Ridgecrest of McCandless presents as a modern, resort-style senior living community with many physical strengths: new construction, spacious bright apartments (often with full kitchens and balconies), high ceilings and attractive public spaces, and a long list of on-site amenities (heated pool, movie theater, bistro/bar, fitness areas). The community also offers a secure memory-care neighborhood with an enclosed courtyard and visible therapy/rehabilitation services. Many families describe a warm, home-like atmosphere and an active calendar of social and therapeutic activities, including ambassador/buddy programs that support new residents.
Care and staffing perceptions are mixed. Numerous comments praise compassionate direct-care staff, engaged dining teams, and nursing leadership that communicates well and coordinates care. At the same time, reviewers raise recurring operational concerns: inconsistent staffing levels, reliance on agency aides, and turnover that can affect continuity. There are also reported gaps in medication administration and documentation processes; at least one medication-related incident prompted emergency care. Additionally, reviewers raised a serious allegation of staff misconduct that prospective families should ask management about and verify the outcome of.
Dining and activities are generally regarded as strengths. Many residents enjoy restaurant-style meals, all-day bistro ordering, daily exercise classes, and frequent social events (happy hours, bingo, movie nights, field trips). However, several families find dining quality variable or not aligned with particular resident tastes; menu variety has been described as both an asset and a mismatch depending on individual preferences. The activity program and on-site therapy are often credited with supporting mobility and engagement.
Operational and management patterns merit careful inquiry. Multiple reviewers cite inconsistent housekeeping/laundry execution and sanitation concerns in some rooms or bathrooms, along with occasional maintenance follow-through issues despite generally prompt responses. Transportation services are described as limited in hours and geographic radius. There are also repeated complaints about communication and transparency around incidents, visitation rules during infection-control events, payroll/leadership changes, and sizable annual rate increases; these items have contributed to perception of management instability among some families.
Overall pattern: experiences are polarized — many families report excellent, attentive care in a beautiful environment and successful transitions, while others report meaningful operational lapses that affect safety, cleanliness, or family confidence. Prospective residents and decision-makers should tour in person, speak with current residents and families, and obtain written policies and metrics on staffing ratios, agency staff usage, medication administration procedures and incident-notification protocols, housekeeping schedules, transportation scope, and recent fee-increase history. Request documentation of employee screening and any regulatory or complaint outcomes related to serious conduct concerns before making a placement decision.
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Location
Ridgecrest of McCandless is located at 8870 Duncan Ave, Pittsburgh, PA, 15237.
About Ridgecrest of McCandless
Ridgecrest of McCandless sits at 8870 Duncan Avenue in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and offers many choices for seniors, including independent living, assisted living, personal care, skilled nursing, memory care, respite stays, and services for continuing care retirement communities. The apartments here come in different sizes, including studios, one-bedrooms, and two-bedrooms, and most have kitchenettes with stainless steel appliances and quartz countertops, while natural light comes through balconies and large windows, making the rooms bright and welcoming. The building is modern with a multi-story design, walking paths, covered patios with fireplaces, shaded pergolas, a courtyard, and outdoor spaces that include a bocce ball court, putting green, and areas for relaxing.
Inside, Ridgecrest of McCandless has places like a movie theater, a fitness center with adaptive exercise equipment, an indoor heated pool with lots of natural light, a billiards room, an art studio, and a salon and spa that overlooks the courtyard. The dining options include multiple on-site venues and feature the Gold Leaf Dining experience, served in a large, well-lit dining room with stylish furnishings and artwork, so residents can enjoy communal meals in a comfortable setting. There are inviting common areas with floor-to-ceiling windows, views of the patios, and modern fireplaces.
The community focuses on giving seniors both independence and safety, offering amenities and support tailored to different needs. Caregivers are trained for memory care and help those living with Alzheimer's disease or other forms of dementia, using the Best Friends® Approach to Dementia Care, which values each person's life story. The staff takes care of cooking, housekeeping, maintenance, and driving, making daily life simpler for everyone. The memory care area is secure, thoughtfully designed, and offers multisensory therapeutic interventions, with personalized support that adapts as care needs change. Assisted living is also available, providing discreet help with daily activities 24/7. Skilled nursing covers those who may need more medical attention.
Ridgecrest of McCandless offers a full calendar of daily events dedicated to fitness, social connection, and creativity. The community has spaces for art and music, theaters, patios, gyms, salons, and living rooms for gatherings. Special programs and companion services are in place to help residents stay active and social. Everything here is meant to help seniors continue the activities they enjoy while also providing skilled care when it's needed.
Legend Senior Living was founded in 2001 by industry pioneer Tim Buchanan, who pioneered the assisted living concept across the nation nearly 30 years ago. Headquartered in Wichita, Kansas, the company remains a privately held family business currently led by two generations of the Buchanan family, including President Matt Buchanan. Legend Senior Living currently owns and operates over 70 residences across seven states: Colorado, Florida, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, and Texas. The company has experienced significant growth in recent years, adding 11 communities in 2023, eight in 2024, and eight completed by mid-2025.
People often ask...
Ridgecrest of McCandless offers competitive pricing, with rates starting at a cost of $4,295 per month.
Ridgecrest of McCandless offers assisted living and memory care.
There are 47 photos of Ridgecrest of McCandless on Mirador.
The full address for this community is 8870 Duncan Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15237.
No, Ridgecrest of McCandless does not offer respite care.
Respite care in assisted living communities provides temporary, short-term relief for primary caregivers by offering professional care for their loved ones. It allows individuals to stay in an assisted living community for a limited time, giving caregivers a break while ensuring residents receive necessary support and assistance with daily activities.
Safety & Compliance
In Pennsylvania, the Department of Human Services licenses personal care homes and assisted living residences and publishes its licensing inspection summaries.
Identified health and safety and medical-record deficiencies, including no carbon monoxide detector near the kitchen stove and gaps in medical evaluations, medication documentation, and storage procedures.
260018 - Compliance With Laws
231bMedical Evaluation
187aFollow Prescriber's Orders
185aImplement Storage Procedures
187dFollow Prescriber’s Orders (continued)
01 Apr 2026Inspection
01 Apr 2026Inspection
Identified a delay in reporting a sexual assault to the department and missing FBI fingerprint background checks for an ancillary staff member.
2600.16cWritten Incident Reporting
2600.51Criminal History Checks
01 Apr 2026Inspection
01 Apr 2026Inspection
Identified two deficiencies: failure to report a sexual assault incident to the department within 24 hours, and incomplete FBI background checks for staff.
2600.16cWritten Incident Report
2600.51Criminal Background Check
19 Feb 2026Inspection
19 Feb 2026Inspection
Identified that a resident receiving continuous oxygen lacked a current written order authorizing oxygen use. The issue involved failure to maintain an up-to-date prescription order as required.
2600.186aAuthorized Prescriber
19 Feb 2026Inspection
19 Feb 2026Inspection
Found that continuous oxygen was administered without a current written order documenting the oxygen use frequency.
2600.186aWritten prescription requirement for medications
29 Sept 2025Inspection
29 Sept 2025Inspection
Found no deficiencies.
29 Sept 2025Inspection
29 Sept 2025Inspection
Found no deficiencies.
11 Sept 2025Inspection
11 Sept 2025Inspection
Found no deficiencies identified during the visit conducted on 2025-09-11.
11 Sept 2025Inspection
11 Sept 2025Inspection
Identified no regulatory citations during the visit.
12 Jun 2025Inspection
12 Jun 2025Inspection
Found no deficiencies cited.
12 Jun 2025Inspection
12 Jun 2025Inspection
Found no deficiencies. No regulatory citations were identified.
03 Jun 2025Inspection
03 Jun 2025Inspection
Granted a waiver for the direct care staff education requirement because education obtained outside the United States was deemed equivalent.
03 Jun 2025Inspection
03 Jun 2025Inspection
Granted a waiver of the direct care staff qualification requirement due to education obtained outside the United States.
02 May 2025Inspection
02 May 2025Inspection
Identified multiple deficiencies across resident rights, medication management, medical evaluations, safety, and record-keeping requiring corrective actions.
2600.42cTreatment of Residents
2600.54aDirect Care Staff
2600.81bResident Personal Equipment
2600.88aSurfaces
2600.103fRefrigerator/Freezer Temps
2600.141aMedical Evaluation Information
2600.141b1Annual Medical Evaluation
2600.141b2Medical Evaluation Changes
2600.185aImplement Storage Procedures
2600.187aMedication Record
2600.187bDate/Time of Medication Admin.
2600.187dFollow Prescriber's Orders
2600.190cRecord of Training
2600.225aAssessment 15 Days
2600.171b5First Aid Kit
02 May 2025Inspection
02 May 2025Inspection
Investigated found multiple deficiencies across contracts, staff qualifications, resident safety, medical evaluations, medication management, and resident rights.
55 Pa.Code § 2600.25(b)Contract Signatures
55 Pa.Code § 2600.54(a)Direct Care Staff
55 Pa.Code § 2600.81bResident Personal Equipment
55 Pa.Code § 2600.88(a)Surfaces
55 Pa.Code § 2600.103(f)Refrigerator/Freezer Temps
55 Pa.Code § 2600.141(a)Medical Evaluation
55 Pa.Code § 2600.141(b)(1)Annual Medical Evaluation
Investigated and found multiple deficiencies across medical evaluations, medication administration, resident rights, equipment safety, and record-keeping.
2600.25.bContract Signatures
2600.42.cTreatment of Residents
2600.54.aDirect Care Staff
2600.81bResident Personal Equipment
2600.88aSurfaces
2600.103fRefrigerator/Freezer Temps
2600.141aMedical Evaluation Information
2600.141b1Annual Medical Evaluation
2600.141b2Medical Evaluation Changes
2600.171b5First Aid Kit
2600.185aImplement Storage Procedures
2600.187aMedication Record
2600.187dFollow Prescriber's Orders
2600.190cRecord of Training
2600.225aAssessment 15 Days
2600.187bDate/Time of Medication Admin.
23 Jan 2025Inspection
23 Jan 2025Inspection
Found no deficiencies cited during the inspection.
23 Jan 2025Inspection
23 Jan 2025Inspection
Found no deficiencies.
26 Dec 2024Inspection
26 Dec 2024Inspection
Found that a staff member spoke to a resident disrespectfully during toileting, and that the resident’s initial assessment was not completed within 15 days of admission.
2600.42.cTreatment of Residents
2600.225.aAssessment 15 Days
26 Dec 2024Inspection
26 Dec 2024Inspection
Found deficiencies: one involved a staff member's disrespectful treatment of a resident during toileting, and another involved a delay in completing a written initial assessment after admission.
2600.42.cTreatment of Residents
2600.225.aAssessment 15 Days
18 Oct 2024Inspection
18 Oct 2024Inspection
Found multiple deficiencies including abuse concerns, delayed reporting, inadequate staffing and various safety and documentation gaps. Enforcement actions were issued.
55 Pa.Code §2600.15aResident Abuse Report
55 Pa.Code §2600.16cWritten Incident Report
55 Pa.Code §2600.42bAbuse
55 Pa.Code §2600.42sPrivacy
55 Pa.Code §2600.63aFirst Aid/CPR Training
55 Pa.Code §2600.65iTraining Record
55 Pa.Code §2600.88aSurfaces
55 Pa.Code §2600.107cFood/Water 3 Day Supply
55 Pa.Code §2600.123bEmergency Procedures Posted
55 Pa.Code §2600.131cKitchen Fire Extinguisher
55 Pa.Code §2600.132bSafety Inspection/Fire Drill
55 Pa.Code §2600.184aMeds Labeled
55 Pa.Code §2600.187dFollow Prescriber's Orders
55 Pa.Code §2600.224aPreadmission Screen Form
55 Pa.Code §2600.227gSupport Plan Signatures
55 Pa.Code §2600.231fAssessed Annually
55 Pa.Code §2600.234aAdmission Support Plan
18 Oct 2024Inspection
18 Oct 2024Inspection
Identified numerous deficiencies in resident care, safety, and administration; issued a first provisional license.
2600.3cPost Current License
2600.23aActivities of Daily Living Assistance
2600.42bAbuse
2600.42sPrivacy
2600.63aFirst Aid/CPR Training
2600.107cFood/Water 3 Day Supply
2600.123bEmergency Procedures
2600.131cKitchen Fire Extinguisher
2600.132bSafety Inspection/Fire Drill
2600.144c1Smoking Area Guidelines
2600.184aMedications Labeled
2600.187dFollow Prescriber's Orders
2600.224aPreadmission Screen Form
2600.225cAdditional Assessments
2600.227gRASPs Signed
2600.231fAssessed Annually
2600.234aAdmission Support Plan
05 Aug 2024Inspection
05 Aug 2024Inspection
Cited multiple deficiencies, including abuse reporting failures and numerous safety and care deficiencies, leading to revocation of the prior license and issuance of a provisional license to operate.
2600.15aResident Abuse Report
2600.16cWritten Incident Report
2600.42bAbuse
2600.225cAdditional Assessment
2600.63aFirst Aid/CPR Training
2600.107cFood/Water - 3 Day Supply
2600.123bEmergency Procedures
2600.131cKitchen Fire Extinguisher
2600.132bSafety Inspection/Fire Drill
2600.184aMedication - Labeling
2600.187dFollow Prescriber’s Orders
2600.224aPreadmission Screen Form
2600.231fAssessed Annually
2600.234aAdmission Support Plan
2600.227gRAS/P Plan Signatures
2600.65iTraining Records
2600.88aSurfaces
2600.144c1Smoking Area Guidelines
2600.3cPost Current License
05 Aug 2024Inspection
05 Aug 2024Inspection
Found multiple deficiencies including failure to promptly report abuse, unsafe resident care, and numerous regulatory compliance gaps.
2600.15aResident Abuse Report
2600.16.cWritten Incident Report
2600.42bAbuse
2600.42sPrivacy
2600.63aFirst Aid/CPR Training
2600.107cFood/Water 3 Day Supply
2600.123bEmergency Procedures Posted
2600.131cKitchen Fire Extinguisher
2600.132bSafety Inspection/Fire Drill
2600.144c1Smoking Area Guidelines
2600.184aMeds Labeled
2600.187dFollow Prescriber's Orders
2600.224aPreadmission Screen Form
2600.227gSupport Plan Signatures
2600.231fAssessed Annually
2600.234aAdmission Support Plan
2600.225cAdditional Assessment
18 Jul 2024Inspection
18 Jul 2024Inspection
Revoked the certificate and issued a provisional license after finding resident abuse and numerous regulatory deficiencies.
2600.3cPost Current License
2600.23aActivities of Daily Living Assistance
2600.42bAbuse
2600.42sPrivacy
2600.63aFirst Aid/CPR Training
2600.65iTraining Record
2600.88aSurfaces
2600.107cFood/Water 3 Day Supply
2600.123bEmergency Procedures Posted
2600.131cKitchen Fire Extinguisher
2600.132bSafety Inspection/Fire Drill
2600.144c1Smoking Area Guidelines
2600.184aMeds Labeled
2600.187dFollow Prescriber’s Orders
2600.224aPreadmission Screen Form
2600.227gSupport Plan Signatures
2600.231fAssessed Annually
2600.234aAdmission Support Plan
2600.16cWritten Incident Report
2600.15aResident Abuse Report
18 Jul 2024Inspection
18 Jul 2024Inspection
Revoked the current license and issued a provisional license after identifying serious deficiencies, including resident abuse concerns, inadequate reporting, and numerous regulatory noncompliances across care, safety, and documentation.
55 Pa.Code § 2600.3cPost Current License (Follow-up)
55 Pa.Code § 2600.42bAbuse (Follow-up)
55 Pa.Code § 2600.132bSafety Drill Verification
15 Apr 2024Inspection
15 Apr 2024Inspection
Concluded no deficiencies were identified.
15 Apr 2024Inspection
15 Apr 2024Inspection
Verified compliance with licensing standards; no deficiencies were identified.
28 Mar 2024Inspection
28 Mar 2024Inspection
Investigated and identified deficiencies related to awake staff on duty, missing annual assessments, and incomplete resident support plans for medical/dental and hospice services.
2600.58aAwake staff 16 or more
2600.225.cAdditional Assessment
2600.227.dSupport Plan Medical/Dental
28 Mar 2024Inspection
28 Mar 2024Inspection
Identified deficiencies related to staff being asleep while on duty and missing or incomplete resident assessments and care plans.
2600.58aAwake Staff 16 or More
2600.225cAdditional Assessment
2600.227dSupport Plan Medical/Dental
16 Jan 2024Inspection
16 Jan 2024Inspection
Identified deficiencies related to abuse reporting, incident reporting, resident service plan signatures, and medical evaluations.
2600.15aResident Abuse Report
2600.16cWritten Incident Report
2600.227.gSupport Plan Signatures
2600.231.bMedical Evaluation
16 Jan 2024Inspection
16 Jan 2024Inspection
Identified multiple deficiencies including failure to report a resident abuse allegation to the Area Agency on Aging, failure to report an incident to the Department within 24 hours, missing signatures on a resident support plan, and altered dates on a medical evaluation.
Determined that the submitted plan of correction was fully implemented and continued compliance must be maintained.
04 Oct 2022Inspection
04 Oct 2022Inspection
Determined the submitted plan of correction was fully implemented and ongoing compliance must be maintained.
16 Sept 2021Inspection
16 Sept 2021Inspection
Identified deficiencies in posting requirements, incident policies, termination language, bathroom safety, swimming area policies, emergency preparedness, and medical evaluation and medication management.
2600.3Posting of current license and required postings
2600.16.bIncident policies
2600.25.c.9Termination of residency agreements
2600.102.dGrab/hand/assist bar and slip-resistant surfaces
2600.106Swimming Areas
2600.107.aEmergency Preparedness
2600.141.aMedical Evaluation Information
2600.181.cSelf-administration
2600.183.fDiscontinued Medications
2600.184.aLabeling OTC/CAM
2600.187.aMedication Record
2600.187.dFollow Prescriber's Orders
2600.225.aAssessment 15 Days
16 Sept 2021Inspection
16 Sept 2021Inspection
Found multiple deficiencies across policies, medical evaluations, medications, safety features, and contracts; violations were cited.
Found multiple deficiencies in health and safety, privacy, and policy areas, and issued a provisional license pending corrections.
2600.18Applicable Health and Safety Laws
2600.25c.2Fee Schedule and Skynet system disclosures
2600.42sPrivacy and smart technology consent
2600.100aExterior hazards and balcony safety assessments
2600.101iAccess to bedroom
2600.106Swimming area policies
2600.123aExit doors accessibility
2600.123bEmergency procedures posted
2600.223bService procedures
2600.254bPolicy and procedures for records
10 Dec 2020Inspection
10 Dec 2020Inspection
Found deficiencies across health and safety, privacy, and service procedures; issued a provisional license based on substantial but incomplete compliance.
55 Pa.Code § 2600.18Applicable Health and Safety Laws
55 Pa.Code § 2600.25.cFee Schedule
55 Pa.Code § 2600.42sPrivacy
55 Pa.Code § 2600.100.aExterior - Free of Hazards
55 Pa.Code § 2600.101.iAccess to Bedroom
55 Pa.Code § 2600.106Swimming Areas
55 Pa.Code § 2600.123.aExit Doors
55 Pa.Code § 2600.123.bEmergency Procedures
55 Pa.Code § 2600.223.bService Procedures
55 Pa.Code § 2600.254.bPolicy and Procedures
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