Skilled Nursing Facility of the Carmelite Sisters for the Aged and Infirm in Colombus, Ohio (USA), Receives National “Best Long-Term Care” Award

Mother Angeline McCrory Manor, operated by the Carmelite Sisters for the Aged and Infirm in Columbus, Ohio, received national recognition, receiving “best long-term care” facility in the annual Best Nursing Homes list published by U.S. News & World Report. The award categorized McCrory Manor as “high-performing,” the highest possible rating, for staffing and health outcomes, and above average in the “process” category. 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. The online magazine 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.

Each category has specific criteria. “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.

In an interview, Sister Ann Elizabeth Brown, O. Carm., said, “This ranking is quite an honor and came as a total surprise!” Sister is in her 12th year as the chief executive officer of the Manor and the adjacent Villas of St. Thérèse. “I know the ratings are 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. 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.

“The compassionate care provided to the residents at Mother Angeline McCroy Manor is outstanding,” said Father Michael Lumpe, former chaplain at the facility. “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.”

Fr. Lumpe continued, “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, handholding 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.”

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.

There are currently four Carmelite sisters who are part of the Manor’s staff of 137 full-time and about 85 part-time employees. There are also three members of the Sisters of Our Lady of Kilimanjaro, on staff. That congregation is based in Tanzania and ministering in the Diocese of Columbus since 2020.

The Carmelite Sisters of the Aged and Infirm were founded in 1929 by Mother Mary Angeline Teresa McCrory in the Archdiocese of New York. The institute’s mission is to care for the needs of elderly people and to care for the sick, in the spirit of the Carmelite tradition. The institute has facilities in the United States and Ireland. It was aggregated to the Order on August 24, 1931, by Elias Magennis, the prior general. The Sisters of been ministering in the Diocese of Columbus since 1947.

The institutes’ website is carmelitesisters.com.