Giving Opportunities

In the early 1900’s when the Sisters of St. Francis of Sylvania, Ohio was founded there was a great need to provide health services, especially hospital care in rural areas, all across the country.

So the Sisters embraced healthcare as a part of their ministry in serving all of God’s people. In our community the result of that ministry was St. Joseph Hospital.

Then, in the 1990’s the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Francis – many of whom served in the early care ministry – saw the needs of society beginning to change again.

The Sisters have seen, and experienced themselves, people living longer lives. Indeed, the fastest growing segment of America’s population is those over age 80. People are not only living longer, but many have a higher quality of life through advances in medicine.

The Sisters response to this aging population trend, which is only expected to accelerate over the next few decades, as Baby Boomers grow older – expand their ministry in senior life services. In several communities they served the Sisters already provided some senior services, including some long-term care facilities. Building on that, the Sisters called for the expansion of long term care services, especially in communities where they had hospitals.

They weren’t alone in their idea.

“For years people had been saying ‘You’ve done wonderful things at the hospital, but what are you going to do for the seniors in our community?’” said Sister Gretchen Kunz, President and CEO of St. Joseph Health System, who began keeping a list of those people who would ask about senior services.

The response was the opening of St. Joseph Manor in Bryan and Burleson St. Joseph Manor in Caldwell in 1999. In the Franciscan tradition of respect and dignity for all life, the Manors offer comprehensive programs to care for senior adults through these facilities. The approach is to provide care for the body, mind, and spirit, allowing residents to live life as independently as possible. The facilities are designed to promote easy movement and access so that residents may enjoy the company of others and the beauty of their campuses.

Burleson St. Joseph Manor offers intermediate/skilled nursing care while St. Joseph Manor in Bryan offers assisted living for the frail elderly who may remain active but need some assistance with daily living, dementia care for those with Alzheimer’s disease and/or intermediate/skilled nursing care for those needing complete care. Sister Alice Warrick, OSF, SJHS Vice President for Mission Integration, said St. Joseph Manor gives people another choice for care with the three programs available.

“These programs are offered with the goal of helping the residents maintain their independence as long as they can. Each program offers choices and special amenities that are important to residents and their families,” Sister Alice said.

St. Joseph Manor’s Dementia unit – one of the region’s only secure units – is the only dementia unit in the Brazos Valley which provides a protective environment to residents. One of the characteristics of people with dementia is they like to wander and move about, and the unit is designed so they may safely walk through it, including going outdoors into a safe courtyard area.

Activities in the Manors have been created for each unit, and can differ substantially depending on the needs of the residents. Alzheimer’s residents tend to have short attention spans and enjoy playing a hand of cards, walking, listening to music or stirring, and talking with people.

Assisted living residents enjoy shopping trips, outing and exercise classes. The St. Joseph Regional Rehabilitation Center Wellness program offers aquacise classes in the aquatherapy pool, a cardiac gym, arthritis and Parkinson’s exercise classes, Feelin’ Fit exercise programs and periodic line dancing.

Harold “Hap” Cottrell, Administrator of St. Joseph Manor, said they are trying to help these residents maintain their independence as long as they can by giving them freedom to do these activities.

“There are served meals in a pleasant dining room, a wireless call system is available in case of emergency, and a beauty shop and chapel are available in the rehab center. The amenities and compassionate, comprehensive care to adults enabling them to maintain their highest level of independence in a secure, nurturing and pleasant environment,” said Cottrell.

St. Joseph Health System expanded its long-term care ministry to Caldwell because there was a great need in the area.

Both Manors have seen astonishing occupancy in the short time they have been open, and much of that success is due to the foundation of compassion and care shown to residents. Private rooms have been a hallmark of each facility, and will remain so, but with more resident requests coming in, both Manors have remodeled a handful of their largest rooms and converted them to semi-privates.

“Sometimes we receive requests for semi-private rooms from elderly couples,” said Cottrell. “With this expansion, we can accommodate these requests.” Both Manors have semi-private rooms in service.

The Sisters of St. Francis are grateful to serve the aging residents of the Brazos Valley by offering St. Joseph’s long-term care ministries.