senior living

Wisdom is hard-earned, coming naturally as people age, but it also can expand with a little effort.

Dominican Sister Carla Mae Streeter, a professor emerita of systemic theology at Aquinas Institute of Theology, recently presented "Spirituality in the Second Half of Life," at the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows and at Incarnate Word Parish in Chesterfield.

"People in this age group have lived a lot of life -- they've experienced both grief and joy in many different forms," Sister Carla Mae said.

Construction is progressing in Bridgeton on a new nursing home being built on The Sarah Community grounds.

Founded in 1997 through the collaboration of five Catholic religious congregations -- the Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul, Franciscan Sisters of Mary, Religious of the Sacred Heart, School Sisters of Notre Dame and the Sisters of Loretto -- The Sarah Community is a continuing care retirement community on the SSM DePaul Health Center campus that provides skilled nursing care at Anna House, assisted living at Veronica House and independent living at Naomi House.

Better Business Bureau -- Helps resolve consumer complaints and offers information on complaints about businesses. Call (314) 645-3300.

Contact 2/Call for Action -- Volunteer organization sponsored by KTVI-TV (Channel 2) providing confidential referral and ombudsman services for consumers. Call (800) 782-2222.

"It is one of the most beautiful compensations of this life," wrote Ralph Waldo Emerson, "that no man can sincerely try to help another without helping himself."

Service to others is an essential characteristic of Catholic life, and those who follow the Ignatian way dedicate their lives to being "men and women for others." In their efforts, many find the blessings returned in surprising ways.

For many donors, nothing tugs at the heartstrings -- and loosens the purse strings -- more than a picture of a child.

The Better Business Bureau (BBB) recommends that donors understand where their money is going before contributing to a children's charity. In too many cases, the lion's share of a charitable donation goes not to help the kids, but to pay the high cost of telephone and direct-mail fundraising.

Theresa Austin, food service manager, laughs when asked about some of the feedback she receives on the meals at Mother of Perpetual Help assisted living residence in Shrewsbury.

"They only remember your last meal," she said with a chuckle.

If one meal is not so popular -- she's toast, to use a food analogy.

"A lot of them will score it. I'll walk through the dining room and they give me thumbs up or thumbs down depending on what they like. They're pretty vocal about what they like or don't like," Austin said.