Senate News Update
From Senator Jane Earll
August 7, 2008

The Soldiers' and Sailor's Home - Alzheimer's Unit

One of the first facilities in the nation created for the care of citizens who served their country in the military continues to carry out its noble mission in Erie more than a century later.

I recently had the opportunity to tour the Pennsylvania Soldiers' and Sailors' Home on East Third Street, including its most recent addition, a 32-bed Alzheimer’s Unit.

The $8.4 million addition, funded by state and federal dollars, is just one example of how a home established to care for Civil War veterans is providing a critical 21st century service.  The unit covers early and late stage dementia, and Commandant Nancy Stevenson is rightly proud of the 1:5 staff-to-patient ratio, higher than standards require.

The new facility provides many activities geared to the special needs of Dementia/Alzheimer's patients, as well as pet therapy.  The unit also features two secure walking gardens with freedom to wander safely.  It clearly filled an important need.  Five weeks after opening last September, this portion of the home was at full capacity.  And the need for this kind of veterans care in our region and across the U.S. will only grow in the future as current members of the military grow older. 

Set on a 26-acre campus overlooking Lake Erie, the Soldiers' and Sailors' Home also includes 75 beds for nursing care and 100 beds for domiciliary/personal care.

The domiciliary/personal care unit provides food and shelter, medical and nursing care, therapeutic services and recreational activities in a supervised, protected environment.  When needed, assistance is provided for eating, bathing, shaving and other activities of daily living which do not require constant nursing care.

The nursing unit provides round-the-clock care under the direction of physicians, nurses and other licensed health care professionals.

Pennsylvania is home to 1.1 million veterans, and the state Department of Military and Veterans Affairs also operates state veterans homes in Hollidaysburg, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Scranton and Spring City.  The homes are available to all honorably discharged Pennsylvania veterans – and their spouses.  There is no income eligibility requirement.                      

If you would like a personal tour of the Soldiers' and Sailors' home or if you would like to volunteer, call (814) 871-4531.  (Or take an online photo tour at www.pssh.state.pa.us under "Photo Tour.")

Please keep in mind that even if the Erie facility doesn't have an immediate opening, veterans can apply to the Hollidaysburg site and transfer later.

The Soldiers' and Sailors' home is dedicated to providing veterans with long-term care in a safe and secure environment.  My recent tour of the facility with Commandant Stevenson and Director of State Veterans' Homes Paul Cain left me impressed.  More than a century after it began, the home continues to fulfill an evolving mission with professionalism and pride. 

As always, if you have questions on this or any state government matter, please do not hesitate to call my office at 814-453-2515.