Benedictine Manor to close; Six month timeline set to help residents relocate
Published 5:00 am Saturday, May 19, 2018
- Benedictine Manor, shown Friday, will permanently close this fall.
After 35 years in operation, Benedictine Manor, the retirement residence operated by the Benedictine Sisters of Cullman, will permanently close this fall.
The facility, located adjacent to the Sacred Heart Monastery on Convent Road in East Cullman, serves residents as an independent living home. Benedictine Sisters revealed the decision to close the residence in a release Friday.
The Sisters explained that changing economic tides in health care and long-term senior living had contributed to the decision to close. Over the past three and a half decades, “many changes have taken place in residential and eldercare options available to seniors,” the release stated.
“Today’s elders are more likely to seek living options that provide a continuum of care. Better health care options allow more elders to stay at home for a longer period of time. Because of these positive changes that provide more options for elders, fewer people are looking for the independent living option provided by Benedictine Manor. “
In recent years, Benedictine Manor had seen a decrease in the need for its services “to a point where the Sisters have made the difficult decision to close Benedictine Manor before these realities affect the level of service we can provide to our residents,” the release explained.
The announcement comes six months ahead of the facility’s official closure, giving current residents a window of time in which to secure other living arrangements.
“Our prayer is that our residents will find a new place to live that will meet their needs by the end of November, 2018,” the Sisters said. “We are providing a six-month time frame because most assisted living facilities have a waiting list and we want to allow sufficient time for our residents to explore their options and plan their moves.”
A call to Sacred Heart Prioress Sister Tonette Sperando was not returned by press time Friday. Benedictine Manor indicated in its release that its staff and management will work closely with current residents “to make this transition as smooth as possible for everyone.”
