“I would have moved here long ago"

St. Ann Retirement Center offers independent and assisted living campuses


Ask someone who is recently retired about some of the issues, concerns and obstacles to retirement and they will mention things like cooking for just one or two people, cleaning, real estate taxes, home repairs, transportation to and from Mass, lack of social activities, car repairs, other transportation issues and overall physical, mental and medical wellness. 

For seniors in the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City looking for an assisted living option with a strong Catholic identity there is Saint Ann Retirement Center. There are independent and assisted living campuses at Saint Ann. A nursing home by the same name is located next door but is no longer owned or operated by the archdiocese. 

“We are a faith-based organization that demonstrates, love, nurturing and respect for all residents, employees and visitors,” Joyce Clark, Saint Ann Retirement Center executive director, said. “We have a friendly culture that is easily seen and felt. It is a social community where residents gather frequently just to talk, drink cappuccino, play cards or dominoes and people watch.”

There are no buy-in fees, just a monthly agreement. Mass is celebrated every day with a full-time chaplain, but people of all faiths are welcome at Saint Ann. For the non-Catholics, there is a non-denominational service on Sunday. Activity calendars are packed with a wide variety of entertainers, outings, exercise, crafts, speakers, singing and many things to do or learn. 

“I would have moved here long ago if I had known how much happier it made me,” Trish, a resident at Saint Ann, said. “Even my health and stamina have improved. I exercise and eat delicious food. There are a ton of things to do and we have the best entertainers. I have made new friends and I love all the staff.”  

Clark spoke with pride of her loyal staff who enjoy going to work and to the quality of meals residents receive. She said, “Our three cooks have a combined 33 years of seniority working at Saint Ann Retirement Center and do an outstanding job preparing great tasting meals. We are blessed to have a stable team with infrequent turnover. Our generous benefit package and work environment are exceptional so we are fortunate to attract and retain high quality people. Twenty-nine percent of our employees have worked here for 10 years or more. The average seniority of a dining service employee is eight years.”

Additional levels of care were recently added to Saint Ann assisted living. Having both independent and assisted living under the same roof allows someone to stay in one place if their care needs go up or down. It also allows couples to stay together when one spouse needs assisted living and the other prefers the independent living setting. 

The monthly rent at Saint Ann is all-inclusive. Included are meals, life-enriching activities and outings, a driver to appointments, housekeeping, laundry of linens, utilities, basic cable television and concierge services. In addition, assisted living rent includes personalized assistance with bathing, dressing, medication administration and other care and supportive services. 

“Daily Mass and the Catholic environment attracted us to Saint Ann Retirement Center. It is so convenient to have our own in-house chapel and priest. Everyone is friendly and helpful. It is a truly caring environment where everyone is welcome,” Residents Joseph and Shirley said. “We are thankful the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City ministers to seniors with Saint Ann and its easy access to Catholic services.”

In June, Saint Ann celebrated its 20th anniversary. The month was packed with five events to commemorate the milestone. They had a fair for residents with alpacas, a pie throwing contest, hand and arm massages, games, face painting, a chip throwing contest, a magician and a barbecue. 

The second event was a resident talent showcase hosted by a recent Ms. Oklahoma Senior winner. Residents packed the room with stage talents as well as display tables of collections, accomplishments and skills. 

The third event was a luau-themed volleyball tournament between assisted and independent living residents. 

The fourth event was a Mass celebrated by Archbishop Coakley and a reception that followed. Archbishop Beltran was thanked for his vision and development of Saint Ann Retirement Center. Father Price Grimes, who has functioned as the unofficial chaplain at Saint Ann since it opened 20 years ago, was also recognized. 

The fifth celebration was a dance with a 17-piece big band and singer. 

“Sometimes people are surprised that life at Saint Ann Retirement Center is about freedom, independence and fun. Residents are free from chores like cooking, shopping, housekeeping and home maintenance,” Clark said. “They are free to come and go as they please. They can choose to do as little or as much as they prefer. Our focus is on enhancing residents’ life with friendly supportive services. It is a great place to live and to work. I have the most amazing team of staff members.”

For more information about Saint Ann Retirement Center, visit saintannretirementcenter.com or contact Lisa McKibben or Richard Amend at (405) 721-0747, Ext 322. 

Charles Albert is a freelance writer for the Sooner Catholic.