The six homes for Pennsylvania's veterans -- including the Southwestern Veterans Center in Lincoln-Lemington -- have stopped admitting new residents because of the state's budget impasse.

Kevin Cramsey, acting press secretary for the state Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, said the homes, which offer residential care to older veterans, continue to operate near capacity, but employees and vendors are no longer being paid, and new residents are not being admitted.

However, those living in the centers, many of whom suffer from dementia and Alzheimer's disease, continue to be cared for, Mr. Cramsey said.

"As of July 7, we've had to cease admissions at each of the six homes," Mr. Cramsey said from Fort Indiantown Gap, home of the Department of Veterans and Military Affairs. "We did that to ensure that our homes don't experience diminished services to our veterans."

Before July 7, there were 1,547 veterans living in the state centers. Today, he said, there are 1,533.

"That's 14 [potential new residents] that probably would have been let in," Mr. Cramsey said.

The Lincoln-Lemington facility on Highland Park Drive has 230 residents, which puts it at about 97 percent capacity.

The nurses, administrators and other staff employees, however, continue to show up to work, he said.

"It's a tough time and they're being real troupers," Mr. Cramsey said. "A lot of it is our employees really love them and really care for our vets. It goes beyond just a job. These are heroes, and we support them. I believe [their dedication to them] is genuine."

Shannon Campbell, of Kittanning, director of nursing at the Southwestern Veterans Center, said staff members have been pitching in to help each other. But even with the ACBA Federal Credit Union on Stanwix Street providing the workers with interest-free loans to cover their paychecks, there has been a drop in voluntary overtime.

"Being that we're getting some pay, some people are in their regular spirits," Ms. Campbell said. "But some people are down.

"I really think we've stepped up to the plate. We've put a giving tree together, where staff members can ask for things, such as a bus pass, and others can donate things."

The Southwestern Veterans Center has 200 nursing employees and about 50 administration workers, Ms. Campbell said.

"I give the staff a lot of credit," she said. "We've had some [employees] here for 25, 30-plus years, and they keep reporting for duty. We don't want our vets to go without good care."

There have been no cuts in care, she said, partly because vendors, who haven't been paid since July 1, have continued to bring in supplies.

"Nobody has shut anything off," she said. "They're willing to work with us."

Ms. Campbell said workers have conducted some informational picketing near the facility and some took part in a rally in Harrisburg on Tuesday.

Mr. Cramsey said the centers continue to accept and process applications. But until the flow of funds resumes, they cannot admit new residents.

"It's only during the impasse," he said. "We'll open the doors again when we know this has been resolved. But when will that be? How long can this last?"