Pastoral care in a long-term care setting. St. Joseph's Manor exemplifies a strong commitment to serving the needs of all.

PASTORAL CARE IN A LONG-TERM CARE SETTING I n 1984 the Carmelite Sisters for the Aged and Infirm undertook to begin formal pastoral care departments in each of their 23 facilities. St. Joseph's Manor in Trumbull, CT, a 297-bed long-term care facility owned by the Diocese of Bridgeport and operated by the Carmelite Sisters, was one of the first to implement this community directive. St. Joseph's has three levels of care: a home for the aged (23 beds), intermediate care (64 beds), and skilled nursing (210 beds). The average age of the residents is 87. An adult day care program has operated at St. Joseph's for the last seven years. On the same campus are 50 apartment units and 36 condominium units, also owned by the diocese but managed under separate contract. Many of the older people living in these units participate in the spiritual life of the Manor.