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News Release
SUGAR CREEK STATION APARTMENTS OFFER COMFORT, CONVENIENCE Feb. 28, 2007 — Sugar Creek Station’s new Independent Living Apartments (ILA) offer a comfortable, convenient housing option for seniors who can live on their own. The opening of the apartments and Sugar Creek Station’s new Homeward Bound program that strengthens residents to go home are the skilled nursing center’s most recent achievements.
Administrator Nancy Pastorius says Sugar Creek Station’s new apartments may be just right for seniors who are looking for a comfortable, affordable, safe place to reside. Each of the seven apartments has a kitchenette, living room, bedroom and bathroom, and there are several central facilities for residents’ use including a family gathering room, dining/activity room, laundry, storage and landscaped patio. Every apartment also has an important personal safety and security feature: a call system to summon help around the clock from a Sugar Creek staff member in case of emergency. Residents’ rent ($600 to $750 a month) includes light housekeeping service, and meals are available for those who wish to buy them. The new housing unit is “everything we expected it to be,” Mrs. Pastorius says. Residents have moved into some of the apartments, and Sugar Creek Station is continuing to accept inquiries for the remaining units. Prospective residents can learn more by contacting Mrs. Pastorius at 814-437-0100. Sugar Creek Station developed the apartments in a former 28-bed residential unit with a grant from the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania and the state Department of Public Welfare. The two organizations created the grant program to help skilled nursing centers convert excess beds into new facilities to benefit seniors. Sugar Creek Station obtained funds from the same grant program in 2001 to expand and renovate its physical, occupational and speech therapy unit. Here is more information about Sugar Creek Station’s new Homeward Bound program and other services that it offers: Homeward Bound – More than 40 percent of Sugar Creek Station’s resident return home after a few months of rehabilitative care, and the facility now has a program known as Homeward Bound that focuses specifically on strengthening residents so they can go home. Six rehab staff members provide physical, occupational and speech therapy to help restore residents’ well-being. Homeward Bound residents also benefit from Sugar Creek Station’s fully-equipped rehabilitative apartment where they can sharpen their daily living skills (cooking, cleaning, bathing, etc.) in preparation for going home. Most Homeward Bound residents benefit from other UPMC Northwest organizations too: they typically receive hospital care at UPMC Northwest before their Sugar Creek Station admission, then obtain home care from the Visiting Nurses Association of Venango County. “We want to get residents back into the community, and Homeward Bound is making this happen,” says Sugar Creek Station rehab services manager Erin Wenmoth. Residency Options – In addition to skilled nursing and rehabilitative stays (which can be from several days to several months), Sugar Creek Station can accommodate special requests such as brief stays for respite care, caregivers’ travel, and out-of-town emergencies. Families considering any type of admission may call or stop by any weekday and a staff member will provide information, answer questions, and give a tour. No appointment is necessary. Rehab Services – Persons who have prescriptions for physical, occupational or speech therapy can obtain these services in Sugar Creek Station’s rehabilitation unit. This is a convenient option for Sugar Creek area residents and is available to any Medicare patient who has a physician’s order for outpatient rehab. Appointments are available from 7:30 am to 4 pm weekdays. Family Orientation – New residents’ families are encouraged to attend this program to understand skilled nursing center living and how they can help make Sugar Creek Station like home for residents. Staff members from social, rehab and nutrition services, nursing, administration and other services provide information and answer questions. Residents’ Activities – Fine dining, theater productions, and other activities are available to Sugar Creek Station residents. Several times a year a resident “chef” prepares a white tablecloth dinner and serves the “country club” meal on china settings. Residents attend Barrow-Civic Theater productions in Franklin, enjoy wine and cheese receptions, and take countryside drives in Sugar Creek Station’s seven-passenger, wheelchair-accessible van. They go shopping at Cranberry Mall, participate in knitting club, card club and choral group, and enjoy special birthday dinners and community activities like Franklin’s Applefest. “These are the kinds of activities they would enjoy if they were at home,” Mrs. Pastorius says. Senior Health Fair – Sugar Creek Station’s annual Senior Health Fair in the fall includes a variety of health screenings (blood pressure, cholesterol, stroke, osteoporosis, etc.), exhibits by local health care organizations, refreshments, door prizes, and more. Dementia Support Group – This group meets the third Monday every month from September through May in the facility’s Alzheimer’s Disease/Dementia Unit. The group provides education and support for families of individuals who have Alzheimer’s Disease or other dementias. Persons can learn more by calling Social Services manager Deb Junkin at 814-437-0145.
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