resident 157)
- D Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
Inspectors wroteBased on clinical record review, review of incident reports and staff interview, it was determined that the facility failed to provide adequate supervison and interventions in order to prevent falls for one of six sampled residents who were at risk for falls. (Resident 131)
- D Ensure a licensed pharmacist perform a monthly drug regimen review, including the medical chart, following irregularity reporting guidelines in developed policies and procedures.
Inspectors wroteBased on clinical record review and staff interview, it was determined that the facility failed to ensure that the pharmacist's recommendations were acknowledged by the physician for one of 36 sampled residents. (Resident 20)
- 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 clinical record review and staff interview, it was determined that the facility failed to document the rationale for the continued use of as needed (PRN) anti-anxiety medications for three of five sampled residents. (Residents 128, 134, 168)
- D Provide special eating equipment and utensils for residents who need them and appropriate assistance.
Inspectors wroteBased on clinical record review, observation, and staff interview, it was determined that the facility failed to ensure that adaptive equipment was provided to one of three sampled residents who utilized adaptive equipment for meals. (Resident 131)
- B Provide timely notification to the resident, and if applicable to the resident representative and ombudsman, before transfer or discharge, including appeal rights.
Inspectors wroteBased on facility policy review, clinical record review, and staff interview, it was determined that the facility failed to notify the resident and the resident's representative(s) of the transfer and the reasons for transfer in writing for 12 of 14 sampled residents who were transferred to the hospital. (Residents 8, 20, 22, 49, 55, 70, 115, 117, 125, 128, 134, 171)
Fire safety inspections
11 fire safety citations on file: 4 on October 24, 2024, 2 on November 15, 2023, 5 on December 21, 2022.
Every fire safety citation11 citations
- E Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems.
- E Ensure proper usage of power strips and extension cords.
- E Ensure precautions for handling oxygen cylinders and equipment are correctly followed.
- C To conduct inspection, testing and maintenance of fire doors by qualified individuals.
- E Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems.
- C List the names and contact information of those in the facility.
- F Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems.
- E Install emergency lighting that can last at least 1 1/2 hours.
- E Properly select, install, inspect, or maintain portable fire extinguishes.
- C Have approved installation, maintenance and testing program for fire alarm systems.
- C Ensure receptacles at patient bed locations and where general anesthesia is administered, are tested after initial installation, replacement or servicing.
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 | Pennsylvania | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| All nursing staff (RN, LPN and aides) | 3.84 | 3.89 | 3.86 |
| Registered nurses | 1.00 | 0.79 | 0.69 |
| All nursing staff on weekends | 3.58 | 3.53 | 3.42 |
| Nurse aides | 2.21 | ||
| Licensed practical nurses | 0.62 | ||
| Nursing staff turnover (share who left in a year) | 47.6% | 44.5% | 45.8% |
| Registered nurse turnover | 34.6% | 39.9% | 42.9% |
| Administrators who left | 0 |
CMS expects 3.52 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 3.94 on weekdays and 3.58 on weekends, 9% lower on weekends (nationally, weekends ran 15% lower). Contract or agency staff worked 6.4% of nursing hours, against 5.3% nationally. Total nursing hours per resident went from 3.88 in April to June 2025 to 3.84 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 | 3.84 | 1.00 | 3.94 | 3.58 | 6.4% | 0 of 90 | 89 |
| Oct to Dec 2025 | 3.90 | 0.92 | 4.02 | 3.60 | 10.9% | 0 of 92 | 93 |
| Jul to Sep 2025 | 3.87 | 0.87 | 3.98 | 3.59 | 18.6% | 0 of 92 | 103 |
| Apr to Jun 2025 | 3.88 | 0.82 | 3.99 | 3.59 | 21.2% | 0 of 91 | 115 |
| United States, Jan to Mar 2026 | 3.75 | 0.62 | 3.92 | 3.33 | 5.3% | 0.5% of days | |
| Pennsylvania, Jan to Mar 2026 | 3.69 | 0.65 | 3.82 | 3.34 | 11.3% | 0.1% 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 | Pennsylvania | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Percentage of long-stay residents whose need for help with daily activities has increased Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 11.3 | 16.8 | 13.9 |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with a catheter inserted and left in their bladder Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 0.2 | 0.7 | 0.8 |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with a urinary tract infection Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 1.6 | 1.4 | 1.6 |
| Percentage of long-stay residents experiencing one or more falls with major injury Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 2.6 | 3.1 | 3.2 |
| Percentage of short-stay residents who newly received an antipsychotic medication Short Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 0.0 | 1.4 | 1.6 |
| Percentage of long-stay residents whose ability to walk independently worsened Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 17.5 | 17.0 | 14.1 |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with pressure ulcers Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 2.8 | 4.8 | 4.6 |
| Percentage of long-stay residents who received an antipsychotic medication Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 10.3 | 17.7 | 15.4 |
| Percentage of short-stay residents who were rehospitalized after a nursing home admission Short Stay residents, 20250101-20251231 | 12.8 | 22.5 | 23.8 |
| Percentage of short-stay residents who had an outpatient emergency department visit Short Stay residents, 20250101-20251231 | 7.4 | 9.5 | 12.0 |
| Number of hospitalizations per 1000 long-stay resident days Long Stay residents, 20250101-20251231 | 3.1 | 1.6 | 1.9 |
| Number of outpatient emergency department visits per 1000 long-stay resident days Long Stay residents, 20250101-20251231 | 1.8 | 1.2 | 1.8 |
Owners and operators
Legal business name: LUTHERAN SENIOR SERVICES EAST.
| Name | Role | Type | Share | Since |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diakon | 5% or greater direct ownership interest | Organization | 100% | 01/01/2000 |
| Beumer, Brent | Corporate director | Individual | 06/27/2022 | |
| Christell, Roy | Corporate director | Individual | 04/25/2017 | |
| Meadows, Megan | Corporate director | Individual | 01/24/2022 | |
| Mueller, Harry | Corporate director | Individual | 01/24/2022 | |
| Schroeder-Saulnier, Deborah | Corporate director | Individual | 04/25/2017 | |
| Sombart, Lisa | Corporate director | Individual | 04/25/2017 | |
| Sommer, Christopher | Corporate director | Individual | 07/01/2023 | |
| Anderson, David | Corporate officer | Individual | 07/01/2019 | |
| Brown, Daniel | Corporate officer | Individual | 04/25/2018 | |
| Sneed, Chadwick | Corporate officer | Individual | 07/01/2020 | |
| Tice, Paul | Corporate officer | Individual | 04/25/2017 | |
| Cooper, Valerie | Operational/managerial control | Individual | 05/17/2009 | |
| Legar, Jennifer | Operational/managerial control | Individual | 01/01/2024 | |
| Cooper, Valerie | Adp of the SNF | Individual | 07/28/2025 | |
| Legar, Jennifer | Adp of the SNF | Individual | 07/28/2025 |
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.
- How do you prevent falls and pressure injuries, and how are families told when one happens?Inspectors cited 4 problems in this area, most recently on September 18, 2025: "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 2 problems in this area, most recently on November 15, 2023: "Ensure a licensed pharmacist perform a monthly drug regimen review, including the medical chart, following irregularity reporting guidelines in developed policies and procedures."
- What changed in infection control since the last inspection, and who on staff is the infection preventionist?Inspectors cited 1 problem in this area, most recently on September 18, 2025: "Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program."
- When is the care plan meeting, and can family attend it?Inspectors cited 1 problem in this area, most recently on November 15, 2023: "Ensure each resident receives an accurate assessment."
Other nursing homes nearby
- Willow Brook Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center Kutztown, 3.7 mi · 2 of 5 stars · 7 citations
- Mosser Nursing Home Trexlertown, 5.7 mi · 5 of 5 stars · 5 citations
- Complete Care at Lehigh LLC Macungie, 7.6 mi · 3 of 5 stars · 23 citations
- Luther Crest Nursing Facility Allentown, 9.8 mi · 5 of 5 stars · 7 citations
- Cedarbrook Senior Care and Rehabilitation Allentown, 9.8 mi · 5 of 5 stars · 16 citations
- Lehigh Valley Hospital Tsu Allentown, 9.8 mi · 5 of 5 stars · 2 citations
- Cedar Crest Post Acute Allentown, 10.6 mi · 4 of 5 stars · 13 citations
- Phoebe Allentown Health Care Center Allentown, 12.6 mi · 3 of 5 stars · 19 citations
Pennsylvania contacts for a concern about a nursing home
These are the official offices in Pennsylvania. NursingHomeClear cannot take or act on complaints.
- Inspections and complaints: Pennsylvania Department of Health, Division of Nursing Care Facilities, the state agency that inspects nursing homes for CMS and takes complaints about care.
- Resident advocate: Pennsylvania Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program, Department of Aging, 717-783-8975. The long-term care ombudsman is a free, confidential advocate for residents and families, set up under the federal Older Americans Act.
- State inspection reports: Pennsylvania Department of Health Nursing Care Facility Locator, where Pennsylvania publishes its own records on licensed homes.
Common questions
- What is Lutheran Home at Topton, the's Medicare star rating?
- CMS rates Lutheran Home at Topton, the 5 out of 5 stars overall, with 4 for health inspections, 4 for staffing and 5 for quality measures (CMS data as of September 1, 2026).
- How many deficiencies did Lutheran Home at Topton, the get at its last inspection?
- 2 health deficiencies at the standard inspection on September 18, 2025. The Pennsylvania average is 10.
- Has Lutheran Home at Topton, the been fined?
- CMS lists no fines in the last three years.
- Does Lutheran Home at Topton, the accept Medicaid?
- It is certified to take Medicaid (CMS lists it as "Medicare and Medicaid"). Certification does not mean a Medicaid bed is open: ask the admissions office.
- Who owns Lutheran Home at Topton, the?
- CMS lists 16 owners and managers. Legal business name: LUTHERAN SENIOR SERVICES EAST.
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.