From Independent Living To Skilled Nursing, Couple Stays Connected At St. Catherine’s Village

(Madison, Mississippi) – What started as a meeting in elementary school has become a lifelong love story for Betty and John King, now residents at St. Catherine’s Village senior living community in Madison, Mississippi.

“The couple act like newlyweds, even though they have been married for 66 years,” said Felichia Fields, assistant executive director at St. Catherine’s Village. John, who is 90 years old and a Korean War veteran, lives in skilled nursing in Siena Center while Betty, 88, has a studio independent living apartment on campus.

“Being able to stay happy and connected while living in separate areas of St. Catherine’s Village is a testament to their bond and the strength of their marriage,” said Fields.

John and Betty first met in Clinton, Mississippi and after travelling across the country and Europe and raising two daughters, retired there. But as John entered his 80s, his health began to falter and his mobility became restricted due to diabetes. After caring for her husband at home for seven years, Betty—a former teacher—realized it was time to get caregiver support. A close friend told the couple to check out St. Catherine’s Village.

“We had seen the community being built but were unaware of the services available,” said Betty. Following a stint in physical therapy for John, the couple decided to visit the property.

“When we first spoke with the staff, they were all very kind and truly made us feel wanted here,” she continued. “Luckily, one private skilled nursing room was available so we took it. And we are so glad we did! St. Catherine’s Village is about the most precious place in the world.”

John moved into Siena Center in October 2017. For a year, Betty visited John at St. Catherine’s Village every day. John was concerned about Betty driving 20 miles each way so her daughters urged her to consider moving to the senior living community as well. It was a difficult choice after owning a home for more than 60 years.

“I put everything on paper…one column with what I liked about St. Catherine’s Village and one column with the drawbacks. When I looked at the paper, everything was in the ‘like’ column,” she recalled. “So I prayed on it and asked God to show me a sign to make the right decision.”

Soon after, Betty’s son-in-law called to tell her he had a friend who was looking to purchase a home for investment purposes. The morning after showing Betty’s home, the potential investor made an offer and within 30 days the Kings’ family home was sold and closed.

“I knew this was God’s answer,” she said.

In October 2018, Betty moved to St. Catherine’s Village and immediately began making friends. Around the corner from her apartment was a college mate and around the other corner was a couple from Clinton she had known. On her first night, she also met the community’s music director.

“I found my niche—playing the piano and loving it,” said Betty. “I grew up playing in church then in clubs and at dances. Now I play hymns for Sunday church.”

At first, Betty was concerned about downsizing to a studio apartment.

“I thought, I can’t live in a space that small,” she recalled. “But the staff assured me that when a larger apartment opened up I could move into it. Needless to say, the studio ended up being absolutely perfect for me.”

She appreciates that her residence has a balcony overlooking the lake because a natural setting is very important to both Betty and John, who worked for the Mississippi State Park Service helping to restore the Gulf Coast after hurricane Camille and building 11 new state parks.

Overall, St. Catherine’s Village boasts 160 acres of beautiful outdoor space with lakes and wooded grounds. The Kings can be found walking around the lush campus and enjoying the well-manicured property during “date time” nearly every day. Betty often accompanies John to the grill, as well.

“We both adore the food here,” John said. Several choices are offered for every meal, all chef prepared in one kitchen. So whether in independent living or skilled nursing in Siena Center, menus are the same.

While Betty likes going out to eat at night, she also plays bridge with friends and participates in many of the activities and events at St. Catherine’s Village. There is so much to do on campus that even though the couple’s daughters and their families live nearby in Clinton and Madison and can frequently visit, “sometimes I’m already booked,” Betty teased.

John prefers quiet hour on the lower level. More importantly, he wants to catch a big fish on what he calls “Lake Siena,” the large lake outside the Siena Center skilled nursing building.

“I keep trying to put together a football team but no one wants to be on my team,” John joked. A former college football coach, he met a staff member at St. Catherine’s Village who had been a quarterback on one of his teams.

“We feel so special and blessed to be in such a good place,” said Betty. “With John’s diabetic condition, the nurses test his blood sugar several times a day and keep him on track. You don’t find that anywhere else. And they are always in such good spirits and take beautiful care of him. So we can stay relaxed and not worry about anything.”

“Everything at St. Catherine’s Village is at the highest level—service, amenities, property, activities, etc.,” said Betty. “Anyone who moves here will have the best quality of life—whether for the next year or many years.”

As Madison’s preeminent all-inclusive Life Plan Community, St. Catherine’s Village provides the right care at the right time for those in their retirement years. The private, gated community boasts a caring staff, on-site resident-centered care, and a mission-focused environment. Adults age 62 and older are welcome and encouraged to enjoy fullness of life, health and faith.

St. Catherine’s Village offers independent living in apartments and garden homes, assisted living in Marian Hall, memory care in Campbell Cove, skilled nursing in Siena Center and the new Tuscany building, and skilled nursing dedicated to memory care in Hughes Center.

The all-inclusive Life Plan Community was the first in the state to earn accreditation by CARF-CCAC. This “commitment to excellence” seal signifies that the campus exceeds the standards established by the only international accrediting body for CCRCs.

To learn more about life at St. Catherine’s Village, log onto www.StCatherinesVillage.com or call (601) 856-0123 to schedule a tour.

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Alzheimer’s/Dementia Caregiver Support Group – August 27th

Alzheimer’s/Dementia Caregiver Support Group

When: August 27th @ 5:30pm

Where: Campbell Cove

RSVP: 601-856-0123

St. Catherine’s Village will be hosting an Alzheimer’s/Dementia Caregiver Support Group on August 27th @ 5:30pm – 7:00pm.

 

Alzheimer’s and dementia seminar

Alzheimer’s and Dementia Educational Seminar – August 10

  • Date:  August 10, 2019
  • Time: 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
  • Cost: FREE! Public welcome!
  • RSVP by Friday, August 9th at (601) 856-0123 or email village@stdom.com

Join us for an educational seminar focused on key research for advanced memory loss and central nervous system disorders, specifically dementia, Alzheimer’s
disease and Parkinson’s disease. Hear from two medical experts—Dr. Juebin Huang, Associate Professor at University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC) Mind Center and Dr. Natividad Stover, Associate Professor at University of Alabama, Birmingham on their research and the progress that has been made in the field.

Juebin Huang, MD
Dr. Huang’s clinical practice is focused on general neurology with a special interest in neurodegenerative and movement disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, Tremor, Vascular dementia, and Mild Cognitive Impairment. His research interests include exploration of experimental therapeutics for Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases and the study of Neuroimaging biomarkers for aging and dementia. Dr. Huang is a member of the American Academy of Neurology.

Natividad Stover, MD
Dr. Stover specializes in neurology, movement disorders, Parkinson’s disease, deep brain stimulation, and dystonia. Dr. Stover is affiliated with the University Of Alabama Hospital.

Alzheimer’s Support Group – July 23rd

Alzheimer’s Support Group

When: July 23rd @ 5:30pm

Where: Campbell Cove

RSVP: 601-856-0123

St. Catherine’s Village will be hosting an Alzheimer’s Support Group on July 23rd @ 5:30pm – 7:30pm.

 

Alzheimer’s Support Group – June 25th

Alzheimer’s Support Group

When: June 25th @ 5:30pm

Where: Campbell Cove

RSVP: 601-856-0123

St. Catherine’s Village will be hosting an Alzheimer’s Support Group on June 25th @ 5:30pm – 7:30pm. The topic for the evening will be ‘A Caregiver’s Role in Coping with Dementia.’ RSVP to 601-856-0123.

 

Skilled Nursing Care

Job Fair – June 4

  • Date:  June 4, 2019
  • Time: 2–6 p.m.
  • Place: Commons Activity Room, 200 Dominican Drive, Madison, MS
  • Cost: FREE! Public welcome!
  • Call (601) 856-0100 for more information

Join us for a Job Fair at St. Catherine’s Village!

We are now hiring LPNs. We provide benefits including medical, dental and vision; retirement plan (403b), shift differential.  Second Shift and Third Shift Staff needed immediately.

St. Catherine’s Village is an award-winning Life Care Community in Madison that offers unparalleled facilities, resident-centered care, and a mission-focused environment.

Alzheimer’s Support Group – May 29th

Alzheimer’s Support Group

When: May 29th @ 11:30am

Where: Campbell Cove

RSVP: 601-856-0160

St. Catherine’s Village will be hosting an Alzheimer’s Support Group on May 29th @ 11:30am. LaToya Thomas, MSW, LCSW, SCV’s Campbell Cove Social Worker will resume the quarterly support group for caregivers.  The topic for the evening will be Alzheimer’s 101: Understanding the Disease. RSVP to 601-856-0160.

 

Alzheimer’s Support Group – May 13th

Alzheimer’s Support Group

When: May 13, 2019 @ 5:30pm

Where: Campbell Cove

RSVP: 601-856-0160

St. Catherine’s Village will be hosting an Alzheimer’s Support Group on May 13, 2019 @ 5:30pm and the guest speaker will be Alice Skelton (Alzheimer’s Mississippi).  The topic for the evening will be Alzheimer’s 101: Understanding the Disease. RSVP to 601-856-0160.

 

Parkinson’s Support Group – May 6th

Are you or a loved one struggling with Parkinson’s Disease or conditions related to Parkinson’s Disease and feeling overwhelmed? You are not alone. Learn coping skills and ways to enhance your quality of life while also sharing with others who are facing similar challenges. Dr. Juebin Huang, a Neurologist and member of the MIND Center clinical and research team will facilitate.

Juebin Huang, MD
Dr. Huang’s clinical practice is focused on general neurology with a special interest in neurodegenerative and movement disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, Tremor, Vascular dementia, and Mild Cognitive Impairment. His research interests include exploration of experimental therapeutics for Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases and the study of Neuroimaging biomarkers for aging and dementia. Dr. Huang is a member of the American Academy of Neurology.

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