“The safety and health of our residents and team members is of utmost priority at Peter Becker Community” says Barbara A. Keller, Vice President of Marketing and Sales at Peter Becker Community.
The most recent development in these efforts has been the release and distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine. We are happy to report that on January 3, 2021, we were able to vaccinate all Skilled Nursing residents as well as 140 employees, 13 TriValley medical professionals and 35 volunteers. The second shot for those vaccinated on January 3rd took place on January 24.
According to Suzanne Owens, CEO and president of Pete Becker Community, “The vaccine is our hope.”
Recently, Suzanne testified in a virtual hearing about the COVID-19 outbreak and crisis in Pennsylvania. It was held on February 4th before two Pennsylvania Senate committees. In the hearing, Suzanne talked about the COVID-19 outbreak that took place at Peter Becker Community in April of 2020 and urged the committee to do more to make the vaccine accessible and available to the most vulnerable community members.
“The reason I have come to you today, is to express the urgency needed of getting our seniors the COVID-19 vaccine. Unfortunately, the current distribution and administration system of the COVID-19 vaccine has failed our senior living communities,” Owens said in written testimony submitted prior to the hearing. “Not only have our seniors suffered immensely during this pandemic, due to the communal structure and services these communities provide that residents typically rely upon, but they are also at the highest risk of fatality. Whether they ever see their families and loved ones again rests on our ability to distribute the vaccine to this demographic. It is simply inhumane to allow our seniors to continue to live in isolation, or die because we were not able to get them a vaccine soon enough.”
At the hearing, Suzanne testified that although vaccinations have started, there are a lot of frustrations with the way and the pace at which it is happening. Peter Becker residents and employees who chose to get the vaccine have all had an opportunity to do so, but that hasn’t yet been the case at some other facilities in the state.
Another concern is that the state has not provided a system for vaccinating people moving into Peter Becker Community in the future. This could greatly impact our community moving forward, as our ultimate goal is to protect our residents and reduce your risk of exposure to COVID-19.
Even though the majority of Peter Becker Community residents and staff members have received the full two-shot round of vaccines, please know that we will continue to monitor the situation and follow guidelines to keep our community safe.
For more information about our procedures or to stay informed about our health and safety measures moving forward, please contact us at (215) 720-1087.
Your Moments Are at the Heart of What We Do
At Peter Becker Community, it’s our mission each day to celebrate your individuality, whether you reside here full-time or are here as a temporary resident of our Health Care Center. Our support and encouragement are always expressed one-on-one. As a Continuing Care Retirement Community, we provide an environment that empowers you to remain active and independent, while ensuring your future needs will always be met. As a not-for-profit community, we are focused exclusively on the well-being of our residents.
We offer a full range of services – from independent Residential Living, to Personal Care, to Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation services, to compassionate Memory Care in our secure Memory Care neighborhood. Life here is good – it’s enriched by the time, choices, connections and involvement you’ll discover at our Continuing Care Retirement Community.
With our spectrum of activities, amenities, dining options, maintenance-free living and so much more, you’ll discover you spend more time enjoying our lifestyle and less time worrying about the details of life. You’ll find choices to build a secure life, connections that build closeness, involvement in the world at large and time to explore it all.
For more information about the services provided at Peter Becker Community, or to schedule a personal visit to our Continuing Care Retirement Community in Montgomery county, please contact us at (215) 720-1087 to begin the conversation.