Phoebe Berks Receives Alzheimer’s Foundation of America Distinction Certification

Wernersville, PA – Phoebe Berks, 1 Reading Drive, earned the status of The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America Excellence in Care Program of Distinction.  As of September 2013, Phoebe Ministries operates six memory support communities of only ten in Pennsylvania that have achieved the Excellence in Care status from the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America. Phoebe was the first organization in Pennsylvania to achieve this status.

The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA) developed Excellence of Care to partner with care settings in the establishment of a nationwide standard of excellence in care for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease or related dementias. AFA’s program assists facilities in reaching the highest standards of care for people with dementia and serves as a resource to caregivers searching for the best facility for their loved ones.

“Our memory support staff  work very hard to provide our residents with the best quality of care and a dignified quality of life,” comments Mary Kay McMahon, Executive Director of Phoebe Berks. “This distinction is a seal of approval from a national organization that sets very high standards for memory support care. It is an honor to have our programs recognized in this way.”

Phoebe Berks offers memory support services at three different levels of care:
• Tranquility Place Adult Day Programming provides services to meet each individual’s needs and allows seniors to continue to live at home while participating in a day program.
• Village Gardens Personal Care memory support has a specialized activity program for those who benefit from memory support services and require a moderate amount of assistance with various activities of daily living. 
• The Chateau offers Skilled Nursing memory support and is designed for residents with mid to late stages of Alzheimer’s disease or a dementia related diagnosis.

In 2008, Phoebe Allentown’s Bridgeways neighborhood was the first community in Pennsylvania to receive the distinction. In 2010, Phoebe Richland Health Care Center met the requirements and was the second Phoebe community to receive the distinction. In 2012, Phoebe Allentown’s newly-created memory support neighborhood, Legacy Place, was also awarded the Program of Distinction designation. Phoebe Ministries is excited to add Phoebe Berks to our lineup of award-winning memory support facilities.

More information about the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America Excellence in Care Program of Distinction can be found at www.excellenceincare.org. For more information about Phoebe’s nationally recognized dementia care visit www.phoebe.org/memorysupport.

Phoebe Ministries is a non-profit, multi-facility organization specializing in healthcare, housing, and support services for seniors. Founded in 1903 and affiliated with the United Church of Christ, Phoebe Ministries offers a full continuum of care to suit the diverse needs of senior adults. Located in seven Pennsylvania counties and serving thousands of seniors annually, Phoebe features four continuing care retirement communities, eight affordable housing facilities, and two pharmacies. For over a century Phoebe’s tradition of excellence and passion for caring have made us the leader in care for senior adults and their family members.