Faith-Based Retirement Living Meets High Expectations of Seniors

Faith-Based Retirement Living Meets High Expectations of Seniors
Article submitted by Clare Oaks located in Bartlett, Illinois. They can be reached at 800-648-1984 or visit their website for more information - www.ClareOaks.com.

These communities not only offer the usual services and amenities of a continuing care retirement community-housing, dining venues, fitness and wellness programs, activities, fellowship and more-they also typically provide a chapel for prayer and meditation and regular Mass or church services.

Several groups benefit from faith-based retirement communities.

Residents can continue to practice their faith while ensuring their physical, emotional and spiritual needs are well met in an environment of spiritual fellowship and support among neighbors who share similar beliefs. Then there is the reassurance of having a sponsor that is tied to a church or religious order, thus giving the community a firm foundation.
Neighbors of the community benefit because faith-based retirement communities typically are planned and developed to minimize impact on the surrounding natural environment. And in most cases, the communities serve as a resource of information and counsel on issues involving senior care.
Churches can tap these communities in order to care for their ever-growing number of retiring clergy. In such a community, clergy members can continue their ministry in a safe environment that can provide for their health care needs as they age.
One example is Clare Oaks, a continuing care retirement community located in Bartlett, Illinois. Clare Oaks was inspired by the caring vision of the Sisters of St. Joseph of the Third Order of St. Francis. The Sisters wanted to create an intimate retirement community that served every aspect of a person: mind, body and spirit. They envisioned an inspiring environment where residents would live in close harmony with each other and continue to grow as individuals and as a community.
The setting of Clare Oaks remains park-like, as the community was committed to leaving as small a footprint as possible. Residents also enjoy access to a chapel which offers daily Mass as well as non-denominational services and a retreat known as The Center, dedicated to achieving insight and understanding through discussion, meditation and time-honored physical activities.
Faith-based communities also often provide opportunities for intergenerational activities, important for those seniors who do not wish to be isolated from the spirit and energy of youth. Clare Oaks provides a unique intergenerational opportunity to residents as it shares a campus with The Clare Woods Academy, a special education facility for children and young adults.
The Sisters are sponsors of Clare Oaks. CRSA, headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee, is responsible for the development and management of the community. Founded in 1989, CRSA has worked with several religious-based affinity groups in developing retirement communities including the Catholic, Episcopal, Lutheran and Methodist churches.

More about Clare Oaks ...

Clare Oaks is the new retirement community sponsored by the Sisters of St. Joseph of the Third Order of St. Francis. Located on 41 acres of beautiful landscape, Clare Oaks offers spacious private apartment residences and lovely cottage-style homes in addition to an array of services and amenities in the well-appointed commons building. You'll enjoy flexible dining options, fitness and wellness activities, an indoor pool and a wealth of social and educational opportunities. Clare Oaks also provides peace of mind for the future with on-site assisted living, specialty care for memory support, skilled nursing and rehabilitation in The Assisi Health Care Center.
Located on the Clare Oaks campus, The Assisi Health Care Center provides an enriching, comfortable lifestyle that nourishes the mind, body and spirit. For those in need of short- or long-term health care, there is no finer setting than this. Assisted living, skilled nursing, specialty care for memory support and respite care are all available.

Clare Oaks
825 Carillon Drive, Bartlett, Illinois 60103
Phone: 630-372-1983
Toll-free 800-648-1984
www.ClareOaks.com