Care & Clinical Services

Types of Care
Clinical Services
Services Included in Monthly Fee
Services Available at Extra Charge
Paying For Long-Term Care

Canterbury Place offers a continuum of care, on either a temporary or permanent basis, to help residents maintain their independence and dignity in a secure environment.

Although we offer many levels of care, we strive to help our assisted-living residents remain independent as long as possible. We’ve found that with a little support, our residents can stay active, healthy, and independent in their own living quarters for many years. This philosophy is known as “aging in place.” To help support our residents, we work cooperatively with UPMC Home Care, a home health care provider. UPMC Home Care nurses can be called upon to visit our residents, assess their needs, and provide appropriate services.

Types of Care

Basic Care
This level is for independent residents who desire basic hospitality services: three meals a day, housekeeping, and linen and laundry service. Independent residents enjoy a gracious lifestyle with the peace of mind that comes with knowing they have a place to call home even if their care needs begin to increase.

Assisted Living
Assisted Living encompasses the services of Basic Care but also includes assistance with routines that are a part of daily living. There are three personal care packages available to Canterbury Place residents. A resident’s level is determined by a professional evaluation at the time of admission and periodically thereafter.

Level One: Minimal Assistance
Services may include any or all of the following:

• ordering and storage of resident’s medications

• assistance with remembering or administration of medications

• securing transportation to any type of activity

• assistance with making and/or keeping appointments

Level Two: Personal Hygiene
Services include Level One services and any or all of the following:

• bathing

• oral hygiene

• hair grooming

• dressing or undressing

• shaving

Level Three: Functional Assistance
Services may include Level One and Level Two services and any or all of the following:

• help with getting in or out of bed

• assistance with prosthetic devices

• help with ambulation

• assistance with eating

• escorting to meals or activities

• help with personal hygiene -- specifically, to toileting

Comfort Care
Comfort Care is a special program designed for residents of Canterbury Place who have a life-limiting illness. Comfort care offers a range of palliative care and hospice services that enhance comfort, dignity, and quality of life for our residents. Palliative care focuses on providing treatment, minimizing pain, and offering support to residents with a life-limiting illness who are still seeking treatment. Hospice services are available as part of the palliative care program. The purpose of hospice is to provide care and support for people with life-limiting illness who are focusing on comfort rather than cure. Hospice services are provided at Canterbury Place by staff of Family Hospice and Palliative Care,a Pittsburgh-based non-profit hospice provider.

Dementia Care
We offer specialized care for residents dealing with short-term memory loss and dementia-related illnesses, including Alzheimer’s disease. Care plans, activity programs, decorations, and mealtimes are all designed to cue associations, to stimulate residents, and to help residents be as independent as possible. This care is provided in Harmony Hall, a self-contained unit with its own dining room, activity areas, and outdoor garden. For the safety of residents who wander, the unit is secured by limited access to elevators and stairways.

Intermediate and Skilled Nursing Care
Licensed by the Pennsylvania Department of Health and certified by Medicare, Canterbury Place offers intermediate-level and skilled care that is as personalized as it is professional. The 59-bed unit is staffed by licensed professionals, including registered nurses; physical, speech, and occupational therapists; and a physician assistant. A UPMC geriatrician is on call 24 hours each day. Residents actively participate in therapeutic recreational programs on a daily basis.

Rehabilitation and Functional Wellness Programs
Our rehabilitation and functional wellness programs are designed to help maintain and enhance the functional independence of our residents. The Skilled Rehab Program and Nursing Restorative Program services are available by physician referral and are for residents who are recovering from an acute illness or who have changes in their ability to function. Our Functional Wellness Program services also are available by physician referral. These services seek to help residents maintain their current level of function and include modified tai chi, flexibility exercises, and more.

All residents can take advantage of the Activities and Fitness Program without a doctor’s referral. This program includes group exercise, chair volleyball and aerobics, and bowling, and the cost is included in room and board.

Respite Care
Respite stays at Canterbury Place are temporary living arrangements that may last from one day to two months. Respite care at Canterbury Place allows older adults to receive the level of care they need, whether it’s independent living, personal care, dementia care, or nursing. Respite residents are welcome to participate in all activities held on- and off-site, and they receive all other services provided to permanent residents. A respite stay also may be used as a bridge to permanent residence.

Clinical Services
UPMC Senior Care-Benedum Geriatric Center has an office at Canterbury Place. This gives residents, regardless of their level of care, on-site access to:

Medical Care -- the services of a medical team of two board-certified geriatricians and a nurse practicitioner

Dental Care -- the services of a dentist who teaches at the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine and a dental hygienist

Eye Care -- the services of an ophthalmologist from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine

Psychiatric Care -- the services of a psychiatrist, a psychiatric nurse, and a psychiatric social worker from the Benedum Geriatric Center

Outpatient Rehabilitative Services -- physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech and hearing therapy by qualified clinicians from Community Rehabilitation Services and the Center for Assistive Technology, both part of UPMC

Social Services -- the services of a team of social workers led by the director of Resident and Family Services

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