Indiana, PA - Beacon Ridge, a not-for-profit skilled nursing and rehabilitation center, remains committed to serving our residents, staff, and family members during this difficult time. We have been following Covid-19 since its inception and taking a proactive approach to keep our residents, staff, and families safe and educated as this unfolds.
Beacon Ridge located in Indiana, PA, is adhering to the numerous preventative measures required to protect residents residing in nursing facilities set forth by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Pennsylvania Department of Health (PA DOH), along with other federal, state, and local authorities. A few of those measures are to restrict visitation for all non-essential visitors; with some very limited exceptions, implementing active screening for all essential people entering the building and limiting group gatherings in all Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNF) across the Commonwealth to protect the susceptible senior population. Beacon Ridge is following this guidance and is devoted to maintain open communication to families, visitors, and friends through this challenging time.
Our nursing, dining and activity professionals have been busy ensuring our residents are engaged and are still able to communicate with loved ones via phone, Skype, and other means of communication. Beacon is able to become creative in some areas of the building by offering exterior safe areas where families/friends can come see their loved one through our large window area. Since social distancing is in place, this method of communication is somewhat limited to the number of people that can participate at a time but this is a great option. “This current pandemic is truly an unfortunate situation for our residents, but we are trying to be creative to ensure daily life enrichments opportunities for our residents. We are devoted to see our residents SMILE.” states Leah McAndrews, Nursing Home Administrator at Beacon Ridge.
Beacon Ridge would like to invite the community to participate in our SMILE Project. “As a not-for-profit organization, Beacon is blessed to have many volunteers and entertainment groups, churches that add smiles and life enrichment of our residents,” shares Ms. McAndrews. Beacon is inviting the community to help with this endeavor. With many students now at home from school, students of all ages can share their talents. This could be an educational opportunity for the school aged children. They can record themselves as they practice for their spring musical performances; record themselves as they demonstrate their science project; reading their favorite stories; make greeting cards; write a story or letter. Beacon is asking church groups who are still holding small group bible studies and/or churches to recording their Sunday church message. Those all could be recorded and shared with residents. Also, family members could drop off photo albums or recent pictures of family members. There are many other opportunities which the community can help brighten a day and bring a SMILE to the residents.
“Our facility continues to diligently stay abreast of all the changes and guidance regarding the Coronavirus. We take our commitment to care for our residents very seriously and continue to work closely with all the appropriate agencies on a daily basis,” states Ms. McAndrews.
Beacon has established a News & Updates section on their website BeaconRidge.net and will be utilizing their social media platforms such as Facebook to keep families and friends updated as this situation unfolds. Please join our Facebook group. Additional inquiries can be directed to the Administrator by calling (724) 349-5300.