GIBSONIA, Allegheny County — St. Barnabas Health System has added 11 new assisted living units at its main campus on Meridian Road.

The suites, which were built on the courtyard level of the same building as the nursing home, are an extension of The Arbors at St. Barnabas. They were officially opened last week, and residents are currently moving in.

William V. Day, president of St. Barnabas Health System, said his staff carefully perused the assisted living market before deciding on what type of addition to build so they could ascertain exactly what area seniors are looking for.

"We decided people wanted as many of the things they had when they lived independently as possible, so that's what we did," Day said.

The new one- and two-bedroom and efficiency apartments come with washer/dryers, kitchenettes, closet space, individually controlled heating and air conditioning, and ample parking.

Day said families of those moving in appreciate their loved ones' proximity to the nursing home and any services their parents' might need as their health care needs change.

"Families want to know if mom or dad needs nursing care or rehabilitation, they can get it in the same building," Day said.

Day said St. Barnabas was able to add onto its facility at a tough time in the elderly-care market because no debt was incurred to build the 11 new units.

Diane Stevens of the Butler County Area Agency on Aging said the assisted living market remains unstable, but might pick up in the near future if medical assistance funds are made available for assisted living.

Stevens said now, medical assistance can only be used for nursing home care, which costs about $100 more per day to provide than assisted living. She said the state Office of Long Term Living and the state Department of Aging have updated guidelines for assisted living to include medical assistance funding.