St Frances Nursing & Rehab Center

Pros

• The grandmother felt comfortable and well-cared for at St. Francis Nursing & Rehabilitation Center.
• The staff exhibited patience and genuine care, forming a close bond with the grandmother, who was affectionately called "Madear."
• The facility maintained a clean and pleasant environment, free of unpleasant odors often found in other facilities.
• The family was reassured knowing their loved one was in good hands, thanks to the familiarity of a family member working at the facility.
• Residents regularly enjoyed engaging events that contributed to their overall happiness and quality of life.
• The community at St. Francis showed compassion and support not only for the residents but also for their families during difficult times.

Cons

• The author felt uneasy and guilty about placing their grandmother in a nursing facility.
• The author never wanted to consider a "facility" as an alternative for their grandmother's care.
• The initial feelings of distrust stemmed from the fear of strangers managing their grandmother's comfort and privacy.
• There was a concern that some poorly staffed facilities would have unpleasant odors, highlighting a negative view of other nursing homes.
• The mention of "shame on the staff" suggests disappointment in the quality of care at certain facilities.
• Despite positive experiences at St. Francis, the author acknowledges the emotional difficulty of losing their grandmother to cancer, reflecting sadness and loss.

Review

When it comes to making decisions about the care of an elderly loved one, feelings of unease and guilt are often prevalent. This was certainly true for one individual who found themselves grappling with such emotions when their grandmother moved into St. Francis Nursing & Rehabilitation Center. The transition was not taken lightly, driven more by necessity than desire, as work commitments and school obligations left little room for round-the-clock care. The sense of vulnerability that comes with entrusting a loved one's well-being to strangers is something many family members can relate to; however, the close proximity of the facility—just 15 minutes from their hometown of Oakdale—and familial connections helped ease some of those concerns.

Initially, there was a hesitance stemming from the stigma often associated with nursing facilities. However, over time, it became clear that St. Francis was not just another generic institution; rather, it was a community where residents received attentive care and were treated with dignity. The frequent visits gave the individual ample opportunity to witness firsthand how well their grandmother was being looked after. Far from feeling despondent or neglected within her new environment, she seemed content and engaged in a variety of activities designed specifically for seniors.

One key detail that stood out during each visit was the palpable warmth and attentiveness displayed by the staff at St. Francis. Not only did they provide essential care but they also fostered personal relationships with the residents. This sense of familiarity extended to calling her grandmother “Madear,” a term that resonated deeply with family love and connection—an indication that she was not merely seen as another resident but as part of their extended family. Such gestures profoundly impacted both the grandmother's experience within the facility and her family's perception of St. Francis.

Another notable aspect contributing to positive reassurances regarding St. Francis was its cleanliness—a factor instrumental in differentiating quality nursing homes from poorly managed ones. During every visit, there were no unpleasant odors typically associated with inadequately staffed facilities; instead, what greeted visitors were pleasant surroundings supplemented by caring interactions among both staff and residents alike. This attention to hygiene reflects on not only the operational standards upheld by St. Francis but also an overall respect for human dignity—something especially significant in elder care.

The social engagement opportunities available at St. Francis also played an essential role in ensuring residents remained active participants in their community life rather than isolated individuals confined within four walls—a common plight many elderly face in institutional settings elsewhere. Each visit seemed like an event filled with laughter and camaraderie among residents, reinforcing that this facility had constructed a nurturing environment tailored specifically to meet seniors’ needs.

As time went on, despite facing heartbreaking circumstances concerning her grandmother’s cancer diagnosis later in life leading up to her passing in 2012, gratitude blossomed towards all who contributed positively throughout this journey—including those dedicated staff members at St. Francis Nursing & Rehabilitation Center who cared deeply for her during her stay there until she departed this world surrounded not just by family but by loving caregivers too.

In reflecting upon these experiences at St.Francis, it becomes increasingly evident how crucial trustworthy environments are when placing elderly loved ones into professional hands—and how invaluable those connections formed between caregivers & recipients truly become! For anyone navigating similar decisions today or looking into facilities for their own elders may benefit greatly from understanding: sometimes “facility” doesn’t have to mean coldness or separation—it can very much embody warmth & community within healthcare settings instead!

Places of Worship

• New Beginnings (0.2 miles)
• Oberlin Baptist Church (0.5 miles)
• Parish of Allen (0.5 miles)
• First Baptist Church (1.2 miles)
• Progress Church of God in Christ (1.5 miles)
• Pentecostal's Of Mittie (6.6 miles)
• L.I.F.E. Church (7.1 miles)

Pharmacies

• Phil's Pharmacy (0.3 miles)
• Cappel Drugstore (10.5 miles)
• Coushatta Family Pharmacy (10.7 miles)
• Good Neighbor Pharmacy (11.1 miles)
• Mayeaux's Family Pharmacy (11.1 miles)
• Fred's Pharmacy (13.5 miles)
• Basile Family Pharmacy (14.4 miles)

Restaurants

• The Crawfish Shack & Drive Thru (0.3 miles)
• The Old Fashioned Bakery2 (8.1 miles)
• Boudin & Cracklin Express (9.8 miles)
• Subway (10 miles)
• McDonald's (10.6 miles)
• Chadeaux's Cajun Kitchen (10.8 miles)
• J & R Crawfish (10.9 miles)

Transportation

• U-Haul Neighborhood Dealer (6.9 miles)
• U-Haul Neighborhood Dealer (20.7 miles)
• U-Haul (21 miles)

Hospitals

• Allen Parish Community Healthcare (10.4 miles)
• Mamou Health Resources (21.2 miles)

Cafes

• Canal Coffee (10.5 miles)
• Canal Coffee (14.6 miles)
• Donut Queen (21.1 miles)

Parks

• Lambert Park Kinder (10.5 miles)
• Bon Temps ATV Park (18.9 miles)

Physicians

• Matthew Ross Courville (10.9 miles)
• Allen Parish Hospital Rural Health Pediatric Clinic (11 miles)
• Rapides Regional Physician Group Primary Group-Oakdale (14.8 miles)
• The Vision Clinic (14.9 miles)
• Women's Clinic of Oakdale (15.2 miles)
• Women's Medical-Surgical Clinic (21.2 miles)