Golden Living Center in Murrysville is giving university students hands-on experience working with patients.
The nursing center has hosted eight students this year. Students work with about eight patients each day on treatments such as physical and speech therapy.
Colleen Eperesi, a student at the University of Pittsburgh working toward her master's degree in occupational therapy, said she works with patients on activities needed for daily independent living.
"Our goal is to get them back to their prior level of functionality," Eperesi said.
Laura Brust, another student at the University of Pittsburgh is earning her master's degree in communication sciences and disorders. She works with patients to improve their speech and communication skills.
"We do a lot of feeding and watch residents eat to look for signs of aspiration," Brust said.
Michele McDonald, a physical therapy student at Penn State DuBois, said working at the facility has given her the chance to work with new kinds of treatment. That includes the MIST Therapy System for wound care, which is not available in more rural areas.
"I decided I wanted to come closer to Pittsburgh and see a bigger facility," McDonald said.
Eperesi said seeing patients improve and reach their goals makes working at the center a rewarding experience.
"It means so much for them to be able to care for themselves," Eperesi said.
Cara Lekovitch, occupational therapist at the facility, said the students benefit patients and staff. She said the new training and enthusiasm they bring to the job can help move patients closer to independence.
"They're often able to pick up on impairments or deficiencies that we might have missed the first time around," Lekovitch said.
Anthony Matarazzo, a patient at the facility, said he has been impressed with how the students have worked with him and other patients. He said their goal of improving their patients' health is being achieved.
"I can feel myself getting stronger," he said.
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