Aliquippa, PA, (November 30, 2010) – Lutheran SeniorLife and Heritage Valley Health System are pleased to announce a proposed joint venture with CJ Betters Enterprises to implement a GREEN HOUSE® model expansion of LIFE Beaver County into the former Aliquippa Hospital site.

A GREEN HOUSE® is a de-institutionalization effort of senior care programming supported by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation to restore individuals to a home in the community. The program is leading the transformation of long-term care by creating an intentional community that directly supports a culture of abundant life so that each person can reach their highest potential.

“Lutheran SeniorLife and LIFE Beaver County have been awarded the opportunity to enter into the analysis phase to develop a GREEN HOUSE® home,” said David Fenoglietto, president and CEO of Lutheran SeniorLife. “We would be the first program to integrate THE GREEN HOUSE® model into a Program for All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) or Living Independently for the Elderly (LIFE) program.”

THE GREEN HOUSE® home is a self-contained residence, designed like a private home, housing up to 10 residents. The physical space is not meant to be “homelike” but to be home for residents needing skilled level of care. One unique feature in this home is that it is staffed by self-managed work teams that share all care and household responsibilities.
“Our intent is to integrate this model into the existing joint venture between Lutheran SeniorLife and Heritage Valley around the LIFE Beaver County program so that when a LIFE enrollee needs nursing home care, THE GREEN HOUSE® can be an available resource. This new model provides a natural environment that promotes a meaningful and fulfilling experience,” said Norm Mitry, president and CEO of Heritage Valley Health System.

The model is intended to:

  • Create an environment where staff can engage in meaningful relationships and activities with residents;
  • Combine small homes to de-institutionalize care and create intentional communities;
  • Honor autonomy and choice; and
  • Provide supports and safeguards to improve health outcomes.

There are 24 organizations in 16 states that have developed a GREEN HOUSE® model home and 17 more organizations are in either the analysis or development phase.

The proposed expansion builds upon the successful joint venture between Heritage Valley and Lutheran SeniorLife, LIFE Beaver County located in Center Township. With 192 persons enrolled, LIFE Beaver County is a community-based program designed to provide an alternative to nursing home care, helping to restore and preserve adult independence for older individuals who wish to remain in their homes or who choose to live with family members.

C.J. Betters Enterprises acquired the Aliquippa Community Hospital site in July of 2009. "A number of organizations toured and analyzed the existing structure for other uses, but given the age of the facility and the older infrastructure of the building, it was cost prohibitive to retro-fit the existing building for other uses," stated Charles J. Betters, Chief Executive Officer of C.J. Betters Enterprises.

Additionally, C.J. Betters Enterprises and Heritage Valley Health System are in early discussions regarding the construction of a new outpatient facility in the Aliquippa Community Hospital area that would include urgent care, primary and specialty physician care, physical therapy and an array of outpatient diagnostic services.

About Lutheran SeniorLife
Lutheran SeniorLife is western Pennsylvania's premier provider of senior living and health care communities. Now in our second century of caring for seniors, our Christian faith-based ministry is the cornerstone of our mission — helping seniors live a full and abundant life in a setting that promotes wellness and independence. In addition to residential and assisted living communities. Lutheran SeniorLife provides a comprehensive array of health and wellness services for seniors, including: home health care, rehabilitation services and this region's premier Alzheimer's care program. Additional information about Lutheran SeniorLife and LIFE Beaver County is available online at www.lutheranseniorlife.org.

About Heritage Valley Health System
Heritage Valley Health System provides comprehensive healthcare for residents of Allegheny, Beaver, Butler and Lawrence counties, in Pennsylvania; eastern Ohio; and the panhandle of West Virginia. In partnership with more than 400 physicians, Heritage Valley offers a broad range of medical, surgical and diagnostic services at its two hospitals, Heritage Valley Beaver and Heritage Valley Sewickley; in physician offices; and community satellite facilities. Additional information about Heritage Valley Health System is available online at www.heritagevalley.org.

About C.J. Betters Enterprises
C. J. Betters Enterprises is a multifaceted organization active in the fields of construction and construction management; real estate development; property management; and industrial redevelopment including Brownfield reclamation. C. J. Betters Enterprises encompasses several affiliated companies including C. J. Betters Real Estate, Inc.; Bet-Tech Construction Co., Inc. and Beaver Valley Slag, Inc. through which it manages all of its mining, demolition, development, construction and property management operations. C. J. Betters Enterprises acquired the former Aliquippa Hospital out of bankruptcy in July 2009 with the hope of maintaining it as a health care facility to serve the Aliquippa, Hopewell and Center Township communities. C. J. Betters Enterprises is proud to be working with Heritage Valley Health System and Lutheran SeniorLife to bring cutting edge, innovative senior living to the area.