Four residences in Archdiocese of Indianapolis base their care of seniors on Catholic values

Archbishop Charles C. Thompson processes toward the altar in the chapel of the Little Sisters of the Poor’s St. Augustine Home for the Aged in Indianapolis on Aug. 30, 2017, to celebrate Mass. The home is one of four senior care facilities in the archdiocese based on Catholic values. (File photo by Natalie Hoefer)

(Editor’s note: According to a 2016 report by the Federal Interagency Forum on Aging-Related Statistics, the population of those age 65 and older in America will rise from 15 percent in 2014 to 21 percent in 2030. In light of this growing population and those who care for them, The Criterion is running a series of articles on senior related issues through the lens of the Catholic faith. This week, the series highlights the four senior care homes and communities located in the Archdiocese of Indianapolis founded by or with ties to a religious order.)
 

By Natalie Hoefer

The familiar phrase is stitched on pillows, emblazoned on wall art and written on welcome mats: “Home is where the heart is.”

But as people age, circumstances may require them to move from their home and all its fond memories to independent senior living, assisted living or skilled nursing home. (See accompanying article for definitions)

According to www.in.gov, there are hundreds of such facilities in central and southern Indiana. Unfortunately, not all are equal.

The Archdiocese of Indianapolis has four senior care homes either founded by or associated with a religious order. They are places where seniors of all faiths can live out their twilight years with dignity and holistic care.

The four homes represent three orders: Providence Health Care in St. Mary-of-the-Woods, founded by the Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, and Guerin Woods Retirement Community in Georgetown, with ties to the same order; the St. Augustine Home for the Aged in Indianapolis, founded by the Little Sisters of the Poor; and St. Paul Hermitage, founded by the Sisters of St. Benedict of Our Lady of Grace Monastery in Beech Grove.

These articles look at the history of each facility, what they offer, and why each is a place the hearts of their residents can truly call home:
 

• St. Paul Hermitage: ‘A place where they can grow socially and spiritually’
• Providence Health Care: ‘Healing for mind, body and soul’
• Guerin Woods: focus on ‘quality of life, not just care’
• St. Augustine Home: Caring for ‘those society turns away’
   

(Related story: Director offers advice on selecting a senior care facility) †