Presbyterian SeniorCare Unveils Westminster Place Renovation Project

An Oakmont senior care facility has launched a capital campaign to support renovations and upgrades to rooms in an effort to meet the needs of residents and make the facility a home-like environment.

Last week, Presbyterian SeniorCare, western Pennsylvania’s largest eldercare provider, unveiled the public portion of its $2.5 million dollar "A Better Place" capital campaign with a Lunch and Learn event at Oakmont Country Club.

The "A Better Place" campaign supports extensive renovations and upgrades to resident rooms and common areas at the non-profit, faith-based organization’s Westminster Place personal care community located on Hulton Road in Oakmont. The facility was built in 1950.

“The A Better Place Campaign is an exciting demonstration of Presbyterian SeniorCare’s passionate commitment to creating the living and care options that our region’s seniors desire,” said Sarah Meyer, Presbyterian SeniorCare Foundation Board Chair and "A Better Place" Campaign Co-Chair. “It’s an honor for all of us to be involved with a vital project that will bring tremendous quality-of-life enhancements to the residents whom we are blessed to serve.”

Currently, $1.3 million has been raised for the $6.5 million renovation project at Westminster Place. Residents will enjoy updated, larger rooms and revamped common areas, activities rooms and chapel when the renovations are completed in the summer of 2013.

Presbyterian SeniorCare President and CEO Paul Winkler said a new building could have been erected for the cost of the renovations, but that would have changed the facility's character.

"The warmth and character at Westminster Place can't be replicated, and renovating is the greenest thing we could have done," he said. "Westminster Place is like a gift box, and the residents are the present inside. That's what's driving us to make these changes."

The project began in 2011. Here's what it includes:

Larger rooms—350 square-foot private studios or one-bedroom apartments. The number of units will decrease from 120 to 81, which Winkler says is "right and appropriate."

More dining options—residents can eat at the formal dining rooms or use apartment kitchenettes to prepare small meals/snacks.

The ability for residents to host family and friends in larger community areas.

Wireless Internet service.

William Wilson, a Westminster Place resident, moved in to the facility after his wife, Audrey, passed away. He has been living in one of the renovated rooms since Easter.

Wilson's daughter, Carol Mangold—a former Riverview School District teacher—said the kitchen area in his room allows them to have more home-like visits.

"We can have tea, snacks and lunch when I come visit," she said. "He's happy, and that makes me happy."

For more information about "A Better Place," contact Jacqueline Flanagan, Executive Director of the Presbyterian SeniorCare Foundation at 412-826-6084 or jflanagan@srcare.org.

To donate to "A Better Place," visit www.srcare.org and click DONATE NOW. You can designate a donation to "A Better Place Capital Campaign for Westminster Place" or to the "SeniorCARE FUND," which helps pay for services if some residents can't afford them.

"We've never asked anyone to leave because of their inability to pay," Winkler said.

Anyone interested in scheduling a tour of the new rooms can do so by calling Amy Rabo at 412-828-5600.

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