Area residents looking for affordable supportive living have been coming to Saint Clare’s Villa since it opened its doors in 2002. Located on the upper levels of Saint Clare’s Hospital at 915 East Fifth Street in Alton, Saint Clare’s Villa is designed to ensure independence and quality of living for adults 65 years of age and older.
The 64-unit residential setting offers one bedroom or studio apartments and overlooks the Mississippi River. A flexible personal care service is provided to meet the needs of older adults who have some functional limitations. Residents are selected to carefully match services and resident needs through a comprehensive admission process, which is key to the supportive living environment created for residents, their families and staff.
“I see the residents from their initial tour when they are a bit apprehensive about making a move to just a little while later saying, I wish I had done this years ago,” said Shannon Fraley, Marketing and Admissions Coordinator.
Saint Clare’s Villa combines independence with personal care in a safe, dignified and comfortable setting with 24-hour supervision and assistance readily available by a Saint Anthony’s health care professional.
The qualified staff offers assistance with bathing, meal service and other activities of daily living if needed. Medication management, set up, reminders and monitoring are also available. Three meals per day are served in the main dining room and snacks and beverages are available at all times.
“The staff at Saint Clare's Villa is top notch,” said Shannon. “Our nursing staff is experienced in geriatric care and goes above and beyond for our residents. We really do all become a tight knit family and enjoy being together.”
Weekly housekeeping, including vacuuming, dusting, and bed linen changes are provided. Residents may use washers and dryers on the floor or have personal laundry service free of charge. A microwave and full-size refrigerator are included in each unit. Residents provide furniture, window draperies, dishes and other household necessities to make their apartment feel like home.
“Since the residents bring their own furnishings, they are able to make their new apartment feel just like home,” said Shannon. “They bring all of their favorite items, such as furniture, pictures and knick-knacks. They may have to leave the physical building they once lived in, but they bring the “heart of home” with them and that makes the transition easier.”
Residents are invited to participate in daily recreational, social and cultural activities that are planned, including health education programs. Saint Clare’s Villa offers a monthly newsletter and calendar to keep residents apprised of upcoming events, such as shopping trips, bingo, musical programs, pet therapy, themed parties and exercise classes.
“Many of our residents take part in a wide array of structured social activities,” said Shannon. “Our supported living is based on more of a social model than a medical model.
“A large percentage of seniors go through episodes of depression due to many factors such as losing a spouse, or living away from family. Residents flourish from the simple things, like being able to chit-chat with the neighbor in the apartment next door, having someone to eat meals and they are surrounded by people their own age and the activities our tailored to their likes and interests.”
Saint Clare’s Villa is staffed at all times, seven days a week. A 24-hour personal emergency call system is also available. Residents have peace of mind knowing that if an emergency occurs, help will be immediately available. For added security of the residents, Saint Clare’s Villa is locked and secured between the hours of 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. Visitors are allowed after hours with prior notification.
“It’s a wonderful feeling to see new residents out and about socializing, smiling and enjoying life again! We have been open for six years and continue to get rave reviews from visitors that our facility still looks new.”
Saint Clare’s Villa is currently accepting applications. A financial assistance program is available for those who qualify.
For more information on Saint Clare’s Villa, please call 618/463-9000.