St. Joseph of the Pines Health System has been the most comprehensive provider of senior living services in the Sandhills for more than 50 years.

Although the services provided have changed over the years, St. Joseph's mission of serving the community has remained constant, the nonprofit organization said.

The hallmark of St. Joseph of the Pines' senior living communities is the provision of quality health care, ranging from assisted living to short- and long-term skilled nursing care, rehabilitation services, and memory support. This continuum of care means residents are guaranteed a higher level of care is always available, should the need arise.

St. Joseph of the Pines currently operates two continuing care retirement communities, Belle Meade and Pine Knoll.

Opened in 1999, Belle Meade offers its residents resort-style living on a 220-unit spacious campus. One-, two-, and three-bedroom apartment residences, homes, and cottages ranging in square footage have been designed for comfort and independent senior living. In addition, a full-service clubhouse boasts two restaurants, bar, library, chapel, craft room, and a woodworking workshop.

"Belle Meade is not a retirement community where you move in to be taken care of during your golden years," said Tony Paz, director of resident support services for Belle Meade. "Instead, Belle Meade is a community of friends and families helping each other enjoy life."

The Pine Knoll campus, located on Central Drive, consists of The Villas and The Overlook. The Villas, which opened in 1984 as a 64-unit independent senior living community, offer family-style retirement living. Dedicated to providing quality, family-style residential services for independent senior adults, The Villas have studio, one- and two-bedroom apartments and patio homes with a family-style living room that serves as a gathering place where residents can enjoy the fireplace, piano, and entertainment room.

"Pine Knoll residents enjoy the benefits of senior living at its best," said Norma Faulk, director of resident support services for Pine Knoll. "Our residents like sharing meals, conversation and activities with people who have similar interests without the worries of cooking, cleaning or maintaining a home. We are very excited and looking forward to the opening of Overlook building. It is such a wonderful experience to be part of the renovation of this magnificent building that has so much history in the area."

Overlook at Pine Knoll

The former Pine Needles Inn and Resort is being renovated into The Overlook at Pine Knoll, 20 luxury two-bedroom apartment residences on the same campus as The Villas.

Scheduled to open in February 2007, the community will offer an additional four patio homes in the former pro shop of Pine Needles.

The building was also a technical training command center for the U.S. Army in World War II, the St. Joseph Hospital in 1948, and a long-term skilled nursing facility in 1968. It will feature a first-floor arcade complete with a concierge desk, game and billiards room, library, chapel, theater, pub lounge, original fireplaces and more.

Flexible options in floor plans, refund options and health-care plans allow members of the St. Joseph's community to select a home that meets all their needs.

"Our residents and future residents have said the most important things to them are to remain independent, enjoy life, protect their financial assets, and not to burden their families," said Hoppy Sell, director of marketing and sales for St. Joseph of the Pines. "These are all the aspects of our continuing care retirement community -- housing, hospitality, and health care."

Assisted Living

In addition to independent senior living, St. Joseph of the Pines also operates The Coventry, a 40-bed assisted-living facility on a lake on the 100-acre Belle Meade site adjacent to the Health Center. Providing help to residents who want or need assistance with day-to-day activities, The Coventry also ensures continued freedom and independence.

Residents can personalize their studio or one-bedroom suites with their own furnishings and have access to private lounges and activity areas. Admission to The Coventry is currently only through St. Joseph's independent living communities.

Skilled Nursing

Located on the Belle Meade campus off Camp Easter Road, the St. Joseph Health Center makes available skilled nursing care, palliative care for hospice patients, memory support care for those afflicted with Alzheimer's and dementia, short-term rehabilitation services offering physical, occupational, and speech therapy, and family support.

In addition, the St. Joseph Rehabilitation Center will soon be expanded to include a new occupational and speech therapy unit that will give patients the opportunity to relearn routine daily activities in an environment that more closely resembles what they encounter when they leave a rehabilitation center.

"At the new occupational and speech therapy unit, patients will practice the activities of daily living (ADLs) under the guidance of licensed physical, occupational and speech therapists as part of their rehabilitation program," said Rebecca Listrom, director of development. "Such activities are critical to more independent living and include walking on inclines, stepping off curbs, getting in and out of automobiles as well as shopping for groceries. This concept of community reintegration places St. Joseph of the Pines a step above other skilled nursing facility rehab providers."

With a focus on restoration and rehabilitation of each person's self-care capabilities and independence to the greatest degree, the Health Center's long-term skilled nursing care has given St. Joseph's the reputation for compassionate, mission-driven care.

"St. Joseph of the Pines Health Center is the leading provider of therapeutic services for older adults in Moore County," says Jake Bell, director of health services. "Our healing ministry is focused on helping those entrusted to our care return home safely and with the highest quality of life possible after an acute illness."

The Neese Clinic, also located on the Belle Meade campus, is a family health clinic staffed by three physicians specializing in geriatric care. Offering seven exam rooms, the Neese Clinic is in partnership with Pinehurst Medical Clinic.

Subsidized Housing

St. Joseph of the Pines has also been the sponsoring organization of subsidized housing, providing quality housing in a secure, safe environment.

The first Providence Place community opened in 1995 in Aberdeen. Within two years, more apartments were added, and the program was expanded to include a Providence Place neighborhood in Red Springs.

U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD), which establishes qualifications for residency at Providence Place, recently awarded St. Joseph of the Pines funding to build additional affordable senior housing units at the Red Springs location.

St. Joseph of the Pines Health System, a member of Catholic Health East, is sponsored by the Sisters of Providence and includes Belle Meade Resort Retirement, The Villas at Pine Knoll, The Overlook at Pine Knoll, The Coventry, The Health Center, and Providence Place.

Contributed by Jennifer Bunting, marketing and sales coordinator for St. Joseph of the Pines Health System