McCrory Manor was just the right place (home) for my mother, Nancy Hobson, and my sister, Sara (caregiver).

Here is some background: My mother was a devout Catholic; consequently, the opportunity to reside with the Sisters in a Catholic-sponsored assisted living/nursing home was perfect. I remember the day we had THE TALK with Mom (about 2 years before the Manor was built).

It was a late summer afternoon in Columbus, Ohio following Mom’s doctor appointment. My sister, who has been her long-time roommate and caregiver, my mother, and I sat on a bench under a large shade tree (mom was in a wheelchair at that time). It was a difficult moment. The initiation of the conversation was the most difficult. My sister and I knew Mom could no longer depend on my sister to give her the care she needed at home. A nursing home was our only alternative. We just didn’t have the finances to have someone from an “agency” stay with her 16 hours a day indefinitely. Of course that is what she wanted.

I knew the Columbus nursing home and assisted living market very well since I had been the CEO of a CCRC (First Community Village) in Columbus for 20 years. Many, like FCB, were newer with better curb appeal, but quite candidly, none could match the love and care that I knew existed with the Carmelite Sisters. The thing that bothered me most was that St. Raphael’s was one of the oldest and most obsolete care centers in Columbus. Very depressing surroundings!

Nevertheless, we proceeded to visit St. Raphael’s. Mom was not happy with me or my sister at all. She felt we had betrayed her. That was until she met the Sisters and took the tour. You could see the peace come over her once she experienced the personification of the stone building known as St. Raphael’s.

A month later we moved Mom into St. Raphael’s. She resided there for about two years until the McCrory Manor was built and opened.

Oh dear, we thought. She was so satisfied at St. Raphael’s, what will this new environment be like? What will this do to her physically and mentally? Only time would tell. We worried that the McCrory Manor would be too glitzy with a cold, unfriendly feeling.

It isn´t often that a resident or his/her family can have the positive experience such as the one we had at McCrory Manor. It turned out to be a new beginning for all of us.

McCrory Manor was beautiful. It was well designed and appointed in a manner that extended the warmth beyond any feel of glitter.

We noticed the little things like nice areas for privacy, intimacy, and congregate spaces for larger groups. The team stations were efficient and user friendly from a resident/family perspective. It had appealing activity areas; the outdoor patios were most inviting, the chapel was beautiful (my mother´s favorite), and the rooms possessed a homelike atmosphere. They lend themselves well to privacy, yet they are large enough for multiple guests.

Of course my favorite was the "Main Street" and the centerpiece: The Buckeye Café.

Once my mother made the move to McCrory Manor, it was like a new lease on life (a new beginning). Her new home no longer looked or felt like a nursing home. Once you entered the front door, you felt like you arrived at a small, friendly town. The amenities that the architecture brought to McCrory Manor allowed my mother´s and sister´s minds to move beyond thinking of her new home as a nursing home. It was almost like being on an extended vacation.

As a family member who spent many long, later hours visiting, I found areas that allowed me to both rest and work (with my laptop). The Buckeye Café and main street were a positive diversion for all of us.

About a year and a half ago, Mom passed away. I was actually with THW in San Antonio when I got the call to come home immediately. I made it in time and had the opportunity to spend the final 30 hours with her and my sister.

We couldn´t have scripted Mom´s final hours better. Let me explain.

The Carmelite Sisters were at their best making sure we were all comfortable. Mom´s room was perfect in size and layout. I was able to sleep there in privacy, and at the same time, we had a group of priests (I think about 9) who sat with her and prayed on her final night with us. Several of my mom´s sisters made it to Columbus to be with her; the intimacy of the surrounds was perfect.

The clustered room concept made it feel as though we were in Mom´s "neighborhood" as people stopped by to see how we were doing. The "neighbors" family members asked how they could help.

My point is that there was an excellent eye for detail. I cannot think of anything for which I wished that wasn´t readily available. We had privacy, diversions, peaceful chapel, and calm and relaxing outdoor patio areas. And most importantly, we had the most caring staff you would find anywhere. Mom´s death was filled with dignity. It began with the care and thoughtfulness of the Sisters and flowed through the surroundings.

This is not the end of the story; my sister, Sara, is an active volunteer and part-time employee of McCrory Manor now. She has adopted all of the residents. She loves the staff (especially the Sisters), and she refers to McCrory Manor as HER second home.

When she volunteers, she is with the residents. When she works part-time, she runs the Buckeye Café. And she loves being around the Sisters. Our family will forever be indebted to the Carmelite Sisters. And I will always cherish the fact that Mom was able to live the last two years of her life in McCrory Manor, which gave her a new beginning with many smiles long after the meeting.