Meet Joan: Active and Safe in Personal Care at Westminster Place

Joan never planned on living in a personal care home. She was happy living at home in suburban Pittsburgh. Well into her eighties, she hosted family gatherings with homemade desserts, drove herself regularly, and was active in her local Catholic church.

However, an unexpected accident changed everything. Suddenly, Joan was no longer able to go back home and take care of her lawn and flowers, or feed the birds, like she used to do.

Her four daughters arranged for a tour of Westminster Place, a personal care community in Oakmont from Presbyterian SeniorCare Network, choosing it because of exemplary care their father received years ago at a skilled nursing community on the same campus.

That was two years ago. Now, Joan can’t imagine living anywhere else.

“I didn't initially want to move out of the home I loved so much, but after a while, I really started to like it,” Joan said. “There’s a lot to do and I’ve made many friends. My daughters know I’m safe. The place is beautiful, the staff’s wonderful, and the residents are great.”

Joan’s favorite activities include dice games, sing-a-longs, card games, and cookouts on the patio. She enjoys visiting the resident store to buy household items. To keep her mind sharp, Joan and several of her friends challenge themselves by playing “Word Wipe,” a word-making game, on a large screen in the activity room, excitedly calling out clues and answers.

She attends exercise class six days a week and walks as often as she can along the landscaped yard. “I’m 91 years old,” Joan said. “We all need to exercise. I appreciate that so much. My daughters are very supportive of me walking, so they bought me a Rollator. I love that Rollator.

And she remains active spiritually. She attends weekly bible study and nondenominational service on Sunday, arriving early to distribute bulletins. After service, she assists Chaplain Mark with the preparations for afternoon tea. “Once a month, we have Catholic mass here, and I appreciate that so much,” she said.