Catholic Assisted Living and Senior Care

What Is Catholic Senior Care?

For many older adults, religion is a focal point of their lives. It’s so important that it can be a deciding factor in which senior care center they choose. Faith-based senior care centers provide spiritual nourishment while allowing older adults to interact with others who share their faith. If you’re a practicing Catholic senior, there’s a good chance you will want to seek places that let you incorporate your beliefs and participate in activities and rituals central to your faith.

Since the communities themselves are based on Catholic traditions and culture, seniors can continue to enjoy the spiritual benefits such care can provide. Many times (but not always), these facilities are associated with local parishes. These centers may also provide access to a Catholic church, observe Catholic holidays, and offer participation in various spiritual services, such as daily prayers, Holy Mass, Holy Rosary, and other religious activities.

While these communities offer many Catholic-based rituals, they’re typically welcoming to people of all faiths, so you don’t need to be Catholic to receive care.

How Is Catholic Senior Living Different Than Traditional Senior Living?

While standard services and amenities are similar in both traditional and Catholic senior living facilities, faith is not integral to the programs and services offered. However, most facilities, Catholic or traditional, share some basic offerings, including nutritious meals, housekeeping, personal laundry assistance, fitness classes, and social activities.

Overall, Catholic senior care intends to ensure that the doctrines and mission of the Catholic Church are incorporated into everyday life. Here are a few things Catholic living facilities might offer their residents:

• Catholic-based newspapers, so you can stay up to date on current events within the church
• Rosary groups
• Bible study
• Faith discussions
• Sacraments, such as Holy Communion
• Close proximity to a chapel and priest
• Confessional opportunities
• Special allowances for dietary restrictions during religious seasons, such as Lent

How Much Does Catholic Senior Housing Cost?

Generally speaking, there are no significant cost differences between faith-based senior living and traditional facilities. But no matter which type you choose, cost is usually a determining factor. Most often, it will be based on the type of facility, level of care, and type of room. For example, many adult day care centers cost less than half of assisted living facilities that require a deeper level of care.

Annual costs vary from state to state, so it’s important to do your homework to learn what the costs of Catholic senior housing in your area. Most seniors will rely on a combination of private savings and government funds, such as Social Security benefits, to pay for facility costs. While Medicare will provide coverage for certain health services for assisted living residents, it doesn’t cover assisted living facility costs. Similarly, Medicaid can help cover some costs for assisted living, including memory care (such as Alzheimer’s units), but it doesn’t pay for room and board. Check your state regulations since services and coverage can vary widely. If you’re a veteran, you may be eligible for benefits that can be applied toward costs as well.

As mentioned, costs for Catholic senior living centers are similar to those of non-faith-based centers. Average monthly costs can range from an estimated $2,120 for adult day care centers to $5,511 for assisted living and up to around $8,929 for a semiprivate room in a nursing home.4 Once you determine the average cost of senior care in your region, you’ll have a good indication of how much you’ll pay for a Catholic senior living. As mentioned, pricing may vary depending on your area, type of facility, and care.

Tips on Finding Catholic Senior Living Communities

There are a few ways to go about looking for a Catholic senior living community. Most communities are sponsored or run by several entities, including individual Catholic archdioceses and dioceses, charities, religious orders, Catholic community services, health systems, or Catholic nonprofit organizations.5

Start by contacting your local archdiocese or a Catholic-run charity or nonprofit, such as Catholic Charities USA, for assistance. You can also talk to like-minded relatives and friends, as well as individuals and families within your parish church. They may have firsthand experience with helping a family member find Catholic senior care and could provide a recommendation.

If you prefer researching online, type in your browser “Catholic senior living,” along with your city, for a list of local resources. Or, if you find a senior living community in your area that is not specifically for Catholics, call and ask if they offer any services or resources for Catholic residents. Even if you’re not planning to move to a Catholic senior living facility soon, it’s a good idea to start exploring your options now because the demand for such services is high. Knowing all your care options will help you make a well-informed decision about what’s right for you.

Where Can I Find Catholic Senior Living Communities?

Now that you have some tips to get started, we’ve compiled a list of a few Catholic senior living centers nationwide to further assist you. Note that while this is only a small listing, it does include a variety of U.S. regions to acquaint you with the different types of Catholic senior care facilities and their offerings. And while you don’t need to subscribe to the Catholic faith to enroll, for those who do, the spiritual support and camaraderie of like-minded peers will offer long-lasting benefits for both body and soul.

Baltimore, Maryland
Little Sisters of the Poor – St. Martin’s Home
Founded in 1839 by St. Jeanne Jugan, this international congregation of Roman Catholic women welcomes low-income seniors, providing medical care, a pastoral program, and other spiritual ministering. The summit of their ministry is to provide compassionate care and accompaniment to older adults.

Chicago, Illinois
St. Joseph Village of Chicago
Founded in 1894, their century-long mission of caring for others is based on the teachings of their foundress Mother Mary Theresa. They offer assisted living, skilled nursing, memory care, rehabilitation services, and respite care.

Cincinnati, Ohio
St. Margaret Hall
This center fosters residents’ physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional well-being rooted in the Catholic faith. Services include assisted living, skilled nursing, hospice care, post-acute care, and short-term rehabilitation.

Kansas City, Missouri
St. Anthony’s Senior Living
This gated, resort-style, faith-based senior living community is open to those 62 years old “and better.” Sponsored by the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph, it offers a dedicated chapel, priests-in-residence, Daily Mass, optional nondenominational services, and memory care support.

Los Angeles, California
St. John of God Retirement and Care Center
Founded by the Hospitaller Brothers of St. John of God, this center has serviced Southern California for over 70 years. Their skilled nursing facility and rehabilitation offers 24-hour personalized care and therapy for short- or long-term stays.

Miami, Florida
St. Anne’s Residence
St. Anne’s assisted living residence shares the building with its nursing center and supports residents with their daily living activities, weekly housekeeping services, fine dining, and recreational activities, and Daily Mass.

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
The Community at Holy Family Manor
Originally founded in Rome in 1875 by the Blessed Mary of Jesus the Good Shepherd (also known as Frances Siedliska), this 502(c) (3) continues to follow the mission of the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth. They provide a family-focused service approach, offering both senior and child care.

Rochester, New York
St. Ann’s Home
With over 1,200 employees, St. Ann’s is considered the largest private employer in Rochester. They’ve provided a continuum of care for seniors since its service ministry began over 145 years ago by the Sisters of St. Joseph. Their service offerings range from independent living to 24-hour skilled nursing.

Sacramento, California
Mercy McMahon Terrace Senior Living
Located in California’s state capital of Sacramento, this faith-based residential community offers independent and assisted living, memory care, group exercises, and other social activities, such as picnics in the park. Of course, the heart of their service is spiritual support, which includes a staff chaplain and weekly Mass.

San Antonio, Texas
The Village at Incarnate Word
For more than a century in San Antonio, the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word’s Motherhouse Convent had lived only among themselves. That all changed in 1988 after their convent and surrounding grounds were restructured, and they opened their “home” to both religious and lay people. The Village now comprises a retirement community, independent and assisted living, a bistro, a wellness center, and four prayer chapels.