For Martha Martel, director of Community Services for Redstone Highlands Senior Living Communities in Westmoreland County, the genesis of its Community Nursing Services program was simple.

Many residents living in the community's apartments wanted to remain in their homes. They did not want to be moved into an unfamiliar place even if they needed a higher level of care.

"Some of the residents didn't need 24-hour care, but needed help," Ms. Martel said. "And we needed a way to help them."

Redstone Highlands' Community Nursing Services program evolved from her efforts. It includes everything from simple care-giving by certified nursing assistants, who help residents shower, dress and prepare meals.

They also do light housekeeping, shopping, remind residents to take medication and provide a respite for couples in which one spouse is the primary caregiver. More involved assistance also is available from registered nurses, which includes medication management, B-12 injections and wound care.

Since the program began a year ago, the number of CNA visits at the Redstone Highlands' communities in Westmoreland has grown from 60 a month to more than 350 a month.

More than 10 percent of Redstone Highlands residents who live in apartments participate in the program on a regular basis, while others do so when they need help.

The Community Nursing Services program is available at Redstone locations in Murrysville, Greensburg and North Huntingdon.

Each CNA visit costs $25 an hour and is billed in half-hour increments, or $87 a week. Visits by a registered nurse are $42 an hour.

"The most common thing we do is assistance with bathing," Ms. Martel said. "Many of the residents who use us for this service are concerned with slipping in the shower."

Other examples of how this program has helped residents:

• An elderly couple were living in an apartment in Redstone Highlands' Greensburg campus. The husband was the caregiver and was worn out. He needed assistance with his wife.

A CNA came in daily to help get the woman out of bed, bathed and dressed. This extra help allowed the couple to stay together a year longer.

"She took care of me and the children all these years, now I need to take care of her," the man said.

• A 78-year-old female resident was having difficulty caring for herself in her apartment in North Huntingdon. She didn't want to move into a personal care residence, but wasn't happy about getting help.

The staff persuaded her to try the program. She first got help three days a week with showering, making breakfast and getting her day started. Within six weeks, she asked for help every weekday, then seven days a week, going from an hour a day to three hours.

One day, the woman became confused and fell. Tests revealed a simple infection. The CNAs got her turned around, and she's doing much better. She used to be secluded, now she's more active, is wearing makeup again and socializing more, Ms. Martel said.

Because of the success of the Community Nursing Services program, Ms. Martel said Redstone Highlands has started looking into additional services for the community's 400 residents.

"It's hard to navigate the health-care world," Ms. Martel said.