Bishop Zubik presided over a blessing and dedication ceremony Friday, September 10, 2010, at Vincentian Home to celebrate the completion of two new buildings providing skilled nursing care.
“This was a wonderful opportunity to celebrate our Catholic values as we continue to plan for the opening of our new buildings. We remain focused on our mission of providing joyful compassionate care to the residents we serve. It’s nice to take a moment to reflect on the importance of our work in the midst of so much growth.” Says Sister Anne Kull, Administrator, Vincentian Home.
Vincentian Home, which has been a mainstay in the North Hills since 1924, recently completed construction of 120 private rooms with en suite bathrooms divided into neighborhoods of 30.
One neighborhood will be designated for short-term rehabilitation. A multidisciplinary therapy team will work alongside other staff to provide a supportive environment for residents. With a washer/dryer, kitchen area, and access to outdoor areas, therapy can be provided on the unit in addition to the traditional therapy center.
Schedules and activity programs will work around the therapy sessions and rest periods needed for these residents to reach their goal of returning home.
“The model of resident care is changing for skilled nursing facilities,” says Joanne Andiorio, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Vincentian Collaborative System. “Gone are the days of rigid schedules in institutional settings where everyone does the same thing at the same time. Today the goal is providing residents with as much choice as possible and creating a home-like atmosphere. Vincentian Home’s new building design allows us to do that in ways we never could before.”
Vincentian Home’s new buildings boast an abundance of features designed to imitate home and support an atmosphere of dignity and choice for residents: intimate dining rooms with flexible meal times, warming kitchens on the unit allow dinnertime scents to fill the halls, discreet nurses stations with modern computer systems encourage frequent resident interactions, a back-of-house area keeps traditional institutional functions out of sight, large windows in resident living areas provide an abundance of natural light to boost moods and create a healing environment, and multiple courtyards and balconies provide abundant access to secure outdoor spaces.
The new construction also includes a new main entrance and administrative offices for Vincentian Home.
Upon occupancy of the new buildings, Vincentian Home’s total capacity will be 180 residents. Vincentian Home’s other existing skilled nursing building will contain both private and large semi-private rooms for long-term care residents.
With its new designation as a continuing care retirement community (CCRC) including personal care and independent living for seniors, Vincentian Home now serves more than 300 residents in Pittsburgh’s North Hills and employs 270.
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