Saxonburg senior care facilities revitalized
SAXONBURG — Two senior care facilities are now under the direction of a pair of family members long known for helping residents in their golden years.
Elmcroft of Saxonburg at 100 Bella Court is now owned by Kelly Waldman and has been renamed Magnolia Place.
Saxony Health Center at 223 Pittsburgh St. was purchased by her father, Hal Waldman, and is now known by two names. The Orchards of Saxonburg houses those needing skilled nursing care and Seasons of Saxony those with memory issues or who need personal assistance with daily tasks such as bathing and medical management.
Magnolia Place, Kelly Waldman said, offers 64 beds in the personal care section and 20 beds in Magnolia Village, which is the memory care unit.
The sale was completed Thursday, and Kelly and her staff members are working around the clock to provide a seamless transition to the residents.
The personal care side of Magnolia Village provides assistance with the activities of daily living, such as medication management, as well as transportation to doctor's appointments, nutrition, laundry and other tasks, Kelly said.
One difference residents and their families will notice, she said, is the level of care provided.
“The quality of the care is going to immediately improve,” Kelly said.
Kelly, whose educational background is in the medical field, pursued her license to operate a personal care home because of her family's history.
“My family has been in personal care for the last 40 years,” she said. “It's something I've grown up around.”
Kelly said the entire Magnolia Place staff is community oriented and wants the best for those living at the facility.
“We're excited to get in there and just start making a difference in the patients' care,” she said.
Her father, Hal, said his family bought Saxony Health Center in 1983 and owned it until 1999.
After the sale, Hal worked as a professional attorney, manufacturer and in capital development before returning to the senior care field Jan. 1 2018, when he bought back Saxony Health Center.
“Taking care of the elderly is really a calling, and it allows you to feel good about yourself,” he said.
Under its original Waldman ownership, Saxony Health Center grew from a small, 50-bed personal care home to a well-respected facility of more than 120 beds.
He said his former administrator, Margie Hankey, moved into her old place of employment as a resident after Hal Waldman bought it back last year.
“How ironic is that?” Hal said. “She was a tremendous administrator.”
The Orchards of Saxonburg and Seasons of Saxony boast a nursing care unit of 68 beds, a personal care section with 30 units, and a memory care facility with 18 units.
The entire facility was renovated and updated over the past year to state-of-the-art status, Hal said.
The original farmhouse portion of the facility was completely gutted and refurbished. Work will be complete in a few months.
“I bought it again because I had such fond memories of it,” he said. “We were really happy to come in here and renovate it.”
He said residents will notice that he has hired 10 to 15 more employees to more efficiently serve their needs.
“We are trying to intensify the nursing care for the people,” Hal said. “You can have the nicest buildings in the world, but if you're not doing a good job on care, it's no good.”
He is also a co-owner of Rosebrook Personal Care Home on Route 356 in Buffalo Township.
“I just feel it's a worthy calling to take care of the elderly,” Hal said.
