PINE TOWNSHIP

Orchard Manor started construction of a new $4 million Alzheimer's unit and personal car assisted living addition to the Pine Township nursing home.

The first phase, which will contain the Alzheimer's center, is expected to be completed this fall with the personal care assisted living addition to follow in the spring. The entire addition will be 19,000 square feet. Orchard Manor currently offers skilled nursing care.

Plans call for the Alzheimer's center to house 25 residents with all but one of the rooms being semi-private, said Diane Robinson, administrator for Orchard Manor. She said the unit will offer nursing and therapeutic care to residents with Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia. Local chapters of the Alzheimer's Association will assist in training staff members and creating programs for residents.

The personal care section will have 14 units, most of them being private rooms. This section will have a dining, lounge and garden area.

"Our employees helped in the designing of this project at all levels,'' Ms. Robinson said.

Currently Orchard Manor is updating all central shower rooms and are adding flower boxes outside of resident's rooms.

Ligo Architects of Slippery Rock is the architect for the project while Uhl Construction Co., Allison Park, is the general contractor.

Orchard Manor is run on behalf of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows Rebekhas, a social and fraternal organization.