Submitted by St. Catherine’s Village
As retired physicians, Drs. William (Bill) and Judith (Judy) Parker understand the importance of quality care during recovery. So when a stroke left Bill hospitalized for an extended period of time, the couple knew his best chance at rehabilitation was to find long-term care. Not only did they find that at St. Catherine’s Village, they found a Life Plan Community with a continuum of care.
Initially, Bill moved into Siena Center, the skilled nursing building on the 160-acre campus in Madison. Judy moved into an independent living apartment just steps away.
“When I first arrived … no one expected me to get well,” said Bill. “But the doctors evaluated me, adjusted my medications, and before we knew it, I was progressing.”
With the assistance of on-site physical and occupational therapy, Bill was soon able to get around with a walker and moved to assisted living at Marian Hall. Now Bill walks several miles a day and has improved so much that he has joined his wife in independent living.
“I’m excited to have my chef back,” Judy joked, noting that the couple likes to prepare their own meals at their residence. However, they can let the St. Catherine’s staff do the cooking as well. Meal plans are offered with nutritious and delicious menu items for breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks.
Bill and Judy look at life at St. Catherine’s as another adventure they can experience together. The couple met in medical school, married during their third year, and went on to enjoy long careers — Bill as a general practitioner and Judy as a pediatrician. When they retired at age 55, they started traveling, backpacking through 54 countries. Most recently, they had been spending a great deal of time visiting their daughter and grandchildren in California. That’s when Bill had his stroke.
“After we moved to St. Catherine’s Village, our grandson came to see us and said, ‘This isn’t a nursing home, it’s a resort,’ and our granddaughter wants to stay with us,” Judy said.
The Parkers’ son lives about 30 minutes from St. Catherine’s – which is a good thing, because Bill and Judy consider it home.
“I’ve practiced in hospitals for 30 years,” Bill explained. “St. Catherine’s Village is run extremely well, and the people are so caring. I won’t ever leave here.”
Judy agreed: “The staff is amazing, and I’m impressed with how they treat everyone like family.”
Being embraced by others in the same life stage — and who have gone through similar experiences — also bolsters the Parkers’ attitudes. Having neighbors who offer sage advice, who are thriving in a senior living environment, and who genuinely want to enhance the lives of those around them contributes to the special nature of St. Catherine’s.
“Our children have said that moving here is the best thing we could have done for them because they know we’re in a wonderful place where we’re getting the best care,” said Judy. “They don’t have to worry.”
With a caring staff, on-site resident-centered care, and a mission-focused environment, St. Catherine’s lives up to its reputation. 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 St. Catherine’s Village, visit StCatherinesVillage.com or call 601-856-0123 to schedule a tour.
