$6.8 million assisted living coming Thib.

Southdown to get bronze historical marker
November 26, 2014
OUR VIEW: Much to be thankful for this holiday
November 26, 2014
Southdown to get bronze historical marker
November 26, 2014
OUR VIEW: Much to be thankful for this holiday
November 26, 2014

Assisted living in Thibodaux shifts to a more senior friendly environment with a new $6.8 million assisted living community started by non-profit group St. Joseph Manor. Cardinal Place will open its doors in the later half of 2015 and is located at 1209 Cardinal Drive.


Jerry and Dottee Lecompte have already begun preparing for move-in day by downsizing the items they own.

“We have a nice home and have some nice things we have accumulated in our 46 years of marriage. We were looking to move into a place like this where it is maintenance free and simplifies our lives,” future tenant Jerry Lecompte said. “It is smaller. We don’t have a yard to maintain, flower beds to take care of or driveways to edge when I cut the grass. It will allow us in later years to concentrate on other things that we have not been able to before. It is a lot of give and take.”

Ralph Melancon, 82, said the downsizing is tough, but he and his wife Marie-Louise will manage.


“It is hard to do, but we are looking forward to maintenance free living,” he said. “We are at an age where that will be appropriate.”

Residents will have to pay a one-time fee for move in which varies depending on the unit and provide $200 per month as a maintenance fee.

That fee includes the keep-up of the facility’s yard, garbage pick up and other everyday chores relieving the duties from the residents.


When the apartment is no longer in use by the resident, the resident or family depending on the situation will receive 85 percent of the membership fee back.

“You will not own it because we can pass along the savings, insurance costs and property taxes to the residents that live here because we are non-profit,” St. Joseph Manor President Gerald Block said.

Non profit-organization, St. Joseph Manor wanted to give folks who are 55 years and older an assisted housing option while still maintaining their independence.


Administrator Ann Thibodaux has worked in long-term care since 1976. In 1994, St. Joseph Manor’s founder, 90-year-old Monsignor Francis Amedee, asked her if she wanted to be the administrator to which she eventually obliged several months later. She said her passion for seniors and inspiration she gets from them is a major reason she wanted to help give them a housing complex that could best fulfill folk’s needs.

“The board of directors and I wanted to expand senior services,” Thibodaux said. “We held research seminars and focus groups to see what was needed. This is what the people wanted, a community like this in the area. I am most excited to be able to offer this type of community because it is not available anywhere in the tri-parish area to our seniors 55 and older.”

Phase I of the project will include 24 total units consisting of 23 one and two bedroom apartments. The apartments will vary in price depending on the layout. All are equipped with the basics such as a bedroom, kitchen, living room and bathroom as well as a balcony or porch. However, some are more immense with two bedrooms, two baths and even a study.


“One of the problems people find when they get older is finding a safe place to live without having communal dining. They don’t want to have dinner, lunch or breakfast in large groups. These units have kitchens. Each unit will have separate bedrooms. You will be able to live in it like it is a condo,” Block said.

The 24th unit will be used as a community center for the residents to mingle.

The facility gives folks a safe and comfortable living arrangement because the entire complex is for people in their age range.


“It is going to be a great facility. There is nothing else like it around here,” Block said. “Our concept was how could we honor the commitment and efforts our seniors have made and put them in to a facility that they can live in with shared interests. They won’t be living next to someone younger, maybe a college student who likes to have friends over for beer pong. They will be in a situation where they can say, so and so is my neighbor and I have known him for 20 years, I used to take care of his dog when he was out of town. That is approximately what will be involved.”

If phase I proves to be successful, future plans could include a second phase which would be another building for a clubhouse.

St. Joseph Manor is funding the project through partnering banks and will pay back the money over time.


Block, who also got involved as a direct result of outreach from Monsignor Amedee, said in his 20 years of work that seeing joy on the faces of seniors is a great feeling.

“Watching that happen and knowing the appreciation the seniors have for that is all the feedback I have ever needed. They are so grateful, appreciative and joyous. It is bountiful.”

Block added, “There is a charitable side to lots of people. Nobody has ever said they did not have time for this. It is an unselfish thing to do so people feel good about it.”


St. Joseph Manor Administrator Ann Thibodaux discusses the plans for Cardinal Place in front of a group of folks eligible for housing. 

 

MICHAEL HOTARD | THE TIMES