Little Sisters of The Poor

SKILLED, INTERMEDIATE, AND RESIDENTIAL NURSING CARE FOR 18,493 PATIENT DAYS FOR WELFARE AGENCY AND PRIVATE RESIDENTS. A. PHYSICAL CARE - LITTLE SISTERS OF THE POOR PROVIDE LICENSED NURSING CARE, MEDICAL, DENTAL AND PODIATRY CARE, PHYSICAL THERAPY AND PHARMACEUTICAL SERVICES. THE CHALLENGES OF AGING ARE MYRIAD AND MANAGING THE PHYSICAL NEEDS OF THE ELDERLY IS A MONUMENTAL TASK. AS LITTLE SISTERS, WE ARE COMMITTED TO PROMOTING THE DIGNITY OF HUMAN LIFE OF EACH AND EVERY ONE OF OUR RESIDENTS. MEDICAL DOCTORS VISIT THE HOME SEVERAL TIMES A WEEK. DENTAL AND PODIATRY CARE, AS WELL AS PHYSICAL THERAPY, ARE PROVIDED WITHIN THE HOME. IN A SPIRIT OF HUMBLE SERVICE AND HOSPITALITY, THE LITTLE SISTERS PROVIDE NURSING CARE TO THE RESIDENTS WITH UTMOST RESPECT FOR THE DIGNITY OF THE INDIVIDUAL PERSON. THE SISTERS, THROUGH A PRAYERFUL, BEDSIDE PRESENCE, PROVIDE SPIRITUAL CARE TO DYING RESIDENTS. B. SPIRITUAL CARE - LITTLE SISTERS ACCEPT ELDERLY PEOPLE INTO THEIR HOME WITHOUT REGARD TO RELIGION OR RACE. HAVING A FAITH THAT SUSTAINS AND COMFORTS IN HARD TIMES IS A PARTICULAR BLESSING AS WE MOVE TOWARD THE END OF LIFE. WHEN ELDERLY PEOPLE ARE OFFERED THE BENEFITS OF A SPIRITUAL PROGRAM, THEIR LIVES BECOME MORE COMPLETE AND SECURE. THE LITTLE SISTERS FOSTER THEIR RESIDENTS' FAITH BY OFFERING DAILY MASS BY A RESIDENT CHAPLAIN AND OTHER SPIRITUALLY-RELATED PROGRAMS. MANY OF THE RESIDENTS ATTEND MASS ON A REGULAR BASIS AND FIND COMFORT AND HOPE IN THE TRADITIONS OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH. OTHER RESIDENTS GO INTO THE CHAPEL TO PRAY AND MEDITATE WHILE OTHERS ATTEND THE CHURCH OF THEIR CHOICE. EACH RESIDENT IS ENCOURAGED TO PRACTICE HIS/HER FAITH. WHEN IT IS CLEAR THAT ONE OF THE RESIDENTS IS DYING, THE SISTERS TAKE TURNS (ALONG WITH FAMILY MEMBERS) BEING WITH THE RESIDENT, MAKING HIM OR HER AS COMFORTABLE AS POSSIBLE, PRAYING, AND READING COMFORTING SCRIPTURES. THEY REMAIN BY THE RESIDENT'S SIDE UNTIL DEATH COMES BECAUSE THEY BELIEVE THAT NO ONE SHOULD DIE ALONE. C. ACTIVITIES - THE PHILOSOPHY OF LITTLE SISTERS OF THE POOR IS THAT SPIRITUAL WELL-BEING, SOCIAL INTERACTION, AND LOVING CARE, ARE THE KEYS TO LIVING A LONG AND FRUITFUL LIFE. MEANINGFUL ACTIVITY IS THE CORNERSTONE OF A HOLISTIC MODEL OF CARE. HAVING A CENTER OF INTEREST, DOING SOMETHING THEY LIKE TO DO, FEELING USEFUL, BEING ABLE TO TAKE INITIATIVES, TO COMMUNICATE AND FORM FRIENDSHIPS, MAINTAINING A RELATIONSHIP WITH FAMILY, HAVING CONTACTS WITH YOUTH. THESE ARE THE FACTORS WHICH PROVIDE JOY AND HAPPINESS. LITTLE SISTERS OFFER MANY ACTIVITIES - EXERCISE PROGRAMS, ARTS/CRAFTS, BAKING, BOWLING, CARD GAMES, MUSIC APPRECIATION, GAMES, GROUP DISCUSSIONS, AND OUTINGS TO RESTAURANTS, SHOPS, AND CULTURAL EVENTS. ALSO AVAILABLE ARE A BEAUTY PARLOR, COFFEE SHOP, GIFT SHOP, LIBRARY, AND CRAFT ROOM. MANY RESIDENTS PARTICIPATE AT THE HOME BY FOLDING CLOTHES IN THE LAUNDRY, HELPING IN THE DINING ROOM OR SELLING ITEMS TO OTHER RESIDENTS IN THE SWEET PEA CONVENIENCE SHOP, WHICH IS SPECIALLY DESIGNED FOR RESIDENTS' NEEDS. RESIDENTS WHO TAKE PART IN THE VARIOUS ACTIVITIES FORM MORE MEANINGFUL RELATIONSHIPS AND HAVE A BETTER PERSPECTIVE ON THE AGING PROCESS.