A Community Within A Community
Friendship Village of South Hills
For more information about the author, click to view their website: Friendship Village of South Hills
Jul 31, 2023
Pennsylvania - Greater Pittsburgh Area
Beautifully nestled within the majestic hills and lush greenery of Upper St. Clair is a community within a community known as Friendship Village of South Hills, a senior living community. Here the activities are abundant, the friendships are forever, and peace of mind is a common theme among the residents who call Friendship Village of South Hills home. These friendships now carry into assisted living and memory care, the newest additions to the Friendship Village of South Hills community.
Married more than 40 years, John and Jeri Williams describe the path that led them to living at Friendship Village of South Hills as truly unique. Jeri’s father once lived in the skilled nursing suites and she will never forget the exceptional care he received. Jeri and John remember fondly taking Jeri’s father to the train tracks near campus to watch the trains go by. Many years later when John and Jeri made the decision to move to Friendship Village of South Hills, they chose an apartment that overlooks those same train tracks. It brings tears to Jeri’s eye when she speaks about it. John and Jeri observed the construction process of the new addition at the community, consisting of 50 assisted living and 32 memory care apartments, with great hope. John began to see a need for additional care, and they are thankful they can stay at Friendship Village of South Hills, while also receiving the advanced care they need. Shortly after opening, John moved to assisted living and eventually transitioned to memory care. Jeri stayed in their independent living home and continues to visit John every day. The full continuum of care allows Jeri to still enjoy her hobbies, knowing that John is receiving the care he needs. “I don’t see myself living [anywhere else]. I see Friendship Village of South Hills as my family. I am very comfortable here,” explains Jeri. “We [the community and Jeri] were successful together to help John get back to doing things that were automatic. His quality of life has increased due to the number of assigned team members to help him with his daily living activities, as well as all of the activities and socialization.” John added that his favorite part about Friendship Village of South Hills right now is the happy hour.
“We provide peace of mind and a sense of security to our residents and their loved ones because we offer all levels of living,” explains Upper St. Clair native, Jessica Ciancio, director of assisted living and memory care. Executive director Bryan Welty noted, “Many of our residents live in the same geographical region as their adult children with access to our full continuum of care in a luxurious setting.” “Assisted living residents enjoy modern, spacious apartments with an abundance of natural lighting and plenty of common spaces for friendships to blossom. Outdoor courtyards offer an al fresco dining option that overlook the natural beauty of Upper St. Clair. Memory care private apartment suites and common areas provide ample natural lighting, a testament to the attention to detail the community performed to ensure each resident is well provided for, both mentally and physically. A family-style kitchen and dining area assists with sparking smells of familiar home-cooked meals. Residents can do chair yoga or participate in a variety of fitness classes. They can also plant gardens of flowers and vegetables among the fountains in the outdoor courtyards.
Stanley Buswell grew up one mile from Friendship Village of South Hills. He and his wife, Carol, have four kids, ten grandchildren, and seven great grandchildren. Stanley and Carol began to need extra care, but wanted to keep their active lifestyle. Their decisions to move to Friendship Village of South Hills was the best thing they could have done. Stanley explained, “The [team members] here are unbelievable. They are so patient and kind. There’s always someone there to help with anything, often going above and beyond.” He doesn’t know what he would do without the team member support. Stanley lives in assisted living, while Carol resident in memory care. Stanley visits Carol daily and enjoys having dinner with her every night. Stanley described his favorite thing here is, “making friends and the lifestyle we have. It’s family here.”
Resident Anne Hoffman is a humble woman and is immensely proud of her five wonderful children, 15 grandchildren, and four great grandchildren. While touring the brand-new assisted living area with her daughters, Anne immediately knew Friendship Village of South Hills was the right place for her to call home. Anne is originally from Pittsburgh and received her degree in secretarial work from Ohio University. After school, she helped run the family business with her late husband until she was 82 years old! In recent years, she started to notice a decline in her eyesight and knew she needed extra help, especially with her medications. After she fell and broke her hip, she decided it was not safe for her to live alone anymore and moved into assisted living. “Friendship Village of South Hills gives me confidence knowing that someone is here to check on me,” said Anne. “I have my independence, but also the security that someone is here.” At 95 years of age, Anne still enjoys taking her daily walks and sitting outside on the benches. She loves the activities at Friendship Village of South Hills and regularly participates in chair yoga. She plays bridge and gin rummy nightly with some friends she has made. “I always want to participate in activities. It’s what keeps you young,” said Anne. She also enjoys attending church services. Something that stood out about this place to her daughters was that the team members listen to the residents’ families and they truly care about what they think and how they feel. “The team here works with you and they are very accommodating. We are thankful mom is here,” agreed all four daughters.
Unlike other senior living communities, Friendship Village of South Hills does not have a large community fee for assisted living and memory care. Linda McCaig, former resident council president, agrees that Friendship Village of South Hills celebrates the lives of seniors. As a generational Pittsburgh family with three children, Linda who resides in independent living, knows the community better than anyone else. Her mother was one of the first to put a deposit down for an apartment, back in 1984, and Linda was once the marketing director and activities coordinator for Friendship Village of South Hills. “We have something that no one else offers—we care about one another,” she stated. “The friendships are warm and deep here.” When asked what she would like the community of Upper St. Clair to know about this place, Linda replied, “We’d like people to come and see it for themselves, and that we welcome everyone. Our residents are also happy to have our new assisted living and memory care building and have the peace of mind knowing we have access should we ever need it. We know many others can benefit from it and the lifestyle offered here at Friendship Village of South Hills.”
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Friendship Village of South Hills
Skilled Nursing 1290 Boyce Rd, Upper Saint Clair, Pennsylvania, 15241Heal. Recover. Thrive. Like a winding river, life has many ebbs and flows. At Friendship Village of South Hills, we understand this natural evolution, and we offer assistance for you or your loved one through trying times. Should those times come, know that you won't have to let go of the comforts and passions that make life meaningful. You can always expect exceptional care in our modern and welcoming surroundings.
Friendship Village of South Hills
Independent Living 1290 Boyce Rd, Upper Saint Clair, Pennsylvania, 15241Located on 73 beautiful acres in Upper St. Clair, in the South Hills area of Pittsburgh, PA, Friendship Village is the perfect community for those who enjoy the resources and attractions of big-city life, but prefer to live in the more serene atmosphere of a small town. Here youll find like-minded individuals who share your down-to-earth attitude as well as your curiosity, creativity and desire for growth. And youll find a multitude of opportunities to make this community your own.Choices abound here. Apartment home or Carriage Home? Formal dining or something more casual? Take a painting class or a community trip to the art museum? Swap stories with friends in the pub or challenge them to a round of golf? Maybe its all the above because when you live at Friendship Village, what you do every day is only up to you.