Saint Elizabeth Manor, a local nursing home in Bristol R.I., located on One Dawn Hill Road, is a quaint facility which provides care to up to 133 elderly men and women. Windows and flowers surround the facility, which send out positive vibes for people who enter.
Sound typical? Sure. Until you discover the petting zoo. There you’ll find three lamas, two donkeys, and a couple dozen ducks-all of which help to keep the residents morale upbeat. In additional, the facility also houses four cats-also adding to the home-like feel of the center.
And let’s not forget Arnold, who recently transferred to that great pig farm in the sky. Gone, but not forgotten by his friends at Saint Elizabeth.
Saint Elizabeth Manor is also a place for rehabilitative and transitional care, along with Specialized Alzheimer’s Disease and/or dementia care.
Pam Morang, 81 has been a resident for 2 ½ years. Prior to being a resident she was a social worker. Morang enjoys the company of the people at Saint Elizabeth. “For the most part the food is okay. But I’d like to give them a few lessons,” Morang said. For entertainment purposes she writes for a paper doing biographies on willing residents.Morang has regular visits from her children and grandchildren. “The staff is very nice. Best part of the residency. They are pleasant people,” Morang said.
The petting zoo has a ceremony every year where the animals are blessed by the Reverend and Priest. The residents all go to the ceremony and really enjoy it, partly because there is a large buffet for anyone who joins.
“My grandchildren come every weekend to feed the animals. They bring the right foods; celery, carrots, and apples,” said Morang.
Reverend David Proctor, Director of Spirituality and Community Services, has been working at Saint Elizabeth Manor for the past 3 years. His role in the community is to listen and to help people and provide spirituality on their journey.
Proctor, 59, doesn’t dress with the typical collar similar to what a typical minister would wear. He instead dresses in normal dress clothes. “The collar turns a lot of people off,” Proctor said.
Proctor has been ordained as a minister for 35yrs. Part of his background as a minister is training in education. “Not to judge to walk with them,” Proctor said explaining his duties in this facility. He provides worship services, which are open to all.
“Meeting with the residents and getting to know them is very meaningful,” Proctor said. There are many friendships formed throughout the facility including residents, staff and even volunteers. “When they die there is a real sense of loss. The reality is when you care for people there is always a sense of loss,” Proctor said. And for many, it is their last home. Saint Elizabeth looses 50 to 60 residents a year.
The facility, which provides for all ages even including a nursery school which is located across the way from theAlzheimer's unit. Morang explains how the residents watch the children play on the playground from their rooms. “I was very impressed with the nursery school. The kids will come around to the residents rooms and sing happy birthday,” Morang said
“I don’t do well when it’s dark, I need light,” Proctor said. He explains that there were times when he felt like giving up. The Reverend enjoys his work at the facility and makes himself available for any residents, staff, and volunteerswho need guidance or someone to confide in.
Adriana Canario, a nurse at Saint Elizabeth’s Manor, not only cares for the residents but also volunteers with the petting zoo. “99% of the residents want to spend their time with the animals,” Canario said.
Canario goes above and beyond her duties at the facility and goes back every night to Saint Elizabeth’s to check on the animals. She considers herself to be a mother to the animals, and even has prescriptions for the animals made out with the animals names following her last name, Canario.
“Pete and Jane are similar to a married couple,” Canario said. Referring to the llamas, who gave birth to Liberty the youngest llama in the group who is 5 years old. Liberty received her name because she was born on the third of July. “Pete and Liberty are constantly butting heads like any parent with a teenager,” Canario said.
The two donkeys are called Molly and Gabrielle who are jealous of one another explains Canario. Canario is so dedicated to helping the animals she even decorates the barn with a Christmas tree and leaves music playing quietly every night.
Canario misses Arnold the pig, who died January 26th, 2009 from cancer.Arnold was a unique pig. Canario would play music for him, along with the rest of the animals.
“He was all black two tufts Vietnamese potbelly pig who had a personality.I would play music for him and Arnold really liked John Denver. His tail would wag in time with the music, and if he really liked a song he would jump up and down,” Canario said.
The petting zoo has a couple dozen ducks, including white ducks, which resemble the Aflec duck. She has even trained the ducks so every time she says “Aflec, Aflec, Aflec” the ducks swim out of the pond and follow Canario, imitating the Aflec commercial. These families of animals are quiet unusual and very entertaining. The petting zoo is a great feature for the nursing home and gives the facility an extra welcoming feeling.The residents, children, staff and volunteers all frequently visit the animals and enjoy watching them.
Saint Elizabeth’s Manor is an interesting facility that provides above and beyond the requirements of a typical nursing home. Saint Elizabeth is truly a home to its residents and all who work around the area.
