Images provided by: County of Lehigh Public Information Office
(Allentown, PA)- Local dignitaries, staff, residents and elected officials gathered at Cedarbrook Senior Care and Rehabilitation Center for a celebration of the facility’s 175th year of existence on May 14th, 2019.
Jason Cumello, NHA, MBA and Cedarbrook Administrator, opened with a discussion of what a nursing home is and what it means for a community.
“These places are often a lot more than medical care. Living in a nursing home is another destination in the journey of life. It’s where you meet new friends. It’s where you rediscover old friends. It’s sometimes even where you reconnect with long-lost siblings,” Cumello said. “It’s a place where you may even reconnect to your faith. And, most importantly, it’s a place where you also can have a lot of fun with games, entertainment, and outings,” he concluded.
Cumello described the rich history of nursing home residents, including the many veterans who call Cedarbrook home. One current resident, Jean Larison, the president of the Resident Council, is a former employee of Cedarbrook herself.
Larison, who read several poems, discussed the importance of the facility still providing high quality care. She described the experience of working in the facility and going on to calling it home.
Lehigh County Commissioner Brad Osborne, who presented a proclamation to the Cedarbrook staff along with Commissioners Hartzell, Zanelli, Holt, and Board Chair Marty Nothstein, also discussed his experience with facility residents.
Osborne recalled a Fountain Hill resident who, upon learning of his love for 70’s music, offered to make him a music album of prominent songs.
“That gentleman is no longer with us today, but that memory will remain with me forever,” said Commissioner Osborne.
The offices of Senators Pat Toomey and Bob Casey, Congresswoman Susan Wild, as well as State Senator Pat Browne were also represented by staff who provided proclamations and commendations.
County Executive Armstrong concluded remarks by reaffirming the county’s commitment to keeping Cedarbrook open for generations to come.
“Today Cedarbrook stands as more than just a Senior Care and Rehabilitation Center; it is our county safety net. This is about human dignity; it’s about the lives we can change, families we can help and the difference we can make. Lehigh County will forever stand by its commitment to care for the vulnerable and protect the powerless. It is an obligation we will not fail to uphold,” said Armstrong.
Executive Armstrong, in conjunction with his colleagues on the Board of Commissioners, recently approved a resolution calling for the construction of a new E-wing. It calls for 473 beds at the South Whitehall Facility and 197 in the Fountain Hill Location.
Today’s celebration is also occurring during National Nursing Home week, a national recognition of the importance that nursing homes play in caring for society’s elderly.
Information provided to TVL by:
Joshua Siegel
Public Information Officer
County of Lehigh, Office of the County Executive
17 S. 7th Street, 4th Floor, Suite 436
Allentown, PA 18101
www.lehighcounty.org
