Submitted by St. Catherine’s Village
For seniors, finding the right care at the right time can be a challenge. Fortunately, Dan and Barbara Murphy were blessed to discover St. Catherine’s Village more than a decade ago when searching for independent living. And because St. Catherine’s is a Life Plan Community, the couple has been able to smoothly transition to assisted living without having to leave the 160-acre campus.
“We initially came to St. Catherine’s Village through our church,” said Barbara. “A number of our friends from St. Richards already lived here but we never dreamed we would, too. Over the years, we stayed close and even moved from one level of care to another around the same time.”
The Murphys fully experienced and enjoyed their time in independent living, with Barbara serving as an unofficial welcoming committee introducing new residents to the group and making sure everyone felt comfortable in their new surroundings. Then, Barbara had a serious health incident that changed her and Dan’s lives.
“I’m a living testament to when it’s not your time to go, it’s not your time,” she explained. “I’m here today because of the quick response from the team at St. Catherine’s Village. Seven years later and I’m still their ‘miracle resident.’”
After Barbara’s health scare, the couple knew it was time for more care, so they moved to assisted living at Marian Hall.
“At first, I wasn’t excited about transferring to assisted living,” said Dan, who was reluctant to give up some of his independence and rely more heavily on caregivers. “But once I got used to them checking on us and managing our medications, I realized this level of attention was exactly what my wife and I needed.”
Barbara concurred. “We’re where we should be. We have a ball with our nurses and aides. We love bingo and the movies they show on campus. We take the bus to Walmart. We stay as busy as we want to be.” However, the Murphys never feel pushed into activities and still control their daily routines.
Having the support of their family also made the decision to move into assisted living easier. The couple’s children know there’s someone available 24/7/365 to help their parents, and if they ever have a concern, they can reach a caregiver or staff member quickly. They’ll also be on board if and when the time comes for the Murphys to progress through the next level of St. Catherine’s continuum of care.
Life at St. Catherine’s is the most recent chapter of Dan and Barbara’s love story, which began when they met at Southern Bell and secretly started dating, then continued through 68 years of marriage, four children, five grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren … plus another one on the way. Barbara turned 90 this year, and Dan — who was an infielder at Mississippi State University and is a member of the college’s Baseball Hall Of Fame — is 94.
“Everyone at St. Catherine’s Village has become like family to us,” said Dan. “The staff all have positive attitudes. The maintenance team is respectful. The transportation driver is courteous and patient. The people here are so special.”
A caring staff, on-site resident-centered care and a mission-focused environment are the hallmarks of St. Catherine’s and have been for decades. It was the first Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC) in Mississippi to earn accreditation by CARF. This “commitment to excellence” seal signifies that the campus exceeds the standards established by the only international accrediting body for CCRCs.
Within the Life Plan Community are independent living in apartments and garden homes, assisted living in Marian Hall, memory care in Campbell Cove, and skilled nursing in Hughes Center, Siena Center and Tuscany.
To learn more about senior living options at St. Catherine’s Village, visit StCatherinesVillage.com or call 601-856-0123 to schedule a tour.
