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Blessed Jeanne Jugan, foundress of the Little Sisters of the Poor,
was dedicated to the happiness of the elderly in her Home. Beyond
just meeting their needs for shelter, food and medical attention,
she was concerned that they had ample reason to smile. Activities
and entertainment were a natural and important part of her little
family’s life.
Preserving the original charism of Jeanne Jugan by giving happiness
to the elderly remains of utmost importance to the Little Sisters
today. Our service to the elderly is sealed by a fourth vow of
HOSPITALITY. This hospitality extends beyond physical care. It
also embraces the social, psychological, and spiritual dimensions
of the human person to make the later years of our Residents' lives
a meaningful time of fulfillment.
Respect for the Uniqueness of Each Resident
We are committed to promoting the dignity of life of each and every
one of our Residents. We make an effort to know each Resident
as a unique individual as well as his or her family, social background,
and culture.
Fostering a Home away from Home
It takes more than attractive décor to make a home. We work
to create a calm, welcoming atmosphere and a balance between stability
in daily routines (for these give the elderly a sense of security)
and flexibility in allowing each individual to make personal choices
and to act spontaneously. We strive to foster a setting that quickly
feels like home to new Residents and addresses their need for
comfort, safety and security.
Providing Meaningful Activities
Just as in the time of Jeanne Jugan, we give our Residents the
opportunity to participate in recreational and social activities
and to take responsibility for certain daily tasks (no matter
how small). This helps to foster a feeling of belonging. In addition,
these activities help Residents by delaying mental and physical
decline and responding to their desire to remain useful and involved.
Encouraging Pastoral Care
Pastoral services respond to a real need of the elderly who largely
regard religion as important in their lives. We assist the elderly
to live old age as a time of peace and to assume the sufferings
of old age from the perspective of their personal faith. We welcome
Residents of all religions, and respect their desires to practice
their own faith.
Accompanying the Dying
We continue our tradition of assuring a constant presence to those
who have entered the dying process. We use the collaboration
of physicians and other specialities to make them as comfortable
as possible while remaining with them and their families both
day and night. Accompanying a Resident on his or her final journey
is the greatest expression of our mission of hospitality and
the most sacred aspect of our work.
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Welcome | Mission & History | Introduction | Our
Logo | Art of Accompaniment | Jeanne
Jugan |
Sayings of Jeanne Jugan | Our
Spirituality | Vow
of Hospitality | Expansion
of the Congregation | Little Sisters
in the USA
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