Revitalization Campaign
Campaign Status as of 2-5-2022: $425,306 of $500,000
The new bus has been purchased and all 369 of the new windows have been installed! The Doerr roof has been replaced and the new air handlers have been installed.
“I was hesitant to place my mother in a nursing home, until I walked into Arbutus Park Manor. The loving atmosphere of the Manor could be felt right away. It’s been two years, and I couldn’t be more pleased with the level of nursing compassion and tender care the entire staff provides to her. It is such a pleasure to visit not only with my mother, but with new friends as well, both residents and staff. The Johnstown area is truly blessed, as is my family, to have a place like Arbutus Park Manor, where quality care of the mind, body, and Christian spirit is an everyday experience”
— Dave Layman, Grateful Family Member
As we age, we want to maintain our independence, however, many of our area seniors ultimately realize they need care. It might be due to health reasons, living arrangements, or lack of a support system that is close to home. Whatever the reason, the care they receive should come from an independent, faith-based, non-profit care facility. That place is Arbutus Park Retirement Community. Arbutus has faithfully served area seniors for 45 years in a life enriching environment. Family and friends have peace of mind knowing their loved ones physical and spiritual needs are being met by a caring and supportive staff.
New Efficient Air Handler vs Existing Air Handler
Our Mission and Values
The mission of Arbutus Park Retirement Community is to provide quality care and services while nurturing the mind, body and spirit of adults in the Laurel Highlands while remaining an independent, non-profit, and faith-based organization.
History
Arbutus Park started as a campground in a wooded area that was used by the Conemaugh Valley Ministerial Association in 1904. Religious retreats and bible conferences were held through 1960. In 1967, after the union of the Methodist and Evangelical United Brethren Churches, the United Methodist District raised funds to start Arbutus Park Manor Nursing Home. Ground was broken in 1972 and Arbutus Park Manor opened for residents in June of 1973. Construction also began on independent living cottages in the 1970’s. The Manor building was enlarged over the following years to its’ current capacity of 35 personal care beds, 141 nursing beds, and over 80 independent living homes. In 2014, land was acquired a half mile away from the current campus, and Arbutus at Parker Ridge was developed for additional independent living homes. As of January 2019, Arbutus Park Manor has admitted and provided care for over 3,100 residents.
New Doerr Roof vs Existing Doerr Roof
Programs and Services
Arbutus Park Retirement Community is licensed by the Pennsylvania Department of Insurance as a Continuous Care Retirement Community. This means we provide different levels of service. We offer Independent Living options including townhouses, patio homes and cottages. Arbutus Park Manor is the heart of our campus. Inside the manor you will find a caring staff and volunteers assisting our personal care residents, intermediate and skilled nursing residents. We are known throughout the region for our Alzheimer and Memory Care Unit, “Crossroads.” This 42 bed unit provides a safe and secure living space for our residents to live their best life possible. Families know their loved one is safe and comforted during this challenging time. We also offer a comprehensive rehabilitation program that provides residents, as well as those on a short term rehab stay with occupational, physical and speech therapies to become stronger and happier. The shared commitment to outstanding health care for every person we serve is the foundation upon which all programs and services are built at Arbutus Park Retirement Community.
Equally important are life enhancing programs and services like pastoral care, wellness and activity programs, holiday events, and family picnics that are offered to benefit our residents’ physical, mental and spiritual health.
Remaining a non-profit, faith-based facility means we are focused on care before profit. It is in this spirit that the Arbutus Benevolent Care Fund was founded. This fund was put in place to provide continued care and comfort to residents who have outlived their financial means. Simply put, there has never been a resident who has had to leave Arbutus because of exhausted funds. It remains our Benevolent Care mission to make certain that when a resident decides to call Arbutus home, they will be able to rest well knowing Arbutus is home for the rest of their lives. In 2018, Arbutus provided $3,000,000 in benevolent care and unfunded care.
Arbutus has been awarded the designation of VA Community Nursing Home Services by the Department of Veteran Affairs and the 2019 Intalere Healthcare Achievement Award in the Financial and Operational Improvement for the “Certified Nursing Assistant Training Program.” It is worth noting that Arbutus was recognized for Healthiest Employees of Western Pennsylvania. Arbutus staff are special people and care for residents as if they were their own family.
New 15 Passenger Bus vs Existing Bus
The Challenge
Pennsylvania has the fourth largest percentage of seniors in the United States and that percentage is projected to continue to grow. To continue meeting the outstanding needs of our residents, to prepare ourselves for the future wave of those needing care, and to maintain our independence as the regions’ best non-profit, faith-based long term care facility, the Manor building itself needs revitalization.
New Energy-Efficient Window vs Existing Window:
2.9.22: 374 total windows, 230 complete, 144 to finish, 20 on order
The Solution
Through a careful and deliberate board of directors’ planning process and an energy audit performed by a professional engineering firm, Arbutus Park has identified some pressing improvement needs that include the following:
- Doerr Wing roof and air handling replacement $186,000.00
- Doerr and East Wings hot water and chiller pumps $ 20,000.00
- Energy Efficient windows throughout the Manor $130,000.00
- Security & Communication System $ 50,000.00
- New 15 passenger transport van $ 70,000.00
While these capital improvements are not all-inclusive, these major projects identify some of the primary and pressing needs Arbutus is facing to move us into the future. The total investment for this revitalization plan is approximately $500,000.
The physical improvement of our facilities is vital to fulfilling our healing mission and allows us to concentrate on remaining the premier non-profit, independent, faith-based, continuous care facility in the Laurel Highlands. This need presents us with an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of the aging population and their families. We know that you share our concern for our community.
Please join us in helping those we serve – now and in the future.
Feel free to contact our Administrator, Rick Wilson, for more information. Pledges and donations can be made through the Community Foundation at this link.