Mother Angeline McCrory Manor, operated by the Carmelite Sisters for the Aged and Infirm, has received national recognition for the quality of its long-term care programs.
The skilled nursing facility at 5199 E. Broad St., Columbus was among those receiving “best long-term care” honors in the annual Best Nursing Homes list published by U.S. News & World Report, the online version of the former print magazine with the same name.
The list has been published annually since 2009 and is recognized nationally as a leading authority concerning health care information. It is based on a rigorous analysis of data published by the Centers for Medicare & Medical Services, a branch of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
This year, it analyzed 14,750 facilities in all 50 states on 17 quality measures related to staffing, patient outcomes and patient safety, with the goal of helping families identify options that best meet their needs.
McCrory Manor was rated as high-performing, the highest possible rating, for staffing and health outcomes, and above average in the “process” category. Staffing covers the amount of nurse staffing per resident daily. Health outcomes involve patients’ ability to self-care, hospitalizations, emergency room visits and signs of depression. The process category is related to health inspections and the prescribing of antipsychotic drugs.
For example, the report said McCrory Manor patients received 4 hours 21 minutes of nurse staffing per resident daily, including 3 hours 52 minutes of direct patient care and 46 minutes of registered-nurse staffing. These compare with respective national averages of 3:50. 3:32 and 39 minutes.
“This ranking is quite an honor and came as a total surprise,” said Sister Ann Elizabeth Brown, OCarm, who has been in Columbus for 12 years as chief executive officer of the Manor and the Villas of St. Therese, which are adjacent to each other. The Villas provide both independent and assisted living in a residential setting for senior citizens.
“I know the ratings are based on based on strict methodology and arrived at with great care and are nationally known, so it’s impressive to know our work here is held in such high regard,” she said.
The Manor has 84 units for people who need 24-hour assistance and medical supervision for all aspects of their lives and 42 units used in short-term rehabilitation for those recovering from heart attacks, hip or knee replacements and other major procedures.
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It offers three daily meals, daily Mass and other religious activities, exercise classes, visits by speakers and school groups, and social activities including bingo, cards, crafts and movies.
“I discovered very quickly that many people needing care choose to come to the Manor because of its Catholic atmosphere and that a priest’s presence is very important to them,” said Father Paul Noble, who has been the facility’s chaplain for about a year.
“Daily Mass in our chapel, which can be attended in person or though the building’s video system, plus individual visits bring a dimension which provides a consoling presence to people bringing their earthly journey to a spiritual close and preparing for what is to come. I’m honored to serve them.”
“The compassionate care provided to the residents at Mother Angeline McCroy Manor is outstanding,” said Father Michael Lumpe, Father Noble’s predecessor as chaplain. “The sisters and the entire staff provide an incredible level of care to Mother Angeline residents. Every day is award-winning from what I have experienced.
“The care at Mother Angeline goes beyond just providing medications and skilled nursing support to the residents. There is a lot of one-on-one care, hand-holding with the residents, conversing with them, letting them know that they are truly cared for and that their life, and their residing at Mother Angeline matters.
“Our priests routinely go to Mother Angeline for skilled nursing care. We want the best for our priests, and we know that the sisters and staff provide the best for every resident, short-term or long-term.
“Twice I have been at Mother Angeline for short-term rest, rehab and physical therapy following two knee replacement surgeries. At some point in the near future, I need to have my left shoulder replaced. I will be at Mother Angeline again following that surgery. I would not want to be anywhere else, knowing that I will receive the best of care.”
McCrory Manor’s public space is designed in “streetscape” style to encourage people to gather. It includes a living room, library, café, gift shop, beauty and barber shop, clinics and the Buckeye Lounge, decorated with Ohio State memorabilia and with a big-screen television. The lounge serves as a gathering place for residents to watch football games or other events.
The building’s two four-story towers are divided into neighborhoods of about 20 units, each with a living room, dining room, spa with whirlpool tub, nurse’s station with refrigerators for snacks, and low barriers which make it easier for nurses to assist residents.
In 2021, 17 rooms were converted into a memory care unit offering specialized care for people with memory loss related to Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia.
“We were very pleased to add that because of the growing need for such care,” Sister Ann said. “It’s been filled since the beginning. We’re hoping to expand the rehabilitation area and have drawings for it. Now it’s a question of finding the capital so those plans can advance.”
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Sister Ann Marie is one of four Carmelite sisters who are part of the Manor’s staff of 137 full-time and about 85 part-time employees. The others are Sister Robert Mullens, OCarm, in pastoral care; Sister Patricia Brancaccio, OCarm, residents’ advocate; and Sister Philomena Schill, OCarm, at the Villas. Also serving at the facility are three members of the Sisters of Our Lady of Kilimanjaro,, an order based in Tanzania which came to the Diocese of Columbus since 2020.
The Carmelites have been caring for senior citizens in Columbus since 1947, first at the former St. Raphael’s and St. Rita’s homes for the aged, and since 2000 at the Villas and 2005 at the Manor.