Highlands Hospital serving several counties with renovated behavior health unit

The Westmoreland Behavioral Health Administration provided grant funds for the renovation because of the needs in both Fayette and Westmoreland counties; Highlands responded to the administration’s search to create the extended stay unit.

Pitt research could be a big step in tying exercise to healthy, older brain

Awaiting one of her regular exercise workouts on the University of Pittsburgh’s upper campus, 70-year-old Julie Murphy winced when describing forgetful moments that have begun plaguing her in a way that never occurred decades ago.

Consumer advocate’s efforts recognized by Westinghouse retiree group

Mary Bach of Murrysville was recognized recently for her work in consumer advocacy, by a group of Westinghouse retirees dedicated to community service.

Pennsylvania warns of phone scam targeting elderly, disabled

Phone scammers posing as state Department of Revenue employees are targeting senior citizens and people with disabilities in an effort to obtain people’s bank information, according to the state agency.

Caring for a loved one at home?

Caring for someone with a chronic condition is physically, emotionally, and financially draining. The Area Agency on Aging offers a 6-week class on self-care and empowerment, helping you take care of yourself while caring for others. Caregivers benefit fr...

Autism Speaks walk planned at Storybook Forest

Laurel Highlands Autism Speaks Walk will be held at Idlewild & Soak Zone’s Storybook Forest this year.

Highmark-insured seniors who use UPMC could get another chance to switch plans

The Centers for Medicaid & Medicare Services plans to announce a special enrollment period for about 1,300 of Highmark’s Medicare Advantage members in Western Pennsylvania who have visited UPMC facilities in the past three months.

Westmoreland County native selected as new United Way CEO

United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania has decided to hire from within to replace its retiring CEO.

Some Pa. residents receiving ‘unexpected’ medical bills, organization says

When Emily Christian-Michaels went to UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital in Pittsburgh for a regular scan at 20 weeks pregnant, she didn’t expect to get hit with a $1,900 bill.

New incentives help pregnant women stop smoking

Pregnancy can be a strong incentive to stop smoking.

5-county United Way sees growth in services, outreach in 2018

The United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania continues to set records in the number of people it helps.

Social Security error jeopardizes Medicare coverage for 250,000 seniors

At least a quarter of a million Medicare beneficiaries may receive bills for as many as five months of premiums they thought they already paid.

Franklin Regional life skills students gain marketable experience through shop

Funded by a roughly $12,000 grant from the FR Panther Foundation, special-education students now produce ornaments, magnets and FR-branded drink-ware that has been sold to staff as well as the public at the recent Festival of the Arts.

Panel to study mental health care shortage in Pa.

The study will identify factors behind the shortage, estimate future numbers of mental health providers, make recommendations on how to solve the disparity in the number of mental health care providers in rural vs. urban and suburban counties.

UPMC Dropping Prepayments Policy For Some Patients

Months after announcing the policy, UPMC has reversed course and now says it will not require Highmark Medicare Advantage members to pay in advance for services once consent decrees linking the two organizations expire July 1.

Federal government will update list of troubled nursing homes monthly

The federal government will release an updated list of the nation’s most troubled nursing homes monthly, officials with the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) said.

Penn Area Library plans summer reading programs

The Penn Area Library will “explore the universe” with its summer reading program, running from June 3 to July 27

Pennsylvania moves to take over health insurance exchange

Pennsylvania is moving to take over the online health insurance exchange that’s been operated by the federal government since 2014, saying it can cut health insurance costs for the hundreds of thousands who buy the individual Affordable Care Act policies.

Financial column: What will long-term care cost you?

Most people over 65 eventually will need help with daily living tasks, such as bathing, eating or dressing.

Number of Pennsylvania babies treated for drug exposure levels off, report shows

After spiking for more than a decade, the rate of Pennsylvania newborns hospitalized for drug withdrawal at birth leveled off and remained stable for the last two years, a new report reveals.

Deaths from falls among older Americans are on the rise

New research shows fatal falls have nearly tripled in older Americans in recent years, rising to more than 25,000 annual deaths.

The findings highlight the importance of fall prevention.

Casey, Toomey report reveals nearly 400 troubled nursing homes, 5 in Western Pa.

The federal government for years has kept under wraps the names of hundreds of nursing homes around the country found by inspectors to have serious ongoing health, safety or sanitary problems.

WIC Enrollment Is Down, Creating A 'Catch-22'

A recent analysis by the Pittsburgh-based Jewish Healthcare Foundation finds that just 50 percent of eligible Pennsylvanians receive assistance from the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, or WIC.

Report shows many underage kids get alcohol from parents, friends’ parents

One in four Pennsylvania kids who drink underage get the alcohol from their parents, according to a report released Thursday by the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board.

Smartwise releases Internet safety guide as kids finish school

Understanding the dangers of online predators, guiding online behaviors, monitoring activity and keeping kids out of places like chat rooms and social networks can help protect them from online predators....

New youth homelessness program looking for volunteer host homes

A new program that aims to reduce youth homelessness in Armstrong, Indiana, Washington and Westmoreland counties is looking for volunteers to provide host homes.

Central Westmoreland Habitat breaks ground for new house in Greensburg

When excavators arrived Tuesday at a vacant lot on Harrison Avenue in Greensburg, it marked the beginning of a construction project more than a year in the making.

Excela, Saint Vincent, Seton Hill team up to provide grief counseling for children

Childhood and death shouldn’t go together, but they often do. That reality is prompting a movement within Westmoreland County to increase services for children grieving the death of a loved one — whether from suicide, an opioid overdose or natural causes

Making Birthdays Bright for Vulnerable Seniors

Thanks to a partnership among community benefactors and staff at the Area Agency on Aging, birthdays for some seniors served by the agency continue to be happy ones.

Denise Flannigan, of AAA’s Guardianship Unit, relates that DNP Imagingcomm Ameri...

Irwin Rotary offers Care & Share Pantry to provide food for the needy

A glass-enclosed cabinet outside an Irwin church is filled with nonperishable food — an inventory that changes as people donate what they can and take what they need.

Manufacturing employees volunteer at food bank in Delmont

Working with Sen. Kim Ward’s office, Beckley coordinated a volunteer day for about 70 Dormont workers, himself included, at the Westmoreland County Food Bank in Delmont last week.

Bridge2Home seeks host families for youth 16-20

The Bridge2Home program is currently seeking homes/families for this new program in Armstrong, Indiana, Washington, and Westmoreland Counties. The program is seeking homes/families with the basics of housing stability, reasonable patience, understanding, ...

New CASA volunteers sworn in

Twelve new volunteer Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children (CASAs) were sworn into service May 10 by Criminal Court Judge Christopher Feliciani, it was announced this week.

Graduates of the CASA training program this spring includeRonel Baccus, Gr...

Chrissy Teigen partners with AHN to spread word on postpartum depression

Postpartum mental illness is the most common complication of pregnancy, w/ an estimated 1 in 7 women affected by it. Symptoms can include withdrawal from loved ones, feeling distant from the baby, prolonged sadness, beyond a brief period of “baby blues.”

Allegheny, Westmoreland schools get grants for breakfast initiative

In Westmoreland County, schools in Penn-Trafford, Derry Area, Greensburg Salem and Hempfield Area districts are set to receive money.

What helps prevent dementia? Try exercise, not vitamin pills

If you want to save your brain, focus on keeping the rest of your body well with exercise and healthy habits rather than popping vitamin pills, new guidelines for preventing dementia advise.

An unlikely caregiver: How wife's stroke stoked love in a self-centered man

George Shannon was at a Sewickley cocktail party, six years into an unexpected, demanding period involving nearly 24/7 care of his longtime wife, who had had two strokes, two hip fractures and triple-bypass surgery.

Early intervention programs target Westmoreland children in need of help

Born at just over 27 weeks gestation, Victoria Zerlin began life with unusual challenges. She spent her first 80 days in the neonatal intensive care unit at University Medical Center in Lubbock, where her parents, both Venezuelans, were living.

Pa. senior centers get grants to improve buildings, programs

Several Westmoreland and Allegheny County senior centers are receiving grant money that will help modernize buildings and expand programs.

What you need to know about measles

Allegheny County last week reported five confirmed cases of measles, its first ones of the year, and health officials are warning residents there will likely be more cases.

Fate of state centers for people with intellectual disabilities debated in Harrisburg

For many years, Pennsylvania has been slowly closing state institutions for people with intellectual disabilities in favor of caring for them in smaller, community-based settings such as group homes, a trend welcomed by many disability advocates.

News for Job Seekers from PA CareerLink

New staff announcements, Employment conference, Upcoming events, Employer spotlight, Hot Jobs list--all in the CareerLink Chronicle

How Did We Get Here? 7 Things To Know About Measles

According to the CDC, dults born between 1957 and 1967 should be revaccinated, as early vaccines were less effective than the vaccine available after 1967.

Gary Cuccia: Look for dating violence warnings

Early red flags of controlling behavior can seem normal — wanting to spend all of your time together; wanting to know everything about you — including where you are, what you are doing, who you are with; checking your phone and social media accounts.

Veterans and Military, you are not alone. Call the Crisis Line for help.

Military personnel and Veterans who need help or support can call the Veterans Crisis Line at 800-273-8255, press 1. Or, text 838255.

Did You Know? Information for Veterans and Friends of Veterans

Westmoreland County has a veteran population of approximately 28,000, according to VA estimates.  Westmoreland County and Westmoreland County Courts would like to remind those who have served, as well as friends, family and attorneys who represen...