Rath secures funding for education center

A state grant through the New York State Senate has been awarded to help Beechwood Continuing Care grow throughout Western New York.

"Providing adequate care for our elderly population is an important goal to be shared by all," said Sen. Mary Lou Rath, R-Williamsville. "The changing requirements of long-term care providers and recipients need to be addressed. This is why am I proud to have been able to contribute

to Beechwood and their Welcome Home' culture transformation."

The $25,000 grant will help build an education center to train staff in the principles of resident directed care. It will also be used to train students and providers from across the state on how to replicate this model.

The effort, called Welcome Home, strives to constantly develop and train the current and future staff. The goal is for resident directed care to become the norm rather than the exception for the frail elderly of the state.

"This education center will support and advance the resident centered philosophy of care as well as fulfill Beechwood's commitment to share this new and innovative care model with other facilities in our community and beyond," said Robert Meiss, president and chief executive officer of Beechwood Continuing Care.