Marking another milestone in its 85 year tradition of serving the needs and desires of older adults, Presbyterian SeniorCare today celebrated the 30th anniversary of Bellmead Apartments, its first senior housing community, which includes a total of 120 one- and two-bedroom apartments subsidized by HUD.
Perched high atop a hill in Washington, Bellmead sits on a picturesque wooded lot surrounded by flowering gardens and winding, red brick walkways. The 126 residents who call Bellmead home readily enjoy seeing wildlife as much as having the convenience of many on-site amenities, including a grocery store, beauty shop, chapel and wellness center.
Community and civic leaders joined Bellmead residents and families along with leadership and representatives of Presbyterian SeniorCare for a morning ceremony, which included remarks by Larry Maggi, Chair of the Washington County Board of Commissioners and a proclamation read on behalf of Representative Brandon Neuman.
Thirty-year resident, Loa Owen, who moved into Bellmead two weeks after it opened, was recognized with a gift symbolic of a 30th anniversary, a bracelet adorned with pearls. Ms. Owen, who is 68-years old, helps to coordinate activities for Bellmead residents and is an active volunteer in the community as well as at Southmont, the Presbyterian SeniorCare skilled nursing facility on the same campus as Bellmead Apartments.
Ms. Owens reminisced about her 30 years living at Bellmead, “I have met and made many friends over the years, and each one goes through my life with me in my memories. Bellmead is my home, each one of you makes this building a home, for it is the people who are living with you that make life worth living. I just want to thank each of you for being my friends and neighbors.”
Through its real estate affiliate, SeniorCare Network, Presbyterian SeniorCare has been a leader in recognizing the need for quality, affordable housing for seniors and individuals with disabilities. “Our unique combination of building amenities and supportive services allow residents to delay or even avoid the need for placement in personal care or skilled nursing settings,” stated SeniorCare Network President Jim Pieffer. “Our on-site service coordinators are dedicated to helping residents remain independent for as long as possible. They connect residents to a wide range of community services and will set up personalized support networks for those who are experiencing difficulty with maintaining their everyday needs.”
Last month, SeniorCare Network received the Commonwealth’s Supportive Housing Award, which annually showcases a model of excellence in providing quality, affordable housing and wrap-around services that help seniors live independently.
Pieffer added, “Our passion is developing and managing communities that allow our residents to age with choice and dignity. We serve over 2,000 persons each year and strive to support them in many creative ways so that they can live positively. We are pleased that our efforts help us to continue to achieve high levels of resident satisfaction and occupancy levels.”
Presbyterian SeniorCare is an esteemed, not-for-profit network committed to excellence in providing a continuum of living and care options for older adults of all faiths across 56 communities at 44 locations in 10 western Pennsylvania counties. SeniorCare Network, the non-profit real estate affiliate of Presbyterian SeniorCare, is committed to serving the needs of older adults and persons with disabilities through the development and management of quality housing communities that support a person’s ability to age in place.
Presbyterian SeniorCare and its affiliates, including the award-winning SeniorCare Network, are accredited as an Aging Services Network by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) and the Continuing Care Accreditation Commission (CCAC). To learn more, please visit us at www.SrCare.org.
