BIDDEFORD — On Friday there was a celebratory mood at St. Andre Health Care on Pool Street. The residents were enjoying a barbecue luncheon on the back patio, being served by staff dressed in garb from the 1970s, with disco music playing in the background.
The 1970s theme was a tribute to the founding of the health care organization 35 years ago, on June 7, 1976.
The facility was started as a maternity hospital and a home for unwed mothers by the Good Shepherd sisters.
In the late 1960s and early 1970s there was no longer a need for an institution-based home for unwed mothers, as they had moved into group homes, said Sister Mary Morey, director of Mission Integration at St. Andre.
After discussion by the sisters with lay people in the community, said Morey, “They saw there was a need for a nursing home that was faith-based” and St. Andre Health Care was founded.
Although St. Andre was begun by Catholic nuns, Morey said the diverse spiritual need of all the patients are respected.
When the health care facility was formed it first served as an assisted living home. It adapted over the years and now offers rehabilitative services, long-term care and care for patients with Alzheimer’s and dementia.
In addition to caring for patients’ physical needs, said Morey, “We want our residents to flourish. We provide them with an environment where they flourish body, mind and soul.”
Barbara Sheehan, a patient who has called St. Andre’s home for four years, seems to be flourishing. She moved in after her daughter and son-in-law were no longer able to care for her, she said.
“I’ve enjoyed it,” said Sheehan, who is the president of the Residents’ Council. “I’ve done a lot more than I would have at home” in terms of activities and meeting new friends, she said.
Not only patients, but even the staff seem to enjoy being at St. Andre.
“I love my job,” said Director of Nursing Linda Lamontagne.
She said she enjoys “interacting with the people, seeing people get better and go home.”
And because of the spiritual basis of the organization, said Lamontagne, St. Andre provides a unique service to the surrounding community. St. Andre serves the community in other ways, said President Andrea Otis-Higgins. The staff provides support by volunteering at a number of local agencies such as local soup kitchens, Most Holy Trinity Church, the non-food pantry In-A-Pinch and other groups that help those who need it.
Otis-Higgins said the 35th anniversary of the health care facility was an important milestone in recognizing the facility’s and staff’s service to the community.
In addition to celebrating the facility’s 35th anniversary on Friday, Huguette Dion’s 35th anniversary of working at St. Andre was also recognized. The CNA, who retired on Thursday, began working at St. Andre on opening day.
“I never in my life thought I’d be there 35 years,” she said. “It’s like a dream.”
She said she’s seen a lot of changes, but “it’s always been a good place to work,” said Dion.
“I like the residents and I like the workers,” she said. “I’m going to miss everyone.”
Her parting thoughts to the staff were “Keep up the good work.”
— Staff Writer Dina Mendros can be contacted at 282-1535, Ext. 324 or dmendros@journaltribune.com.
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