ERIE, Pa., Sept. 7 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Pennsylvania
Department of Military and Veterans Affairs today dedicated a new, $8.5
million dementia/Alzheimer's unit at the Pennsylvania Soldiers' and
Sailors' Home.

    "With the completion of this 32-bed dementia/Alzheimer's unit, we mark
another milestone in caring for Pennsylvania's 1.1 million veterans who
have served so selflessly on behalf of all Americans," said Maj. Gen.
Jessica L. Wright, state adjutant general. "Now, all of the commonwealth's
veteran's homes are able to provide veterans who suffer from dementia or
Alzheimer's disease with long-term care in a safe and secure environment."

    The Pa. Soldiers' and Sailors' Home is under the direction of
Commandant Nancy Stevenson. Set on a 26-acre campus overlooking Lake Erie,
the home also has 75 beds for nursing care and 100 beds for domiciliary
care. It opened in 1886 and is located at 560 E. Third St., Erie.

    DMVA also operates state veterans homes in Hollidaysburg, Philadelphia,
Pittsburgh, Scranton and Spring City. The homes are available to veterans
who have served in the U.S. armed forces or Pennsylvania military forces,
released from service under honorable conditions and are residents of the
commonwealth. A spouse or surviving spouse of an eligible veteran is also
eligible for admission.

    More information about Pennsylvania's state veteran's homes is
available at http://www.paveterans.state.pa.us.