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Pittsburgh and Patriotism Go Hand-in-Hand

Situated less than 10 miles from downtown Pittsburgh in Allegheny County, the Southwestern Veterans’ Center (SWVC) is far enough from the city that residents can enjoy a quiet, tranquil living, but is only a short drive away from all the history, culture and entertainment a large city has to offer.

 

Before ever setting foot into the home visitors are greeted by an island of American flags prominently flying high at the main entrance as if they are waving and welcoming veterans and their families. The patriotic feel continues throughout the inside of the home, highlighted by a hallway lined by military photos and a Purple Heart mural in the activities room that reminds everyone that heroes live here.

 

Patriotic symbols are not the only way our residents are honored. SWVC provides exceptional care for its residents thanks to a professional staff -- many of whom are veterans -- who proudly come to work each day excited and are honored to take care of true American heroes. Visits to the home by current service members and from representatives of local veteran service organizations are very common and provide a constant reminder that our residents are thought about often throughout the Pittsburgh community.

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Living Here

An Active Lifestyle With All The Comforts

Residents at SWVC enjoy an active lifestyle with a full schedule of organized programs from ceramics and bingo, to gardening and a walking program. For residents looking for personal time, the home offers a chapel, canteen snack shop, barber and beautician services, and a library. The SWVC provides plenty of comfortable outdoor space on the large paved patio shaded by trees, at any number of picnic tables surrounded by the lush green grounds, or under the large pavilion -- perfect for anyone looking to relax and enjoy fresh air.

Southwestern Veterans' Home Amenities

Furnished Modern Bedroom

We take great pride in providing all the comforts of home, and that includes a personal living space that residents can personalize with their military treasures, family photos and favorite quilts. Each furnished room provides a safe and cheerful area for residents to retreat to for relaxation or for a good night’s sleep after a busy day.

Medical Services

The health of our residents is a top priority. That is why we have a medical director and a staff of dedicated clinicians who provide a continuum of health care that addresses all aspects of the treatment plan for our residents.

Pharmacist standing at a table counting pills

Quick and convenient care is important to our residents. An on-site licensed pharmacist and qualified staff helps to provide a full range of pharmacy services to assure that our residents receive the medications they need for healthy living.

Therapist

Each home provides physical, occupational and speech therapy tailored to the specific health needs of residents. The supervised exercises and training use advanced techniques and equipment so that each resident can reach their highest level of independence as quickly as possible.

24 hour medical services

Key to our team is a well-trained and caring nursing staff, and that is exactly what you find at our homes 24 hours a day. Our nurses work together to tailor a care plan that takes into consideration the unique dietary, social and spiritual needs of each resident.

Recreation and Leisure

Residents at our homes can choose from a wide variety of social events, scheduled outings or more independent activities. Whether its bingo or billiards at the home, attending a professional sports game or going on a shopping trip, to just enjoying a good book under an outdoor pavilion, our residents lead active and diverse lives.

Dietary Staff

Good nutrition is vital to our residents’ well-being. That’s why a professional food service manager and clinical dietitian at each home take great pleasure in providing well-balanced meals that can be modified to address individual dietary and therapeutic needs.

Women socializing

For times when our residents need someone to talk to for any gamut of issues they may deal with in their personal lives or even connected to their military service, the certified professionals in our Social Services Department are available to provide counseling, conversation, problem-solving and information on community resources.

Spiritual Services

We recognize that spirituality is important to our residents. Each of our homes features an in-house chapel, along with chaplains who conduct religious services and who are also available to any resident in need of spiritual counseling or fellowship.

Barber

Our residents never forget their military roots and the importance of personal grooming. Every home is staffed with a licensed barber and beautician for those times when a hair appointment is just the thing our residents need to feel good about themselves.

Security Guard

​The safety of our residents is our No. 1 priority. A staff of security officers ensures protection, emergency responses and a safe environment to all residents and employees on a 24-hour basis, seven days a week.

Transportation

​Our homes are equipped with vans and buses to transport residents to local community activities for that fun get-away or a nearby medical appointment. Some vehicles are even equipped with adaptive devices to accommodate those with limited mobility.

Volunteers

​Volunteers are a vital part of our team and play an important role in the well-being of our residents. They assist with activities and field trips, distributing mail, making one-on-one visits, escorting wheelchair-bound residents to activities, assisting residents at mealtimes, reading to residents, and much more!

Additional Services

​In addition to the availability of cable TV and Internet, each home has a charming library and snack bar/gift shop commonly known as the “Canteen.”

est. 1997

Serving PA Veterans for Over 23 Years

236

Total Number of Beds at SWVC

333

Dedicated Clinical and Professional Staff

11,720

Hours Donated in 2018 by 676 Volunteers

Levels of Care at SWVC

Southwestern Veterans' Center provide residents with the care and support they need in order to live an active and healthy life with as much independence as possible. The Veterans Homes offer levels of care tailored to the specific health needs of our residents and are supplemented with an array of clinical services that include: medical, clinical, and nursing services; drug and nutritional therapy; rehabilitative service such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, and recreational therapy; dental services; and social services. Below are the specific levels of care available at the SWVC.

 

Skilled Nursing Care


Memory Care

Honoring Our Heroes

A Community That Offers Fun and Excitement

Living a fun, active lifestyle goes beyond the SWVC grounds for our residents, who can find plenty of fun and exploration thanks to being part of the Steel City community. Popular attractions for residents include the Senator John Heinz History Center, National Aviary, Carnegie Museum of Natural History, Pittsburgh Public Theater, Scally’s Golf and Training Center, and the Pittsburgh Penguins, Steelers and Pirates professional sports teams.

 

Our residents love to stay connected to their military roots, often visiting the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall and Museum and the USS Requin Submarine at the Carnegie Science Center, while taking time to honor fellow veterans by visiting the WWII Veterans Memorial. Each year, our residents stand tall while showing their military pride when participating in the Lawrenceville and Sharpsburg Memorial Day parades, and they always look forward to the annual veterans Caring Boat Cruise on the Gateway Clipper.

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The housekeeping staff works very hard to ensure the entire place is clean."

-John, SWVC Resident

Schedule Your Tour Today!

Email or call us to talk more!
Email Us: ra-mv-swvc-contact@pa.gov
Call Us: 412-665-6706

Southwestern Veterans' Center, 7060 Highland Dr., Pittsburgh, PA 15206

Abraham Lincoln
Honor to the soldier and sailor everywhere, who bravely bears his country’s cause. Honor, also, to the citizen who cares for his brother in the field and serves, as he best can, the same cause.”

Abraham Lincoln
American statesman and lawyer
served as the 16th president of the United States